A few Penny photos...

3pt major for Presston

Wow what a whirlwind trip to Gridley, CA for the shows this past weekend. Entering Presston was not something I did until the last minute, and I am so very pleased that I did.

First of all, the show was a total weather disaster. On Saturday it was a steady pour of rain non-stop all day. I think I can say that every exhibitor was dressed in muck boots and mud-stomping attire. Sunday the weather was still raining, but not as steady. It did seem that it would stop everytime we were hanging inside the RV or arriving home- right Jeanne? I can't say that I didn't take a fall in the parking lot in the pouring rain tripping over some crates. It was just one of those weekends.

Saturday, Presston took WD/BOS for 2 points.

Sunday, Presston took WD/BOW/BOB for a 3 point major!

Winning that major was a very emotional experience for me. Presston means the world to me, so there was no greater joy than taking the purple ribbon with him. Now, just one more 3 pt major to go. If we would have taken BOW on Sunday he would have been finished. There's always the next show.... :)

Photos from Vallejo by Julie

My good friend Julie Lahr got some great pics of me and Penny this past weekend. Just wanted to share! Thank you so much Julie!


Also, wonderful news, we did a CERF check on Penny this weekend while at the show and she is clear! Yipee!

International Shows

The first weekend of this month we decided to do something different... International Shows! The IABCA (International All Breed Canine Association) puts on local all-breed shows through their program a few times a year. Hearing about a very relaxed, fun environment, I decided to bring Penny along to one and see how it goes. In these shows, dogs are given a written critque in "European style". Dogs are given ratings based on quality. The highest level given is a V-1 Rating. if your dog receives 3 V-1 rating cards, under three different judges, with at least one from a different country, you will receive your Intl. Ch title. There were two shows each day, which made for a lot of ring experience. Penny easily obtained four V-1 ratings, thus finishing her International Title. She also won Best of Breed 3 out of the 4 shows, and each time she won BOB she pulled group placements.. which was a Group 2, and two Group 3's. We came home with lots of medals and it was a really great experience. At this point we can attend another and gain two more V-1 titles and get the National Champion title. Just another thing to add to her name I suppose!

Article: The Tragic Loss of Bloodlines and Mentoring in America

The Tragic Loss of Bloodlines and Mentoring in America- By Carol D. Hawke

http://www.rojongreatdanes.com/danelinks.com/archive/guest_col/2005/6.1.05/tragicloss.htm


A couple of quotes that really pop to me:

"Health clearances are marvelous (we've promoted them for years ourselves) but they can never substitute for the intimate knowledge that will reveal exactly which lines tend to produce which defects. A series of health clearances achieved by a dog from a line that has consistently produced those defects is like a rubber swore. It's not going to protect your breeding program in the end run."

"Today's version of novice unfortunately tends to reveal the stereotypical know-it-all who eagerly acquires a dozen differing bitches from equally as many breeders (often worldwide) and pack them right off to the top winning stud dogs in their breeds"

December afternoon

Random photo from a December afternoon. Hard to believe it's only 10 days until Christmas. My how time flies. Before we know it, the New Year will be here. I have so many promising and exciting things coming up for 2011!

How we spend fall