Sharhazlah Show Dogs

Today we left early to go to the Rouen International Show with Fleur, we left home just after midnight on Sunday morning, and arrived at the venue in Rouen at 6.45am.  Dogs were received from 8am and the rain was coming down so hard, it was going to be fun, to get unpacked and into the hall.  Luckily, just before 8am the rain eased so we managed to get all the stuff out of the car, and then join the long queue to get into the hall.  Fleur's pass was checked, and then we went in.

We found our ring in the first hall and then tried to find our number that was stuck on cages near the ring.  We set up everything and took Fleur for a walk in the hall hoping that she might spend a penny, with luck she did but took her time.

I went to get changed as we were 2nd in the ring, and there were only 4 dogs in the breed in front.

We watched the dogs being judged, and some nice dogs there, and then Fleur's class was called and I was last in the line as it's alphabetical order in France.  We were sent round twice before our judge Jean-Jacques Dupas assessed each dog and graded them.  It was our turn, and Fleur was happy being gone over, and was very steady on the move and showed her socks off for me, and wasn't as long standing for our critique to be done.

We were then sent round the ring again before our judge made his mind up, Fleur was graded Excellent 1st in her class, I couldn't believe it we had won our class and our first time in Intermediate bitch, it was a super feeling, Fleur knew she had done well as she was over the top with her kisses.

We were then called into the ring for the challenge for CACS & CACIB (as it was an International Show).  We were put into class order, and moved round the ring twice, and then waited till our judge had made his mind up on his Bitch Winner. 

Fleur was then awarded the CACS & CACIB - what an achievement this was.  It was a very special moment and one we will not forget.

We then had to challenge for BOB. This consisted of the CACIB Dog winner, Veteran Winner, CACIB Bitch winner (Fleur) and the Junior Winner.  We were moved twice more and BOB was given to the Veteran dog who is a stunning dog, Fleur done us proud in the BOB and was very happy with how she performed.

We then got some photos done, and then waited for 4.30pm to come so we could leave to get home.  We even got a trophy for being awarded the CACIB so was a lovely day.

We left the venue about 5ish after packing up and getting out of the car park, we did get lost but lucky for us Daniel our TomTom got us through it, and get us back on to the right road home.

We arrived at Pets Passport Tunnel Calais at 7.15 and we checked Fleur in and was given all clear to travel, and we then proceeded to wait for our train at 8.20pm.  We went and got a few bottles of wine as it was on offer (a very good offer for sure) so that was good.

We then boarded the train and headed for last part of the journey still on cloud 9 for sure.

Was a long day and a very worthwhile trip and one we will never forget

We had a super time at the All Winners Show Amsterdam.

We set off on Saturday after doing a quick stop at the vets to get Fleurs passport signed, so she could come back into the UK on sunday.

We arrived at the Channel Tunnel, and a notice was saying severe delays on passengers routes and we got a earlier train (well 10mins earlier we thought).  We went through to the car park and chilled waiting for our letter to be called, and checking the board to see what was happening.  Fleur was having a wonderful time watching everyone and being her normal self, making new friends as they went by,  Lucky for us our train was only 30mins late, so it didnt cause too many problems like it did for others earlier on.

Once we were the other side of the water in Calais the TomTom said it was abuot 3hrs30mins so that was good and remembering we was an hour in front we would get to IBIS Hotel Amsterdam at 5.30 local time.  The roads and traffic was brilliant and not a hold up at all.

We arrived at the hotel beautiful setting and it was freezing though but it was fine.  We managed to get a ground floor room so much easier for Fleur, we settled in and Fleur was having so much fun exploring the room.

We had a lovely dinner with Avril & Stan, and an early night even though we had the manageress come round to say that Fleur had been vocal whilst we had gone for dinner, i guess she had missed us whilst we were gone!!!!

The next morning we left just before 7am and arrived at the venue, car park was underneath and reminded me of the GMEX Manchester, so unloaded the car, and off to the lift to get to the hall.  All good fun trying to get trolley and everything in but we managed it.

We found our ring in the furthest corner from the front of building just like shows in the UK always the longest journey to the ring.

We set up by the ring, and saw we was 4th in the ring but there was only about 20 dogs in front of us. 

I took Fleur for a run round the ring to see how it was and to make sure no drains or anything that you could step on, Fleur loved running round.  We groomed her out and then let her sit and chill till time to go in.

Fleur was in the Junior Bitch class and there was 5 entries.  Fleur was graded Excellent 4th we was very proud of Fleur, and the only thing we found was static on her feet that she got from the carpet so something to watch with her, i think she has too much coat thats why!!!  We had a lovely write up from the judge too, and was nice to see it in black and white so quick and not have to wait weeks for it to appear in the paper!!!!

Our good friends Avril & Stan had a brilliant day with the Pulis they made Leon into an International Champion he was also BOB and Storm also took BOB and Group 2 so a super weekend for Weetoneon all round.

We had a look round the trade stands but there wasnt that much there so a little disappointed really but still spent money and Fleur got another new toy!!!.

We left the venue at 15.50 (Amsterdam) and arrived back him at 20.20 (UK time) so had another brilliant journey back. 

We had a super time and will return again to show in Amsterdam.
 

We this week we are getting everything ready for our trip to Amsterdam to attend the All Winners Show.  We are just taking Fleur with us so plenty of time for Fleur to have lots of fun, and to catch up with Avril & Stan who co-own her.

So many things to do and hopefully will have enough time to get it all done.  Have got to do a DVD yet for Avril & Stan of Fleur, that is going to take some time but hopefully it will be straight forward (things never are when I want them to be)!!!!

Have got to sort out stuff for Fleur, pack for myself, get car ready, have a tooth out, my weekly injection, vets with Fleur, bath Fleur and to go shopping for some food.  Yes plenty of time!!!!

Hoping to see all our friends that we have made, and looking forward to another trip abroad to a show and getting lots of pictures to put up when we are back.

Will update on our news when we return

Well its been 6 weeks since Melissa had her operation, and a time for a update

Our first show out since the operation, and Michaela doing all the work with the dogs was Kent County, and Michaela's first time showing Fleur, not sure who was more nervous her or me.  Michaela did a brilliant job with Fleur with winning Junior & Res Best of Breed, and then winning Best AV Toy Veteran with Shaggy a long and busy day for her.

We then went to City of Birmingham, for a weeks holiday and the weather was ok and even better when we had Fleur to bath, what fun that is.  Michaela did another brilliant job with bathing and drying her and then she did well in the ring with a 3rd in junior.  I think Michaela has enjoyed showing Fleur and has been hard for me sitting at ring side watching and not being able to do anything.

Hopefully will be back in the ring soon

We wont be attending any shows for about a month, as Melissa is going into hospital for an operation.  Melissa is having a bone removed from her shoulder resulting from an accident that she had 3 years ago, all other treatment hasnt worked so now this is the way to go.

Our last show will be East of England Ladies CS on 31 July, so hopefully we will see lots of our friends there, and please keep in touch with news and results via email, if you can.

We look forward to seeing our friends soon, and hopefully by LKA Melissa should be back in the ring.

Today we went to Kingston CS at Ardingley, the sun was shining and it was a little chilly when the sun decided it didnt want to shine

We took Fleur & Kiszie to the show, and Fleur won her class & Kiszie was 3rd in her class, before we left the show we decided that we would get some photos done as Fleur was 13mths, and Kiszie just coming back into coat.

We are pleased with the photos, and just seeing how grown up Fleur is looking, she is maturing beautifully

Today we spent all day at the World Show supporting our friends Avril & Stan with their Pulis Storm & Leon.
They had a good day, where they won BOB with their white Puli Storm and a 3rd in Open Dog with Leon.
We looked around the whole show, stopping to speak with Martial, and thanking him for his help and look forward to seeing him again.

We left the show after watching the groups and made our way back down up Calais to catch the train home.
We had a good journey back and we reached the terminals just after midnight (10 July) I took Fleur to the Pets Passport hut, to check her in, to get her passport checked and her chip this was as easy as anything, and no worries there at all. We had a sleep in the car before going through to check in to waste a bit of time as the train wasn't till 4am.
After a couple of hours we decided to get checked in, and see if there was an earlier train we could get, we had just missed the 3am train so had an hour to wait which wasn't too bad, so we went and got a drink and then made our way to the train. We were first in line so right at the front, Fleur was still sleeping so nothing was going to disturb her for sure!!!!
We boarded the train, and it was quite lot of noise I guess cause it was so empty and not as busy every sound you heard, they made an announcement that the journey would take 45 mins due to some works being done so not a problem at all, and we all managed to have a bit of sleep whilst we was crossing the sea.
We left the train and then headed back to Maidstone Services where Debbie's husband would be waiting to collect her, and was nice being back in England, and the wet weather!!!

Today was the World Show, and the entry for Afghans is bigger then yesterday's French show, and there are 2 judges for the breed.
We are near the main ring, so lots of noise and more people for sure then yesterday when we were further down the hall.
Fleur is completing in Junior Bitch and there are 27 bitches in the class so going to be a long day, and we also have to go and see the vet to get Fleur's passport stamped to come home Sunday morning.
Judging today didn't start till 12.30pm so we watched other breeds that were in the ring, and what an interesting morning. The judge assessed dogs in the owners arms, and then once he had seen all dogs then got them to move, if he didn't like it then he dismissed them straight away.  A very odd way to judge a table dog with out a table being present so to speak.
Judging then started in the ring for Afghans on time, and our judge for bitches was Mr Vojtek Vkatislav.  There were some beautiful bitches today in all the classes that we saw and it was nice to see the bitches that we had seen photos of.  The bitch ring wasn't as busy as the dog ring today and it was hard trying to watch both sexes whilst also keeping an eye on the classes so you don't miss your class.
Fleur wasn't really impressed with all the music that was being played in the main ring, I don't think it was her type for sure.
We were able to get Fleur outside for some fresh air being right near the door so that helped.
We went into the junior class and like at the other show it was in alphabetical order, so we were last again to be seen which was fine as gave time for Fleur to settle.
The judge moved all dogs round the ring and then went about assessing each dog and moving them.
It was our turn, we were asked to move and then stand up to be assessed, this was a odd way but something that happens here. Fleur was a good girl and didn't worry about anything.
The judge then looked along the line and pulled out 8 bitches for his selection, and we were lucky to make the cut so I was pleased, and I can say that Fleur did look a baby in the ring today against some of the other bitches who were more mature then her.
We didn't do anymore then make the final 8 and was graded Excellent again, so that in itself is a great achievement for our first time abroad for showing.
We had an appointment for 6pm, to see the vet so Fleur's passport could be stamped to say she has had her treatment to enable her to travel back into the UK.  We waited in the line with other dogs for over an hour to see the vet, we was shocked at the amount of people waiting, and comments they were saying, about how long they have been trying to see the vet.
We then had a look around the show, and Fleur was bought 2 new toys, and new chain to be shown on.
We saw alot of different breeds which we didnt know what they were and tomorrow we have a day of just chilling at the show, and looking around before heading back home.