Life Moves Pretty Fast

Ferris Bueller: "Live moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it."

That quote seems to be the story of our life this summer. Last weekend our coursing club had three days of events - a lure operating seminar, Junior Courser tests, and a lure coursing trial. Across the street from the coursing field was an AKC conformation show where we entered Toby in two shows. We also had a BBQ and party at our home Saturday night, and had a house guest for 4 days.

The weather was extremely hot and humid - almost 100 degrees, and sweltering. I have the sunburn to prove it, too....!

This weekend was the last chance we had to qualify Rowan for the AKC National Lure Coursing Championships to be held here in September. She only needs one more point, but unfortunately she won't qualify -- but not because she tried and didn't make it. With the soaring temperature and the course conditions, we scratched her from the event - it was just too dang hot and better to not risk an injury than otherwise. I suspect we'll have our hands full at the NLCC working anyhow and wouldn't have time to care properly for a hound we'd have entered.

Both Rowan and Catie are at the end their heat cycles, thus poor Toby has not been eating since he's got OTHER things on his mind, and he's lost weight. We considered not showing him this weekend since he doesn't look his best, but decided almost at the last minute that we'd do it just for practice. I'd pretend that we were in handling class, and not expecting to win anything - just have fun and practice, since our Specialty is this coming weekend.

Lo and behold, the lad took Best of Breed on Saturday for 2 points, and Best of Winners on Sunday for 1 point! So, in the absolute hottest part of the hottest day, Toby and I got to go run around the Group ring, which almost killed me from heatstroke, but was fun nevertheless. He's such a good boy! Win photo coming soon.

The highlight of our weekend was hosting the judge for our lure coursing tests and trial -- Gary Runyan of Runyan Borzoi. It was a pleasure to have such an interesting person here for four days and we're very happy to have made a new friend. Thanks Gary for putting up with our humble abode and our dogs - they loved having your company too. Kisses from Catie.

Calgary Shows

Rich returns tonight or tomorrow from Calgary - and although I don't have ALL the details, I do have some photos to post plus show results for our girls, and it sounds like it was a really great weekend for all the Tovaritch gang. I'm proud of Rich and both Catie (Tovaritch Catherine the Great, SC) and Rowan (Tovaritch's Beresina, SC) for how well they all did!

Now, the results and photos (Rowan is the one without the white on the end of her muzzle, and the larger of the two red bitches):

Rowan and her sister, Tovaritch's Barishnya, were Best Brace in each of the four shows they were entered in:

8/1 - Alberta Sporting Hound Association Specialty Show
Judge: Mr. Dana Cline
Best Brace in Breed and in Specialty

8/2 - Alberta Kennel Club - All Breed Show
Judge: Mary Keast
Best Brace in Breed and in Group

8/2 - Borzoi Club of Canada National Specialty
Judge: Sr. Ramon Podesta
Best Brace in Specialty

8/3 - Alberta Kennel Club All Breed Show
Judge: Roger Hartinger
Best Brace in Breed and in Group






Catie was Winners Bitch and Best of Winners for 4 points:

8/2 - Alberta Kennel Club - All Breed Show
Judge: Mary Keast
Winners Bitch, Best of Winners (11 class entries)




And, Catherine also pulled Reserve Winners Bitch at four of the five other shows, including the Canada National Specialty:

8/2 - Borzoi Club of Canada National Specialty
Judge: Sr. Ramon Podesta
Reserve Winners Bitch (11 class bitches)

8/3 - Alberta Kennel Club All Breed Show
Judge: Roger Hartinger
Reserve Winners Bitch (10 class bitches)

8/3 - Foothills Gazehound Club Specialty Championship Show
Judge: Sue Badick
Reserve Winners Bitch (11 class bitches)

8/4 - Alberta Kennel Club All Breed Show
Judge: Patricia Hartinger
Reserve Winners Bitch (9 class bitches)









Rowan also did well and was Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best Opposite for 5 points:

8/3 - Alberta Kennel Club All Breed Show
Judge: Roger Hartinger
Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best of Opposite(10 class bitches, 1 class male, 3 Special males, 3 Special Bitches)






Thanks to Greg and Lexy and the Tovaritch gang for their warm Canadian hospitality and help with handling, grooming and all things over the last week! Here's a photo of the whole Tovaritch gang this past weekend:

Jewel's Wins at Rarities Shows

Twice a year (three at most), the North American Kennel Club (previously known as Rarities Dog Shows), comes to the Northwest. This is one of the only venues where Silkens can be shown, since they are a rare breed and not recognized by the AKC.
Our Baby Jewel went Best of Breed then Reserve Best in Show in one show, then Best of Winners in a second show, earning two 5-point majors. She pranced around the ring and seemed to be having a great time all day, even looking over her shoulder before starting to go to smile at the judge. What a pill. Photo coming soon!

Show Success in Elma

This weekend past, we (I) showed our new borzoi boy Toby (Zabava Tabasco) at the AKC shows in Elma, Washington. We are pleased and thrilled to report that on Sunday, Toby was Best of Winners for one AKC point, and his sire Zabava Mercury was Best of Breed and went on for a Group 3rd placement. Show photo to follow!
In addition, Rowan (Tovaritch's Beresina) was Reserve Winners Bitch on Sunday.