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:

Like Ships in the Night

I returned home from Lompoc Monday night around 11pm. It was a great week and although we didn't place in the shows Saturday or Sunday (I did show Toby to #4 in Open on Saturday, about 14 entries) - I met nice people, saw beautiful dogs, had a lot of laughs on the trip and it was great all around.

Icing on the cake was Zabava Mercury's (Toby's sire) two Best of Breed placements on Friday and Saturday, plus a Group 4 on Saturday, it was very exciting!

About 18 hours after I returned home, Rich leaves for Calgary for a week with both Rowan and Catie - six shows in four days. Both girls are now in season so it should be quite an adventure for him. I'll be home this time while he goes with dogs.

Seems like our entire summer is just flying by and we aren't seeing much of each other.

Toby is Reserve Winners Dog / Lompoc Specialty!

Wow -- Kristina showed Toby today in the Specialty -- all the way to Reserve Winners Dog! He was absolutely gorgeous and Kristina did a fabulous job showing him. (Thanks Kristina!). Here's some photos of Toby in the ring; RWD show photo coming soon:

Lompoc Pre-Dog Show Adventures

Yesterday, after walking with the dogs around Solvang, we realized that the RV space that had been reserved at the show grounds, that promised to have power AND water, did not have an electric outlet that was compatible with the one in the Sprinter van. The hookup was 220 (or 208?...whatever, it was wrong) and the Sprinter was 110. After several stops at RV sales stores, auto parts stores, Kristina located the very last, and very dusty/dirty, $50 adaptor plug in stock at an RV repair shop. Off to the show grounds to bathe and groom dogs!


Upon our arrival at the RV space next to the show grounds, we went in search of dog bathing stations. Several loops on foot around the grounds revealed that water had not yet been turned on by the City of Lompoc for public dog bathing, but it was promised soon. Then promised in half an hour. Then later that day. Then the ETA was postponed until the NEXT day (show day) altogether, which doesn't work at all.

Kristina had noticed that in one corner of the RV area, which was actually a couple of baseball fields, there was a faucet with a hose attached and a grooming table nearby, as well as a couple of motorhomes. The people in one of the motorhomes informed her that this was THEIR area, but she was persuasive enough that the one motorhome person agreed to let her walk dogs over there to bathe one at a time.

After bathing two dogs, the people in the Montana motorhome removed the knob from the fawcett so that no one else could use the faucet in THEIR area. We never did see those Montana people or the breed of dogs that they had, but we have our suspicions! Let's just say, a certain breed that's classified as a sighthound that really isn't. Hmmmmm, now what could that be??

We then realized that WE were parked near the second baseball diamond, and did some investigating on our own and found a hidden public faucet (without a knob), near our space! Luckily the Sprinter had a pair of pliers packed away, and a hose as well, and we were able to turn on the water and bathe the last two dogs there. We girls can be pretty ingenious, don't you think?!

Afterward, six of us enjoyed a truly excellent dinner at Sissy's Uptown Cafe which I highly recommend, and will be a definite "must visit" the next time I'm in Lompoc.

Today is the Specialty!

The Road to California ......(Lompoc, CA)

Today, Toby and I began the journey along with Irina and Kristina Terra and three borzoi (Toby's breeders) of Zabava Borzoi to Lompoc, CA, where we will be attending the Western Sighthound Specialties. It's a long trip, and we were on the road by 4pm (only about 6 hours behind the original plan), not bad at all; all things considered!
It's about 1050 miles and 17 hours to Lompoc:

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.

New Member of the Pack -- Toby

We are pleased to announce and introduce the newest member of our pack -- Zabava Tabasco, aka "Toby" (or Tabasitch, as we also affectionately call him, just like his first family did):

Toby is a gorgeous, structurally sound, sweet and affectionate 2 year old male Borzoi who we'll co-own with Irina and Kristina Terra of Zabava Borzoi on Camano Island here in Washington State.
Although we don't have a private beach to offer Toby here at Winterfell, we do have nice wooded property with trails and squirrels to chase. We are in love with him already, he is fitting into our routines just great.
Watch for Toby in the show ring and on the coursing field soon!

Borzoi Nationals

It's been an incredibly busy two weeks.

Last Tuesday (the 15th), after 3 hours of sleep, I got up at 2:45am and was on the road by 3:15am with two Borzoi and two Silken Windhounds. Destination: Sacramento for the Borzoi Nationals via a short stop to drop off the Silkens with Paul & Karen Sanders at Allagante Silkens in Oregon. It was a long drive -- 770 miles, and 15 hours all told including stops for the dogs and me.

I arrived just in time to watch Futurity, and see our new boy Tabasco, aka "Toby", place second under Brood Bitch class. More about this new addition to our pack in the next post!

Rich flew in Thursday morning in time for most of the conformation shows that day. Although our girls didn't place, it was fun to show them, see beautiful dogs, meet friends both new and old and enjoy the warm 70-80 degree sunny weather while it snowed back home in Washington, we heard.

Here is an image of Ivor (Catherine's sire) and his get showing in Stud Dog class at Nationals. Although we didn't place in this particular show pictured on Saturday, Ivor and his kids did take first place in the same class at the BCNC Specialty on Sunday. Catherine (and I) are fourth in the line (second from the right):


Rowan and her littermate Bitsey were shown by Lexy Hancock in Brace Class. Again they didn't place, but they were an impressive brace:



Monday morning we drove home and arrived around midnight, very tired but glad we made the trip.

Off To Oregon -- Need New Show Clothes

When we received my show photo from the win with Catherine this week, I realize that I really need new show clothes. The jacket I was wearing that day (see post below) is actually a medium taupe-y color, not dark gray/brown. The lighting in some of these show venues is horrible! Also, I realize that Catie totally disappears in front of my black pants, must change that. I NEED new clothes badly Clothes -- I can make those.

The perfect Borzoi showing clothes are, clothes that look great on you when you are running as fast as you can. It's that simple. After some experience, I've decided that means....nothing that "flaps" when you run or your dog will try to play with it. Nothing that hangs below your waist that will gather up or bunch when you have to bend over. Something you can move your arms in (when running as fast as you can), and buttons or closes in front. And, in a color, print and pattern that complements your dog, one of the most important factors here!

So, I am off to Oregon later today to house-sit for some friends while they attend a Canine Cruise in the Carribean for 9 days. I am bringing my sewing machine, iron, notions, sewing tools, some patterns, a mountain of fabric and our two Silken Windhounds. I hope in between caring for 20 dogs, 2 horses, 2 llamas, a few cats and koi that I can get something made to bring to Borzoi Nationals (and wear) in April.

First AKC Win

Yesterday, my first AKC win!

We entered Catie in Open, in anticipation of Borzoi Nationals coming up in April, when she and Rowan will be in the same class and apparently next to each other in the class. In handling class, Catie is always waaaayyyy too interested in what Rowan is doing, especially if Rowan is ahead or behind her in the line up.

Since she'll be a few weeks over 18 months when Nationals happen in April, we thought this would be a good practice run to have both girls in the same class.

Much to my pleasant surprise, Catie took Best of Breed for at least 1 (possibly 2) AKC points! Our first AKC win, and Catie's first points toward her championship. She really is maturing nicely and we're both learning as we go, after may shows it feels great to know that we CAN do it:

Unlucky 13.......(And 1 Through 12, Too)

Today was the 13th AKC show that Catie and I have participated in, still no Championship points. Here's today's unlucky 13 showing on U-Tube, we are the second in the class, Catie is the black and white bitch.
Yes, I realize now that we could have moved a bit faster on the 'on around', but other than that....??????:
To view us on U-Tube, Click here.