We had a great time at the match in NH yesterday. Of course the fun part is getting ready(lol)....
After a few grooming sessions with Fiona (and convincing her I DO need to touch her feet) she was ready for her bath. Poor Trav just looked on, wondering why it wasn't all about him. Bath over and out she pops from the tub to get toweled off, and I realize that Traveler is in the hall shaking, like he is trying to get water off of him! He just assumed he had taken a bath, I guess, and was shaking and running around like he just got out of the tub. In between laughs, I put a towel on the floor (I do that for him after his baths) and said "OK Trav, dry off", and started to roll all over the towel to get "dry". Next time big Guy, but thanks for the chuckles.
Later, after Fee is dry, we pack the essentials(and we know how much that can be...it's like traveling with infants-diaper bags, toys, food, blankies...) and get a good night's rest....
Up early, van loaded, kiss the doggies staying home and off we go. We are so excited to be meeting Trav's son Brae for the first time! He is 10 months old and lives in Vermont with Jerry and Lu Bergen. It will be his first time doing anything like this, and great practice for him.
When we get to the match site, the Bergen's are already there. And there he is!!! OMG, he is so handsome! He looks just like Trav at that age. And what a personality....happy, bouncy, nothing is bothering him in the least! (ok maybe his big sister coming into season is "bothering" him just a bit) Since judging is later in the day, we have plenty of time to help wear him out, groom him up and have fun.
Barbara and Don Marshall arrive with Denbigh, who is just a bit older than Brae, but they are both typical bouncy Beardie boys-translation, more walking, more walking, more walking(lol)....
By ring time, the boys seem a bit calmer and do quite well in the ring. Matches are great for getting that "ring " experience without all of the pressure. Brae won Best Beardie Puppy so he has to go in later for Best Puppy in Match.
Fee , who has been patiently waiting(and staying out of way of the boys noses) , wins Breed and 3rd in a very nice Herding Group.
While Brae didn't get Best Puppy in Match(what was the judge thinking?!) he was to us. He did such a good job and was catching on very quickly. We can't wait to see him at the shows in May here in Maine.
I even got a great compliment from hubby Pat. He kept telling Fee what a great job she did, then said" and you did a great job too, do you know how I know? I never noticed you in the ring! I only saw Fee, so you did what a good handler does-make it all about the dog." What do you think of that!
Now we are recovering and there is a lot napping going on by all of the dogs..wonder what the other 3 did while we were away?!
