“I simply remember my favorite things….and then I don’t feel so bad!”  One of my most favorite things is dogs [and cats!] with blue eyes!  Adorable!

Judge Jean Fournier’s selection for Best in Show at the Chester County Kennel Club show on Saturday, May 12th was the Doberman Pinscher, Jackson [GCH CH D’s Remember When].  That was his 8th Best in Show in 2012. 

The Best in Show ribbon at a dog show is awarded to one of 7 dogs.  The winning dog from each group is represented in the BIS competition - sporting, non-sporting, toy, terrier, working, hound, and herding groups.  At this point, all 7 dogs are winners and are worthy of the BIS ribbon.   How does the judge ever choose a winner?  On Saturday at the Chester Valley Kennel Club show, the BIS judge was Jean Fournier and her daunting task was to select a winner from these breeds:  the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Whippet, Airedale Terrier, Papillion, Bulldog, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  Who did she select for BIS?  Stay tuned tomorrow to see the winner.  In the blog images Jean is signing the judges book and noting who won BIS – a well guarded secret until she makes her announcement! 

Seeing veteran show dogs being honored is so heartwarming.  The Chester Valley Kennel Club had a “Best Veterans in Show Competition” over the weekend and it was wonderful to see the tribute and applause given to these more mature and experienced show dogs.  Veteran classes are for dogs over 7 years of age, but you’d never know it by watching them go around the ring.  They were just as spry and showy as their younger counterparts.  The blog image features the dog that won the Best Veteran competition on Saturday.

What a dog wants is………belly rubs!  Especially after a long day at the dog show!  Look at that smile….this is one HAPPY doggie!!

I love visiting the garden center in Spring.  I’ve been there 3 or 4 times already this season and have come home with not only top soil, but a few new treasures for my garden -  Bleeding Heart, Columbine and Iris plants.  The other day I took along my Olympus point & shoot camera in the hopes of capturing the feeling of the garden center overflowing with spring color.  Along the way I found this still life scene and thought it would be fun to process with a bit of a watercolor effect.  This scene just says Springtime to me!  P.S.  Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms and doggie-moms!

Hopefully all of my dog show images have piqued your interest and you might want to attend a show yourself this summer.  Spectators are always welcome!  You can find lists of dog shows in your area by visiting the infodog website where you can search for dog shows by state.  Here’s a link:   http://www.infodog.com/showinfo/state.htm
If you plan to attend a show, plan to go early and stay late so you can see as many breeds as possible.  Pick up a judging program at the superintendent’s desk when you arrive so that you can see which breeds will be shown in which ring and at what time.  Bring folding chairs and sunscreen if it’s an outdoor show!   Always ask the owner or handler if you may pet a dog before doing so!  Have fun and be prepared to oooh and ahhhh over the wonderful dogs that you will see!   And if you see me out there taking photos, stop by and say Hi!    [The blog image features a Bloodhound with his favorite stuffed cat at the Bucks County Kennel Club show last weekend!]

I just couldn’t take my eyes off of this scene at the Bucks County Kennel Club dog show last Saturday.  It was early afternoon and the Salukis were in the ring.  Seated ringside in a red folding chair was an older gentleman.  Seated directly in front of him was his dog.  The dog was resting his or her paw on the man’s hand and staring at him so sweetly.  The man and his dog sat in that position for a very long time – both enjoying just being together!  It was definitely “a moment”.  A loving connection between man and dog. 

Look at that adorable “Pug mug”!   From what I’ve read, pugs ears are taped like this to help form the cartilage so that the ears fold correctly as they grow.  This little 9 week old pup was learning the ropes with mom by watching the ‘not-much-bigger-but-older-Pugs’ in the show ring at the Bucks County Kennel Club dog show on Saturday. 

Sometimes a caption pops into my head the minute that I see an image.  Like this one for example.  I don’t know the Border Collie’s call name, but his registered name is “Mount View Blitzen”.  This image takes me back to the days in grade school when the teacher would come up to an unsuspecting student, put their hand in just this location and say, “Spit out the gum, NOW!!”