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.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Like Ships in the Night
Saturday, July 26, 2008
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:
Friday, July 25, 2008
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
Today is the Specialty!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Road to California - Arrival
After a day and a half of driving (actually, riding, since Kristina drove the whole way), we arrived in Lompoc last night. We spent Tuesday night in Yreka, CA at an inexpensive hotel that was home to several feral cats. How nice for the borzois to see on their walks around the property....(not).
Toby is doing great, he loves to GO and thinks hotels are pretty cool. Plus, he has two of the three most loved people in his life along for the trip - Kristina and me. And, a new big stuffed orange monkey to play with; a gift from Kristina. Life is good!
Today, we drove to Solvang for breakfast and a walk through the town. We brought the four borzois along for a walk through town and met many nice people who stopped to adore the dogs, which of course they fully expect.
Here are some photos of Solvang and surrounding area (Click on photo or text for larger image):
Toby and I in Solvang, CA
Vineyards and countryside
This region is known for its flower fields
Another view of the flowers
Danish architecture in Solvang, CA
Mercury and Kristina in Solvang, CA
Toby and I in Solvang, CA
Colorful side street in Solvang
Irina with Busya (Boo) and Mars (Listik) in Solvang
Grapes growing along the sidewalk! They were tasty, too.
That variegated leaf is a HOUSEPLANT in Washington.
Another neat building in Solvang
