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!
