Life with Spots
My parents live in Cumbria, so we go up there a lot. The dogs love the space at my parents, 3 acres of paddocks and stream to play in and explore.
It’s been a lovely warm and sunny weekend, so the Spots have been outside a lot, exploring, playing and chilling.
As the Spots are posers I did get some lovely impromptu photos of them – I walk with my phone in camera mode, just for those moments!
This show is becoming and Mum and Ellie ritual, don’t know what I’ll do when she goes to university!! We took Mac and Seren with us this time.
We stay in the same hotel each time, I treat her to a lovely meal in the restaurant. This year she even got a cocktail as she’s legally old enough to drink … although not old enough to pay!!
The dogs love a hotel room, they don’t get to sleep with us at home. So beds are novel and exciting. Seren rocks the hotel room now, taking over the bed and sprawling! Mac is not as used to the hotel experience, but quickly learned!
The show was a bit of a disappointment, not the hall we are used to and no benching, so we had to pick our spot carefully. Both were in large classes and whilst they showed their hearts out, it just wasn’t their day.
Another warm day, and another outdoor show. First time there, tiny, uneven ring, so probably our one and only time there.
We put the beach tent up away from the rings, so Seren could have a bit of peace. First time for her in a crate in a tent, she doesn’t do new experiences overly well on her own, but she settled down with a chew.
Not her day, a bit unsettled and the ring wasn’t the best, but she came 3rd in her class.
We love a beach trip, as long as it’s out early and leaving before everyone else arrives!! We went to Formby this morning, and it was a little different for the dogs as there was a sea mist, so low visibility and weird sounds.
The dogs loved playing in the sand, paddling in the sea and getting muddy! It’s a lovely time spent with the family and Spots.
To get to the sea , we had to contend with some ‘mud’ – Lottie coped with it better than Beth 🤣🤣
Just Seren for National this year … it was a warm day, after all the rain, a bit slippy underfoot.
Seren showed her socks off, and got Very Highly Commended in a strong Graduate class of 13.
Nothing in the Good Citizen stakes class, we missed the Post Grad stakes as it clashed with her class.
I love being able to book a secure field for an hour every now and then. It’s a godsend when Mac is particularly sniffy, as it means I can relax, he can roam freely and walks don’t get cut short!
I love this particular field, it’s got interesting agility style bits, woody parts and open space. Perfect for the Spots. Lottie loves posing on the trapezoid, Mac loves the ball and Seren just loves it all!
It’s a fab space to relax and just enjoy being with the dogs and doing tricks and fun stuff.
Mac’s critique from the last Joint Championship show, held in February.
Judge – Sally-Ann Neath-Duggan
Limit dog –
2nd Wallington Sophtspot In The Zone
Well balanced male of correct size, well presented and showed in hard condition. Overall very pleasing, not over done in anyway, move effortlessly around the ring.
Considering showing isn’t his favourite thing, he did well, and might just be out again this year.
A lovely, if cold and very wet morning out at the Carlisle and District Canine Society open show.
Seren got first in graduate, judge Mr K Baldwin.
She loved the sandy floor, so much so, she acted like she was on a beach and bounced round the ring!!
After the show we called in at my parents on the way home. Seren loved having a play in the paddocked and even posed by the daffodils.
And as always, the obligatory celebratory drink to celebrate.
We’ve had a week away in Cornwall, first time for both the dogs and the girls. We found the most amazing holiday let for the week, walking straight out over fields, with amazing views.
It was a week of firsts for both the girls and the Spots. First Cornish pasty, proper Cornish pasty!, first trip to the furthest point south and west in the UK, for Seren the first proper paddle in the sea.
The dogs have had a fantastic time, lots of walks, exploring beaches, woods and countryside.
All that fresh air and exercise proved quite tiring …
Seren’ s critique from Lichfield Premier Open show, back in January, judge Stephen Randle-Goodwin.
PGD/B (5,2) 1 Wallington Ailsadot Astral Lyra Quality black and white girl with an excellent outline, 21 months old, white and black spots, beautiful head, and feminine expression, lovely example of the breed, good tailset, good angulation and sound movement, scored in outline and level topline, looked elegant. Best of Breed.
Ailsadot Dalmatians 