It's been a long time!

So what have we been up to since 7th Sept?

A visit to Dorset for the 1st weekend. Reno and Ollie still love each other loads. They really aren't aware of the size difference and Ollie has a unique way of getting Reno on the ground - watch him going for the legs!!

Next came Nottingham ADTC Fun Day. A relaxed day with three easy jumping classes. Kiros won two of the classes and had a Judges Special in the third class as he would have won if he hadn't had a pole down.

Hazel attempted to take some photo's of him jumping but he was too fast!!

Then onto Dog Vegas Agility show at Bakewell. Lovely venue, perfect weather and sensible courses. We only managed two clears but came away with respectable placing in each. 7th in Grade 6 Agility on Saturday and 4th in the "Money" class on Sunday winning us £7. Well done Kiros!!

Last weekend we were at Lune, our first indoor show of the winter season. Kiros loves running indoors and again came away with a reasonable place in Grade 6 Agility, 5th.

This weekend coming sees the first of the Agility Nuts winter shows. Ann is Judging in the afternoon so I'll be ring managing for her but will have all morning to concentrate on my Doggies. I'm really looking forward to it.

Reno's training is coming on well. Pen has moved to an indoor venue so he found that very exciting last Thursday, especially as there were different Dogs in the class.

I've been taking him to most shows that I have been to and he is getting very used to them. I was really proud of him on Saturday at Lune as the venue must be strange and very noisy for a puppy. He took it all in his stride apart from being "spooked" when Steve Croxford jumped over the barrier in front of him but Steve, being the experienced Dog person that he is, just ignored it and fed him a few treats. He's now Reno's new best friend!!

Reno is entered in a couple of Breed Shows. Midlands Counties on his Birthday (24th Oct) and then one in Newark the weekend after. Only two weeks to go. I really should be practicing!!

Well done to everyone who has done so well recently particularly Jo for qualifying Keisha for next years ABC semi.

Chatsworth Country Fair and Gedling Show

On Saturday we went to Chatsworth Country Fair and had a great day. Kiros had 4 runs but two of them were for Grades 1-5 only so he had to run "Not for Competition" in them and, of course was clear in both. In fact he ran the fastest time in the Agility.

Typically I caused some faults in the other two classes.

Reno and Ronnie came along for the experience.

Ade walked Reno around Chatsworth for at least 2hrs and he was fine with the crowds, fairground noises and guns so I decided to take him to our local show yesterday. They had an exemption show on so I thought it would be good practice for him.

I got there to late to enter him in most handsome dog and the other classes weren’t suitable for him. I walked him around for a while. It was very different from Chatsworth – Although not as big there were a lot more Children about, running and screaming. He was doing really well until we were waiting at a stand for a drink to be made and a Child (who had been running around him shooting him with a toy gun which he was fine with) trod on his tail! That didn't really help prove to him that kids are nothing to be scared of.

Then a Wild West Shoot Out started in the main ring. Reno was ok to start with then, as the shots got more frequent, he freaked and slipped his collar – He ran to get under a car(stationary) but half way there decided that it would be better to come back to me, thankfully!

So I’m now worried that all Ade’s hard work on Saturday has been undone and he is traumatised for life. He pulled me home until we got out of earshot of the fair. Poor little boy. Not sure if I should try and do something about it or just ignore it? I’m getting a bit worried about how he will react to fireworks. Suggestions welcome!!

Just what the Doctor ordered............

.....a second weekend of Kiros friendly courses!!


Not a paw out of line - we had four clear rounds over the weekend and the only mistakes made on the courses were my fault (with the exception of his last jumping run when he broke his wait - but that doesn't excuses me from forgetting the course and having to ask the judge for directions!). We didn't get any placings although some of the runs were tantalizingly close.


I think the time has come for me to have to admit that Kiros has slowed quite a lot since last year and, although I'm convinced that he is still enjoying himself, I have to be careful not to keep him running full height for too long. Having said that his clear in Tom Hadaway's Graded 5-7 Agility (a typical TH course - plenty of running!!) would have won him out of Grade 5.


Ronnie had a couple of nice runs. Particularly on Saturday when he came away with only 5f for a refusal in Anysize Jumping. See, I told you that clear is just around the corner!!


Reno had great fun socialising as always. His sister, Megan, came to the show on Saturday and Sunday and they had great fun playing together with Kiros, Harley and Heidi. (Hope you don't mind me steeling the photo Kate?)


Next weekend is Chatsworth Country Fair. I love this show but never do very well. Perhaps a little too relaxed?!!