Vallhunds in Vermillion

Say that 10 times fast!

Just some snapshots from my cell phone camera during the weekend in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Darby certainly didn't act like this was just her second dog show outing! She looked like an old pro waiting her turn outside the ring, sitting on her cool mat like a good girl.

Saturday was pretty warm under the tent. We were ringside early because we wanted to see Mitcham strut his stuff, and we had to wait quite a while in the afternoon heat. You know it was hot and Hawk was tired, because he never lays down at a dog show! Silly Vallhunds, it was hot under the tent, but both dogs had to be laying on me or against me.

When it was time for Darby to show, Hawk had to wait outside the ring. Anyone who knows Hawk knows he is VERY vocal when he thinks he's missing out on something. The only way to keep him quiet is to pick him up, because he's humiliated that someone is holding him. We enlisted Garrett to hold Hawk on Saturday, and it's easy to see that Hawk is NOT amused with the whole thing!

Baby Frankie, All Growed Up

ahh, baby Frankie, how he's grown. I can't believe he's almost a year old. It seems like just yesterday that he was a baby, and Syd was busy keeping him out of HER pool. We are so pleased about how Frankie is turning out. He's such a handsome little guy, lots of substance, beautiful bone and correct front. Such a little hunk, and lovely to see Hawk in this pretty pup. Now comes the waiting and waiting to see the new Hawk babies, and see how they grow. It will be nice to have more than one puppy to see, and a couple of girls as well!

Hawk's a Dad Again!

News just came in that Mele had her puppies today. Hawk is now the proud papa of 8 new babies, 6 boys and 2 girls. In Vallhund world, that's a pretty big litter!

- Disclaimer: Since the puppies are not at my house, and history shows that the breeder who has the litter is not a shutterbug like I am, I don't know when I might get any photos of the babies. :-( However, in a couple of weeks, Hawk's breeder Bonnie will be visiting, and she promises to take loads of photos of the puppies when she goes. In the meantime, we'll all have to get our daily dose of puppy cute from Jeri and her Cardigan litter!

And, on a sad note, one of the baby boys was euthanized because he was less than 1/3rd the size of his siblings, and it was determined he has a cleft palate. So, the vet thought it best and most humane for the little baby... we won't forget you, little man.

So the count of happy, healthy, nursing babies is 7. 5 boys, 2 girls.

Recap of Darby's Show Weekend...

From left to right... WB/BOS on Friday for 2 points. RWB to the major on Saturday. Best Puppy in Match on Friday. WB/BOW/BOS on Sunday for a 3 point major.

And for OC, yes, that's dog show shorthand that means Little Miss Muffin Darby is doing well.

:-) And now, Darby is going to take a well-deserved nap! (photo by Janet Suber)...

Darby's First Show

Whew, this dog show stuff is hard work! Darby was in her first-ever dog show today. She was a little nervous before we went into the ring, but she settled down and showed like a superstar. And at 6 months and 8 days old, baby Darby went WB/BOS for her first 2 points! Our judge was Helen Lee James, and she was really wonderful with the youngsters. She walked up quietly and just scratched the puppies under the chest and talked to them. Another puppy showing today was just 6 months and 18 days old, so I was appreciative of the gentle demeanor for Darby's first outing. I'm really proud of Darby for being such a good sport.

Then we stayed to watch and cheer for the lovely Scout and our Val-friend Bo in the group. After Best in Show, the Southern Swedish Vallhund Club held a match, and guess who won Best Puppy in Match? Yep, the little Muffin Darby came away the winner once again!

Tomorrow and Sunday are majors in Vallhunds, so we'll just see how it goes. I want Darby to enjoy showing and have a great experience, win, lose, or draw.

In other news, I have permission from Garrett to blog that so far this weekend Justice has a WD and a RWD, Ell has a WB (and maybe BOW too?), and the big news is that Mitcham has won WD and BOW for TWO majors so far! Good job baby Mitcham!