What a weekend! Rupert has his show ring debut on Saturday and Sunday at the Land O'Lakes Kennel Club show at the River Center in downtown St Paul. It is the last and biggest show of the season here in Minnesota. Over 1900 dogs compete over a two day period. Mark and I never miss it and this year was odd because we were actually in it and not just observing.
The Friday before we took Rupert up to see Linda W. She helped to get him ready with trimming of ears and furnishings and his nails. Thank you Linda! He looked outstanding.
We entered Rupert in the 6-9 month puppy class. He was the only dog so won his first blue ribbon along with a purple for winners dog. The judge was Mrs. Patricia V. Trotter and she couldn't have been nicer. She was slow and spoke softly. Rupert's tail never stopped wagging. She also gave me a few pointers and believe me, I can use all the help I can get. It's been 20 years since I stepped in the ring and just walking into the building sucked all the moisture from my mouth and I wanted to walk back out. Once at ringside I started seeing all my Bull Terrier friends and their dogs. This group is the best and always helpful and supportive.
From the puppy class we went on to compete for Best of Variety/Best of Winners. I went in to have fun with no thought of winning. Then of all things, as we made our last pass around the ring the judge pointed at Rupert! I almost fell over (mainly because I kept walking the handler in front of me stopped suddenly in front of me when she pointed at me). I almost looked at her and said excuse me, are you sure you didn't mean to point at that one? As the judge handed us our ribbons she looked at me and said..."this may not be the best thing that ever happens to you but it sure comes close" I'm sure my mouth was still hanging to my knees. I thanked her and out we trotted. There was a lot of cheering from family and friends as we exited the ring. Mark felt I should have looked more subdued in the ring. Act like I do this all the time. Well, maybe he's right but I was so shocked that I didn't really know what I was doing at the time. All this hoopla meant that we were heading to the Terrier Group competition. We had a good two hour wait so Rupert sat in a comfy chair that we brought along and held court while people walked by and stopped to talk to him and pet him. He loved it.
We went to the group with Jennifer and her colored bully, Gladys. It was fun to have someone in the ring that I knew. We followed the Airedale and Kerry Blue into the ring and all was going well until the Kerry Blue decided he did not like the Airedale. He lunged and the handler had all she could do to pull him back. The Airedale handler was a very young girl. We were all a little spooked and Rupert lost focus for a bit. The Kerry Blue handler decided it was best to hang back and stay out of the line until it was her turn to be judged. We weren't in the cut for group placement but I didn't care. I know that this doesn't happen all the time so felt happy to have made it that far the first time out.
After a very long day we drove home in freezing rain and snow. Once home, Rupert snugged in on his blanket and took a very long snooze. Very well deserved. We went to bed early dreaming of another day.
Sunday was a little different. Rupert was tired. The judge was a little rough. Rupert was not having any of that. He was not willing to let her look at his teeth but she kept trying. I finally asked if she would like me to do it and he then let her see his pearly whites. He was a little off after that and wouldn't even look at her when we did our down and back....lol....a true terrier...he just ignored her no matter what sound she made. Because we were again the only puppy in the class we received another blue ribbon. In the end we received a reserve winners dog ribbon and we were done for the day. It was a great weekend!
Oh.....before the Sunday judging we had a bit of drama. We arrived well in advance of our ring time and picked up my arm band. I was standing ringside 10 minutes before we were to go in. Rupert spied a treat in my hand and pounced. I felt his very large canine hit my thumb and it hurt but I just ignored the pain. There was a woman with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that was Rupert's age and we talked a bit. I bent down to pet her pup and saw blood all over my thumb. I thought her dog was bleeding, she thought Rupert was bleeding, I though "Oh no" is there blood on my white dog????? Well, it was my thumb and it was bleeding like a stuck pig....note to self....bring bandaids to all dog shows. I ran back to Mark to get something to wipe it off but it wouldn't stop. Then I heard the dreaded words....Maam...number 7....we are waiting for you....curses...the worst thing to do is keep the judge waiting....even just a few seconds which is what it was.....all I could do was apologize and keep moving.....Today, my thumb really hurts and I'll be sure to know where my hand is in relation to sharky boy's mouth at all times while holding treats.
Now time for the photos!! Enjoy!
Rupert after visiting Linda W for his trim.
Waiting to go into the ring for the first time.
Winner's Dog shock. Not the most flattering
of photos. We didn't have much time before going
back in to compete for Best of Winners/Best of Variety.
Best of Variety competition.
The last down and back. Good boy.
Winning pose.
Prince Rupert on his throne after the big win.
So nonchalant.
Holding court while waiting for the Group judging to begin.
Mom, would you please leave my face alone???
The Group line up...Gladys is behind me......
Kerry Blue decides to attack the Airedale.....
I see daddy.......
Making our pass around the Group ring....
Are we done yet?
Finally, home to rest.......until tomorrow...
