Dog Shows, Household in Turmoil and Being a Goof

Rookie thought it was about time he spent his pocket money on a couple of dog shows, so we have done Paignton and Bournemouth championship shows this year.

Seahaven's Celtic Commander of Hartenziel

Paignton Ch. Show was a lovely day, really nice to see everyone again and catch up, and of course Rookie enjoyed all the mingling.

He took 2nd place in his class to a really mature boy, so I was really pleased with that.

 

All of us were happy to be back home on the moor after the show

Unfortunately, then our bitch came into season, and our boys' brains have turned to mush! Rookie was quite chilled during her last season, and our other entire male was quite loopy throughout. Bit different so far, Rookie seems to remember what's brewing and fancies his chances (in his dreams), and Tor is only mildly loopy. We are really lucky with our boys, in that they all got on really well throughout last time, and I can only hope that continues this time. We make sure they stay together throughout, and they have never so much as exchanged a cross glance, such good boys. Well, except Chance, our castrated boy, who lives his life bearing a cross glance! But no one pays him any notice!

Regardless, I decided to venture to Bournemouth Ch. Show- not been to this show before, and it was the HOTTEST day I can remember in a long time. We were all baked to a crisp by the time we got in the ring, but again it was really great to see everyone, and also to meet some more people in the breed and their dogs.

Rookie found it hard to concentrate in the ring; one of his local girlfriends was there (her first show) and had just come out of season too, poor lad didn't know what to do with himself! But our judge was really nice and patient and awarded Rookie 1st in Post Graduate Dog and then he went on to take Reserve Best Dog.

 

So that's us done on the showing front this year, save for a few open shows.

 

 

In real life news, Rookie has mostly been:

 

Having an unexpected photo shoot (complete with sting between the eyes and unkempt manly locks).....

 



 

 

 

 

Babysitting.....

 

 

Falling asleep holding crochet turtles....

 

 

 

Playing with puppies.....

 

 

Showing puppies around obedience shows..... (Don't tell anyone but Rookie did an actual real life sit stay at this show.) Poppy the goldie puppy was a bit scared of big, daft Rookie to begin with, but soon realised what fun he could be.

 

 

Visiting the incredibly special Libby (Seahaven Olympic Vindicat) and her equally special mum....

 

 

 

 

Tracking.....

 

 

Spending a few weeks looking after his handsome bud Toller Baloo.....

 

 

And just generally being a very happy boy :)

 

Well done to all of the recent Seahaven successes, both ginger and spotty, and keeping everything crossed that Trio has some beautiful, healthy babies to make me broody again.

 

Jess and Rookie



Trio and Eve with this year's rosettes

                                                   Trio with her rosettes from this year

                                                  Eve with her rosettes from this year

National Gundog Association Championship Show

At the last minute we decided to all go to NGA and stay for a few well deserved break for us all.

We travelled to Malvern on the Friday after a great day celebrating Christopher's birthday, as a result we didn't arrive until about 9.00 pm.  We had changed the caravan a few months ago and hadn't taken the new one out yet, although we had given the awning an airing (we didn't put it up completely, just checked it was all there).  The awning was much more complicated than our last one, and took some effort to sort it out when we couldn't find the instructions - as usual they turned up the following morning and it was a relief to know that we were correct!

What we couldn't sort out was the heater!  We gave up at 11.30 and fell into bed with the heating on!  The windows were left open and the door as it was so hot!  Thankfully in the morning it was sorted out, a relief as it was a scorching day.

On Sunday we then went to NGA only had Trio (Seahaven Borrowed Heaven) and Eve (Seahaven Parish Bell) entered, leaving Tilly and Maddie at the caravan with the men.  The JHA semi finals had been moved to NGA for the first time and both Tasha and Eleanor had qualified.  They did extremely well in a huge class (29) but didn't get placed.

Both breeds were 2nd in the ring so we had quite a bit of a wait and a chance to catch up with friends.

NSDTRs

Tasha handled Cooper (Seahaven Galactic Storm) to a 3rd place in a strong limit class.  Tasha was handling for Dawn who is recovering from a broken foot.

Eleanor then handled Eve in PGB to a 2nd place in a strong class, then she won the Limit class!  So delighted as she has now attained her KC Stud Book Number, the same show where her brother (Cooper) attained his last year!

Large Munsterlanders

Trio was then entered in her breed classes coming away with two 3rds in Limit and Open in some strong company.  Absolutely delighted with how she is doing at the moment, we're hoping that this will be her last show for a while as we hope she will be on maternity duties soon!

YKC Handling

The girls then went on to be placed in the handling with Tasha gaining a 4th and Eleanor a 5th place.

A few days then just relaxing and finding some lovely walks with stunning views in the Malvern, and we even went and watch a band playing in the park with the dogs! 

Trio in season at last!

Well as the title speaks for itself!  After a long wait, she finally came into season after our trip to Windsor - seeing Alfie again certainly seems to have done the trick.

We started to progesterone test on day 8, anticipating a retest on the following Monday (day day 12) and a trip to Alfie mid week.  Sean had as soon as she came into season that we'd end up visiting Alfie on the Saturday.  The children were going to Caldey Island with the youth group that morning, and it was the NSDTR breed seminar that I was booked onto.  We had already organised for Sean to take the children and I was car sharing with Gerald (Cooper's dad) to the seminar.  I had spoken to Gerald as soon as she came into season letting him know that there was a very slight possibility that I might have a problem as we were planning on mating her, hence I might need to change plans regarding the trip. 

Well the progesterone test (Thurs pm) came back at 6.5 ng showing that she had just ovulated and was ready to go! 

Panic stations then ensued with a host of phone calls, quick trips to town for last minute supplies for the children and packing.

We had kindly been offered the opportunity to stay with Meg's (Tilly's daughter) owners, and I  had packed the tent to camp in their paddock.  All was then organised to travel to Lincs to Alfie, then on to Nicola & Charlie's for the night before heading to Leics the following day for the seminar and then home from there. 

Gerald sadly had to travel on his own, and I certainly missed his company on the long journey to Lincs.

The journey to Lincs was long and hot, and took several hours - but eventually we did arrive.  We didn't get the mating that we had hoped, despite the blood results she just didn't appear ready and it was agreed to try again the following day after the seminar.

A lovely meal with Nicola and Charlie, and a good catch up and they were very persuasive in having me stay in a bed and not the tent for the night!  It was certainly more comfortable, and Trio was happy being in her crate in the same room as me.

I travelled to Leics the following day and Nicola and family kindly minded Trio, much nicer than being cooped up in the car for the day.  She certainly had a lovely day from what I was told on my return.  The seminar was really interesting, and with a morning exam and afternoon of critique writing was quite taxing on the old brain. 

It was agreed to meet again with Alfie, which we did after I'd collected Trio.  Sadly I didn't get much chance to catch up with Nicola and Charlie, and the cup of tea from Charlie was much appreciated before I headed off again.  To our relief we managed to get a mating, and a tie of 15 mins!! 

A long drive home then to finally reach my own bed shortly before 2am!

Our local club show took place on the Saturday, sadly we had to miss this as we had already booked the seminar which was such a shame as they now put on classes for both breeds.  We were delighted to be told that Eve's sister Bron - Seahaven Gloriana won BoB (only entry) but then went on to be placed in the gundog group!

We now have to be patient and wait to have Trio scanned at 4 weeks, at least it's nearly one week down.

Windsor Weekend

A busy but very enjoyable weekend spent firstly at Windsor Champ Show, and then the LMC Working Test.

An early start on Saturday enabled us to miss the heat whilst travelling, but it was incredibly hot there.  We did manage to find some shade, and with a breeze blowing and cool coats managed to keep the dogs comfortable.

The day started with the Junior Handling, where Tasha and Eleanor were both entered.  Both gave good performances and Eleanor was shortlisted and placed 5th in a really strong class.  Trio wasn't keen on moving in the heat, and this may have contributed to Tasha not being shortlisted - though she did get more enthusiastic in the breed classes.

In breed Trio had a Reserve in Limit and then a 3rd in Open - a placing that we were delighted with.

In no time at all we were back in the ring with Eve, where she came away with a Reserve in Limit.

We left the showground mid afternoon and made our way to Hall Barn, where we were staying for the night.  The tent was put up swiftly, and we were soon able to give the dogs a swim in the lake to cool off.  A very pleasant evening was then spent with others camping there from the LMC, with a BBQ and general get together.  Dogs and owners happily mixing together in such a pleasant location.

Eleanor recalling Eve

The Sunday started with an overcast sky, which was quite welcome considering the dogs would be working for the day.  The girls were working on different tests, which made for interesting discussions on the differences in them.  I was given the task of booking handlers in, which meant a very busy start, but then the opportunity to watch some of the tests.  I managed to see some of the Puppy Water, Puppy Hunting, whilst the girls saw the Open Blind Retrieve & Novice Retrieve.  We all managed to watch the Open Dog Water at the end of the day.

Eve watching in the shade

We didn't stay (although we would have loved to) for the final results and prize giving as we had arranged to stop and see Fenway and her family on the way home. 

A fantastic weekend, great company on both days and two stunning venues!

Playing the Waiting Game

Well we are trying to be as patient as possible with Trio, her season is now overdue! 

She really is enjoying keeping us on ours toes, but we are all ready and set for when she does decide to come into season.  All health tests have been done and she passed her annual eye test in May.

We haven't done a great deal, we have had some school commitments over some of the weekends and GCSE exams to contend with recently.  Now things are starting to settle down and we can get to a few shows over the summer.  We are off to Windsor Champ show on Saturday, and helping out on the Sunday at the LMC working test.  Hoping that we get the predicted good weather as we're taking a small tent as it's only one night away!

Agility training has been going well, Eleanor tried Eve out at the 4th height jumps last week and she exceeded our expectations with her jumping ability.  So impressed that we put up some of the jumps to full height to see how she would cope and she sailed over them.  Giving us some hope that she might manage on the KC full height that she has measured into.  We've only entered her in anysize classes for the one agility show that we have entered so far, so will have to see how this goes.  We don't intend to rush her anyway.

Fingers crossed here for Trio, maybe if she sees Alfie at Windsor this weekend it might remind her what a handsome chap he is.

Cooper's latest exploits

Hi to all my friends out there. Just a short update on a couple of the last shows I've been to.

On 29 May I went to the Southern Counties Show held in Newbury. I can tell you - the air in the car turned blue. Tollers were scheduled as first in the ring so we all set out on the M4 bright and early. By early I don't mean Seahaven early which is like 4 a.m. but Neath early, 5.45 a.m.  So - with that early start, why did we have to sprint to the show ring? Well, you can put the blame squarely on my Dad's shoulders, who, because there was no postcode on the printed Schedule, was convinced it was held in Newbury Raceground. The actual road to the raceground was shut off for roadworks anyway, so at least three circuits of the centre of Newbury were done, taking us back via sat-nav to the same closed road, before Mam realised what was wrong and phoned Sean Black (he's always on the computer) and he looked it up for us. A mad rush then out of Newbury to the SHOWGROUND (not Raceground, right, Dad?). Mam got her asthma pump into her, a quick brush for me, then we were in our Limit Class, where I got a Second place. Panic, and the day, over by the time I'm usually going out on my walk with Dad.

Then, on 7 June I was in Three Counties Show, Malvern,but we can get there without the dreaded sat-nav. Due to paranoia after what happened in the previous Show we set out early and were the first tollers at the showground. It was a glorious day and we all sat on the grass outside. In this show I was in Open and got First place, then even better was awarded Best Dog. I couldn't do better than that on the day, a lovely bitch being awarded Best of Breed (she was actually Best Bitch in Crufts this year).

A pose for the Judge to take a Photo

Someone attract his attention so he looks forward!

Showing over, just chilling.

Bit of a break now until early July but I hope to spend it with a few doggie meets, so watch out Newgale!