For her second and last show of the trip, Stella actually walked around the ring with her tail up on both go-rounds. She was much better on the table (yes, we do still have work to do on that) and she tolerated the cold way better than I thought. While I was in the ring with Stella, Alexis was a couple rings down for Juniors with Breezy.

Now she did not do so well in the cold temps, so much so that she appeared to be cramping up in the ring and didn’t necessarily want to even stand. Poor Breezy! After her ring time we warmed her up in the car –  A jacket for our sweet girl is on my to-do list!

Another ring conflict allowed Alexis to show Pryia in breed today and I am thinking the cold effected Alexis more so than Pryia. Her own gait was off – perhaps from trying got keep herself warm? No love but I think it was an accomplishment since Pryia is in season and didnt baulk once when being examined! Glass half full!

It’s been a very long and very good weekend! Waking early, going to bed late and working non-stop, I think Alexis needs to build her stamina – I think we both do! Alexis worked her butt off with Renee, proving she can work with me there, but not THERE. Huge accomplishment! Next show we will try with her staying at the hotel with Renee!

I am proud to announce that Stella walked around the ring actually had her tail up for the final go around. She balked to bit on the table but it did not growl nip or bite! That’s huge for us! beyond proud and can’t wait to see how we do tomorrow. Even it’s the same, it’s a win!

Her socialization continued when Terry offered to take her around with her around the show site. She was stiff like a statue for only a couple of minutes. Again, more progress! All in all I’m very happy with the training and experiences Stella has received here in Ocala.

Well Stella night we’re broadening our horizons, Alexis got to show Priya in breed and Breezy in Juniors. They both got dumped but Alexis loved the experience. Breezy still looks way too uncomfortable on the ring. Not quite sure how’s to increase your confidence but that is our new goal for 2017.

Our other news of the day? Rita brought Flirt (who has been renamed Cupie) with her for the weekend and we got to see her progress. She’s doing very well, all things considered. Found out late in the day that they were doing an Eye Clinic. It to get Stella’s eyes done. She passed with flying colors! Like there was ever a doubt?? We also got news on Linguine progress at the fast cat run. That little dude ran his heart out and is now the fastest Cavalier King Charles spaniel on record!

Was an early morning rain time we kicked off today with the Whippets, freezing cold and shaking. We are still learning a lot about this breed and it never occurred to me to pick up a jacket for her. The other whippets we’re kept warm with jackets and wraps. Renée taught us how to not only keep Breezy warm with body contact but to also use soft and slow rubbing of your hands down her back to calm her ring-side. Technique definitely calm her but I’m not too sure about keeping her warm. It looks like I’m going to have to find a custom jacket for our sweet girl. In the meantime we’ll do what we can with what we have.

We were able to get the registration papers for Breezy all set up so that she could show her in Juniors today, and for the rest of the weekend. She would have a much better chance competing with a larger dog. Of course Juniors was a conflict with Australian Shepherd so she picked juniors and Renée took Priya in. To top it off it was one of the last ring times of the day. Go figure!

Priya and Renée we’re seamless, so much so they took best-of-breed! No love in groups but they still looked wonderful! Alexis and Breezy did their thing in the junior ring. She was much more noticeable with a larger dogs but it was also very noticeable that Breezy was rather uncomfortable. This was her last day showings this weekend. I see some additional socialization at the show site in our future.

While the big dogs had their ring times today the little ones got to bond with their new show home – the new Best in Show Trolley! It was perfect! It kept them warm in the morning, cool in the afternoon and comfortable enough can nap the day away at a very loud and active show site. That’s a total win in my book!

The second lesson of the day was to always run dogs before they are about to go in the ring. There was a last minute schedule change and suddenly Alexis was needed to handle Pryia in the breed ring. The sudden change left Pryia quickly groomed but not ran – Hence,she pooped in the ring less than a minute from entering it. Not once but three times! She got skipped and put to the end of the Specials she pooped so much. She did go on to win a Select, which goes to show just how amazing that girl is!

Unfortunately, Pryia also went into season which means that Alexis cannot show her in Juniors!! ARGHHHHH!!!!! Here I thought having females would make things easier without all of the male marking. The fact that girls brings others not season with them didn’t cross my mind until now – but it further confirmed our need to have multiple junior dogs for when things like this happen.

We had Georgie, Stella and Breezy to pick from. With the girls being less than show trained, Georgie was the only option left. Granted, he has only shown for me to his title and doesn’t get his tail up unless he is moving, but he was our only chance for her to compete. With me hiding behind people so that he couldn’t see or hear me, I have to say I was quite impressed with how well the two did together, He did very well for her and if the judge actually judged on effort, she could have placed. He is NOT an easy dog to show. They got first in my book!

With all of the dog switching and schedule juggling, while Alexis was in Juniors, she has a conflict with the Whippet ring. Renee was kind enough tossup in and take Breezy in for us. We have her entered for today and tomorrow’s shows. She got 2nd and then Reserve Bitch (do I have to share there were only two bitches there today?) Forever thankful to Renee for showing her, making Breezys first show with us such a pleasant and fun one!

Off to bed to rest up for day two….

As as we round out this amazingly enlightening weekend, I am excited to share just how much Alexis has grown in handling experience and confidence. We have our 2017 show prospects set and and I thrilled to have them as my show ring companions for the next 12 months. And I am honored to have a daughter who has the most sportsman like attitude, especially in the world of dog showing. When she shows her butt off and then got placed last in the junior ring – even with gasps and jaws dropping ring side – She walked out with pride and said “It’s just her option – Another day at the dog show. Maybe next time will be my time“. … SO PROUD!!

While Alexis was the best assistant ever today, I worked on socializing the puppies and Stella. Walking them on leads, having strangers walk up to them, even stacking them to allow people to go over them, it has been a truly successful day for us all. The puppies did a fantastic job on their leads with only 10 minutes of training. Stella was on the timid side when I put her on the lead – going to far as to try to crawl back into the trolley! After about 10 minutes she did calm down and walk a little bit. That’s progress!

Alexis showed just how far she is come and became a true asset for Renée. From running dogs, getting them ready for the ring to even handling a group placing Pug! Of course she also showed her Pryia in the Junior ring. She was a bit off in the ring though, worried about her drastic new haircut. Now that we have that out of the way, tomorrow she will blow them all away!!!!

Our morning started with Stella as the only Chihuahua entry. For her first time in the show ring I will have to say we need to work on her been around strangers. She walked “away” for the judge but I had some difficulty getting her to approach. We also have some table work to do. Confidence is something we must definitely build. When we went back in for the toy group she actually walked around the rain with her tail up! Balked on the table bit the judge was beyond patient and awesome. She clearly saw our special girl for who she is and gave her second place. So Proud!

Alexis had two dogs entered today. Priya in the herding group and Breezy in the hounds group. The herding group went first and do none of our surprise, she and Priya were fabulous out there! She then took Breezy in. We have worked so hard getting her comfortable with us, Our home, and our pack of Chihuahuas, that we needed today to see where we needed to go with her show experience. She is much more confidence than she was but she still has a ways to go. She was very happy to do what Alexis asked, but not without reservations. Confidence and table work seem to be in both of our futures.

Priya took first in the herding Group, proving yet again her movement is beautiful and her team work with Alexis is stunning. This teamwork was very evident when they participated in Junior showmanship in the match as well. They earned a first place in class and second in juniors.

After we finished all of the confirmation competition, we moved on over to the Fast Cat luring course. Oh my word is that cool! With Breezy being a site hound we thought perhaps this might be something right up her alley. After watching several others run the course we gave breezy a try. Alexis stood with her at the starting line with me at the finish. Needless to say that didn’t work well. You need to have the person the dog really wants to be at the finish. Alexis is her person! We waited until the very end and gave it another go. With Alexis leading her down the course Breezy did it! We are very proud! Alexis has decided she wants to work with Breezy and get her going with luring. They’re doing Fast Cat in Ocala. Can’t wait to see how these two progress!

Both Pryia and Breezy fit in it perfectly and by using it on the back deck, the water feeds through the hose and right onto the ground – PERFECT! I recommend it to anyone with a larger dog. Using it along with a standard garden hose makes giving your dog bath easy as ever! Two thumbs for sure!

As the dg show gods usually play it, Alexis and ryes took it all yesterday so today they were dumped. All the way around. Honesty, I think the excitement and the intense heat propped them both out. Yesterday was well earned and this weekend was truly amazing. Georgie awesome wins, Pryia’s entire Saturday and the lessons and experiences Alexis got to experience working with Renee? PRICELESS! In the 2 Hour drive home with the air conditioning blasting was the perfect way to end the perfect weekend.

I haphazardly entered the ring and had to correct Mr. Georgie several times because he just wasn’t paying attention to me at all. This was this first outdoor show in a very long time so I am sure he was completely distracted. When the judge pointed to him and said “Select Dog” I am sure the look on my face was filled with shock and confusion. She clearly saw behind his bad behavior and I was tickled pink! He earned his first major the 3 points AND his first major towards his Grand Champion title!

While I was in the ring with Georgie, Alexis was on the far end with Pryia. When she came running back to me, the look on her face is something I wish I had captured on film. Pure joy and excitement mixed with shock. SHE TOOK BREED!

There were 14 Aussies in the ring today and she beat them all! Please don’t get me wrong. When she and Boomer won breed it was exciting, but there were normally only a couple of dogs entered and he was normally the only Special. Aussie entries are always big and with such a limited amount of experience, for Alexis and Pryia to take it all – that’s HUGE! And it didn’t end there!

They headed over to Juniors and I actually got to witness that. There was a pretty big entry her in her class and a lot of tough competition. To be awarded a 4th place in such a tough class was truly awesome!

Also, the twosome won Owner-Handler as well as Breed, so this afternoon they had to got in the ring twice – Just like int good ol’ days with Boomer. Are you ready for this?……

THEY GOT A GROUP 1! We all jumped up with excitement and alexis was beyond elated! THEN – yes there is more – THEY MADE THE CUT IN GROUPS!!! OMG I couldn’t believe it! Alexis looked so calm but I am sure she was all giddy in her belly. There is was with all of the handlers – SO PROUD! And so exciting! She made it to the big leagues – 2017 is going o be am amazing year!