Life with Spots
I wanted to get some more professional photos of the Spots, maybe for adverts, so I asked the lovely Natalie from Hellherder Photography to do a photo shoot. We travelled down a a lovely secure field in Ashby de la Zouche for it. The field was at the top of the hill and we had a seasonal storm brewing, so it was WINDY!!! Ears were going everywhere … but Natalie got some fantastic photos …
Ellie came back from university so we’ve had a few days off, doing the beach and going to my parents in the Lake District. The Spots love both the beach and Naini’s, they are their ideas of heaven!
We like to go to Formby, I love the mix of dunes and sand, you can get some lovely photos, as well as giving the dogs a good core work out whilst they run up and down the dunes! Seren loves the sea, especially if it involves chasing birds or running with Mac, she is definitely the happiest in water!
The weather in the Lakes has been a bit grim, but the sky finally stopped leaking and let the sun out for a bit!!
I know it’s nearly a month since Crufts, but I was waiting for some photos to arrive before posting.
First up was the handsome Albus (Ailsadot Astral Peacock), in a Post Graduate class of 25. He was shortlisted to the last 8, I am super proud of both him and Emily for doing so well.
Seren was in a limit class of 29, it was a very long hour in the ring! She didn’t get shortlisted, but showed her socks off amongst dogs much older than her.
Lottie was last to show, and didn’t get into the ring until 4:30pm, 9 hours after we arrived. She was a little sore and stiff from being in the crate, but she rocked the green carpet. Sadly unplaced in a big class of 15 in Good Citizen.
It was a really long day, but both the canine and human girls enjoyed themselves, got to have a look round and spend money!!
Seren and Mac’s critique from NORTH OF ENGLAND
DALMATIAN CLUB, judge Ernie Paterson.
24.02.24
Special Junior Veteran (2)
2 Wallington, Sophtspot In The Zone. Liked his head and eye, good front and shoulders and excellent hind quarters, very smart not the reach in front of the winner.
PGB (7) | Wallington, Alisadot Astral Lyra, New one to me but very nice overall, lovely head and expression, clean neck and shoulders first rate bone and feet. Body is well made and in great muscular condition. She has a good top line which is maintained on the move. All this plus good spotting and strong movement.
Super pleased with both of them 💛❤️
Seren’s critique from Lichfield –
Post grad (6,2a)
2 Wallington’s Ailsadot Astral Lyra. 2yrs very clean lines with movement good showing very good quarters but needs to develop in body. Head properties pleased.
Judge: Melanie Reed-Peck
I’m pleased with it, not a bad result after 6 months out.
Our Crufts post will be along as soon as I have got some photos back.
We went to the North of England Dalmatian Champ show yesterday. It was lovely catching up with people I haven’t seen in months.
We took all three dogs, Dave came along as there’s an air museum not far from the show ground.
Mac was up first, and got 2nd in Special Junior Veteran. I’m still struggling to believe he’s old enough to be a veteran.
Seren 1st in Post Graduate even though she was very fidgety and bouncy. I think she absolutely loves being back in the ring.
Lottie was up last, and showed her socks off in the biggest class of the day, but didn’t get placed. She absolutely loved being in the ring, just a bit keen on the treats so started throwing sits and spins!
Mac had a run round with Dave whilst the girls showed.
Lottie spent the day trying to get people to take pity on her and feed her treats.
We are having a quiet day chilling at home today
What are you all doing this weekend?
After he’s turn in the ring Mac went of for fun in the sun with Dave … and came back filthy! Lottie spent the day begging treats of everyone that passed her crate!
Next stop Crufts with the girls!
After 6 months away from the show ring, Seren and I ventured down to Staffordshire Show Ground for the Lichfield show. Seren was very bouncy, couldn’t keep still, but still got placed a respectable 2nd in Post Graduate. I was just pleased we hadn’t totally forgotten everything!!
I’m looking forward to getting both Seren and Lottie out to shows this year, even planning a holiday around summer shows, but don’t tell the family!
We have a lovely week away, just Dave, the Spots and I, as Ellie has gone to university and Beth is at college. We found a lovely cottage with a big enclosed garden in Mickleton in Teesdale. We spent the week exploring the different Dales and towns, visited Hadrians wall and ruined priories.
The Spots loved the big garden and all the walks. We found rivers and reservoirs for Seren to paddle in, even Mac got brave and had a paddle!
Blackpool is a lucky show for Seren, best Junior in breed in 2022, 1st post graduate and 2nd in limit this year, gaining her stud book number and meaning she’s now qualified for Crufts for life.
Her critique from judge Jane Lilley has come through, and I’m really pleased with it.
PGB (11,3) 1. Wallington’s Ailsadot Astral Lyra b/s Full of quality, a happily wagging character with clearly defined spotting, good shoulders, topline and depth through the heart with long well set and carried tail, scoring on her neat compact feet. She went well.
LB (15,3)
2nd A. Astral Lyra, beating what proved to be her dam into third place here
3rd Wallington’s Kaytoni Isn’t She Lovely at Ailsadot.
The judge loved that Seren and Lottie were in the same class, and placed together, and that Ellie and I showed them – mum and daughter dream team!!
Sadly, I popped a disc in my back at the end of June, so we have had a couple of very quiet months. There have been no shows, no days out or big walks, and Dave has been doing the majority of the walking.
But, I have been out a few times with the Spots, as we have a set of secure fields 10 minutes drive away. They are big and have agility equipment as well as interesting features such as ponds, sand bunkers and small mounds to climb over. We have 2 favourite fields as they both have ponds, and space to play and explore.
Scooby field
Muttley field
We have also been to Ainsdale Beach, it’s not too far to go and you can park on the beach, so no need for me to cope with dunes with a sore back. It’s an immense beach, so plenty of space for the dogs to play without coming into contact with other dogs.
The Spots have also been resting and perfecting looking good 😊
We are looking forward to our holiday with the Spots at the end of September, and getting back in the show ring in October, fingers crossed.
Ailsadot Dalmatians 