It's that season again

At this time of the year all our dogs go crazy over the blackberries - and go to great lengths to enjoy the crop, its amazing the positions they can get into, to get that berry you would swear was out of reach.

Geoduck

This weekend David and I went to shows in Shelton, WA (it's about 15 miles NW of Olympia) a charming town with a nice showsite, if the weather co-operates - and it did pretty much - except for today when, after being cloudy, but fine all day, it decided to pour when the Hound group was in the ring.
We went out to a couple of good restaurants, following recommendations by the locals we knew and we even tried a local specialty, which is a mollusc (see photo above) this is a Geoduck (pronounced Gooey-duck) This was the first time we had had it, and it was beautifully prepared and tasted a bit like Calamari - it was good, I would have it again - not sure I would tackle it at home though!.

Italy, Genoa to be specific

I have received an invitation to judge the Purina Pro Plan cup in Genoa on November 15 this year. I am not quite sure exactly what is involved in this task, but I guess I will find out soon enough!. The link to the website about the show is here
Purina Pro Plan Cup 2009 and then click on Pro Plan cup 2008 and then Giudici to see the other judges invited, its quite a panel. This should be a great experience. I am not sure that Novemebr is the best time to see Genoa, but who cares, its Italy...

Despite the fact summer is drawing to a close, we still are having fantastic weather and Mt. Hood often looks like this when driving around town. We said goodbye to Team Beagle this week, who were staying with us, while their owners cycled from Seattle to San Diego, way to go guys!

Dog Shows

David did better in Colorado,than I did in Eugene - Herbie got a Group 3 today and I did not win any more points with Burt.
At least I got home early enough to mow the lawn, which has been growing fast with our stunning weather - 80 today and not a cloud in the sky.

Here is a picture of my BISS winner from the Danish show (this picture was taken at another show.)

The dog is Ch Cannon Bear's Spinning the Wheel.

We are really crazy dog people - we got home late on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday morning David drove off to Colorado with Herbie to shows over there, and I drove down to a set of 4 shows in Eugene, Oregon. I had early showtimes Thursday & Friday, so I stayed down there, but the weekend times are more civilized, so I have come home for the night. Tiny entry - just 2 class dogs, so far "Burt" has won 2 singles, he now has 12 points.

Denmark

We flew from Brussels to Copenhagen on Friday, arriving there about 4:30 and after battling peak hour traffic went to visit our friends at Gold Line Kennels, to look at some puppies, sired by a dog we sent to Denmark a couple of years ago (Ch Starbuck Torbay About Face) he has been a good sire for them and we were interested to see the current litter, one of which may come to us. Then we drove down about 1 hour south of Copenhagen to Vordingborg, where I was judging a Newfoundland Specialty on Saturday and Sunday. Denmark has some stunning Newf's and it was a joy to judge them, My fellow judge was from Siberia, but she only spoke German & Russian and I only speak English (and Australian) so our conversations were non existent. The weather was just perfect, low 70's with a slight breeze.
David went to spend Saturday night at Anna Sofie Gothen's (Red Baron beagles) and was joined there by Michael & Gerner (BeagleBoys Kennel) we had sent "Jack" to them last year - and they have given him a wonderful home. They all enjoyed a great time at a wonderful location. Thanks Anna!
On Sunday David collected me and we drove back to Roskilde, had dinner with Annette & Jesper on the quayside, watching the setting sun, of the last few hours of Summer (in Europe - Autumn starts September 1) Then off to the airport hotel, to spoil ourselves at the Hilton adjacent to the airport, one of our favorite hotels.We checked out this morning, walked to the airport across the road only to discover our flight was cancelled and so we have a 5 hour wait for the next flight to Brussels, where we re stying the night, before returning home tomorrow.
So now I am sitting in the SAS lounge updating my blog