Back from Louisville, with ribbons!

 Last weekend Hope and I went to Louisville for 4 action-filled days of dog shows! We both competed in Agility (Hope with Teddy, and me with Tango), and Hope competed in Rally Obedience with Dax. In just three days, Dax received her Rally Novice title! Tango and I had fun but only had one qualifying run in Open Standard. Teddy and Hope did a little better with two qualifying runs - one in Open Jumpers and one in Open Standard. - Fran

Dax weaving in Rally O

Teddy jumping

Tango going over a triple jump

Tango's coming home soon!

We're counting down to Tango's arrival (on the right). That's me (Fran) and Tango to the left. Tango's an 8 1/2 month-old Brussels Griffon (Black Rough). The breeder's not quite done showing him yet, so I have to wait a bit. I wasn't planning on going to the Brussels Griffon Specialty Shows in Louisville this year, but I am now! I can bring Tango home Sunday, March 21 and we're all excited about the prospect. Roc, Dax and Ceilidh all met Tango on Wednesday and they all got along (mostly). Roc accepted him as a fellow Griff. Dax wanted to play with him. And Ceilidh was more interested than anything (whew!). Since Tango is a little older, I can start training right away. I'm looking forward to it - he seems to be really smart and ready for anything! - Fran

Back from our Road Trip

We're back from the Louisville Shows. And we had a great time. Which just goes to prove - quite decisively - that I'm a glutton for punishment. Roc NQd every time out. And I still had fun. I've decided that we are going to work through whatever his issues are - I'm also an eternal optimist! We're not going to give up as long as he enjoys training and works so beautifully - everywhere but in the ring. Anybody ever heard of a dog with stage fright?

The best part of the weekend (aside from the fantastic ice cream at the Kentucky Expo Center) was seeing old friends and making new ones. And seeing over 100 Brussels Griffons in one place. It's the only place and time I can walk around with Roc and not hear "what a cute Pug" every other step!

We spent a good chunk of time at the Agility venue - one of these days, maybe Dax and I will give competition a try (I told you I was an optimist). It's amazing to watch the teamwork between dog and handler, especially in the Excellent classes. And, unlike the agility competitions you can find on TV, in real life there are many breeds other than Border Collies and Shelties doing agility. We saw everything from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, and most in-between. No French Bulldogs in Agility, but a wonderful one in Obedience. So maybe "Performance Frenchie" isn't quite the oxymoron it seems.