Velvet Wins Again!

We spent last weekend in the north country of Arizona.  Up north is always cooler (thankfully) and the pines are wonderful.  The drive up the mountain was uneventful and we made it to Show Low in about three hours.  The temperature was about 25 degrees cooler too during the day and in the 50s at night which was awesome sleeping weather!

After unloading a small amount of gear at the show site we made our way to visit friends Cindy and Larry who were gracious enough to offer Velvet and myself a place to bunk for the weekend.  We spent the evening catching up and I then had the task to groom out Velvet before bed.  Loved sleeping with the window wide open and enjoyed that cool, fresh mountain air!

The next day we had lots of help from the Boy Scouts at the show site who unloaded my gear from my SUV, got it all tied down to my show cart and got us to our set-up.  What an awesome service they provided!  I was sure to make a donation to the troop leader as I could never have made it over the terrain by myself.

The wind of course kicked up a bit as we got ready to show but Velvet did great and she won the Breed on Saturday.  Sunday the wind was awful!  It was hard enough to groom in it, but to show at 6,600 ft ASL with 30 mph winds - well - we didn't fare well.  Sorry to say poor Velvet was windblown and didn't move to the judge's expectations - on her down and specifically her back - and we went Reserve.  Oh well - there is always next time.  With her win on Saturday, Velvet now has three points towards her title.

After getting Velvet back in maintenance bands, we loaded up and had a smooth drive home.  Boy was I glad to see all my kids!  Velvet was glad to be home too!

 

My thanks to again, the Boy Scouts for all of their help, to Cindy and Larry for their generous hospitality and also to Carol and Gail Page for allowing us to share their set-up. Extra kudos to Carol and Gail for helping me with my gear on Friday and also on Sunday getting everything back to my SUV. I've been having some trouble with my back most recently and actually did this show against my better judgement health wise. I paid for it this past week in spades. Thankfully, visits to my chiropractor along with extra rest have helped me get past a good portion of the back and leg pain. I am hoping I can push through this lower back and leg pain that kicked up back in July and get back to showing my little one soon.



So You've Contacted Me For A Shih Tzu

At least have the COURTESY to LISTEN to what I tell you.  If you are too wrapped up in your own life to comprehend what I say - then don't call me.  I'm not interested in listening to your life story ad infinitum - over AND OVER in an effort for you to impress upon me what a great home you can provide for one of my dogs.  What speaks VOLUMES is what you ask and WHAT YOU COMPREHEND.

I despise the "selling dogs" end of breeding.  I wish I could just keep them all.  Honestly. 

If  you are going to make contact with me - at least attempt to listen - not just hear the words I say.  Don't leave me a message after wasting quite a bit of my time and accuse me of being a liar.  I have no reason to lie to anyone.  I'd just as soon not sell you my young adult dog or puppy.  I don't do this for money.  I do this for me and to leave the breed in a better place than I found it.  I don't have to sell you anything.  I have no reason to lie to anyone because frankly - I'm better than any of the "breeders" out there you'll be contacting for your next dog.  If anything - YOU need to shut up and LISTEN.  You deserve the dog you end up with, just like the last one that was a heart breaker for you.  You know why?  Because you spend too much time trying to IMPRESS rather than spending enough time trying to LEARN.  And you seriously need to address your lack of comprehension.

And by the way - my 12 year old girl Iris isn't going anywhere - she is MY HEART.  And Violet?  At least you saved me the stress of having to tell you that you weren't my idea of a suitable owner.

Stepping off my soapbox . . .

Champion Kiki!

WoTeH'sin Shih Tzu has a new champion!  Kiki is now CH WoTeH'sin Island Style.  Kiki is my 9th champion overall and my 7th home bred champion.  My thanks to Greg Larson for his patience, perseverance and expert presentation.  But also, thank you to the whole "Team Kiki" of which I will write more later. 

Kiki's story is important and it will be told here in detail in the coming weeks.  But before I publish it for the public, I have an important letter to present to The American Kennel Club.  You see, Kiki's story thankfully has a happy ending, but it could have ended much differently.

More to come . . .

Friendship

Dallas and Sunny

Velvet's Debut In Flagstaff

I'm always nervous when I bring out a new puppy in the show ring.  But especially now - after an incident last fall which I've not shared yet on this blog because that story is still unfolding.

I only worked Velvet a little bit before we went to Flagstaff and I was hoping it was enough for her to have a good experience in the ring.  We only had the opportunity to observe one handling class and work on the sidelines a couple of weeks ago before I came down with bronchitis that set me back for 2 weeks.  This class was really Velvet's first time on a lead and she begrudgingly walked a few down and backs, kind of unsure of herself and the grass beneath her paws (our yard is all rock - no grass).  From there we spent about 30 minutes in PetSmart one evening once I was well enough to make the trip.  Velvet met some young children in the store who thought she was adorable.  Luckily the mom of the brood had taught her children well and they held out their hands gently and let Velvet come to them instead of abruptly approaching her.  As it turned out Velvet walked nicely in the aisles for me, although still a little unsure.  But when I brought out the squeaky, her ears perked up and the tail wagged.  All good stuff.  Then the friendly check out girl gave Velvet a little treat as I paid for a couple of new toys and some yummy training treats.  A successful trip!  From there the following week we worked in the cul de sac after sundown - something we hadn't  been able to do because, not only  had I been sick but the only streetlight out there had been burned out for weeks - until I contacted the city for a fix.  Luckily the city responded and we did about 10 minutes out there a couple of nights before the big debut.  Along the way we did table work after grooming, playing dog show and stacking for 5 or 10 seconds to get a treat.

I say a prayer each morning when I leave the house asking for a safe return to my babies at the end of the day.  Saturday when leaving for Flagstaff it was no different - the first prayer was asking that we make it to our destination and back - safe and sound.  I had some addendums on Saturday - the second prayer was that Velvet just have an enjoyable experience.  I added a small prayer for a friend that is in need to the end of my request followed by a humble thank you to my maker, put the car in drive and we were off to the show! 

It's about a 2 hour drive to Flagstaff and as you hit about 5000 or 6000 ft elevation the pines begin to emerge as you continue your climb up the mountain.  The temperatures drop to a pleasant 60 or 70 degrees in the early June morning hours and you can smell the pines - bringing back memories of northern Michigan.  I really enjoy the Flagstaff shows just because it reminds me of driving up north back home.

Once in Flagstaff I unloaded everything and got set up.  Velvet was doing great.  Happy and still engaged every time I got out the squeaky toy.  I spent about 90 minutes grooming and Velvet got her very first topknot!

I know I'm adorable!

Off to the ring we went.  We had a bit of a wait and Velvet gained a few admirers.  Several pictures were snapped.  I wanted her to stay happy - but I also wanted her to stay neat and presentable!  Everyone always wants to touch a Shih Tzu's coat.  I always say no prior to ring time when asked but offer unlimited time to pet and love after we are done in the ring.  Soon we were called to the ring.  I carried my girl over, put her down just outside the ring, smoothed down her coat, called her name and squeaked her little toy and up came her tail - wagging away.  Talk about relief!  We walked into the ring behind the other entry and my girl was animated and darn happy to be there!  I knew she had made a good first impression because the judge smiled and looked at Velvet just long enough for me to know he liked what he saw.  Velvet just had to work it.  We moved out and there was my girl by my side - tail up, head up and I loosened the lead by dropping my arm down towards my side giving plenty of slack to the lead.  Velvet kept moving.  All good stuff!  When it was Velvet's turn on the table I encouraged her and kept telling her she was a good girl.  She did fine for her first exam.  The judge could tell she was new to this and I confirmed it was her first show.  He instructed us to do our down and back and Velvet was doing great.  We barely made it back to the judge when he pointed to me and said "You're number one!"  I let out I'm sure a sigh of relief.  What a great day in the ring!  Thank you to judge Fredrick Stephens!

So lots of firsts on Saturday - first topknot, first show, first Best Of Breed win and first point!

Sunday we were blessed with another wonderful experience under judge Dr. John Reeve-Newson.  He was so gentle and such a pleasure to show to.  He asked me about Velvet's background and as it ended up he knows my dear friend Marg Brown of Shente Shih Tzu - who's top winning dogs happen to be part of the basis of my line.  We had a lovely conversation after he gave me Velvet's winning ribbons.  He knew his Shih Tzu.  When a judge asks about pedigree - they know the breed!

We had a wonderful weekend in Flagstaff!  Now we wait for the weather to cool here in the Valley.  We'll be back at the shows in the Fall!

We Didn't Have Grass In Arizona . . .

But Dallas sure has grass now!  That freshly mowed lawn was so much fun!

Gives a whole new meaning to GO GREEN!

Gracie!

Isn't she cute??