Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Southern Adventures - so much to tell

Well, we've had quite an exciting trip and too busy to blog plus no available computer to use.  When we return home, we will have lots of fun videos and pictures to post.

Our big news is that today, Savi won a 5-point major from the Bred-by-exhibitor class at the Greater Charleston Club Supported Entry at the Spartenburg KC show!  She then went on to win Best of Winners.  I am still on cloud nine and celebrating this awesome win.  It was wonderful to have a few of my puppy people and friends there to offer their support and congratulations.

Savi's show week began Thursday and we are proud of how well she showed in the Weimaraner Club of America Southern Futurity and went 2nd in the large intermediate futurity class.  Jam showed well in the Best of Breed class and made the cut in the specialty.

Our other Grayhart girls, Sky and Mia, were both in Open class, looking great.  Sky earned a 2nd and two 4th places and Mia went 2nd at today's show.

Sunday is the last day of shows at Greenville, SC and we look forward to taking the dogs for hike in the Smokey Mountains on Monday.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Grayhart Girls Great Southern Adventure - Part 2 - Agility Star Jam!

Savi's mother, Trixie and sister, Jam, competed in the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility trial and Savi was along for the ride.  She charmed everyone while our other girls showed off their agility skills.
Jam with her new title & 3rd place ribbons for earning her OAJ title! 
We arrived in Sanford, NC on Friday, after an eight hour drive from PA, to compete in the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility trial.  It was a relief to finally check into the hotel and get a chance to relax and let the dogs loose in the room.  Debbie, Sky's owner, arrived and we went out for a fabulous dinner at the Steele Pig, which I would highly recommend.  A more upscale BBQ restaurant with a talented chef who brings wonderful flavors to traditional barbecue. Debbie had to leave Sky at home due to her coming into season as bitches in season are not allowed at agility trials. My girls made her feel right at home and Savi even slept with her.

We rose early Saturday morning to head over to Bon Clyde Learning Center, the venue for the agility trial.  Thankfully, the facility is indoors and air conditioned, as we were having a heat wave with temps in around 100 degrees.  We set up the crates and settled the dogs and off I went to walk the Excellent Standard course.  The one ring trial was set in a large arena with a dirt floor and metal building. The Tarheel Club did a terrific job with their hospitality and it was a very well run trial.  Plus, I met a number of lovely Weim folks and saw old friends. Jessica, Mia's owner arrived late morning, and not only helped the club but taped my runs.  Those will be uploaded when I return home.  My girls were the only Weims at the trial.  Trixie had a good run but missed qualifying due to a handle error.  Jam was a bit wild, as the dirt floor made a fast course, and she's never run in this type of environment, but everyone was entertained by her fun run, especially when she had to greet the crowd.  A thunderstorm rolled in just before our Open Jumpers runs and the pounding rain on the metal roof upset Trixie and Jam and I pulled both of them off the course when they showed signs of stress.  Better to throw away the run or know when to excuse yourself from the ring in order to protect your dog from a negative experience.

Sunday was a new day and Jam was up first in our runs.  Boy did she make me proud when she qualified in Open Jumpers with Weaves to earn her OAJ title! She even placed 3rd in the class.  The club had special Armadillo retrieving toy prizes for all Weims who qualified and even a High Combined award for the highest scoring Weim to double qualify. I picked the quail toy shown in the photo. Trixie again had a decent run but we had a bauble so no Q.
Jam and me, with Judge David Blakely, with all her trophies and ribbons for High Combined
The pressure was on for us to qualify in Excellent Standard and win the High Combined award.  Again, Jam ran with speed and control to qualify for her 1st Excellent Standard leg and even got a 3rd place!  Trixie was up at the end of the lineup and my worst fears came true, a thunderstorm rolled in right before her run. She was stressed and after the 4th obstacke, she was not a happy camper from the thunder and rain noise, so I thanked the judge and excused her from the course.  My first priority is her safety and well being.

With Jam double qualifying, she was awarded the High Combined award!   A wonderful honor and she was given the giant duck!

Jam is now CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, CD,JH,OA,OAJ,NSD,CGC,VX
Getting ready for our win photo with the judge.  The a-frame makes a nice background.

The adventures continue as we followed Jessica home to Wilmington.  We have plans to take the dogs swimming and retrieving, to obedience classes and tour downtown Wilmington.

The Grayhart Girls Great Southern Adventure - Part 1

Last Thursday, we loaded up the minivan for the beginning of our almost two week adventure down South to visit friends, Grayhart pups, compete in agility trials and dog shows.  Our first stop was an overnight in PA to visit Trixie's breeders, Michael and Amy of GraytSky Weimaraners. They live on a beaucolic property with 12 acres of pasture and forest.  Heavenly for people and dogs to run and relax.
The highlight was playing with their litter of 6 1/2 week old Maestro x Mia pups.  Adorable and active, who can't resist these babies!
 I love pups this age, friendly, playful and full of curiousity.  Wonderful temperaments and lovely conformation, many of these pups will be going to show and performance homes.
Already mastering the agility equipment!
One of the most interesting things is how dogs remember their breeders and have a special connection to them.  Trixie is no exception.  Although she has seen Amy and Michael over the years on and off, whenever she sees them, they get a greeting like no other, hysterical kissing and an outpouring of love from Trixie. 
 Michael has a special touch with the dogs and they all love him...my girls are no exception...
Savi, Jam and Trixie vying for a treat and attention...
Savi even had some stacking practice and training to get ready for her big Futurity show weekend in Greenville, South Carolina on the 28th.  We're thrilled with how she's maturing.

We left PA for the long drive down to Sanford, North Carolina for the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility trials...more news to follow...

Monday, July 11, 2011

Pool Party!


Savi loves pool parties and is a perfect guest!
 She made a new friend, Cannoli, who is a pug/shitzu mix...
 A game of tag...
 Time for a swim...
Savi is a little retrieving machine!
 Lounging in the shade...
A great way to spend the afternoon!