Sprinfield April 2011

This was a cluster of shows in Springfield on Easter Weekend. Jazz looked great but this will likely be his last shows for a while and maybe forever. See, Jazz does not like the ring, he hates as a matter of fact.

Some of my breeder friends think that he should just do it because I want him to, but, he's an Akita, he doesn't do things JUST BECAUSE I want him to. He's not Kat, who will do anything because I ask it of her.

So, I have made the decision that he doesn't need to be a show dog...he just needs to be a dog, my dog. I don't love him any less for not wanting to show, why would I?

It's a pretty big bummer that I have spent soooo much time and money to make him into a show dog and me into a handler. It was not all for nothing...He has 7 points, only needs 8 more to finish. But, it does not seem that it is meant to be. That said I was proud of how he showed, he looked great and moved beautifully, stayed right with me.

Anyway, here he is at the Easter Shows:

This was Friday, day one. Day one is always tough, he was a little grumpy but did what was asked. That is my friend Linda with Teagan, he won Winner's Dog. Teagan is a beautiful puppy and will make his championship very quickly.


Jazz on Saturday - much perkier and did a very nice job. I am finally getting the hang of this handling thing...He was beaten for Winner's Dog by Marine who is a very nice BIG young dog.



Love this shot - I am finally smiling...and Jazz looks so good here!
















Jazz, Nancy and Kodi, Ed and Marine in the Winner's Class -


Winner's Class from a different angle - Marine took winner's dog. Kodi took reserve.


Jazz relaxing before class on Easter - I had already decided he was done showing by now, so we were just there to fill the major and have fun...


This is Sunday - Open Dog Class, Jazz won. Figures.



Winner's Class,. Jazz, Nancy and Kodi, Ed and Marine, Linda and Teagan. Teagan won Winner's Dog that day for his first major.

So for now he will just be a dog, I'll take him to classes and try some Rally runs with him. He likes to be doing something, perhaps Rally is his thing...it was for Kat.

Hilda only has until April 13 - Please

UPDATE - HILDA WAS ADOPTED!!!!!

****Just want to clarify the shelter in trying very very hard to save her - she has been there a long time and they have even gotten together $100 for transport for her. It is a Herculean effort so please let's help them help Hilda.


Williamson County Animal Shelter Franklin TN
Hilda Must Find A Home
It is rare that we make such a desperate plea for someone to adopt one of our dogs. However, this is an emergency. Hilda, an akita, has been a resident at our shelter for several months and unfortunately, her time is running out. She is ~3 years old and came to us as a stray. Hilda is a very special and uniqu...e dog that requires her to have a special and unique owner. When Hilda arrived, she showed little to no interest in humans. This probably stemmed from the fact that she had limited human interaction in her short little life. Most dogs at the shelter show negative behavior after sitting so long in a kennel. Hilda, on the other hand, has blossomed. She is completely crate trained, calm and very, very affectionate. All of the volunteers have fallen in love with her and it is so gratifying watching her become this very, special dog that has so much to offer. However, there are reasons Hilda has been with us for so long. You see, not only is Hilda heart-worm positive, she must also be an only dog. We do not know how advanced the disease is, however, she needs to be treated and she can only be treated once she is legally adopted. There is NO cost to the owner for the treatment and it is done at our shelter. After the treatment, she will be completely healthy. Without the treatment, she is terminal. She also has ‘issues’ with other dogs. She MUST be an only dog and can’t interact with other dogs. Her owner needs to be someone who understands that heart worm is not a death sentence if treated. Her owner also needs to understand her breed and be totally on board keeping her as an only dog. And lastly, her owner needs to be someone that wants a loyal, calm and loving companion who is potty-trained, low maintenance, a non-barker and a non-chewer. Hilda needs her special and unique owner to have a lifestyle that is relaxed and doesn’t want a dog to entertain them, but rather have a trusted companion to sit with in the evenings and enjoy a sunny afternoon in the yard. PLEASE CROSSPOST AND SHARE. The potential new owner will need to come to the shelter and fill out an application

Shelter Info:
Email
debbyl@williamson-tn.org
Phone
615-790-5590

UPDATE ON HILDA

From Bill at Heart of Dixie Akita Rescue:
I received an update about Hilda, the dog in Franklin, TN., from my contact there. The director is giving her until April 13th, then her time is up and she will be put down. If a foster or adopter can be found before that, her pull fees will be paid, and they will contribute $100 toward transport costs. She is a big favorite of the volunteers and staff, and everyone at the shelter really wants to see this girl get a chance. They have already kept her far longer than they really should. She is a really sweet pup, and if anyone has something they can do, please let me know ASAP. Or, communicate directly with the shelter manager dougb@williamson-tn.org.

Sachi - a happy ending!

These are photos of Sachi, she and her pal Bear (he's at the bottom)were rescued from a horrible situation in CT. Although they came in together it was not possible to rehome them together. Bear is happily living in Philly and Sachi is living in Mass. with a loving family that is willing to give her all the time she needs to adjust to living without Bear and find her way in her new surroundings!

These are the kind of people that everyone in rescue prays for!

Sachi leaping for joy at camp in NH.

Sachi looking for buried treasure at the NH beach! Surf was up so all she found was surfers!

Sachi exploring the mighty Merrimac River in MA!

And here is Bear in case you haven't seen him.

SMOOOOCH!

MAJOR!!!!!!!!!!

I never thought it would happen but Jazzy did it...he got his first major AND it was a 4 point major!!!! SO now Jazz has 7 of the 15 points he needs to be a Champion and one of the two majors...Wow a year ago I thought that he would not get this far...now look!!!!


That lovely lady is Kim Holmes - she handled jazz for me at our Club's Annual Specialty Show - what a show for him to shine...

The first day was an evening show and I'm afraid we kept Jazz up past his bed time. Boy was he a grouch!!! This being his first show in a year plus I thought - well, okay he just does not like it, we are done...Everyone told me I should give it another day, since I had paid for three days. Mike just plain wanted to pull him but I figured I would at least finish out the weekend...I felt so bad for Kim, he was SUCH a brat! Reserve winner's dog was the best he could do.

Day two - as usual - he was different dog! Much better behaved, sprightly, happy to be there and very flashy! Jazz took Winner's Dog over 2 other very nice dogs, and THEN - - BEST OF OPPOSITE! Holy cow he actually beat two of my favorite dogs on the planet. Mellow and Zac - both veterans , but still very fine dogs! I nearly fainted, and I cried like an idiot!!! Everyone was sooo happy for me! I was really humbled by all the hugs and congrats we got.

Day three was a bust but who cares - he had already gotten a MAJOR and was a very good boy that day too...He was actually having FUN...which was even better than the win...Okay almost better than the win...

RALLY GIRL!!!!

Yes Katsy earned her Rally Novice Title Today - She has worked so hard and has been such a good girl she deserves a million titles!



Kat got her first "leg" (out of three required for a title) back in September, with a very respectable score of 86! We had entered her for three days just in case something went wrong...And it did ME!!! Yup the first day she would have had a 98 if I had not walked right past 2 signs - missed them completely which got her disqualified...I felt like such a heel (pun intended)! So we tried again the next day and wow she got a 96 and third place...Not bad for my little fear girl!

So that was 2 legs completed - the third and final day was sooo long and she was soooo tired - she just not used to being away from home all day and sitting on a cement floor. That said, she earned an 83! Hurray!!! She qualified and earned that third leg - HER TITLE!!!

Kat will now have an RN after name to go with her CGC and TD...wow who would thunk it!

Please Help find these Dogs!

****UPDATE****
All the dogs have been found and returned to Kristina! Hurray for miracles!