A.D.D. hits Show Ring Horror.
Ringcraft pre-stack positioning.
First proper ringcraft session for Phoenix under Judge Glenys Sykes of Daraquist English Setters. Phoenix was typically excited and indeed excitable in the midst of twenty-odd other dogs. She was highly praised for her spirit (!), although a little more control would certainly have made the evening less like a wrestling match and more like a dream walk in the ring…
…still, everyone was extremely complimentary (at least to our faces) and hopefully Tim’s handling skills will slowly improve alongside Phoenix’s concentration.
Ringcraft examination.
There were lots of really nice people at the session and we met some of the heavy hitters in the gundog show world .
Phoenix’s status as an only dog at home seem to mark her out as being notably more “animated” than any other puppies present, all of whom came from multi-dog households. Once again, all we can do is persist with her canine socialisation programme, and hope that we can get her as focused in the ring as she is at home.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.
Rewarded for Sitting for Tim.
Sticking her tongue out at The Man.
Walking in A Winter Wonderland…
Kent Brockman: “Roads closed, pipes frozen, albinos …virtually invisible. The National Weather Service has upgraded Springfield’s North Devon’s blizzard from “Winter Wonderland” to a “Class 3 Kill-Storm”!
- Marge: I don’t like the sound of that “class 3”.
After yesterdays smattering of snow, we awoke (like the rest of the country) to find a good six inches or so covering everything in sight. Very Christmas picture-postcardy.
Into the Garden under Snow.
People all over the county spent the night trapped in their cars or without electricity, it even made the national news. We lost electricity for about 4 hours and wondered how long it would be before we were foraging like wild animals for soya cappuccino and novelty USB Memory Sticks.
To celebrate Phoenix’s three month birthday and
We *heart* National Emergencies.
Adam’s 43rd, it was decided that snow+cake+dog+national state of emergency= PARTY TIME!
Phoenix was quite delighted with the transformation of the garden landscape as she variously tried romping, eating, digging, chasing and rolling in the snow. We had a** lot** of fun; the pictures tell the story much better than we can…. Sorry about the messy layout but WordPress seems to be a bit temperamental with multiple picture posts.
With Tim in the Snow.
Did we mention the cake?
Running in the Snow.
Snuffling Snow.
We were really making Snow Angels.
Chasing Adam.
Catching Adam.
Bringing Adam down like a wounded Gnu.
Uh-Oh Snow…
Bouncy in the First Snow.
We didn’t make it to Puppy Gurus because of the extreme weather – snow fluttered down and cars crashed everywhere, stopping us from getting out of the little valley we live in. Tim was particularly peeved because he’d been working on the whole sit-stand-down thing all week, and had primed Phoenix for a perfect performance* in front of the doggy posse. Oh well.
* OK passable performance if truth be told, but this is the internet and everybody lies on the internet, so we’re sticking with perfect!
Out for Tea.
We took Phoenix to meet our friend Robie, she’s not a big dog fan, but seemed to like our large eared lady. Of course Phoenix did slightly let the side down by chewing on Robie’s rugs – but I guess we should have taken a stuffed kong to distract. I don’t think we’ve been banned, but it took a good deal of playing the cute puppy card to get away with it. It also helped that one of us faked a heart murmur to take the heat off of her. Oh, and there were flapjacks and a trip to the Common too, but nothing exciting happened.
Shopping Hell.
Emo Kids Didn't Stop the Tail Wags.
More trips to the common, for the first time we were recognised by a group of owners (and possibly the dogs too). One of the owners called out “Hellooooo Phoenix” much to Phoenix’s utter delight. Good playtime with different dogs today. She seems to be getting (a little more) respectful and calmer around her boy and gal-pals.
A trip to Barnstaple High Street proved to be wearing for all concerned. We think around 40 people came up to say “Hello”, and at least the same number sidled off, or around us, with looks of sheer horror on their faces. Progress was slow and Phoenix was extremely excitable although far from overwhelmed despite the enormous number of people, cars and general bustle. Phoenix met her first emo-kids too and was unfazed by eyeliner, black clothes and downbeat facial expressions. There was a brief moment of embarrassment when she jumped up and chewed someone’s scarf, oh and a little girls long, flowing hair – which was “challenging”.
We also met a lovely lady who had just rescued an Irish Wolfhound from high rise hell in Liverpool. The poor dog was being looked after by three aggressive teenage boys and a sweary mum – luckily he was now in his new home and being described as “an angel” by his new human companion.
On a final note, we were impressed by Phoenix’s fantastic lead work on the common today, we suspect this will all evaporate at Monday’s Puppy Gurus class – teach will have a sceptical look on her face as we insist that Phoenix does sit, stand and walk to heel. We might have to video Phoenix just to prove we’re not pushy showbiz parents…
However, in a noisier environment all the lead work etc vanished, due to the over-stimulation from the throngs of people. Who knew emo-kids could be overstimulating?! It was her first time ever in that environment and she took to it with all paws flying.
No Sir, She’s NOT a Ridgeback.
Bored with your Guesses.
Twice more over to the common today, with another twenty to twenty-five dogs met, sniffed and played with (along with their attendant human companions).
Phoenix is now 10.3 kilos – our gal is growing up! Tottering out of the car with her is certainly bicep building…
Top Breed Misidentification Guesses so Far
- Rhodesian Ridgeback (not close, no cigar, no money back).
- Generic Pointer (close, but no cigar)
- Weimaraner (close, candy cigar)
- Visssssssla (you’re not even comin’ in mate)
Belatarr Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. 