Just back from NASS - Page 2

My 4-6 female's teeth were inspected. Too bad she, like most,  didn't have many yet (teething hard right now) She  was also nearly green from getting car sick on the way to the grounds, and was attacked by an older dog that came out of nowhere on her way to the ring, poor baby.  I should have scratched her, but the experience didn't hurt her. she was herself by Sunday, back jumping up and tearing my jacket, my little heathen returned. I'm thinking checking teeth in that class is not the point so much as checking for serious over and under bites, although that, too, can clear up after 6 months of age, and to assess the temperament of the pups being handled by a stranger. Its good experience for pups and new handlers, even if it does take a little extra time, and it didn't offset the schedule on Friday.

AS not all puppies are blessed with a Daddy having a Progeny Group entered, I suspect the 4-6 mos. class is added to the class roster here more to give people and juniors who might not otherwise be included an opportunity to participate in the show with their puppies, gain experience, and provide revenue to help the cost of hosting an expensive event. Personally, I am ALL FOR ANTHING that helps bring new people into the sport!

SS

I happened to be in the ring with the 4-6 males and they were definately checked both teeth and testies.....they had to wait a long time because there were handlers in the female ring.....some got it done early-those who didn't have a handler in the female ring.

In regards to the dogs failing bite work-it had nothing to do with the 20 yards on the long bite-most who failed, failed on the short bite, never made it to the long bite.

The two dogs who passed bitework but didn't finish in the ring was due to lack of endurance.  They were not able to complete their time in the ring.

On another note, I thought the show venue was fantastic. Parking was plentiful, paved with lots of shade,  close to the rings. The traffic ways to and from and around the rings were concrete: no mud. They had huge permanent  tents right on the rings: no need for EZ-ups, plenty of porta-potties (could have been serviced more often...) and a decent P.A. system we could hear in the parking lots. The main ring was of good size, rings stayed in pretty good shape despite the rain Saturday morning (remember the Ohio debacle in '99?) The food was okay, served quickly by smiling, friendly folks. I would have no problem returning to Purina farms for events in future. Yes, the protection field could have been larger, but there was room...

My only gripes were the restaurant at the host hotel and the darkness in my room. I order four items from the restaurant menu, unable to eat more than a few bites of any despite being ravenously hungry. Who knew anyone could screw up a grilled cheese sandwich (soggy bread, unmelted cheese)  or a plate of (frige-cold, unmelted) nachos? I wasn't surprised to see so many trailers unhitched and left in the parking lot on Friday night... A lot of people opted to take their dining chances somewhere else rather than face another expensive-but-marginally-palatable meal at the hotel. If I had had the energy I would have followed suit. There was a micro-wave in the hall next to the candy machine, but it took 4 min. to warm a cup of coffee. the only night I didn't go to bed hungry was Saturday... when the banquet food was good.

For $95./night I expect my room to be illuminated enough to be able to tell the colors of the shirts in my suitcase. On the positive side, the staff was friendly and helpful. They don't eat there either...

;)

SS

Funny aside:

I left the show site early on  Sunday to take advantage of the pool and hot tub, soak my aching bones before the bar overlooking the pool erupted with celebration, not wanting a lot of critiques on my aging carcass...

To my delight, there was no one in the bar and only one other person in the hot tub, no one in the pool.

Then along comes Linda Lundburg... I barely recognized her after not having laid eyes on her for so long, let alone being on the recieving end of her typical rude behavior. The years have been "cruel" to her, poor thing.

Ever possessed of more balls than brains, Ms. Lundburg apporached the hot tub to inform me in no uncertain terms that I would have to GET OUT AND LEAVE, as she had invited a large group of her friends to meet her in the tub. (!!??!)  When I declined, politely, she demanded to know whether I was a registered guest at the hotel, demanded to see my key card. :-O

I admit my second response was not nearly so  polite as the first. (starts with F, ends with U).

She went and got the manager.

After a brief conversation with me the manager rolled his eyes, went over for a few words with dear Linda and her girlfriend.

She and her girlfiriend then left the pool area, never to return.

So much for her alpha bitch act. I only wish there HAD been more witnesses.

ROTFLMAO

SS

Shelley,

Thank you--this makes my day!!

Shelley,

Thank you--this makes my day!!

Your welcome Louise. Happy to oblige. I take it you are familiar with the bitch in question. Add this to the "Insult to injury:" category: When I recanted the story to a few of the universally accepted movers and shakers (read winners) sometime later, in full ear shot of said would-be alpha bitch, their general response was curiously blank expressions and the words "Who is Linda Lundburg?"

Boy... I'll bet that HURT!!!

Given our brief but painful history, however far back in memory, she ought to know better than to fool with me by now... but I'm betting this isn't the end of it, dumb bunny. Stay tuned in San Jose...  Ha ha ha. That's MY old neighborhood.

SS

All those hundreds of beautiful pix of the show posted online... and not one of my poor old gray working dog and his brave little Junior handler, Riley.  Maybe nobody noticed the only black sable dog entered in the show.

Sigh...

well, how did T do?  I lost the link to the results.

molly

T landed just where we figured he would. 5th out of 5 in the Veteran's class. The good news is he showed very well, demonstrated his beautiful big gait as usual, proud working dog that he is. I thought he could have been moved up a couple of places above the pensioners, but obviously the judge thought differently.... never really even looked at him. I now wish I had entered him in the working dog class, so at least we could've showed them some bitework, but after seeing the weak helper work in CT, and not having anyone close to work with to clean him up before hand, I didn't want to take a chance on "no out."  Turned out the helpers for the males were plenty strong, locked up nicely for the outs, so we would've been fine. (Its the noodle arms he likes to take advantage of, old smart arse-hole that he is...)

I don't care what they say. I love my big dark gray dog. In my book, he's V-A all the way ...to the other side of my bed.

:)

SS