What we did on our day off

October 9, 2010.  We took a day off from showing, only because I needed to shop and cook for the Garden State Weimaraner Club specialty on Sunday.  I was able to make some time to do yard work as well.  Not my ideal day off but at least it was productive.

We spent the morning doing yard work and I finally planted my fall mums.  I love this time of year!

We took a break for lunch and Sawyer enjoyed some popcorn. We have a picture just like this from when Sharon was a puppy. Like mother like son.

But this time we got video too.

Catching a brief moment when the dogs are sitting still.  Brooke, Ruby and Sawyer.

Morris & Essex show

October 7, 2010.  Today was the Morris and Essex Kennel Club show.  This event only happens every 5 years and this was my first time attending.  It's quite a production with exhibitors and attendees dressing up in their finest, include hats. 

Ruby came to stay with us last night and this was her debut.  We didn't do anything in the puppy sweepstakes but she took 3rd in her bred-by-exhibitor class.  We'll need to work on stacking but we'll get there.

It was the Nutmeg Weimaraner Club specialty and the trophy table looked great.  None for us today, maybe next time.

As I mentioned, it's a fancy affair with hats.  Here are some of my friends sporting their finest headwear.

Bobbie, Jerry, Stacey, and Deb.

I finally ran into Pat and made her pose for a picture with her lovely hat.

Even the dogs wear hats!

Sarah looked terrific in her pink outfit, right down to the boots.

So in the spirit of the day I asked Pat to loan me her hat for a photo opportunity.

Well done Morris & Essex Kennel Club.  See you in 2015!

Day 3 & 4 - Wine Country Show Circuit

October 2 - 3, 2010.  Well apparently I didn't take many pictures on Saturday.  The grounds were still muddy but at least the sun started to peak out, even if it was just for a bit.  Sawyer got Select Dog today for more Grand Champion points. 

My shoes will never be the same.

One of my favorite Canadians, Frank, posing with the local Canadian Mountie. :)

Sunday was very cold so everyone had their coats on for our early morning judging time.

Dude and Prada sporting their coats.

Sawyer got a new coat in his color and it was 50% off...nice!

Scott was packing up and getting ready to go but to our surprise, Sawyer won the Breed again today.  What a nice way to end the weekend!!  So Scott headed out in the motor home and I stayed behind to show in the Sporting Group.

Brooke and Sawyer ready to roll.

It was another cold windy afternoon in the Group.

The wind was lifting Sawyer's ears for take off.

Day 2 - Wine Country Show Circuit

October 1, 2010.  Well it didn’t rain today but the effects of yesterday’s downpours were evident all over the show site.  Today was not a day we would remain clean.  Judging was a bit delayed because we had to change rings due to the muddy conditions.

Phil and Heidi try to keep Schatze clean and out of the mud before judging.

Prada showed well again today and went Best of Winners for another point (one entry shy of 2 points today).

I didn’t think we’d do much today but to my surprise Sawyer took Best of Breed! This isn’t the best picture…the official shots never are for us, but it is what it is.

 

Sporting was the last group in and by that time the clouds came and the winds picked up. It was very cold and I didn’t pack Sawyer’s coat on this trip so he was shivering.

I think Sawyer spotted Dad with the camera on our first go around.

Even though we practiced while waiting our turn, it was not our best presentation for the exam but by then Sawyer was just shivering.

Of course he did better at the end of the line when the judge wasn’t looking.

Even Scott was cold and anyone who knows Scott knows he is very rarely cold. So you know it was FREEZING! Here is his self portrait displaying just how cold he was.

Trying to keep my hands warm because I was starting to lose feeling in them.

Scott taking a picture of his muddy shoe, which was not nearly as muddy as mine. I guess he was bored watching the group.

Sawyer’s wondering “why is mom making me stand out in the cold??”

Sawyer on the move.

Sawyer was finally warming up and standing nicely, but it was too late by then. Oh well.

The only reason Scott agrees to come on this trip every year is for the deep fried turkey dinner night. Look at that smile!

We had three birthdays this weekend with Pam, John and Phyllis.

We had birthday cake to celebrate.

It was another nice evening to sit by the fire. Especially when we had s’mores!

Day 1 - Wine Country Show Circuit

September 30, 2010. The rain started about 3:30am and didn’t stop. We had morning judging and luckily the rain was light at that time.

Ellen and Barb ringside with Dude.

I tried to get a family portrait with Sawyer, Prada and Dude but you know how cooperative 3 Weims are so this was the best I got.

Despite the rain it was a good day with Prada going Winners Bitch for her 2nd AKC point and Sawyer going Best of Opposite Sex for more Grand Champion points.

Brooke has it very hard in the motor home. Apparently she doesn’t like sharing the couch with Scott.

So she moved to her very favorite spot, the passenger seat.

Whether it’s with her head on the arm rest.

Or the curtain over her head.

Or with her head over the top of the chair, this is the best seat in the house as far as Brooke is concerned.

Sawyer likes resting in his crate.

What else is there to do on a very rainy day but read and nap? Apparently Scott thought it’d be funny to take a picture of Sawyer and I catching some ZZZ’s.

I think the rain finally stopped around 9pm. We’re on in the afternoon tomorrow so hopefully the ground will dry up a bit. It’s supposed to be cooler but that’s better than rain.

On the road to the Wine Country show circuit

September 29, 2010.  We spent most of the night packing the motor home and planned to leave early.  After a late start and a few issues we hit the road on our way to Sampson State Park in Romulus, NY for the Wine Country shows.  It’s a great trip with our Weim friends with lots of great food and laughs. 

Scott drove the motor home with his co-pilot Brooke.

I did drive part of the way so I could get the feel for it in case we ever want to purchase one of these money pits.

We decided to pick up a canopy this year.  I’m so glad we did because it would really come in handy on Thursday with the torrential downpours.  Plus I'm sure we'll be able to use it at other events. 

Brooke, Sawyer and Sharon enjoying the canopy in the nice weather.

There was a beautiful red sky so Scott and I literally ran down to the lake to take a picture before the sun set. 

There was some discussion at dinner about the saying ‘red sky at night, sailor’s delight’. Apparently sailors love 18 hours of rain because that’s what we had on Thursday.


It was a great night out and we had a campfire going.  Next time we have the fire we'll break out the s'mores.

Ellen’s, Mary Catherine was modeling her very stylish rain gear in preparation for the pending forecast.



GSWC Match Show

September 25, 2010.  The Garden State Weimaraner Club hosted a match show this morning and it was the conformation debut for 2 puppies from the Seinfeld litter, Ashbrooke No Soup for You (Ruby) and Ashbrooke Queen of the Castle (Abby), just 7 months old.  This was the first time out for both but they arrived early and we did a little work with them before going in the ring.  They did great and Ruby won best puppy!!

Ruby stacked

Abby stacked, can you tell her mom was taking the picture by the direction she's looking.

Ruby also stands nicely on her own.

Abby practices her stays proving she's not just another pretty face.  She has brains too...puppy brains right now, but brains.

Hanging out after the show, Ruby stretches out to relax.

Abby and Ruby had a lot of fun together. These sisters know how to play!

I love Ruby's ears.

The GSWC also hosted a Meet the Breeds booth at the show.  A small preview to the big Meet the Breeds event at the Javits center in October.