We had a GREAT time. So many wonderful people and dogs.
Pups both earned their Beginner Novice titles in 3 straight tries, going 1-2 all 3 days with very large entries. Cookie had a 198.5, a 199, and a 198. Sass had a 198, a 199.5, and a 198.5. I did show them on the 4th day for their bumper legs but they were tired and I was more focused on Chloe. Even so, Sass was 3rd and Cookie was 2nd. More than their scores though, I was impressed by how well they handled the travel and what was a chaotic, busy show environment. They had 3 rings running simultaneously, in the other end of the building there were vendors and the food stand so lots of noise and commotion. No space for crates, so people and dogs were sitting ringside making for tight quarters with little room to warm up. Considering these were their first time in a show ring and I haven’t even matched them much their attitudes and focus were amazing.
Chloe struggled a bit the first three days (mostly I think because I was so focused on the pups, so it wasn’t what she was used to and she stressed a bit), but even so she had an Open 3rd and a Utility 3rd going up against some of the best Obedience Labs in the country. The final day, after the pups were done and I could fully focus on her, she came out strong. Despite having already been in 8 classes over 3 days, she gave me an outstanding 198 in Open B (2nd) and a 197 in Utility B (1st) which was good for High Combined. I had to laugh because my almost 8.5 year old dog, who had at that point shown in 10 classes across 4 days, lost 2 of her 3 points because she was forging on the heeling. Most dogs would have been exhausted and dragging at that point, but not her - she wanted me to go FASTER. The Utility B 1st gave her enough OTCH points to put her over the hump, we are now more than half-way there :-)
Brace and Team were fun, but not exactly precision Obedience. We enjoyed it though! My favorite thing that happened all week was when one of the judges who had already judged Chloe and Cookie was watching me warm up Sass and said “I just have to tell you how much I love the beautiful relationship you have with your dogs - it’s really wonderful to see”. Because really, that’s what this is all about - not the scores and prizes.
Here they are with their ribbons. The trophy in front of Chloe was the High Combined trophy offered by the host club for that day (Mid-Jersey Lab Ret. Club). The club keeps it, but the winner has their name inscribed on it. What makes Chloe’s name going on it particularly meaningful for me, is that Scully’s name was on it from 15 years ago. I will admit I got a little misty-eyed when I saw her name and realized that now both my girls will be on there together.
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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Wow, congrats.
Annette47 (10-13-2017)
That's a great week by any standard!
I think it's awesome you'll have Scully and Chloe's names on that trophy!
Annette47 (10-13-2017)
What a wonderful week! and a fantastic comment from the judge, so nice to be recognized for what you're aiming for.
and that is just so cool having both their names on that trophy, are they near enough each other (likely not with 15 years) to get a photo for a keepsake?
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Scout CD RAE6 WC March 6, 2007; Tullemore Browning Superposed PCD RN RI "Trigger" Nov 11, 2016
Missing:
Castelleja's Dual Mags "Mags" March 1993 - March 2008
"Pocco" the chocolate wonder August 1993 - December 2007
Last edited by Annette47; 10-13-2017 at 05:14 PM.
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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Congratulations Annette, it was fun following your progress through the event, and all your entries. Great job!
Huge congratulations!
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Kissing Bandit
Annette47 (10-14-2017)
Congrats! that is is one great weekend
Ivy
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Annette47 (10-14-2017)
Wow. Incredible focus for you and your dogs. Congratulations.
Annette47 (10-17-2017)
Congratualations! What a wonderful achievement. Does anybody else have two of their dogs on that trophy?
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Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content
Annette47 (10-17-2017)
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