Ron's "Swan Song"

As some of you might know, Ron took centre ring at Tayside Lochee & District Limited Show last Saturday to judge the Pastoral Group. He drew the biggest entry of all of the groups and did a sterling job. He gave best Pastoral Puppy to a seven and a half month old Samoyed, who then took Best of Breed, the Pastoral Group then obviously appealed to the BIS judge as she won

Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show.

You could say that Ron was delighted as this was to be his last judging appointment - what a way to finish! The owner of the Samoyed was equally delighted and it turned out that we actually know the puppy's breeders as they were (in fact, still are) great friends of ours from when we lived in Essex. I, of course, had already established this as I was showing William and had access to my catalogue. It was very interesting to see Ron judge her as we have obviously got to know the breeders "type" of Samoyed over the years and this one was definitely true to their breeding. It didn't take him long to decide that she was the best exhibit in the ring and, as it turned out, in the show.

Ron can now retire from judging safe in the knowledge that he still knows a thing or two about judging dogs!

William's first show ...!

Off we went to Inverness (through the snow and ice yet again) for the Highland Limited Show. It was exactly 6 months since William was born so this was to be his "debut". There were only two Shih Tzus entered and I knew that the other exhibit would not be there as I had received a 'phone call from his owner yesterday evening. William was sporting a very clean coat, each hair groomed to perfection and a top-knot executed to sit centrally on his head. THEN the problem started - into the ring we went and he decided that today was to be playtime rather than moving sedately up and down the ring. I know training evenings have been a bit hit and miss but I did think he was at last getting his act together. However, he obviously thought differently today. The judge was very patient with him and managed to see his movement on one length of the ring and she was magnanimous enough to award him the red rosette and Best of Breed. Never have one of my dogs less deserved such a placing! I just hope he and I can come to an understanding about the future of his showing - I WILL BE IN CHARGE and the sooner he realises it, the better! In spite of his showing today I still love him dearly - is really is "Just William!" There is always the next show ...