Our Weekend at the FRFSC Specialty

Last weekend was the BIG weekend for the Fox River Field Spaniel Club specialty show in Schiller Park, IL.  We went down early on Saturday morning, after I got the special thrill of re-bathing Gibson after he decided to take a "field" trip into our now half-frozen very mucky pond (Michael drained it for the winter, so it has a tiny bit of water mixed with some rotting leaves...makes a lovely perfume for the inquisitive canine).

We arrived in time for Gibson to get primped for the sweepstakes.  Gibson got to learn more about ear wraps.  With so many dogs to get ready, there was a lot to do, but "Team Calico" (mainly Becki, Kylie, Grace and Aireanna) got all the dogs ready in good order.  Making his sweepstakes debut, Gibson took BOS in the puppy sweeps!!  Way to go Kylie & Gibson!

No points were in the cards for Baby Gibson last weekend, but we did enjoy watching Obie and Beep take WD (on successive days).  I showed Beep in Breed on Sunday after his WD win, and I really had a great time and appreciated the opportunity for some more ring experience!   I also particularly enjoyed seeing owner-handlers win BISS on both days.  Way to go ladies!!

Many of the participants also obtained legs in obedience and rally, with several new titles achieved!  Team Calico, I believe, had 2 HITs and several other ribbons.  Congratulations to them and to all of the performance exhibitors who found success last weekend!

I had a great time petting the dogs and meeting new people.  I also enjoyed watching the show, although I have decided there is more nail biting involved in waiting outside the ring while my dog is being shown than in actually showing him myself.  I've also learned that I focus harder showing someone else's dog than my own - a problem I'll no doubt have to work long and hard to correct!

I did manage to take a few candid shots of the Field Spaniels and their people (well, most of the photos, oddly, seem to involve Gibson).  You can check them out on my Facebook gallery.  Enjoy!

We'll be showing again in a couple of weeks - need to get started grooming those ears and toenails.  There is also a puppy match, so Gibson & I may be making our "team" debut in the ring!  I'll let you know how it goes...

FRFSC Hunt Tests & GLACSHE Working Dog Test

We played "hooky" last Friday afternoon so that Michael could take Wooster to the GLACSHE working dog test held at Ottawa Field Trial Grounds.  This is a fantastic location for hunting events, because it is "bowl-shaped", so that spectators can stand at the top of the field and watch the action without trailing behind as  a "gallery."  Walking behind the dogs is more educational, because you have a much better view, but being able to watch from a distance allows for more interaction with other spectators (also known as gabbing), since there are no concerns about distracting the dog with loud conversation.

Wooster performed well in the field, bringing two birds to Michael's hand.  At the water, which Michael said was so clear he could see Wooster paddling under the surface, Wooster had a beautiful entry with no hesitation.  Unfortunately, his delivery lacked a certain something.... The judges ended up passing him at the WD level nonetheless, although the "X" did elude him. They'll get it next time!

We didn't have any dogs entered in the weekend's hunt tests, but FRFSC thoughtfully provided Michael's first judging assignment.  Saturday, he judged the Junior & Senior levels.  Sunday, he judged the Master level.  He seemed to have a great time both days.

I enjoyed watching the test, mostly from the top of the hill.  It was fun to see so many rare spaniels entered this weekend (in fact, at Friday's WD test, most of the entries were rare spaniels!).  I believe there were 5 Clumbers entered, out of a total of 35 entries, several Field spaniels and 2 or more Boykin spaniels.  So it was fun to see the different hunting styles in the Field.  I also enjoyed the chance to talk to several people that I don't see often.

One of the best things about the weekend is that I had a chance to get pictures of Gibson with his dad, Bogey.  Check out Gibson's page to see the family picture!

Speaking of photos, anyone interested in seeing TONS of great photos of the event should check out Otto's gallery!  As usual, Otto did a great job documenting the event.  I believe in this case, some of the photos are also courtesy of Kylie Hirschy and/or FRFSC.

Go, Go, Gibson!

So, it turns out that Gibson did, indeed, get his first point yesterday!

Today, we were able to watch as he went BOW for his second point (happily, the bitch points held!).  It was fun seeing him in the ring, and Kylie did a beautiful job showing him.  I also got to meet Gibson's daddy, Bogey, for the first time.  He is beautiful!

Watson went BOB over...no competition.  So we stuck around for group.  We didn't place, although I really enjoyed the judge, and it was fun watching Kylie take a Group 4 with her special, Darcy.  

My brother came with a friend to watch today, and we enjoyed grabbing a bite of lunch (even though it was just dog show food) after the breed judging.  All in all, a very nice-- and pretty low-key-- weekend!

Gibson!

While we're waiting to hear show results from Gibson's second weekend out in the big bad world of dog shows, I thought I'd catch up on recent events.

We have not done any showing during the month of August. However, Gibson made his debut last weekend in Amana, IA, with Becki & Kylie. He went RWD all 3 days. He shows, I'm told, "like a dream" and was the life of the party at the host's home, inciting approximately 25 other Field spaniels to chase after him as he was running around the yard with a toy. Completely unflappable. That's our boy!

We dropped him off last night so that Kylie could show him today at the Kenosha KC show in Wilmot, WI. Fields showed earlier this afternoon, so we are awaiting results. (I assume we'll hear something after groups finish.) Tomorrow, we'll drive down early. Kylie will show Gibson in BBE. He is the only class dog, and she has to show another dog in BOB, so I am expecting to show him in breed. Should be fun!

Mr. Watson is the only Clumber entry. We show around 11:30 and will likely stay for group, since it'll be good experience for both Watson and me.

Will post again once I have today's results, or tomorrow when we wrap up at the show...

Clumbers in Paradise

Whew!  Clumbers everywhere!!  We just returned from a margarita party chez Sharon H.-- and we had a great time (thanks, Sharon!).  When we first started this little tradition, we had only Kipper; Sharon had Rita, Mr. PJ and Goldie; and Sue R. had Jasmine and Devina (and maybe Pearlie Mae).  We had about 6 dogs between us.  We're now up to 11!!!

11 dogs in one backyard makes for a pretty rowdy time.  Wooster and grand dames Devina and Goldie wisely hang out on the deck with the people (and the food!) most of the time.  The many younger dogs--  Mr. B, Winston, Fanny, Watson, Seamus, Daphne and Gibson-- frolic in the yard.  Pearl Mae splits her time, mainly hanging near the picnic but occasionally heading to the yard to give the young guys "what for."

Sue provided the tunes (what else but Jimmy Buffet) AND an opportunity to try out her new Margaritaville margarita maker.  Loved it-- it even has its own carrying case, so it is pretty portable (albeit rather heavy).  We partook of that great traditional Mexican food, pizza-- Glass Nickel, of course-- which complemented the margaritas perfectly.

How delightful to end our too short weekend hanging out with friends, watching the dogs play and enjoying some casual drinks and conversation.  Even better is the fact that ALL of the dogs are now tired-- and (most importantly) quiet.  Wish we could do this every night!!  Truly, the Clumbers were in paradise, and the humans not far behind.

Thanks Sharon & Sue for a great evening!

Catching Up

Lots of doggie stuff has happened since I blogged last...

Watson earned another BOB at the shows in West Bend, WI at the end of June. The breed judge was WAY behind that day. Coupled with a rain storm around mid-day, we didn't finish the sporting group until around 7 pm or so. This made for a long day, but...Watson made a new friend, a 10-year-old boy who was sitting with his mom next to us at ringside. Watson "introduced" himself immediately, as he always does, and I chatted for about 15 minutes while the little boy was petting Watson, when suddenly the kid said, "I have a great new name for your dog!" I said, "What's that?" and he responded, "MegaWats!" As any of you who know Watson will know, this is, indeed, the perfect nickname for him: "MegaWats" has just about the brightest and most outgoing personality of any dog I have ever met! It also goes perfectly with his "supersuit," which is bright blue with silver stars. Only a kid would come up with this, but it is perfect and it has stuck!

About a week after that, on July 3, Gibson came home! (No, I'm not changing the name of my blog just because he's a Field Spaniel.) He is pretty darn adorable! (Check him out at : http://clmbrlvr.googlepages.com/gibson%27spage. Even more pics and info at: http://www.calicofieldspaniels.com/See_Field_Spaniels_files/Gibson.htm.)

The next day, he had his "well puppy" exam, and everything looked fine. Hours later, we were at the e-vet with a suspected UTI or bladder stone. Still not sure exactly what happened, but suffice it to say that he is fine now AND has been added to our doggie health insurance (I thought surely doing that within a few days would have been fine, but apparently not; next time, I will add the dog before they get to our house!).

Gibson has been fitting in well. He is much quicker than the Clumbers, so Watson has taken to sitting in the middle of the room wating for Gibson to zoom by and then swatting him with one huge paw. Even Wooster has been playing nicely with puppy (closely supervised, of course). The big dogs only get a little cranky when Gibson gets TOO enthusiastic, and sometimes they do have to "tell" him to stop chewing on their ears, or things like that. Overall, however, everyone is getting along well, and we couldn't be happier with the way the "pack" is shaping up!

We have finally worked out the logistics of going to the dog park (with more dogs than leash holders) too, and have been enjoying the occasional trip. I'm impressed that Gibson already has a GREAT recall. Even though the park is completely fenced and he does range a bit further than the Clumbers usually do, it's great that he usually keeps us in sight and comes back at a run when called (well, sometimes we need to call more than once, but not usually).

Gibson is a very enthusiastic little guy, and we're delighted to have him. You can look for him in the show ring soon, shown in BBE by Kylie Hirschy-Sievert of Calico (one of Gibson's co-owners). He is also training for the field and making good progress with retrieves and quartering drills. He is going to be dynamite, just like his daddy, Bogey!

Last weekend, we had a little health scare with Wooster. Doggie health insurance may sound silly, but those e-vet bills add up, folks! Happily, after spending lots of time at the e-vet (Michael stayed there w/ him on Sunday night), our vet advised that there seems to be a GI bug going around, so that's probably what he had (funny how the e-vet didn't mention it...). He seems like his old self again, which is a great relief.

Michael & Woo continue training for Wooster's Master Hunter title. Look for them in the field very soon!

Watson Wins the Breed

I am thrilled to report that our Watson went BOB today at the Badger KC show in Madison, WI for his first breed win (other than 2 group placements in puppy matches). It was an exciting way to cap off our National Specialty week, and I was glad we were home in time to show since I have joined the Badger KC.

We didn't do anything in the Group, though we had a good time showing. I felt Watson showed pretty well, especially considering he is not used to waiting so long (as is the case in a large group). He was a little antsy by the time the judge went over him, but not too bad. I was also pleased with my handling, in that I made several conscious choices in the ring that I might not have had the presence of mind to make a few months ago. So, progress is being made.

Thanks Sue and Sharon for coming out to cheer today (and for the bday cards). A very special thanks to the other member of "Team Watson," Michael, for his help, support and love and for being such wonderful unpaid kennel help! Last, but not least, thanks to Watson, who personifies "happy" during his every waking moment, for such a nice early bday present!