Cabrillo Dog Show 5/20-5/21

Sorry,no pictures this time. On Saturday, Payson got "best puppy" so moved in to puppy group competition. He was judged again later in the day and got fourth in the toy puppy group. Sunday was a big disaster. Not because of anything he did, but because the judge said the scar on his left rear leg looks like a surgical enhancement. I told her that it was just where his mother in chewing off the umbilical cord had taken the fur off, but she basically called me a liar with her attitude and dismissed him. I guess you win some, and you lose some. I had a couple of people say really nice, encouraging things, and then there was this other lady that said a whole bunch of stuff I really didn't like to hear. We'll have to see how he gets judged in the future. I know I'll have to avoid that judge in the future, but if others have the same opinion, well...this could be a career ender for him. Guess we can always switch to agility. Sorry for the bum news (and late--I am in Chicago just trying to get this out quickly before my conference starts). Thanks to everyone for your support!

Rio Hondo Dog Show--Pomona 5/6 & 5/7/06

Our little man is moving up in the world!! On Saturday, he won his puppy class, then beat another dog to become "winner's dog." That threw him into the "best of breed" competition, which we did not win. He, did, however, receive a point for beating that other dog. The judge said he looks really big and that I need to measure him, but other than that he is very pretty and has a very nice ear set. So...took him home and measured him. I tried it alone and eyeballed it, and almost panicked--thought I was going to have to saw his feet off to put him within breed standard of 11.5" or shorter. Once I got some help, however, he is within standard. Whew. He would look funny without feet.

Sunday went even better. He's still a little bit puppy-brained in the ring and on the table--he got all excited because someone else had dropped bait on the table and he had to check it out. I got him all stacked up and the judge went over him. Best in puppy class (as usual the only one), then he went on to get winners dog again, and back into best of breed competition. This time he received a "best of winners" ribbon. (Still didn't win best of breed, but picked up even more points!) I need to continue working with him--I can see my challenge will be when the table smells good, so I'm going to have to bait a table and not let him investigate. These small triumphs are helping. I also know he can't win every single one we enter, so have to be happy with small steps and learning what needs to be worked on. Next weekend we don't have a show, and the Show in San Diego is on May 20 & 21.