It's Showtime!

I had the most exciting day yesterday. I wasn't too impressed when it started out though, as mum got me out of bed at 7am! Sunday is normally lie-in day around here. Dad was working so mum dropped him off, then we went out for walkies. I met 2 really fluffy chow dogs. When we got home mum opened the stair gate which only ever means one thing...bath time. Noooooooooooooooo. I actually wasn't very dirty, so it was only a quick splash about luckily. When mum had dried me off with the towel, I could see she was thinking about something. She disappeared off into her bedroom & came back with a machine. She turned it on & hot wind was blowing at me. I think mum thought I was going to be scared of it, but I LOVED it! It felt so nice & it was fun opening my mouth wide & trying to eat the wind. Mum found that pretty hysterical, weird hoomans.

Anyway, once I was all groomed, mum put my harness on & we got in the car. We drove down a big motorway where lots of cars were zooming past. After about an hour we arrived at a hall a bit like where I go to Puppy Class. I could hear dogs barking. I suddenly remembered that mum told me a while ago that we had entered my Airedale Club's show in the Companion dog classes. Well, she natters on about so much stuff that I can only remember so much of it!

The dogs were first to be judged. This is my brother on the right of the photo. He's not my litter mate, but has the same parents as me. I think his pet name is Arthur. 2 of my actual litter mates were here as well. They are called Dylan & Bertie. I didn't manage to get my photo taken with them, but their dad said he has some nice photos of us together from when I went back to the breeders after my original owner took me back, so they are going to e-mail them to mum. They are both going to Crufts, so keep your paws crossed for them.

After all the dog classes, it was time for the Companion classes. Here the judge is deciding the 1st - 3rd placings for best puppy under 18 months. That's me & mum in the centre. We got 2nd place! I was trying my best to behave even though the others wanted to play.

The judge looked me all over, felt my body, looked at how I stood & moved & even checked my teeth. I was a really good boy & stood nice & calm, so mum was very proud of me.

We also entered "Best Movement". We got a Reserve in this. The judge spoke to mum afterwards & said that although I moved the best on the lead (leash), I didn't have the correct gait in my back legs (I carried them close together), so she had to mark me down. The dog that won was dragging his owner round the ring! Mum said she would rather I walked nicely to heel than anything!

I also got a 2nd placing for "Most Handsome Dog". Mum was so proud of me for performing so well & being so well behaved. I got LOADS of liver treats when we had finished! I loved being the centre of attention & strutting my stuff!

This is my dad, Patrick. He is lovely. He is really strong & solid, so I hope I grow up to be like him as I am quite gangly & skinny at the moment.

This is Rupert. He was a really noisy boy & barked almost the whole day. He was desperate to hump my, so I was giving him the cold shoulder, which was just making him bark even more, oops!

This little guy was 6 months old. His name is Archie. He was still really fuzzy like I used to be, & was really playful.

This big guy is Dennis. He is 6 years old. He was really gentle, & really seemed to like me as I am very calm for a puppy. He kept licking my ears which was sooooo tickly!

Meeting all these other Airedales was a perfect chance to swap stories & tips. Here we are discussing ways to score more food & treats from the hoomans. As Dennis has 6 years on the clock, he was a great fountain of knowledge & information.

I passed on a few tips myself to my younger Airedale brethren. Seems like he's listening hard to my tips on getting the hoomans to play tuggie & ball with you for hours on end.

There were Airedale's of all shapes, ages & sizes there. Lots were show dogs, but there were lots like me who are pets too. Mum says everyone was really friendly & happy to swap tips & chat about us Airedales. Mum got a few people's email addresses so hopefully we can meet up with them again soon.

After lunch it was time for the girls to be judges, apart from they called them bitches. They were all so pretty. I really liked this girl, she had such pretty eyes that she almost looked like she had eye make up on.

Here are some of the girls comparing beauty secrets.

This little madame was only 6 months & 3 days old, but she clearly already had flirting down to a fine art, poking her cutie butt right at me!

Here are some of the pretty puppy ladies getting judged. They were all so petite. See how nice they all stand. I guess that's how wide apart I'm supposed to hold my back legs, hmmm.

This is my breeder's girl. She is not related to me though. She is a beautiful Airegirl & is groomed to absolute perfection. I think she is called Annie.

Here I am with my breeders. It was so nice to see them again. I remembered David on the left very well & leapt up at him giving him lots of kisses. Mum told me off for jumping up as I don't usually do it, but I was just so excited!

I had such a great day, but I was seriously pooped when we left. I slept like a log the whole way home in the car, then for another 3 hours when we got home.

Mum eventually managed to wake me up to have some dinner & then took some photos of me with my rosettes. See how pretty they are. Shortly after this photo I managed to get my teeth into one of them, but it wasn't all that tasty.

I also got certificates, so they can go with my obedience awards. Mum got some little envelopes with money in, so I have requested some tasty treats & maybe a new toy. I think I more than earned that!

Not a bad haul for a morning out!

I finished off the day with a nice rawhide bone, yummy! What a perfect end to a really fun day.

Licks

Oscar x