Road Trip!!

October 8 /09

We took an amazing road trip to the Finger Lakes region in upper New York state last week.

I competed in a four-day AKC Major in Romulus and did really well.

But first, I just have to show you all the new things I got there.
This is my new plushy du jour - I just love him. I don't know what kind of animal he is but I love to swing him around by his tail and throw him across the room. As you can see, I already ripped one of his eyeballs out. I'm still working on his other eye. That's the test of our love for our toys, right? If we yank his eyes out, he's a keeper.


Mama and Papa visited a store where there were hand-carved things made by the Amish folks. They got me this feeder so I don't have to bend over to eat anymore. We store my kibble bag inside - isn't it great?

They also picked up this silly sign which they hung up over my new feeder. Frankly, I find it a little insulting. I'm spoiled, to be sure, but I'm not rotten.

...ooooooh.

Mama just explained that "spoiled rotten" means I'm very, very spoiled. Which is true. OK, I like it.

I also came home with these:

! Ribbons !
One is for third place in Breed; one is for second place in Breed; one is for winning the Open Class/Brindle/Male; one is for winning the Winners competition (so complicated, I barely understand it myself); and the last one is the biggie: Best of Winners! That's the one that earned me my first American Major (I need two to be an American Champion) plus four more points out of the 15 I need. I already had three points so now I have seven. That's kind of cool.


Here I am in the ring. Emily's liver treats were especially yummy that day, which is why I did so well.

We began our trip in the dark of night in order to make it to the ring by 8 a.m. the next day. That's part of the fun of doing dog shows. It's always an adventure.

Hurry up, Mama and Papa. Let's get this show on the road, k?


All my stuff was packed into the back of the pick-up.



It was a seven-hour drive so I got to stop for lots of walks along the way. I love the new smells of a road trip.

I even had a meal in a parking lot!
n




This must be the place!


It was cold and rainy most of the time, with a chilly wind blowing in off the lakes. People were bundled up and layered but for us dogs, the weather was great.

Do you like my Mama's doggy boots?



Here's my sister Rose getting dolled up for the ring. Isn't she pretty?

And this is me at the hotel playing with my plushy. Do you know I had a whole bed to myself? Spoiled rotten, yessireeeee - that's me.

Walk time at the hotel for me, Rose and our puppycousin Solo. My breeder brought Solo along so she'd get used to the crowds and noises of a show because he'll be taking her into the ring pretty soon. I think she's going to be a very good showgirl.



After the shows we all drove around to some of the vineyards along the banks of Lake Seneca and Lake Cayuga. It was really beautiful. My parents stopped at some wineries and did some wine-tasting and grape-picking but I wasn't allowed. Can you believe that?




Mama and Papa

and moi.

Scenery

Romulus is the site of the former Seneca Army Depot, built during the Second World War.


n n n n n n n n n



Heading home in ... what else? Rain. It may be dreary but I love feeling the rain on my face.


So this trip marks the end of the outdoor shows for this year. We had a great time and it was a fantastic finish to the season.

26 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Khongrats Handsome!

Woo did furry well!

Mom is drooling (or is it slobbering) ovFUR the wines - she had a great trip that-a-way many years ago - but she khan see it like it was yesterday!

Pawsylvania has some fun wineries too

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Dexter said...

Most excellent finish to the show season. Your stack is mesmerizing.

Slobbers,
Mango

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Congratulations Chef! Thank you for sharing all of your nice pictures too! I am sure your peoples are very proud of you.

Maggie Mae

Niamh said...

Looks like a great trip with your people. Congratulations on all your ribbons and your major! You are such a handsome guy and of course the judges recognized that Chef! I think your new stuffie may be a lemur. I like the rings on the tail.

Your friend,
Niamh

Trailboss said...

What a great trip you had! I am excited for your ribbons too. Is there any way you could be in any of the shows that are broadcast on tv here in the state? The Westminister Kennel Club or the Eukanuba show? I would just love to see you in action Chef!

Lorenza said...

Hi, Chef!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Your new feeder is pawesome and the sign and your new toy too!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Deefor said...

I bet all those ribbons would be good to chew on. Congratulations! You sure are a champion. I like your new mystery animal stuffy too.

Noah the Airedale said...

Great post Chef. Crikey how many ribbons did you get...well done matie. Looks like a great trip.
The dog bowl holder is most impressive.

tailwags
Noah Willow Tess Lucy x

Ali the Boxer said...

Looks like you had a very successful road trip! I like all your new goodies!

Moco said...

Thanks for taking us on that road trip with you. You did really well with ribbons, prizes, treats and toys. We don't think you are spolied as much as deserving.

Molly the Airedale said...

Congratulations on all of your ribbons, Chef! You deserved your new stuffie for sure! We love your new raised food dish! You're really eating in style now!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Unknown said...

Hi Chef,

I'm not a show dog so I always love coming on these posts with you because then I can experience what it's like through your posts! Congratulations! Am not surprise you won so many ribbons - I think you're the best looking boxer I've ever seen! Seriously boxers are very popular here New Zealand especially as pets so we see a lot of them down at the Parks and out on the streets but none of them compare to you!

I love your new feeder - my human got a carpenter here to make one up for me but it's not as pretty or is nicely-made as yours. Hey m human says that plushy looks like a ring tailed lemur from Madagascar!

slobbers,
honey the great Dane and

Raising Addie said...

Congratulations Chef!!!

You had a great adventure!

LOVE the feeder and spoiled sign! Those are great finds.

Keep up the good work on that toy. It sure looks like it is full of stuffing!

Chasing my tale...
Addie, Lucie, and Hailey

Joe Stains said...

First of all congrats!! Great job on all the fab ribbons. The plushy looks like lots of fun, I'd like to swing it around and thump Tanner on the head with it. I will have to show my Dad the airplane pics, he loves planes.

Dewey Dewster said...

Wow Chef...ya sure did a wonderful job at the shows.....yer first AKC major.....we're sure ya will get many more....congrats on all yer ribbons....we know that ya deserve 'em....

The scenery is beautiful at the Finger Lakes and the winery too....Gram 'n Pap need ta do that sometime. It looks like a wonderful and special place ta see....

Did ya mean that yer Canadian healthcare is grand ? We hear tell that at times ya have ta wait fer months ta get a procedure done 'n if yer old....they tell ya "NO" cause yer not long fer this world. That's why a whole bunch of seniors in the U.S. aren't fond of a government option....they feel that they will lose any choices they have right now......Gram sure doesn't know what this bill will bring....but they say ya can keep the healthcare that ya have now and both Gram 'n Pap have good coverage....they are very lucky....cause there's a bunch of people who don't have any....only time will tell what happens in the U.S of A.

Dewey Dewster here....

Juno said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Chef!!!

OMD, what an achivement! Look at all the ribbons! Congratulations!

We hardly see your mom & dad's picute!! They look so sweet.....You should post more...

Momo & Pinot

Lacy said...

w00fs Chef, u done pawsome...andwe loves the doggy feedin station, but me cant haff a sign like dat, me iz not a spoiled doggys...

b safe,
~rocky~

pps, heehee do they let ya bring ur big sticks in the rings...

Eduardo said...

Great job Chef! You ROCK! What a wonderful trip you had!
Hugs & Snugs
Eduardo the Snuggle Puggle

Southbaygirl said...

Chef...WOW!!!! A road trip to NY and alot of ribbons won! What a great trip!! My mom loved the wine...silly mom! I just want to know about the food you ate and commend you on getting one eye off your stuffy!

Woof
Velcro

Emma and Emmy said...

Hello Chef,

Congrats. =^_^=
Nice toy and stuff you got at the dog show. Please tell your mom she has a SUPER COOLEST boots. She has taste. :D

JLB said...

Hey Chef! Wish Delilah and I would have known you were heading to Finger Lakes area! We live in Ithaca and would have come to cheer you!1 Next time:)

Stratton Family said...

congratulations on all of the awesome ribbons. it looks like you had a great road trip!

JLB said...

Hi Linda and Chef-

Thanks for writing back on my blog! I responded there but my mom said I revealed too much info about myself and stalkers would be able to track me down... oh mom! lol!!

Anyway, I am going to Eukanuba for work and we host a hospitality room for the friends and donors of where I work. Will you be going? It is such a long way for Chef!

Best- Jennifer and Delilah

Bella the Boxer said...

My mom is obsessed with getting doggie boots now!

xoxo - Bella

Homer said...

Hey Chef!

Tell your mama and papa that we say Hello!

Love,
Homer

Linda said...

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