Bits, Pieces and Highlights

Just a few small things that I will remember from this years National....

Watching my good friend Nancy Golden have the time of her life judging the Futurity puppies.

Seeing Pumpkin's cousin Yonah do so well in weight pull and then just a few days later, earn an Award of Merit in Breed.

Seeing Casey, last years National BOB winner, return to the Top 20 Invitaional for his last appearance of the evening wearing his weigh pull harness. At that point we learned he had been running back and forth between the Invitaional and the weight pull allnight long.

Watching Lightning, last years (and this years) Annual Award Winner for Top Sled Dog win Best of Breed. He, Casey and Yonah prove thse dogs are NOT just pretty faces.

Winning the veteran class with Icer, carrying on in his daddy's footsteps.

Ilsa made three appearance in the show ring at this years national, same as last year. Then she was a mass of fear, terrified at the sights and sounds. This year she showed beautifully, helping her dad earn a win in Stud Dog class and her mom earn a placement in Brood Bitch.

Placing with Kelly in that huge Open class of 41 girls.

The poker(bridge ?) game that was going on ringside for much of the week. It was even captured in the Banquet slide show.

Watching Babe experience the National as only a puppy can.

Winning one of Karen McF's beautiful "shard art" Planter boxes at the Auction. I have coveted one of her pieces for years and NOW I HAVE ONE!!

Seeing all the beautiful items in the Art Show. I never cease to be amazed at the talent in our club.

Seeing Karen Sickle's beautiful beadwork. She ring stewarded every day and every day she had on a new and more beautiful piece.

Watching Takenak's Barenof win the over 12 Veterans class and go on to an Award of merit. What an AMAZING dog!

Bo and Doug's hysterical Awards Banquet emceeing.

A 3 am off leash walk thru the hotel with Babe to get more ice for her ice bag.

Seeing all the great people I only get to see once or twice a year.

Number One on the hit parade? Getting the FANTASTIC news that my dear friend Mary is free of Hodgkins disease!!!

The low spot? Hearing the COE and BBE had passed. I am shocked and appalled.

Meanwhile....

I just got news that the other bitches that were entered in the show this weekene will not be there.

The entry was only 1 class dog and three class bitches, so now there is only one of each which means NO POINTS. I have already spent over $200 on entries, I guess I'll still go and hope that Ilsa can take a breed or two.

Kelly could get points...she'd have to 1) beat Ilsa for BOS or 2) Beat all 4 male specials and Ilsa for BOB or 3) hope the class boy can go BOS over the specials, then Kelly can go BOW over the boy and Ilsa can take breed. That's the scenario I'd LIKE to see happen but is also the most unlikely. If she picks up any points it will most likely be that a male special will take breed, Kelly will beat Ilsa for BOS and the class male will go BOW so he gets a point too.

Serious bummer to think about driving 8 hours for this but... I am taking my 16 year old friend Lindsay Ragsdale and I don't want to disappoint her. She is trying to get enough Junior wins to qualify for Westminster and Alamogordo is the perfect place for her to pick up a few more wins.