I have two BAD puppies

So.. I have two BAD puppies. They are into everything, but mostly it is their continuous chewing of things. Papers, poops (yea that's right), shoes, everything. Well, Newell and I spent all of yesterday decorating the house. The house looks great. I get up this morning, let everyone out, and brought the puppies back into the house. Put the gate up and went to work out. When I got back, they had gone behind the Christmas tree and pulled out the extension cord and chewed that like it was a milk bone. I mean, into tiny pieces. Why in the world would they do that? And extension cord doesn't look like food, smell like food or taste like food. But there they were, their little innocent faces with pieces of the plastic hanging out of their mouths. Thank goodness the tree wasn't plugged in, we would have had bar b qued puppies.

Shopping for Dawn

So. yesterday was my finish up my Christmas shopping day. I had a few gifts to get and I was on a very specific mission. What I did notice as I made my way around town, is that in every single store, I could have bought something for myself. When I went to Treasures, there were several things I would have loved, at Dicks well you know... At the outlet mall, OMG... even at the Sportsman's outlet, but it really struck me when I went to Starbucks to buy a gift card that I thought to myself, gee I hope someone gets me one of these. I must be the easiest person to shop for. Anyone who knows me must know this. And each gift I get each year, I use and appreciate. So I decided that for next year's grab bag... I will get everyone's name and everyone else will just get my name. That should work..

The Door

So.. Sunday after the show we went to watch the Ravens play at a sports bar down the street. When we headed back to the room, we realized that Tanner was not in his crate and the door of the room was left open. We panicked. As we approached the door, we heard the maid inside saying, "Now Tanner, you have to stay on the bed when I vacuum. It is very hard to clean with you following me" We went into the room, only to find the dog and the maid in the room. He was wagging his tail with his new friend. She was afraid that we would be mad, which of course we weren't. She then asked if we would take a picture of the dog and her. She snuggled up on the bed with him in her lap and we took the picture. Anyone that could deny that this dog is and ambassador for this breed, is crazy.

Always the Bridesmaid

So. we had the big show on Sunday. The judge was from Slovenia, so the playing field is level. No one is going to have a disadvantage. The dogs walk in and it is certainly an impressive line up. The top dogs in our breed all together. Wow!!! I could hardly breath. He examines the dogs. I know what he is going to like because we have been watching him for about 2 hours, holding on to our chairs. He is going to like a nice top line. I know he should like Tanner because he has a great top line. After examining everyone, he makes his cut. Pulls out Tanner. Now the heart starts pounding. We have been here before. Don't panic, don't expect anything yet. We have been at the front of the line before, and had it yanked away. Remember the Garden? So it is Tanner, Ty, the bitch and Vinnie. It is certainly appropriate. Tanner #1 in US, T #1 in Canada and Vinnie #2 in US in CAlifornia. Well, Vinnie wins and Tanner and Ty get Awards of Excellence. We are always right there.. But never really there..

Where to begin

So.. lets start at the toes and work our way up. Georgeann offered that we all go and get our toes done. We started the day in a town car driving around the town of Long Beach CA looking for a nail salon. Well, we found one with the tubs and the full works and we were in. 3pm Georgeann, Cindy, Heather, Fara and me loaded ourselves into the car and went to get pampered. We bounded into the salon, and basically took over the place. We all sat down and began to enjoy our pampering. Well, Heather ( and we all just love her) began. This is what she liked, and not too much of that, and could you rub it this way, and could you do it that way. And can you put a design on my toe and do you have a book that I could look at to see what design I want, and could you massage my shoulders and do you have flip flops and how much are they and what color do you have.. I finally leaned up from my bliss and looked to my left and said in my most Dawn-like way.. "Heather you are such a giant pain, just lean back and shut up and enjoy yourself".. Everyone laughed and laughed. Geeze....

Safe and Sound

So.. we are here. Everything went very smoothly.. Except... they didn't like Tanner's crate,, now mind you he just flew from Finland, to Paris to US in this Crate but the TSA didn't like the crate and decided they needed to lecture me on the downfalls of this crate. Anyway,, we worked it out. Then he wouldn't go in. Crate, no, Crate , no.. Crate shove Oh OK... Flight smooth as can be.. I asked Newell .." do you think we have a pilot"? 5 1/2 hours not one word from him. No.. look out the window and see the Rockies, or the weather is good..nothing.. just if we have turbulence I will let you know.. Very smooth,, just the way I like it.

Tanner and Rita came bounding out of the crate. We gave them water which them slopped up. The driver of our van didn't appreciate the dogs on the seats and made a big deal about hair on the seat.. Too bad!!! Tanner laying on the bed, all is well.

Heather and Kevin want us at 12 noon to groom, I don't think so. Sight seeing is more on the schedule..

More later

California here we come...

So we are ready. Teeth are cleaned, bath and nails are done. We have our suitcases and of course Tanner has his. We are off the Eukanuba. TAnner was invited from both the US and Canada. There should be a lot of dogs there and Grandma Chris is there as well. Cindy and Rita will meet us at Georgeann's and off we go. Wish us luck.. Win or lose it should be a great time.