WBSDS Show

What a lovely day we had on Sunday!

Firstly the exciting news. Ann didn't have to worry about the ABC qualifier as she got a call from the organiser the week before telling her that Harley had qualified for the semi-final. He was first reserve at Scunthorpe last August and one of the people who qualified had pulled out.

I know Ann would have been happier if Harley had qualified in his own right but, with no pressure on them, they put in an excellent run on Sunday and finished in 12 place in a class of almost 300 proving them to be very worthy of their place in the semi.

Kiros also had a very good run in the ABC. It was a very big course with deceptive angles and jumps slightly out of line that had to be worked. After a slight detour at the beginning he set off at full pelt with me in hot pursuit only just managing to get into position. We finished in a time of 37.459 seconds which I thought really demonstrated the size of the course until Dave and Rusty ran it in just over 33 seconds making it look like a Sunday afternoon stroll in the Park! Still, I was more then happy with our 8th place against very strong competition.

Kiros's other 2 runs were also very good. Clear in his jumping, which required intelligent jumping on his part, but out of the placings and Eliminated in his Agility but very good obstacle discrimination, taking a Dog Walk between two tunnel entrances.

Reno had a great day playing with his Dad, Ronny and his brother and sister, Zippy and Megan. Unfortunately I forgot my camera when we met Megan so have had to seal this photo but I have lots of shots of Reno and Zippy playing.

6 months old today!

Reno is 6 months old today and now weighs 22kg. To celebrate we are going to puppy class this evening to play with his friends!

I've just managed to take my first photo of all three boys together. Not a very good pose and Kiros doesn't look to happy about it but it's a start.

Return to Eden

Ade and I went to see the Ultravox reunion tour Tuesday night at the Royal Concert Hall.

Although we've seen Midge Ure, the lead singer, a couple of times recently at more "intimate" gigs the last time I saw the band was in 1981. Their last public appearance together was Live Aid and they haven't toured for 23 years.

The audience was full of 40 and 50 somethings reliving their youth so we didn't feel at all out of place!

The set was inspired and the sound awesome. Midge's voice still sounds amazing.

I have even more "admiration" for him now, especially knowing how well he can cook! (he was runner up in Celebrity Masterchef a couple of years ago)

I really hope they continue touring as I'd love to see them again.

Easter Holiday

It's hard to believe but today is the last day of our Easter Holiday. Back to work tomorrow but we've crammed a lot into our break.

Last Friday we went to Dog Vegas. Kiros was Clear in Grade 6 Jumping and Eliminated in his other 2 runs but the results don't really do justice to how well he ran.

He was eliminated the the Grade 6 Agility because I was just too slow to keep up with him, so not his fault at all! I was delighted with his run in the Grade 6 Jumping. Most of the courses I have run over the last couple of weeks have been very spaced out and have required the Dogs to power on past various obstacles. Kiros has lost a bit of confidence in doing this since reaching Grade 6 and having to run numerous tight, twisty courses. He is continually looking to me for a signal to turn. It was obvious from his run in this class that he is regaining his confidence and really loving it. We are normally way off the pace in Jumping classes but were just outside the placings in this one and within a second of 3rd place.

Reno met up with his brother, Speedy, for the first time since his vaccination. I'm not sure if they recognised each other but they are very alike. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera again!

Last Saturday I judged Agility and Snakes and Ladders at Agility Nuts. I think the courses went down well despite us being plagued with technical problems (we ran most of the classes on manual timing) and the weather being a bit dismal.

Ann ran Kiros in both of my classes and came 2nd in each of them. I, on the other hand, wasn't so successful with him. Are you spotting a pattern here? I didn't spot that he was desperate to go to the toilet when I got him out to do his Jumping run and he wee'd in the ring before starting. (He's never done this before, poor lad!) It was a shame because his run was good and would have been placed. In the Up and Under's I managed to run him past the last jump.

On Sunday we left for a few days down in Dorset. The weather wasn't brilliant but we still managed fit in plenty of time playing with the Dog's. Reno especially liked playing in the river. He's a real Water baby. He must get this from his Dad, Ronny?

Back to Nottingham for Kiros's swimming and Reno's Puppy class on Friday.

Yesterday I took the boys to Paul and Pen's so Reno could really get to know their Dog's. The two Belgians got on like a house on fire!!

Next Sunday Ann and I are off to Newbury. Harley is going for the ABC qualifier which I hope he does well in as he is really on form at the moment. Hopefully Reno will meet up with some of his family there? I know Jo is going with Ronny and Zippy and I think their Sister Megan is also going.

Scunnie and Shuttleworth

What a lovely weekend! Our first outdoor shows of the year and we couldn't have hoped for better weather.

I took Kiros, Ronnie and Reno to Scunnie on Saturday and forgot to take my Camera!

Reno spent most of his day playing with Indi. It is fair to say that he is obsessed with her. I'm glad to say that he broke free from her momentarily to play this Harley although I'm not so sure how pleased Harley was. I'm going to have a real challenge keeping his attention when she is about.

Unfortunately our Agility performance was a bit poor. Our best run was in the pairs with Kiros just knocking one pole but we were Eliminated in our other runs. Rather embarrassingly in the Crufts Agility because I sent Kiros over the wrong obstacle.

During our post show analysis on the journey home Ann and I agreed that I really should be able to achieve more clears with Kiros. He's such an easy Dog to run.

So on to Shuttleworth, this time with just Kiros and Reno, and a determination to go clear!

My determination paid of and we were clear in his Jumping, but outside the placings, and in the ABC Agility finishing in 2nd place. I was especially pleased with the ABC result as it was a large class, 220 Dogs, and Kiros has proven that he still has the pace to keep up with the younger Dogs.

Having said that, I watched an amazing run by Jo and Ronny that would have beaten Kiros by 2 second if he hadn't have been faulted on his Dog Walk. This partnership are on their way to great things. I feel so privileged to have one of Ronny's son's.

Talking of which! Reno had a great day. His Mum, Dad and Brother, Zippy, were all at the show.

He loved playing with his Daddy (hope you don't mind me pinching the photo Jan?) and posed beautifully with his brother.

He was a little of wary of people but, as they were all BSD people, they were all very understanding and offered him treats that he didn't refuse. I was so surprised at his reaction when he saw Jan and Lisa. He obviously remembered them as he launched himself at them almost knocking Lisa over.

Next weekend I'm at Dog Vegas and Agility Nuts so hoping for more clear rounds!

Reno Update

Not a lot going on last week so, as I've just read Jo's M&S update, I thought I'd update you on Reno.

It's quite amazing how alike the litter mates are from their stories. Reno also has an obsession with carrying his water bowl about and pinching ear rings when he is snuggling. He is a real thief and believes that if he can pick it up it needs to go outside!

So far I think I've been quite lucky as he doesn't seem to want to destroy things (if you don't include my beautiful Ted Baker glasses!) just move them. Last Tuesday I found my Handbag and contents in the Garden. During the course of the week he has also developed a liking for carrying the office bin about and would steal a shoe as soon as your back has turned.

He has eventually managed to break the zip on the soft crate (I'm surprised it has taken this long) so now has to sleep with the door open. So far, so good! If he wakes in the middle of the night I just tell him to go to his Kennel which he does without question. He is still an early riser, though. 6am each morning. He'll have a shock tomorrow when I'm up at 4.30am.

His training is going reasonably well. He is very smart and is happy to work for me unless there is something more interesting to do like playing with another puppy. I am, however, quite impressed with his recall out on walks but need to do more work on his stays. He just can't keep still. I'd really love to show you a group shot of my Doggies but this is best I can get.

The outdoor Agility season starts good and proper this weekend. I can't wait! We're of to Scunthorpe on Saturday, my favourite show of the year, but never have much success due to over excitement (Kiros and I!). Sunday we are going to Shuttleworth, hopefully, to see Zippy. What a shame these two shows clash as I'd have liked to be at Shuttleworth both days.