In like a Lion, out like a lamb...April has no fooling around start!

It's been a busy year so far, lots and lots of cold and snow, but thankfully I think it is behind us.

The first weekend of March, I drove to Purina Farms to meet up with some friends and attend dog shows.  Weather was lovely going down, but not so much coming home.  The last 90 minutes took about 2.5 hours and the snow was blinding.  It was so good to get home!  The Sunday dog show had been cancelled due to the weather prediction of lots of ice and snow coming in, so I feel lucky to have made it home in one piece

I left Gibbs, Loteki Good For The Team, with Ellen Perry.  Their first show out he was WD for 2 points, then a major three shows later.  He picked up yet his 2nd major and then BOB over 5 specials for yet another major, at 14 points in just three long weekends!

The end of March I drove to Claremore, OK to the Tulsa Papillon Club's two specialties and two all breed shows.  Drove through some spring weather, wind and hail, and of course, in a construction zone, so could not pull off, but the dogs and I made it to Claremore, enjoyed some lovely weather.  My 7 and 8 month old puppies travelled well, showed their little hearts out, and made me very proud.   The Tulsa club put on a lovely show.  There luncheon spread was quite impressive!  The show site was spacious and well lighted, although the grooming area is on dirt, it was well packed.

We brought home a 4 point major on the prince & princess under Mr. Edd Bivin.  Dyson, a.k.a. Loteki It's Superstition, was in the Bred-By Exhibitor class and sister, Electra, a.k.a. Loteki Being Good, in the 6-9 class.  Electra was definitely the smallest Papillon in competition.  Dyson was one of the smallest males.  So proud of my kids.

On the long drive home, Helen Schultz (WI) send a message that Scout, a.k.a. Loteki Take The Nature Trail had finished his championship by going BOB over two specials.  I called Helen and talked a bit - it was wonderful to have this news on the long drive.

The following Friday, April 4th, I received a message from Ellen that Gibbs had won his final point!  Gibbs is the 6th champion for his dam.

On Saturday, Gibb's daughter, Mari, was WB for 2 point to complete her title, now Loteki Fair Winds.  She is her dam, CH Loteki The Wind In My Hair's 8th champion and the 1st for her sire.  Loteki Natural Talent was WD/BOW for 3 points from the puppy class at just 7 months.  Harrison is also sired by Gibbs, so it was a great weekend for Gibbs and his kids.

The Saturday show in DeKalb found Scout winning his first major towards his Grand championship by winning Select Dog.  Mari was BOS for a major towards her grand, so it was a great weekend with wins, fabulous weather and good company, as I stayed at my friend, Patti Perkins, who is always an incredible hostess!  The drive home went well and we started the week back at work!  

The 5th issue of Papillon Revue was mailed on April 1st!  It has been an incredible adventure and I enjoy the time I spent getting the articles and trying to put together something people want to read.  I cannot believe how quickly this past year has flown!  Working hard on issue #6, which will be available at the National!

Glad to have a weekend at home, lots to catch up on, and with the nice weather, there is a lot to be done outside!

Happy 2014

 Happy 2014!  I hope everyone is warm and healthy.  We had a quiet couple days at home.  Thursday, I left work early to load the van and head north to the first dog shows of the year here in the Midwest.  I pulled out of the garage at 4:00 p.m. with the temps at 9 degrees, as the sun went down and I headed north I watched the temps drop steadily on the van’s thermometer.  Nervously watching it bounce between -9 and -14, I arrived safely at my friend, Gretchen Hofheins-Wackerfuss’s home about 8:45 p.m., unloaded and settled in for the evening to bath dogs for the show in the morning.

Up at 5:30 a.m. and temps hovering around -5, off to the show in downtown St Paul.  Papillons were on first thing at 8:00 a.m., UGH…but we were there with plenty of time to set up, and primp our exhibits.  I was thrilled to have Reid win the Bred-By class and on to Winners Dog for a point.  Two points in bitches with Mari going 2nd in Bred-By and reserve.  On to Best of Breed competition, Reid was selected Best of Breed and Best of Winners over 5 specials, the Winners bitch was Best of Opposite Sex over 2 bitch specials to make it 3 points, with 3 males for an additional point for Reid!  What a way to start the year!  

Gretchen and my 8 month old Min Pin brothers had fun at their 2nd show.  The black and rust Jay was won the BBE class and was reserve to the well-trained and behaved Open dog.  

As it was a toy specialty, the groups were early in the afternoon.  We spent the entire day at the show, leaving after sunset to head home.

Saturday morning dawned with a high of 15, balmy! At 5:30 a.m., pack all the dogs up and head back to downtown St Paul.  Min Pins were in at 8:30 after a few, as luck would have it our puppy dog, Levon, was Winners Dog for a major at his 3rdshow, brother, Jay was won the Bred-By class and was Reserve again!  

Papillons were in at 9:45, with a repeat of Reid winning the BBE class, he went on to be awarded Winners Dog to finish!  Mari had been given some training with a different lead, which seemed to help to keep her a little more in control.  She is so happy and tries so hard, she often kills herself in the ring!  LOL!  Mari (Loteki Fair Winds) won the Bred-By class!  She, then, was awarded Winners Bitch for 3 points!  WOW!  In Best of Breed, I took Reid in and Gretchen took Mari.  Mari was awarded Best of Opposite Sex over 3 bitch specials to up the points to 4 and Reid was Best of Winners for his 4th major!  Reid is now known as CH Loteki Written On The Wind.  Champion number 7 for his dam, CH Loteki The Wind In My Hair.  What a great day!  We enjoyed a nice lunch, a bit of vendor shopping, and then, packed up and headed back to Gretchen’s about 3:30 and dinner for her dad, John’s 85thbirthday.

Sunday morning temps held steady overnight at only 5 below, but there was much talk of what was to come.  Schools had been closed for Monday by the Governor, because of the forecast.  Up at 5:30 a.m. and back to the show site, we had taken a lot of our equipment out on Saturday and loaded my dog food on Saturday.  Min Pins were again at 8:30 a.m.  Jay won the BBE class and went on to win his first major!  Great weekend-four entries and 5 majors!  Papillons were judged at 10, with Mari going 2nd in the BBE class and reserve but showing the best she had all weekend!  I was very proud.  I was thrilled to see KerstinHokanson, whom I have not seen in a couple of years.

I quickly changed my clothes, packed up the dogs in a warmed van and headed south!  Temps held at -5 for a long part of the trip, but slowly rose to 0 and by the time I had pulled in the drive at 3:45 p.m. the temperature was 2, but at the same time the wind had started to blow, I actually feel it blew me home!  Snow was blowing and it was feeling a lot colder than 2 degrees!  It was great to be home.  What a fabulous way to start the year!