Progression of a Baby Show Dog

• First Attempt: First Time in the ring, less than 24 hours after First Time being stuffed in a sherpa bag and First Time flying. First Time waiting for the 800 collies ahead of us to finish showing in a building that felt like it was 100 degrees so we could get a photo. First Time trying to get Baby Show Dog just to stand on all fours, let alone look like she wants to be there. sigh.

Laura and Janet can attest to the twenty minutes (or so it seemed) that it took to get Darby to stand up and stand still. The photographer was very patient, and I finally told her to just take any photo, and when I asked if Darby looked half way decent, the photographer said, "Not Really, but" and then tossed the toy to get Darby's attention and snapped the photo. I think that photo experience was more stressful than the travel to get to Florida!

• Second Attempt: Oh, so much better. This time around, Darby was already best friends with the other Vallhunds showing, and Cheryl, Kevin, and Lisa (with puppy Rogue) were all around to help set the stage! Everything is better when you have friends around to help! I wish I had remembered to flip her tail up, though.
• Third Attempt: After four long days in Texas, we only had to wait for about 200 Pems to show before this photo opportunity. By now, Darby was ready to get out of her show clothes and get back home. I was not keen on a table photo, because the table is not Darby's favorite place to be. However, the photographer was convinced it had to be a table photo (someone told me once that Cardigans look better on the floor, and I really believe it-with Vallhunds too), so I said OK. In true Vallhund fashion, Darby felt it necessary to post, lean back, and look thoroughly unhappy about the entire situation. ;-) But we won't complain, it could have been worse, and we could have lost and not gotten the points at all!
  

Just looking at the photos, the first two were Darby at 6 months 9 days old, and 6 months 11 days old. The photo from Texas is Darby at 7 months 2 days old. Oh what a difference a month makes. She looked like such a sweet baby in the photos from Florida. In the last photo, I am starting to see a glimmer of naughty in her eye, and that scares me! :-) Oh, and Michelle, seriously, what was up with my hair in the Texas photo?? Did you think to tell me it was going in about a thousand different directions? Or were you just too anxious to get the heck outta Texas?

Reality Hits! Further Confirmation

And now the photo proof that all the "Show Stuff" is in fact, packed up and ready to go to Topeka, here it is blocking the stairs leading to the attic. I spent the weekend stuffing bags, packing and labeling, organizing and gathering things to take out to the host hotel sometime this week. I have printed, cut, tied with ribbon, and sewn more in the last few weeks than I have in years! It's been fun in a stressful, how am I going to get this all done in time kind of way. :-)

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Oh dear, it's not just a dream (or nightmare, depending on the day)! In just 12 short days, the Swedish Vallhund National Specialty will begin. And as I told Summer (co-chairing with me), we are driving this boat, so whether it sinks or is smooth sailing, it'll be on us! I don't know what comes over me on those rare days when I think it'll be fun to volunteer to put on a specialty...

But Wednesday, entries closed, and today, the numbers are officially posted. We are, in fact, having a specialty! And yes, that's actually a pretty high number for a Vallhund specialty. I think 35 is about the largest specialty to date, but don't quote me on it!

38 SWEDISH VALL 8-7- 10-6
8 SWEEPSTAKES
8 VETERANS SWEEPSTAKES
5 VETERAN DOGS
2 VETERAN BITCHES
3 STUD DOG
3 BROOD BITCH

So now it's there in black and white, there really will be a specialty in just a couple of weeks. I've been quite crafty the last week, trying to pay attention to small details and make sure all of our exhibitors feel welcome.

Now then, who is going to drop in next week sometime and help me get those exhibitor goodie bags stuffed with all our freebies??? And then could you drop it all off at the host hotel for me? Don't all volunteer at once. :-)

I think I need the sweatshirt on obedience friend has, it says, "Somebody stop me before I volunteer again!"

It will be fun, it will be fun, it will be fun, it will be fun...

Bring It

I'm baaaaaa-aaack. If you stupid puppies think you are going to take over my space on this blog, you've got another think comin'.

And now... It's ON! OK, Darby, get limber, shake it out, loosen up.

Get ready, get set,

And BOING! Tah-dah!


I can bounce off the humans,

And Up, Up, Up,

and a full twist in mid-air.

Oh yea, take THAT, stupid puppies... Don't even try to top THIS English Muffin.

Oops, Sorry Darby!

The puppies return!

The babies are 4 weeks old and obviously up and running. :-)

Whatever...

I mean, whatever, I guess puppies are cute, but can we please bring this back to me? I'm calling the shots around here. I know this is Hawk's blog, but if you ask him, I'm sure he'll be the first to admit that the day I moved in, I took over as the Vallhund in Charge. So, if we can keep the topics to Me, Me, and Me, that'll be perfect.
Thanks,
Darby