Yo. Blog people. Elroy here. Bringing you the latest news from Crufts. I mean we’re not there – but thanks to the Internet, we can almost be there. Almost being the operative word.

So if you happened to try and watch the Herding group judging, you’ll note that there was no Picard. Her Highness chuckled and said it’s probably because the Picard didn’t feel like it. But that’s not it, I think. Picards are in a different class called the Imported Breed Register. I looked it up, but couldn’t understand it. I mean I know there were Picards at the show (because Her Highness has a friend who was showing her boy), and they competed for Best of Breed – but something about their status doesn’t allow them to compete in the Group. At least I think that’s why. Or maybe the dog just DIDN’T feel like it after all.

Her Highness has a number of friends who competed with their PONs yesterday – she met many of them during her last visit to Crufts . It was exciting to see the results. She knows the owner of the pretty bitch who won Best Bitch (yeah it’s OK to say that in dog shows when you talk about girl dogs – I’m not being sassy) – and Her Highness also knows the humans who are owned by the handsome boy who won Best of Breed. A huge congratulations to all the winners – in all the classes. The BOB dog looked super duper during the Group judging, but unfortunately, he didn’t take the Group. Robbed. But as I said, he looked terrific. And he didn’t ricochet off the judge or anything. The winner of the Pastoral Group was the Border Collie. There were over 200 entered at the breed level. Bet their judging included an IQ test.

The winner of the Working Group was the Siberian Husky. Wonder if the dog had to pull a sled to get in.

Lots goes on at Crufts – like the Imp mentioned the other day. We gathered a few videos from Day One, for your viewing pleasure. I said they had to be under 10 minutes. Who can attend to something for more than 10 minutes? Not me.

This first one is of a young girl with her dog in agility. Me thinks this girl has a long agility career ahead..

https://youtu.be/frCFgVk0Yew

The Kennel Club awards something called a Hero Dog award each year. There are five finalists. I’ll show ya three. The first is a dog named Milo, who is the eyes for his human:

https://youtu.be/5V–v-xH5BU

Next up is a group of Newfies who have a unique roll:

https://youtu.be/WGw9GS4U5dw

And lastly we have Chewy, the rescue dog. His story is one of a double rescue….

https://youtu.be/7_bFM0BzfFc

You can check out the other two on the Crufts YouTube channel. And other results as well.

We haven’t seen any great bloopers yet, but it’s only been one day. That’s my favorite part. Like this dog – who became an Internet sensation- and who competed at Crufts several times. Yo. I don’t know what’s funnier – Olly or the announcer…

https://youtu.be/YKfD1aHqBSw

Now he’s MY hero dog. Kinda reminds me of the Imp. Every morning. Before we even leave the house.

Anyway – good luck to all the dogs there. Remember whether you take home a ribbon or not – competing at Crufts in any event is honor enough!

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here on another wonderful Wednesday. And guess what today is? Besides the birthday of Barbie, the famous doll from Mattel. Who makes a for a great chew toy. It’s the day before CRUFTS begins!!!! The big, huge, ginormous dog show that takes place in Birmingham, England each year. Crufts is the equivalent of doggie Disney World – it has everything thinkable related to dogs – a big beauty pageant , obedience, agility, flyball, heelwork to music, treat eating…the list goes on. OK, I made up the treat eating competition. That’s in my dreams. In addition to a gazillion events and activities and presentations- they sell stuff. Lots and lots and LOTS of stuff. The Warden has been to Crufts four times – and she bought lots of cool stuff there. I think the last time she was there, it was like a suitcase full. One year she even brought home weave poles. I’m not sure how she carried them on the plane. In fact, the purple leash we use in our classes and in Rally came from Crufts!!!!

The Warden wishes she would be there this year – but no such luck. BUT – one can watch things happening at Crufts on-line! At least stuff happening in the Main arenas. If you want to watch, it sounds like the Kennel Club YouTube channel is a great option. Here are some links, with other options as well:

https://dogshowtv.com/crufts-dog-show-2022/

We’ll be rooting for our PON and Picard friends as they strut their stuff in the beauty pageant or should I say, the conformation event. PONs and Picards are in the Pastoral Group – and that group is scheduled to compete on Thursday. The Working breeds are also competing on Thursday.

On Friday it will be the Terrors oops I’m mean Terriers and the Hounds running around the rings and on Saturday it will be the Utility breeds and the teenie weenies – the Toys. Sunday will conclude with the Gundogs and the grand finale- Best in Show. Over 20,000 dogs are entered in Crufts! The show catalogue for Crufts, which lists all the dogs competing, is not a single volume – it’s four – one for each day! It’s like four novels.

Just to give you a tiny warm up sample – here are two short videos – the first featuring conformation and the second featuring obedience. And holy moly THOSE dogs are OBEDIENT!!!

https://youtu.be/uo5gV-hIJ5c

https://youtu.be/C5Qv97FnGCM

Anyway – we just want to wish all of our friends who are competing the BEST of luck. And of course you two leggeds know that no matter the result – you always take home the best dog!

Have fun! And if you see something PON or Picard related that we MUST have, message the Boss. He still has his show winnings that he can spend!

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Greetings blog aficionados. Frodo here. Writing on this Monday morning to share more news about our weekend escapades.

As you know, yours truly scored a perfect 100 on Saturday in Rally Masters. This is, as you may recall after two dismal trial failures back in December. But this time, Her Highness had done her homework, and studied the signs so as not to get confused on the course. In addition, while we WERE quite fast, she did pause to think ahead. She did her part MUCH better and of course, I did brilliantly as I always do. Not to brag, but it’s simply the truth. And yesterday, although we did have a bobble or two, I still scored 98 – enough for another High in Class finish. And another cash prize. I’m assuming the money will be spent on treats for me, which I of course will share with my “brothers” as it IS the charitable thing to do.

Now as for the Imp – well he and Her Highness got rather “cocky” since he finished his RN title, so they “moved him up” to Rally Advanced. You may recall he crashed and burned in the Rally Advanced practice match last weekend. So WHY they thought he could pass this weekend, I don’t know. Mind you, I had a rather ragged run around last weekend myself, but then I’m mature enough to overcome such setbacks. But back to the Imp. Advanced is off leash. Which did result in an instance of wide heeling during which Her Highness really laid on the cheery heeling voice- bringing the Imp back into position. Despite HIS odd bobble, he managed to tie my score with a respectable 98. So the Imp has his first Advanced leg.

The above photo shows our weekend bounty. It was terribly difficult to take the photo because the Imp kept trying to eat the ribbons. Hence the cranky look on his face as he was instructed to “LEAVE THE RIBBONS ALONE!” Isn’t it ironic that he passes Rally “Obedience” trials, yet is so DISobedient at home? Yes – he still has some learning to do….

Now we must look ahead to more trials. I have one more leg for my title. And given my brilliant performance this weekend, I understand Her Highness MAY even bring me out of retirement to get back in the regular obedience ring…. We’ll see. But today, I’m taking the day off. Unless she buys some really good treats with my cash prizes. THEN I’ll be happy to train! Rally on!

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.,

Howdy blogaroos. Squirm here with a quick update – because we KNOW you’ll be wondering how we did in our trial yesterday. As you know. The Boss was in the Master Rally class and I was in Rally Novice A.

Well guess what? We BOTH passed! I was pretty good, although I DID have a brain fart on one station and I sniffed a sign. Still – I now have my RN! My very first title.

And as for the Boss….well take a look at the scoreboard above. Each dog has a number and then you see another number, which is the score the dog attained out of a possible 100 points. An “NQ” after a number means non-qualifying. Somebody at the trial said it could mean “not quite.” I like the sounds of that better. In Novice you need a minimum score of 75 to pass. In the Master class you need a minimum of 85.

Anyway, my number is 201. So you can see my score. Not too shabby although it’s obvious we had some very good dogs in my class.

And the Boss? His number is….236. Yup. He ROCKED. He and the Warden flew around that ring. They had a blast! So he also won High in Class.

The Warden got all sappy when they got their score. Not bad for a 12 year old guy whose last title was obtained like 7 or 8 years ago.

Now we are well aware that ANYTHING can happen today – but the Warden said even if we crash and burn, it’s OK – because yesterday was awesome.

Oh – and I should mention that she did pretty well herself – given that she was so stressed, she woke up at 3 AM yesterday, and just HAD to look up something in the rule book. Really. But not to worry, we got her around the ring just fine.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.

Happy weekend blogaroos. Squirmy here today on what I’m calling our weekend of trials and tribulations. Yup, the Boss and I are hitting the rally trials this weekend, with him entered in Masters and yours truly in Novice. I need that one more pass, or as they call it – one more leg to get my Rally Novice title or RN. I’m entered in two trials so I have two chances to become a nurse. Get it? I’m so funny.

The Boss still needs all three legs. Actually, he doesn’t NEED them. He just has fun working with the Warden so they aren’t too worried about how he’ll do. The Warden trusts him to do what he’s supposed to do. She doesn’t, though, trust herself not to get all mixed up and go spinning left instead of right. THAT’S the tribulation part. We canines know what to do. It’s our handler who needs the training!

We got a big dumping of snow on Thursday. The light fluffy stuff. I thought it was a blast to play “snow plow” as I raced about. And I did something that made the Warden shout at me – I raced outside with a Kong. And then you KNOW what I did – I dropped it in the snow. When I came back to the door, Kongless, the Warden sent me back out to find it. You should have seen me racing around and trying to sniff that thing out, under a foot of white stuff. But I FOUND IT! There was much rejoicing and a celebratory biscuit.

Well I had better go and get ready, and read the rule book one more time. Somebody needs to understand the signs- we can’t rely 100% on our handler…

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe!

Happy Thursday blogaroos. Squirmy Wormy here today on what is supposed to be another snowy day. Yesterday we had snow in the morning- that wet, snowball-in-the-nether-regions kind of snow. We all did our convoy to the lake in the morning, returning with a barrel full of snow on our bodies. The Warden was mopping the floor for an hour. OK – maybe not an HOUR – but it felt like it as we waited for breakfast.

Luckily the snow stopped by noon, because the Warden had a “planned outing” for me and the Boss. Something she hasn’t done before. She rented space at a training facility, to train us! Yup – the same place we were last week – AND the same place where the trial will be this weekend. She figured she would move our regular daily training from the rec room – to a different environment – just to mix things up. Now I have trained there in the past with other dogs, BUT she has never taken the two of us. At the same time….

We arrived and she decided to work with the Boss first – while yours truly waited in the car. After about 20 minutes, she came out to get me. I walked into the room and well, the two of us guys acted like we hadn’t seen each other in a week. I went particularly crazy – pouncing on the Boss, rolling under him, licking his face and ears, barking and acting totally loco. The Warden didn’t know how to separate us. We looked like one big ball of rolling fluff. When she FINALLY managed to pull me away, the Boss just settled down to watch me do my training. And I wasn’t TOO bad. Although I don’t yet have the laser focus and attention that the Boss has. Mind you – he’s had lots of time to develop that!

When I was done with my training, the Warden put me and the Boss in a Sit Stay while she put equipment away. We both rocked that. Then we did a down stay, which I personally prefer, and we both rocked that as well. We finished off our session with a round of fetch-the-bumpers and much to the Warden’s surprise, we both retrieved the bumpers numerous times, without being distracted by the many smells in the room.

So that was our Wednesday. The Coyote got his own walk when we got home – just so he wouldn’t feel left out. He sniffed the air for rabbits and cats, and marked his trail so that he could easily find his way home. Leaving pee mail is his specialty.

As a final note today, we continue to think about the people of Ukraine and their ongoing struggles. We are in awe of the many acts of heroism and patriotism carried out by the Ukrainian people. We are also in awe of the support that the people (and their pets!) are receiving from neighboring countries – like Poland. In an effort to help the many refugees fleeing Ukraine, countries like Poland have dropped the mandatory veterinary requirements to allow people into the country with their pets. So many people in Poland have welcomed refugees with open arms with their pets. We’ve seen videos of litters of puppies being transported out of the country and people willing to take them in.

Clubs like the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Club of Wales and the West of England have taken up donations to be forwarded to an official charity “helping children and animals to escape this terrible conflict.” Well done to that breed club for initiating this project. The American Polish Lowland Sheepdog Association took a cue from their neighbors across the pond, and collectively made a contribution to the PLSCWWE for their fundraising campaign. Many of our breed friends are on the ground in Poland, collecting food, clothing, and basic needs for the refugees- in addition to the room and board I have already mentioned. Dog people are extra good people – at least that’s what I think!

The world can be a tough place at times, yet in the darkness of this conflict, the light of kindness and support shines through… We hope that light continues to shine and gets brighter and brighter….

Have a good one. PEACE and paws up. Stay safe.

Howdy blogaroos! Squirmy here on a terrific Tuesday. AND it also happens to be the first day of March – AND it’s Paczki Day!!!! That’s pronounced poonch-key, in case you don’t know. Yup – it’s donut day and it’s also called Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras. It’s the last big hurrah before Lent. During Lent, some humans give up some thing – as a way of “fasting” and doing penance. It’s also a time to do good acts. Kind of sort of another chance to renew those New Year resolutions.

The Warden bought some paczki at the grocery store. They came in a box of four, so if my math skills are correct, that’s one for each of us. She said no- but surely she’s joking.

I’m giving up Brussels sprouts for Lent. And sleeping in late. And running away…cough, cough. OK, OK. So I never get Brussels sprouts and I never sleep in late. So I guess those won’t be too difficult. And as for running away…well I don’t USUALLY take off. Except yesterday…

So the Warden was getting ready to run some errands. As she always does, she lets me and the Boss out the front door for a pee. She keeps the French door to the hallway closed so the Coyote won’t run out. While we go out to pee, she gets some treats for all of us in the garage. The Boss and I run back in to get our treats.

Well that was the plan yesterday. Except one big mistake. The door to the hallway wasn’t closed completely. So when the Boss and I pushed the front door open to come back in the house, the Coyote saw this as the PERFECT opportunity to take off out the front door. As the Warden came in from the garage, she saw the Boss who was waiting for his treats, and she saw the open doors. She glanced out the front door in time to see the Coyote racing up the driveway toward the road with yours truly in hot pursuit.

The Warden knew there was no point in shouting or chasing after us. I mean the Coyote never comes when called and although MY recall is pretty good, I felt it was my duty to catch him. The Warden grabbed her keys, jumped in the car, and went after us. As she approached the road she scanned around. No sign of us. She slowly drove up the road – looking for any sign of us. She looked down every neighbors’ driveway. No sign of us. She drove all the way to where our road meets the main road. No escapees. She slowly drove back home.

In her rush to drive out of the garage, the overhead door refused to close so she drove off and left it open. She slowly drove back down our driveway- and spotted me in the garage. Trying to get into the food bin. Of course I was. She rustled me into the house, but there was no sign of the Coyote. So she headed back to go out searching in the car again. Just as she got to the car, who comes prancing down the driveway but the runaway himself. The Warden did that fake happy voice that she uses when she doesn’t want to scare him off. She clapped her hands and looked all excited to see him, although she was a combo of perturbed and worried that any sudden move would cause him to take off again. But he didn’t. He was panting and smiling and he came right over to her. She lassoed him quickly and took him back to the house. That’s one of those moments when humans are relieved but ready to kill us at the same time.

All the while we were gone, the Boss just stood and barked. He was still waiting for his treats.

So that was our latest blood pressure raiser. But honestly, we haven’t done that in a LONG time. And it was really the Warden’s fault. She DID leave that hall door open…

The Warden wondered just where the Coyote went. I mean he wasn’t on the road. He didn’t appear to be in any driveways. He could have been in the woods – but he didn’t come from that direction. Well – the problem was solved. Check out what a neighbor caught on their security camera…Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. But it was long enough for the neighbor to get a notification….

https://youtube.com/watch?v=K5To-V09vdE&feature=share

He looks pretty happy. Those neighbors (who thankfully are very nice and don’t worry about canine trespassers) have cats – and I think the Coyote is fascinated with them. He always seems to head to their place first.

Anyway, all’s well that ended well. He was just having his own version of Mardi Gras. A day early. Par-teee. Par-teee.

OK. Almost time for walks – and then we get to stare at the Warden while she eats her paczki. I wonder if drooling will help…

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe.