I finished!!!!

Kearney - When TM got back from town yesterday, I got to help with the doctoring of MC's lambs.  They are not dog-broke so I had to be really careful.  I got behind them and held them to TM.  I had to work like a cutting horse to hold them.  It was a good thing that I was pretty far back.   That gave me room to move around.  TM was VERY happy with how I worked.  Because I was out in the poison ivy, TM would not touch me.  MC lifted me over the fence and then gave me a bath.

We went back to Asheville, NC this morning at O'dark:30.  TM and MC got up at 4:30 again.  I do have to note that they were moving a bit slower!  We finally got on the road just before 5:00 AM.  Asheville was a little cooler today because we had some thunderstorms overnight. 

TM cleaned up my feet and belly, groomed me up, told me I looked excellent and off we went.  Well, I did wait while MC groomed Treasure.  TM carried me over the dirt and then let me walk into the building.  I was strutting my stuff - feeling great.  After playing with some cute Cardi girls, I went into the ring with MC.  She said I did a beautiful job of free-stacking.  I WON!  I was Winner's Dog.  TM was happy, but still holding her breath.  Apparently, I needed to do a little more than that.

My sister, Treasure, won her Bred-by class.  She went back for Winner's, but didn't do anything there.  She looked good (if you can say that about your sister).  The cute girl I had been playing with won Winner's Bitch for 5 points.  I have very good taste in girls!

We went back for Best of Breed and I managed to beat my girlfriend.  I also got 5 points for going Best of Winners.  That means I am now a Champion (once AKC confirms that I won) and have letters in front of my name too.   The judge, Janet Robinson, liked me when I was a puppy too.  TM was very excited.  MC was quite proud of me.

TM says that once I get my Champion notice from AKC, I get to go to the vet to get "tutored".  She says I will be happier then.  I don't know, I am pretty happy now.  Maybe "tutoring" will make me smarter?

Lowri - I mostly had a great time today.  Everyone gave me lots of scritches.  They talked to me and petted on me.  I had the best time then.  BUT, I don't know about being a show dog.  There are some real indignities!  TM did something she called "matching".  I DID NOT like it at all.  Apparently, there is a new rule that no one told me about before.  If TM says to "go potty", you only have so much time to assume the position.  If you don't, she gets all weird!  She took a paper match, wetted it and stuck it halfway up where the sun doesn't shine!  I yelled and told her I DID NOT like that.  She didn't care!!!  She did it anyway!  It didn't hurt, but it surprised me.  Then it irritated me.  I assumed the position, took care of business, went potty, whatever you want to call it.  TM said I was a good girl.  But I don't LIKE it.

The good part of showing is that you get lots of scritches, lots of treats, and if you are good like Kearney, you get LETTERS!  I guess that outweighs the brief indignity.  My de-butt is next weekend!  I can't wait!!