Puppy Planet

2008-06-24T09:51:00.004+01:00

New Puppy At Puppy Planet

My new puppy comes home this week and I can't wait. I still don't have a name for her, but I am sure that will come as I get to know her better.
I have decided to chart her progress here, from her very first night at home. I am hoping that she will be a show dog so watch this space! You can join us here every month to see how we get on.
For those that would like to show but haven't taken the plunge yet I will try to explain how to get started, how to get in the ring and hopefully how to qualify.
As the weather is getting better there are lots of agricultural and fun shows about the country - you can always try your hand at a companion dog show first if you don't feel ready for a Championship show. The Horbury show on Sunday 29th June at Carr Lodge Park, Horbury, Wakefield is a great day out and has a fun dog show you can enter on the day. It starts at 11am.
Let the fun begin!!!

2008-03-23T11:53:00.002Z

Saskia & The Snowman

We woke up today to find snow!!!

I had to make a snowman - its been so long since we had any real snow, it takes me back to primary school where we would all compete to see who could build the biggest.

The dogs loved it and chased each other about madly.

Sassy was not too sure about my snowman at first but I think they are friends now!

2008-03-17T22:39:00.004Z

DUFFY

I have been to ringcraft tonight with a friend who is equally mad about Labs - She has the most adorable chocolate boy and we have spent all night trying to think of a name for him - he is 16 weeks old and we get very odd looks when people ask what he is called and we say we don't know yet!
Eventually on the way home in the car she happened on Duffy - and we were both sold!
It was his first big outing and he took it all in his stride - he is very calm and steady -I just wonder how long that will last!!!!

2008-03-09T03:53:00.001Z

The dream is over - We made it to Crufts but didn't get through - we didn't even make the cut - but what a fantastic day we had anyway! We set off at 5.30am to get there and thankfully had a smooth journey down. Before I knew it we were set up on our bench waiting for our class.

Lulu seemed to think it was all a big game - she loved seeing all the other dogs but was quite content to snooze in her collapsible crate on the bench. Well done to everyone taking part - it really is a long and tiring day and just qualifying for Crufts is a real achievement in itself.

I will be watching the final on Sunday - not sure who will win but good luck!!

Crufts 2008 (the build up)

2008-02-06T00:11:00.000Z

Sorry for the delay in updating my blog - we have finally managed to move house and the dogs have settled in a treat. Our neighbours are great and we are getting used to the wild life now we live in the country. We have three cock pheasants that like to tour the garden, but Saskia insists on chasing them off at every opportunity.

We feed the two horses in the field next to us - we have called them Harriet and Sparkle. Harriet is definitely the boss as Sparkle is only a baby. Whenever the carrots come out Harriet makes sure she is there first. Sparkle has to snatch and run or Harriet gets very jealous and tries to nip her. The dogs have realised that horses equal carrots and always go to say hello - just incase they drop a bit!

As I write we are preparing to go to Crufts 2008. (Gundog Day - Friday 7th March 2008) It's the second time we have been in ' the ' ring so hopefully I won't be as nervous this year!!!

It is an amazing feeling just being a part of it after watching ringside for so many years - I think I know how it feels to walk down the red carpet - smile, move, smile, move, pose and relax.

Lulu was brilliant last year and seemed to realise all eyes were on her at the crucial moments - I love that dog.

If you do find yourself near the Labrador ring please come over and say hello - I will be the pale nervous wreck!

You can email me your triumphs (and failures - the funnier the better! - Did I ever tell you about my first show, one of my Labs decided instead of showing his teeth to the judge he would grab her fringe instead - he then refused to let go - the shame!!!) and you just might get a mention next month.

Good luck to everyone who is entered, we all take the best dog home with us.

Helicopter Wee

2007-10-14T04:48:00.000+01:00

Saskia, the cutest, smallest little working cocker spaniel has a major problem - Helicopter Wee! She is full of beans and insists on doing the wall of death round the kitchen at every opportunity - unfortunately she wees as she runs.

Not content with covering the kitchen she then likes to give us and any visitors a liberal splattering, usually spinning round like a top - hence the "helicopter wee"! Any ideas how to stop this gratefully received!!

Beating starts at the end of the month and I can’t wait - at least it won’t matter where Sassy wees! I will have to try and avoid her in the beaters wagon - its too embarrassing to have her peeing on everyone at such close proximity. She looks just like her dad Tom who will also be there, with any luck people will think it is him! Hee hee!

Darlington Champ Show

2007-09-28T21:46:00.000+01:00

After a bit of a wash out at Leeds - mud up to my knees.....at last I have qualified one of my girls for Crufts 2008. Lulu behaved brilliantly and got a well deserved second. Rene was finally in coat but didn’t get a look in. It was her first appearance in the ring so I was happy that she seemed to enjoy herself.

I also made it to the Midland Game fair. What a fantastic day out, next year we will be staying for the whole weekend - I just need to find a cheap caravan and learn how to tow it there!!

Crufts!!!

2007-03-30T01:35:00.000+01:00

Well we had a fantastic time at Crufts but we almost didn’t make it!
On the way there I had a blow out in the fast lane. I couldn’t remember how to get to the spare tyre under the car and didn’t fancy my chances with the HGVs thundering past the hard shoulder on a cold dark morning at 5.30am. Thank god for the AA!

I rang them and told them we were two women alone who needed assistance. I had to laugh when I told them about Lulu being in the car. Suddenly we were a priority call! Thank you Lulu. The lovely recovery man was soon with us and we arrived at the NEC in plenty of time.

We didn’t get a place but we made the cut ( for non show people this just means the judge goes round the ring and selects a smaller number of dogs to stay in the ring to make her final selection from) The class was big, about 35-40 dogs and we made the last 15 or so. It was brilliant and already I can’t wait for Crufts 2008.