Life with Spots
So we are on holiday for a few days in Wales. I’ve never been to this part of Wales and am looking forward to exploring with the Spots. We are 3 minutes walk from the beach, so once we’d unpacked it was coats and harnesses on to go and explore.
The Spots loved the beach, even if it was a bit breezy and their ears kept trying to blow off their heads.
No feet on the floor!
A very early start for us, Lottie, the girls and I went to Nidderdale for their dog show, part of a bigger agricultural show. Lottie was entered into two classes, puppy and junior, and got placed 2nd in both of them, and won £6.00!
The judge said Lottie had “a super feminine head with the best of well set broken ears, dense black spotting on a pure white coat.”
After strutting our stuff we took time to look round the show, the girls loved looking in the animal marquees and found spotty rabbits and hens! We did a spot of shopping, had lunch and then came home. Lottie was super good, looking at all the livestock without any reaction and walking politely through all the crowds. I think her favourite part was the cheesy chips Ellie gave her 🤣
Another show, another bench and another race course … oh and running on grass! Again I was on my own but Lottie’s breeder and Mac’s breeder was there so I had support from them.
Lottie was placed reserve in her Puppy Bitch class, she even beat her sister! Nothing like a bit of sibling rivalry 🤣
Another early start and this time all on my own! First time going to a show with no family support! Lottie did really again, coming third in her Puppy Bitch class.
No show ring photos as I didn’t have a photographer to take some, so just bench photos …
An early start for us as we went up to Edinburgh for the Scottish Kennel Club Champ shoe, and the Dalmatian Club of Scotland’s open show. As usual I was occupied by the girls and Mac came along for the ride!
Lottie has got the benching down to a tea, just settles down and chills, Mac was very vocal, but he got to see his breeder and his sister and her owner.
Lottie did good, getting a third and reserve in Puppy Bitch and Junior Bitch in the champ show, and third and second in Puppy Bitch and Junior Bitch in the open show. It was a successful but long day.
Our first Championship show with Lottie Lou. The girls are on a Scout camp for the weekend, so just Dave and I, we even left Mac chilling at home.
What a learning curve for us all … first time benching, lots of new people to meet and first time running on grass, in and out of a tent!
Lottie did really well, coped with all new noises, crowds and sounds. She was less happy running from inside to outside the tent with the rain coming down, but she bounced back. It was great being in the ring with her breeder and sister, had a friendly face to help me!
She got placed 3rd in Minor Puppy Bitch and so has qualified for Crufts!! And reserve in Puppy bitch.
So our 2nd foray into showing, this time with Lottie, our diva princess! She took the whole experience in her stride, chilling on her bed and being really well behaved. I learned lots in the show ring, especially that I can’t run in a straight line … need to work on that!
Lottie came 2nd in Minor Puppy Bitch and reserve (4th) in Puppy Bitch.
I don’t often go on Group walks, it can spell disaster for some dogs, so many off lead dogs all around each other. But as this one was at the beach, Lytham St Anne’s, I thought there would be plenty of space. It would also give Lottie an experience of being around a big group of dogs, something she will need to cope with if she is going to be shown.
it was a lovely walk, Lottie was very polite, Mac loved all the smells and played with a few of the dogs. We didn’t do too long as Lottie can’t go that far yet, it’s important to protect her growing joints.
Needless to say both Spots slept all the way home, and then for another couple of hours!
So the husband does a. Bit of 17th century battle reenactment which means our Spots need to be accustomed to crowds, bangs, smells and noise. Today we took Miss Lottie Lou to Nantwich to watch a parade and battle. It involved lots of people, which meant lots of legs to manoeuvre round, the sound of marching feet and drums, horses and cheering.
We had lunch in a pub, so more smells, including bacon, and people wanting to say hello. We were very strict with who and how hellos were done as we don’t want Lottie thinking she can say hello to everyone she meets.
Then we went to watch the battle. There was lots of different noises, bangs from the cannons and muskets, the rattling of pikes and swords, soldiers shouting, sings, chanting, and horses. Lottie took it all in her stride and even politely greeted another dog. She would have loved a bit of Beth’s milk shake, her begging eyes failed!
Lottie loves having a mooch in the garden … and tasting the herbs! Today she looked so cute as she pottered around the decking, just had to take a photo or two of her!
Ailsadot Dalmatians 