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.