Red Deer Weekend

I went to a dog show with Joey this weekend in Red Deer, Alberta.  Last week, I had carefully shopped for a cosmetic bag that has 4 compartments and hangs off the back of a door - this way I could organize all my toiletries.  I packed it nicely on Thursday morning.  I had bathed and groomed Joey the night before and had packed all my gear and was on the road by 10:30 am Thursday morning.

It was a good drive - the highways were bare and the weather was sunny.  I arrived in Red Deer around 4:30 pm.  I found my benching spot and set-up my equipment, then went to check into the motel (Motel 6) but they cannot find my reservation.  I had booked it online a couple of weeks ago and I do remember receiving a confirmation number but never wrote it down.  I did however have it in my email so used the motels computer to locate that email.  That's when I discovered that I had made reservations for the following week.  Luckily, they had a room for me - and luckily I had come the proper weekend for the dogshow rather than next weekend.  Sheesh.

I can't say enough about Motel 6 in Red Deer - it's extremely clean; they don't charge extra for dogs; they give you a dog collar; they give you dog treats; they have high speed QUALITY internet (I could stream Netflixs) and it's very affordable.

I dragged all my luggage up to my room on the 2nd floor and was unpacking and hanging up my showclothes.  I went to hang my cosmetic organizer on the back of bathroom door only to discover that I had left it in my own bathroom.  I had a small freak out wondering if I had also left my glasses at home too.  I was relieved to find my glasses in my purse (this after I had strewn the contents of my bags around the room looking for them).  Fortunately, I had packed my shampoos, blow dryer, and make-up (you don't want to see me without that!).  But I was still without basic and necessary items (including my jewelry).  So, I off I went to London Drugs to replace those much needed items.  I also had to go and buy Joey a different dogfood as he decided the stuff he was eating was POISON!

So - I am finally ok and have all the things I need and I go out for a nice supper with my good friend Paul.  Got back to my room around 10:00 pm and plugged in my laptop and watched Netflixs (I LOVE IT) and fell alsleep.

Up around 7 am on Friday morning and get Joey out for his morning "walkie", then back up to my room to get ready for the first show.  The schedule I saw online said my ringtime was 11:00 am.  I got to the showbuilding around 9 a.m. and was just strolling around and meeting other dog people when someone mentions to me that ringtime is 10:00 am.  The schedule I saw was wrong.  OK - better go and groom my dog!  Got Joey primped and fluffed and then go off to change into my show clothes.  Here I discover I'd packed my "small" black slacks.  Last time I tried to wear those I looked like I was stuffed in a sausage casing.  Imagine my delight when I discovered they fit again!  Yippee!

I was just fine for ringtime - but there were many people who also read the wrong judging schedule and were quite upset.  Mistakes like this can cause a lot of problems especially with people (pro handlers) who have multiple dogs and rely on the integrity of the judging schedule to manage their time.  I think there was a lot of swearing going on that day.

The rest of the weekend went smoothly without me having any more mishaps.  Joey earned Best of Breed all three days.  I'd like to express my congratulations to:

• Adelaide for her first home-bred champion.  I know what a thrill that is and how special. 
• Monica for her nice win with 6 month old Fergie - she is a lovely puppy
• Ursula for her boy's new championship (I am having a brain fart for his name)
• Ruth for her girl's win on Sunday
• Wanda for Solo's win
• and last but never least, Paul for Lucy's Best of Opposite on Sunday

Now Lucy was quite the showstopper - literally.  Lucy was in standing heat on Sunday and all the boys knew it - especially Solo.  I had a difficult time getting Joey's attention, but poor Solo he was howling and jumping around. Wanda certainly EARNED that win on Sunday!   The ring stewart told us that we were the most AMUSING breed all weekend.  It was a total gong show.

The drive home was good - once again bare, dry pavement. Luckily the storm that hit Calgary did not progress to Red Deer.  I did have one moment though  - I passed an oncoming police cruiser only to see in my rearview mirror him quickly turn around. I figured... BUSTED!  He was coming up fast behind me with his flashers on.  I pulled over and much to my relief he sped by me and pulled over the truck that was ahead of me.  WHEW!

Got home around 7:30 pm on Sunday much to the delight of Lola, Sparkle and Bogart. I was greated with much howling, leaping, sniffing and licks.  I just love coming home to that kind of welcome.  It's always nice to sleep in your own bed.

Sophie

Remembering Kimberlite's Harvest Moon - "Sophie", beloved girl of Bob and Ruby.  Oct. 10, 2001 - Feb. 17, 2011.  Tears and hugs dear friends.

Robin Observations

Now that I've "owned" (really s/he owns me) for just over a week, I think I've become a Robin expert! When I go - "tweet, tweet" - the Robin answers me. If I look at it and go "tweet, tweet", not only does it answer me, but it also does stretches. Stretches the legs, then stretches each wing, and then fluffs out its feathers. If it is really hungry, it will chirp incessantly (because its asking me to pull-eeze come up and feed it). I don't do that now, so after about 5 minutes of nonstop chirping, s/he will fly down and perch on my head..."Hello - remember me? - I think it's birdy num-num time."

I had to go to work today, and left Round Robin in the backroom (behind closed doors so the cats could not get it). I left a pan of chopped earthworms on the floor. I was gone about 5 hours and when I returned, it didn't look like Round had eaten any of the earthworms, and boy - did I get a frenzied welcome when I opened the door. Much flapping of wings and chirping. I stuffed about 10 worms into his mouth and brought him into the atrium and put him among the plants.

About 15 minutes later, he came down perched on my head and demanded I feed him more. So, he got 3 blueberries and some Fancy Feast cat food. That seemed to satisfy him. (I know I'm going between him/her/it - I have no idea what sex the bird is).

I think I'm going to have to get tough and put him outside in the big evergreen tree. He can fly. I'll go out every hour or so and see if he flies down for "birdy num-nums". He has to learn to find his own food, get along with other Robins and make his trek south in the fall migration.

Wouldn't it be cool if he comes back every year for a visit! Hope he brings back more than a lousy t-shirt.

Demonstrating a Free Stack

How to acheive the free stack...blah, blah, blah (note this is just a nonsense post to give you an idea of how the blog will work).  Obviously, if I was to contribute a post about free stacking I could provide step-by-step instructions and perhaps pictures.