Jerseylicious

So I can't go to Syracuse:( My husband's fantasy baseball draft is the same weekend - just found out yesterday. He has to go or he can't participate in the league - which he has been involved in for at least 20 years. When I found out, I told him to go because there's always another dog show.

In lieu of Syracuse, I'm off to Edison, NJ. I have only driven through NJ previously...never stayed there. It'll be my first time without my friend/breeder/mentor being there when I handle. Sure I've done matches before w/out her, but never an AKC show without her. Thankfully, she has introduced me to some great corgi breeders and also to some good friends of hers who are professional handlers (in fact they handled Carter for me). So I will have a place to groom and a roommate for the hotel.

Here's hoping that Edison is one Jerseylicious experience!

We Have Class

Yesterday, rally class (w/Carter) and puppy class(w/Preston). Tonight, handling class w/Preston. He's a great little showman. Hoping he becomes my 2nd Champion.

Three Amigos...

...more or less.


And some Sunday humor. I was talking with my husband about a bitch being bred, and my son chimes in: “She’s turning into a piece of bread?”

2 Down - 13 To Go

The picture of Preston and me (and the judge, of course) taken after earning his first two points arrived today. He is so handsome! I just love my boys - and girl.

Preston is zoinked after handling class. They should really charge me double because I'm a lost cause on the table and need a lot of extra help from the instructor.

Teacher's Pet

Preston started puppy class today. He was a model student used as an example of "how puppies should walk on a lead". Tomorrow - handling class.

Fetch!

We have a fetcher!

My first two corgis were ball fiends.

Carter never caught on. Good looks, yes. Brains, not so much.

Preston decided to start retrieving the ball for me today. He must have learned it from watching the matriarch who, at 11.5 y.o., is as spry as a puppy...mostly.

Of course he had to figure this all out on a day when we were the recipients of 3" of snow. We played until my toes froze. Now he's sleeping at my feet and hopefully his warm little body will defrost them.

Snow Cone

Snow is a most unfortunate event for a cone-headed corgi. Every time Carter lifts his head up from sniffing the ground, he gets a face full of white stuff courtesy of his cone.

Tutoring

Here's the dialog that transpired when I walked through the door.

Me: "Be gentle with Carter tonight"

Son: "Why?"

Me: "Because he had an operation"

Son: "What type of operation?"

Me: "On his belly"

Son: "Did he have his puppy-makers taken out?"

A Star Is Born

This is my little guy in In The Company of Dogs catalog

There's No Business Like Show Business

Last year, I ran out of vacation time at work because of dog shows. I had to take a couple of unpaid days for a scheduled family trip and use personal days at the end of the calendar year for a couple of shows.

I'm trying to be more planful this year - especially since I'll be taking 8 days of vacation for a family trip. It leaves little extra for travelling to shows.

Our club specialty is a priority for time off.

Plus "the girls" have a couple of fun show weekends planned that run Fri-Sun. Can't miss those - too much fun.

This year's PWCCA specialty is in Portland, OR and I would LOVE to go to that event. Not entirely sure how to swing getting a dog and myself across the country without putting him in the belly of a plane (which I do not want to do if at all possible!).

And then there's the husband and family factor - need to clear it all in advance to avoid conflicts with school events, and ballet, and piano, and chorus, and yoga....the list goes on and on.

So the calendar craziness begins.

Four-Legged Kids

My four-legged kids are Pembroke Welsh Corgis (PWCs),

• Amber - 11.5 y.o.
• Carter - 2.5 y.o.
• Preston - 8 mos

My first PWC - Jack - crossed "the bridge" on Dec 26, 2009 at 12.5 y.o. He's forever in my heart.

My favorite car magnet

Two Left Feet

Call me Gerry Fleck from the movie "Best In Show" - the novice handler with two left feet. I've stumbled my way around many a ring over the past two and a half years as an amateur owner handler. It has been quite a trip (yes, pun intended).