When you absolutely positively HAVE to see what is going on inside! The famed vertical leap. Next time we will record the hang time. May have to call her Air Mitzi.
I’ll bet she looked just as funny from the inside.
Great photo by Dina Taylor!
Day 1 and 2 proved to be identical in the placements.
Oliver going winners dog and best of winners for two AKC points with Sassy taking the points for the girls. Mr. Cash was Select dog both days.
This was the first dog show for the Absolutely Team in the new RV. It was 2 very warm days out in the middle of a hay field but we were quite comfortable. Warm breezes filtered through the set up with the shade awning over head. The dogs were playing (not in crates) comfy chairs, snacks, cool drinks and good company. We think this RV thing was a good idea!
Hey everyone! It’s me…Oliver. My hoomans went to an RV show a couple of weeks ago and look at what showed up at the house today! Can you believe it??!! M & D say they have been looking at RV’s since before I was born and when they saw this model they knew it was time to pull the trigger. Not too big and not too small. It’s juuuuuust right. It’s a Class A Coach, 26 1/2 feet Thor Vegas model 24.1 with one slide out. I don’t know what all that means but it looks like there is plenty of room for the whole fam-damly, even Simon and grouchy uncle Parker. So now we can all take trips and vacations together! No one has to stay behind (unless they want too). Mom says that it will be perfect for dog shows. She says it will be a lot more comfortable while we wait around for Group. And since I’m gonna to be a star, I need to have star treatment! Mom is very excited. Dad is too! 
Thank you to sweepstakes breeder judge Robyn Orvos for your appreciation of Oliver and giving him this sweepstakes win!
Thank you to Judge Joan Zielinski for recognizing this young puppy.
Well, it was a pretty darn good day for our team.
Oliver won Best Puppy in Sweepstakes with Sassy going Best Opposite Puppy
In the regular specialty classes:
Oliver won his class, Reserve Winners and Best Puppy in Specialty
Sassy won her class going Winners for a 4 point major.
Simon was select dog adding to his Grand Champion points tally.
Also!….drumroll please………
Cash won Best of Winners for another 4 point major and
NEW CHAMPION!!
Dina and her support team (Dale Hunter & Cheryl Blair) had Cash looking great. Dina was on the lead and Cash showed like he knew the win was his. Thank you Dale & Cheryl for your unwavering support and knowledge. We all learn new things whenever we are around you both.
Later in the weekend Tasheena added 2 more points to Kevlars win record with a Best of Winners. That girl has hit her stride and will be a Champion in no time.
Kevlar also debuted in Obedience competition with a qualifying score giving her the first points of her title. Beauty and brains!
Our gorgeous boy Monroe (Absolutely Agape With a Bullet) has made the move north to be with his new family, Melanie, Walt and his new sister Hannah. Monroe is so handsome that we were certain that he was destined for great things in the show ring. But that’s not what Monroe had in mind. He tried to tell us from the start that being a star was just not his thing. What he really wanted was to be a loving member of a nice family where breakfast in bed, playing, kicking back, chewing on chewys and going to the clubhouse was on the agenda for most days. We finally listened. Now Monroe and Hannah can trade going Best in Show and Best Opposite in their own back yard. Ahhhhh……the sweet life.
What a difference 2 years makes.
Now normally we wouldn’t consider flying a baby at the tender age of 5 1/2 months all the way across the country to a dog show.
But then came Oliver. A resilient little guy whose motto seems to be “Eat fast and play hard”.
The BFCA held a beginner puppy competition for the first time this year at Nationals. Puppies entered must be between 4 and 6 months of age. Even with a month of training under his belt we really had no idea how Oliver would behave in the ring. The nationals ring is an entirely different environment and can be quite scary for such a baby. As Karen puts it, puppies at that age are like having a frog on a string. But Oliver was impressing us and we felt he was up to the task. Besides his Grand Daddy Simon would go along to keep him company.
Photo by Dina Taylor (Absolutely Bichons Team Member)
While at Nationals we just hope our dogs will show well. The best of the best compete at Nationals and just getting a ribbon is a thrill for us. All of the puppies entered looked sooooo good and I mean seriously good! It was anyone’s game.
Little Oliver showed like he was made for the ring. He displayed his puppy exuberance with his amazing vertical leap (repeatedly) and was more than happy to visit with his neighbors. At the end of his “down and back” he hit his free stack like an old pro! COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!
Well respected breeder judge Ann Hearn thoroughly scrutinized all the puppies. She pulled out her 4 favorites for her final cut then on the last go around she pointed to Oliver as the Best Puppy! Whoooo Hooooo!
There is no big prize for winning Best Beginner Puppy at Nationals. There is not even any points toward an eventual championship. But you do walk away with a feeling and a memory that you won’t forget, and a very pretty ribbon.
Ollie is going to be a lot of fun!
The weekend went as planned for Karen and Poppy, going Best of Breed both days at the Seattle Dog shows. Poppy is back in the show ring collecting points for her Grand Champion title after producing a batch of baby bichons. She is off to a great start! (Poppy aka Ch. Absolutely Affinity Tootsie Pop).
Monroe also had a good weekend winning his first major on Saturday. Thus begins his journey to become a Champion. (Monroe aka Absolutely Agape With A Bullet)
This beautiful little soul left this world this past Wednesday after 14 years of great life. She is off to be with her Bichon sister Chloe. She lived with and was cherished by our friends Jerry Gardner and Troy Thrall but loved by so many, many more. Saffy, you were one in a million. I will miss you.
