Lompoc 2012 Part 2

The trip down to Lompoc always seems quicker than the return trip. This year several friends caravaned together. After several hours of driving Ca 101 we always stop at a rest area just outside of Paso Robles. A quick walk for the dogs and humans,  another few hours in the car and we arrived.

 

 

After checking into the hotel we all went over to our favorite Thai restaurant. It has become a tradition for all friends to meet and catch up on the preceeding year. Speculate on what tomorrow will bring, unwind from our long trip and share stories. This year we had friends from as far away as New Mexico and Washington. Then back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

The next day July 27 was the Greyhound Club of America  National  Specialty judged by Mr Eric Leibes who has bred and shown greyhounds since the early 1980s. It was a large entry of 54 greyhounds.  It was a successful day for the Aragon family. Judging started off with Obedience under Mr Dorin Ladd. High In Trial was once again Darby aka GCH Aragon Aroi Silver Lining CD RE owned by Lisa Stine. He competed in the Novice B class and earned a 190.5.

The next competiton was Puppy Sweepstakes judged by Mr Bob Urban. Best in Sweeps was Aragon Helios Blue Spruce aka Bruce owned by Sheryl Bartel/Chris Mott. Best of Opposite  Sweeps was Aragon Northern Lights aka Breeze or Busy Legs owned by Helen Hamilton.

Then the Breed competition started and ultimately Best In Specialty was won by BISS GCH Aryal Aroi Stoney Ridge VCD2 RE AX AXJ SC aka Lyric

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photo credit Audrey Hsai-Thank you Audrey for the picture!!!

Award of Merits/Select were also earned by Lyric kids GCH Aragon Black Ice VCD1 RE AX OAJ aka Echo, GCH Aragon Aroi Silver Lining CD RE aka Darby and Ch Aragon Silver Oak RN  aka Tanner.


Stay tuned for Part 3 of Lompoc 2012.

Lompoc Here We Come

Every year Lompoc California hosts the Western Combined Sighthound Specialties. It  is a great place to see dogs and people from all over the country. The top greyhounds-both conformation and performance show their stuff. It is an exhausting weekend of showing during the day and parties in the evening. One of the best parts is seeing people from long distance-often only once a year at this show.

Today is Thursday and we are spending the day packing....and no one wants to be left behind.

And driving  down to Lompoc...everyone is ready to go.

We hope to see you there if not this year then next.

Breeze and the Cat

I like my greyhounds to be able to live with cats. The greyhound instinct to chase and kill is so strong I want my dogs to have some idea that cats are okay too.
All of my greyhounds have lived with cats and although not their best friends can at least co-exist safely with them.

I have a guest house that veterinary students frequently stay on a monthly basis. This month the vet student brought her cat Dexter with her. When the door is open Dexter goes out. The video below is Breeze's attempt to play with Dexter. Definitely different play styles!!!

GCH Aragon Black Ice VCD1 RE AX OAJ

Echo is starting to enter the agility trials now along with Whisper. She is a steady eddy type of dog qualifying every class entered but one(off course) but I would like her to speed up. Running Whisper for so long she and I  have developed our own form of communication with each other. Echo and I are still learning to read each other and it shows in our runs.

The higher the level the harder the courses. Below are her three Excellent Standard runs. She earned three legs with 2 first places and one 2nd place and her title in her first three attempts. But her confidence in what she is doing is low. She is not reading  my cues hence the backspins and slow downs between obstacles. I on the other hand forget she is a baby dog and needs extra help at this stage. A perfect example of my mistake is on  the last course, I should have front crossed before the chute not rear crossed. An inexperienced dog will come out looking for the handler on the last side they saw them, hence the backspin. An experienced dog like Whisper will pick up the rear cross and come out looking for the handler on the new side. I forgot I was running Echo not Whisper, so besides causing the backspin I also caused Echo to worry where I went. Not great in confidence building for her.

Agility is certainly a learning game. Each dog learns at their own pace and has their own strengths and weaknesses. A good handler learns what each dog needs, takes advantages of their strengths and helps them overcome their weaknesses.