Plug-Ins?

Glade needs to make Savannah scented Plug-Ins. Ethan would be in a good mood all the time with those. Wonder if those pheromone ones would do the trick... I've never seen a bigger Ethan grin and he's never been this easy going...no moaning, no teeth chattering, he just plays it smoooooth. :)

Do They Have Doggie After School Specials?

You know the ones...everything that's happening to your body is completely normal, this is what to expect, and here is how you handle it. Nah, I guess they don't, even though Savannah is ready for one. What was her birthday gift for Mom? She decided to come into her first heat this weekend. It started with Ef acting like he does around the girls he meets at shows...cute, perky, easy going, fun, no growls to be heard. We knew for sure when Savannah told him in no uncertain terms that he could keep his nose to himself, thank you very much, that she was probably officially in. She's been a bit swollen since Thursday or Friday. So, her gift to me is that she won't be in heat at Nationals. Thank you very much, Bobannah! The bad part is that she'll be two weeks into it when the five of us head over to Yachats and have our first Savannah hotel weekend over Easter. Lovely. Please let Ef not be a moaner!!! Please let Savannah not be messy!!! Good grief!!!

And, though I said it on the list, Happy Birthday to Guppy, Caleb, Becca, and Georgi!!!

Show Update and Pictures

We showed both Ethan and Savannah at the Albany show this weekend. Saturday wasn't great. Ethan barked and barked and barked and barked...so much so that Tami said he was hurting her ears. ACH! Savannah realized right before time to go in that she needed to poo, then promptly forgot the minute we got outside, then acted up the whole time in the ring. She wouldn't stand still, she wouldn't walk straight, she had to bark at the big dogs the next ring over, and the judge was laughing at us. BAAAAADDDD!!! She was second of two in her class. Oh, and Ef got propositioned again, but it'll be a good 18 months before the bitch is ready, even if they still want him then.

Sunday was a new day. Ef was VERY well behaved, no barking or carrying on, having a great time, and today Tami wanted to know what the secret to keeping him chilled out was. He didn't win, but he did in our book! Savannah had a better day, too. We were both calmer and Auntie Kim K and Uncle Mark saved us with a squeaker!!! That made a ton of difference. She moved well, she didn't bark at others, she was great on the table, and she won her class. She was pretty well expired by the time winner's rolled around, and she kept chomping at the bit to do her up and back...more judge laughing, but in a good way this time. She still did okay and I was proud of her.

And Libby was spoiled by having Grammy and Grampy over BOTH days this weekend...a much better treat than going to the show any day! :)

On to the pictures taken in the yard at home this afternoon. Not the greatest shots ever, but they should fill the need for gratuitous puppy shots. Should have brushed Savannah's topline, but oh, well.

The money shot...don't have bait? Just crinkle money in front of their faces. :)

Stand straight? Surely you jest according to Savannah.

Libby didn't want to be left out...this is what can happen when you spay early...long legs and a not so good topline. We lub her, though.

What we're gonna do...

...we're going! Just Ethan and I, but we're going. We've got our hotel, we've got a lovely co-owner and handler who loves Ef nearly as much as we do (thanks Traci!), and we've scoped out a couple yarn shops (one just five blocks from the fairgrounds). I haven't been to San Francisco since I was in high school...and there is a yarn shop near the touristy areas I just have to visit. Woo hoo! I'm excited!!! Scared by the arm and leg it'll cost, not too thrilled about the long drive, worried about the time off work, but excited. Now, Ef goes to corgi boot camp. Hill walks, teeth cleaning, and handling class every week for practice. Can't wait!!!

And I have room for one more person and a dog or two if anyone wants to take me up on it. I even have a hotel room with two beds and a fridge. :)

What to do, what to do?

My mom used to sort of sing song that sometimes when one of us kids had a decision to make. Well, now I guess it's my turn to sing song about one of my "kids" and decision to be made. What to do, what to do?

Paul's company is changing product lines, selling plants, and minimizing work force. While he's still gainfully employed, many of his co-workers aren't and he gets to take on some of their duties. They also are going to a set vacation schedule, meaning the plant closes and everyone is on vacation. When the plant's open, no one gets to be on vacation. Lovely.

What's the decision to made? There are a few actually. Nationals is in May, but it is almost a complete impossibility that Paul will be able to go. So, do I want to go without him? Which dog or dogs should I bring with me? Is it worth making the trip? How do I enter the Megan if I'm not a member (or how fast can I become a member, even though I'm not sure I want to be...see the COE debate on the ShowCardi list today, which really all boils down to color breeding...but I digress...)? Should I even bother trying? Should I go all alone or coerce someone into riding with me? If I only take one dog, which one and why?

Here are my initial thoughts. Breeders can spot too much hair in an instant and, even if we've got a glamour coat, it's probably too much to expect to do anything in Nationals...love what's under the hair better than a lot of the ones I've seen out there, but don't expect most people to get beyond that, especially at her current age...we'll see what happens in a year or so. So, taking Savannah is likely out, gorgeous movement and all.

So, that leaves going for Ethan. I love Ethan. I think he's a darn nice red dog. Do I think he's worth putting in BOB at Nationals? No. Do I think he'd do alright in the Megan against other red dogs? I think so, but I'm biased. Do I think this may be his only chance to find a girlfriend besides his "sister" (ewwww!!!)? Probably. So, if I do it, it would only be for Ethan and only for the Megan, most likely.

Which brings us to the more logistical questions...how fast can I make him eligible to show in the Megan? And who is going to handle him? Now, don't look at me! I've shown a 6 month old puppy once...this is Nationals and he's red and he needs someone with more experience, so who? And how long do I stay? And do I get someone to ride with me? And how many yarn shops are near Pleasanton? Oh, sorry, meandering thoughts again.

After all that, what say you? I guess the essential question is, "Is it worth showing Ethan in the Megan?" I think everything else could be worked out from there. And don't be swayed by "but you've got to go," "you know you really want to," "you so don't want to miss it," or "it won't be near us again for another 4 years," please. In other words, HELP!!! Wish I knew how to put up a poll on Blogger!!!

Pictures and Video

I haven't posted anything in awhile, but thought I'd just put up some candid photos I took in the yard this afternoon. There is also a video I posted at YouTube so you all can see the fuzz moving and tell me what you think. There have been no trimmings since Feb. 8 or 9 and the ears haven't been touched since Portland, at least a couple weeks before that. I don't think she's quite as endowed as her sister, but she's got plenty to spare. I'll also include pictures of Ethan's ungroomed back and the two of them together for comparison. I've been told Ef's coat is fine, but I think it's a bit long in a couple places. Savannah's is a bit longer than that, but she's also young still...Ef grew into his mane. :) Anyway, lemme know what you think of candid Miss Savvy at 7 months.

And if anyone knows how to make Blogger put the pictures at the end instead of the start automatically, I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me how!