Bob practices for his agility debut

What a crazy week of weather we're having! Saturday it was 14 degrees with fluffy snow, and Tuesday it reaches 60 degrees! The warmer weather is right up my ally, and I spent much of the day outside with the dogs. Bob and I had a good agility practice session, then Isabel came out to help me take a few pictures of Bob. It was wonderful to see them having so much fun together!

Snow Pups

Yesterday some of the dogs and I went out for a hike in the freezing cold. The snow was absolutely perfect; light, dry, fluffy, and easily navigated. I took tons of pictures of them and these are a few of my favorites.



Bobby



Nessa hits the brakes



Solene on a trail



Nessa loves the snow



Ava takes a rest



Ness looks just like her mom, Alba, in the picture



Silly Nessa



Beautiful Ava

A Beautiful Barbet Puppy

Lotus  -  Nuphar's Deep In A Dream

This beautiful Barbet puppy is Lotus, the litter sister to our Nessa. She was bred by and is owned by Anne Plomp, who lives in The Netherlands. Lotus is an incredibly balanced and beautiful brown and white Barbet. Anne and I tend to agree on how the Barbet should be kept, conditioned and presented, and her excellent photography skills demonstrate the true beauty of the breed.

Claire is Expecting!

 

Today Claire went to the vet for her pregnancy ultrasound. Although it looks like another very small litter, we were able to confirm pregnancy. Claire's pups are due at the end of February, and we're very excited! Puppies from this litter are all spoken for.

 

 

Time Capsule Day

Bo-Bett HTF Skylarkin

Today I was cleaning out a crowded drawer, and I came upon a familiar cardboard envelope that dog show photographers always used in the days prior to on-site digital images. Seeing that it had never been opened, I was curious and excited at what it might be. I opened it to discover a picture of Skylar as a baby puppy winning Best of Winners from the 6-9 Month class under Ralph Lemcke at his very first show in June of 2006.  What a fun surprise! Skylar is the most devoted of all my dogs. He is a sweet and gentle soul.

Competition Time!!!

High Flyer Turbo of Belsam

7 months after we started training in Agility, I have entered Bob in our first AKC Agility Trial, which will be held next month. Yikes!! I'm excited, nervous, and anxious to see how we do together in a new setting with different equipment with the added pressure of competition. Bob will be 8 years old in March, and he has really enjoyed learning something completely new, and so have I. Without our outstanding instructor, Irene Barrie, we would be lost, but it's almost time for us to hit the ring and see what happens. Wish us luck!

Bob is our son Sam's little dog, and working and learning together has helped both of us with the adjustment of having Sam away at college. 

Happy First Birthday to our Barbet puppies, Solene and Hanna!

Solene and Hanna

Solene

Hanna

One year ago today, these beautiful little girls were born. Happy birthday, Solene and Hanna! Before their first birthday they have both become Champions, and Solene has won a Best In Show. I'm so proud of these puppies!

Champion Claire

I received this lovely certificate in the mail this weekend for Claire's International Championship that she won last year, just three months after her puppies were born. Claire is always such a joy in the show ring where her happy and confident personality shines through! I will always be grateful to Florence Erwin for letting me have Claire. She gave me the best possible start in the Barbet world. Claire is the first Barbet to win a UKC Championship, first to win a UKC Best In Show, she is a triple titled Canadian/United/International Champion, she is recognized by the AKC's CHIC program (one of only two American bitches to do so), and she is the only Barbet in North America to have given birth via imported European frozen semen. Most importantly, Claire is a complete and total pleasure to live with. She is super smart, brave, fuzzy and snuggly. I couldn't ask for more.