fredag 29 maj 2009

Puppy plans

So, Visa has started bleeding and that means that I have to start making plans. I've now been in contact with Gunnar's owner to settle a date and I've found a place to sleep not far from where they live, thanks to Heidi. So, next Sunday Visa and I will be on our way! And hopefully we'll get labrador puppies in the house in the middle of August. :)

söndag 24 maj 2009

It's not always easy...

Today I've gained a new experience and I've done it the hard way. I've realized that Finland's one hour ahead of us. I've also learned how to drive to Pello in Finland, because that's the location of the dog show where we were going to show the Cavaliers today. But due to my bad driving, or at least my bad habit of not reading the traffic signs careful enough, we didn't get there in due time. We managed to show Maya in her class and she got a 1st prize (EH) and won her class (she was the only one). But the males were finished when we got there. I entered the ring with Idefix when the breed was finished and he too got a 1st prize (EH). He would have got excellent (ERI) had he been happier. But he doesn't like heights and has decided that it includes the table :( He also had to keep an eye on his beloved Stina all the time, so he probably looked a bit more frightened than he actually was, as he kept looking out of the ring.

Many lessons learned today. We also learned that Stina will show Idefix nest time, because then he won't have to look for her all the time. I'll go back to being a labrador handler :)

New pics of Idefix in my website. I'll add one here in case you've missed them.

måndag 18 maj 2009

Show result

Yesterday I was on a dog show with our little Cavalier lady - Maya. Her usual handler, Stina, was at the same time participating in an agility course with Idefix. In some weak moment, I promised to show Maya. I can say that I regretted that yesterday, when all my nerves seemed to be outside my body! Suddenly I remembered last time Maya participated in a dog show in the very same place. That was last year and she did nothing but ran around in little circles, the short time she was in the ring. She had to leave pretty soon, as the judge didnät appreciate her "performance"...

I wasn't in a better mood when I first followed Stina to the agility training and Maya started screaming and shivering as soon as she saw the obstacles. How would this day end?

But of course, I didn't have to worry. Maya is a princess and she acted like one yesterday. She showed herself perfectly well, dispite my bad nerve condition, and let the judge look at her from every angle possible while standing on the table. She got a first prize in Open class but nothing more. There were over 20 bitches in the class so we're satisfied, especially as the judge's opinion of Maya was really nice to read. :)

I end by giving you a photo of the little princess at a very young age, when she wasn't quite that ladylike... ;)