The National

I have uploaded lots of photos on the travel blog of the ASSA National Futurity where I had the privilege of judging.

A Bunch of Mudders

It all starts out innocently enough...just a romp in the field.

Then one of them leads the way...

Don't want to name names, but Juno is often known to be a mudder...

And Eva as well.

Mayer has become one. Compare and contrast with the photo from last weekend!

And then they are all in the game. Yep, this is how it happens; our guys gravitate to a ditch than runs between the fields. They jump in it, over it, wade through it, and of course...have a drink.

Miley prefers to leap while her mother Paris trolls along with her face in the water.

Emma has been a water rat from a young age...

Visiting Bunny is a hesitant mudder...but she did manage to wade in.

Little Diva is newly initiated; having tested the puddles in the other field earlier in the day.

She's got game!

Owen is not as impressed!

While little "Miki" thinks this is a blast...

Cocoa in fine form; showing she can do more than look pretty in the ring!

She can figure out the best way through the rushes...

Yes, that's our show dog!

OK...not all are into being wet. Nova doesn't like that sort of thing. She has never gone near the ditch, or a puddle if she can avoid it. But rolling in the grass...heaven!I think it is safe to say they had a pretty good time!

Winding down and heading for home...

The Pups First Run

Yesterday afternoon I took Diva, Miki and Owen out in the field for the first time. I brought the camera with the 70-200 lens and for the first ten minutes or so was wondering why I bothered putting on the zoom lens. They were sticking to me like glue...happy and looking for treats, and not really aware of the freedom they had. Then they found a puddle and got the sillies. Invitation to play...Diva tucked her tail and started to go! From the standard: "The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, alert, rough-coated, longhaired working dog. He must be sound, agile and sturdy." Diva looking pretty agile!
Woo Hoo!

Gotcha; Diva getting worked over for being such a smarty pants!

Owen and sister Diva

Beautiful Owen...
Time out for a drink...they went back out an hour later with the group. Those photos will be posted shortly.

Show Photos

I've been slow to get back to blogging with Spring cleaning and then dog shows; I'm just back from two weekends of showing. First was in Syracuse where I brought "Cocoa", Can Ch Laureate Jivara in pursuit of her American title. She won points 2 of the 4 days, both times winning the breed over Specials. On the Sunday was thrilling when she went on to win the group under Charles Bett! This girl is one of our favorites...she is a great mover and has such a sweet expression. She was also a crowd favorite.

Last weekend I drove up to Petawawa with "Mayer" who needed a point to finish his title. He finished the first day by taking Best of Breed, Group 3rd and Puppy Group under judge Alan Brown.

Arizona

I'm slowly going through the photos we took of our holiday to Scottsdale, Grand Canyon and Tucson Arizona. I posted a few on our travel blog and will get a few more up next week.