Life with Spots
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.
We’ve had a few days off, so as well as doing lots of jobs, we decided to have a day out in the Peak District. Chee Dale was perfect, a reasonable flat walk, with plenty of shade and water for the Spots.
Chee Dale is a beautiful place, a lovely walk, but definitely one for when it’s been dry for a while!
After lunch we went to Ilam for a walk
And we finished the day with ice cream.
A lovely day out, planning more for the summer.
Last year’s show was a fantastic one for Seren, getting Best Junior in Breed. So this year we risked forward and put her both in Post Graduate and then in Limit to see if she get placed high enough to get her Kennel Club Stud Book Number. Lottie was also entered in Limit, so Ellie was tasked with showing her.
Seren didn’t disappoint. After several unsettled show ring experiences, leading to some 1-1 training, she pulled all the stops out, topping her Post Graduate class, with a strong entry of 8. She then went straight into the Limit class, again a strong class of 12, and only came 2nd, gaining her Stud Book Number and life qualification for Crufts. I was so proud of her, she was the youngest in the class so to be placed so high was amazing.
Lottie went into the same Limit class with Ellie only handling in the ring for the second time ever. Lottie is often overlooked so I just told Ellie to relax and enjoy the experience. She handled her brilliantly, even when she got boxed into the corner, and placed 3rd, which would have qualified Loodles for her Stud Book Number too, if she hadn’t already gained it. I’m so proud of Ellie.
The judge was surprised to have placed mother and daughter in 3rd and 2nd place, couldn’t believe Lottie was old enough to have a daughter in Limit!
It was a very long day, but we still got the obligatory rosette photos …
And did amazingly well! He was entered in Post Graduate dog and Special Beginners dog, and won first place in both classes, taking him into his first dog challenge and qualifying him for Crufts 2024.
I’m so proud of him and his owner, a fantastic team.
First, we got the critique back from Carlisle and District Canine Society open show, 22/04/23, judge Keith Baldwin.
Graduate 1st Wallington’s Ailsadot Astral Lyra, 2 year old bitch, lots to like, symmetrical in outline, feminine head of fair length, scissor bite, medium size dark eyes, clean long neck into level back with strong loin, well angulation front and rear quarter, moved smooth and free.
Rather than a very early start to go to Southern Counties Champ show, we went to Riddings and District Canine Society open show. It was a lovely drive through the Hope valley, and a lovely, well organised show, sunny and windy!
Seren wasn’t at the best, fidgety, kangarooy and really not feeling it, but we still got a respectable 2nd in Post Graduate.
Lots to work on with her to get her back focused on grass, she much prefers and indoor show.
After a warm show, home for ice cream …
I like to use enrichment activities to help build calm and peace in the house, especially as we have a very barky dog across the street, and when lots is going on on the street.
I don’t use snuffle enrichment everyday, and I use a variety, matched to each dog’s patience and frustration levels. Lottie gets frustrated by challenging activities as she’s a real foodie. Mac, who can be easily frustrated, is happy with more challenging activities as he’s not so foodie. Seren is happy with whatever she is given!
How is it possible that our favourite boy is 7!! Doesn’t feel that long since we brought him home as a cute 10 week old puppy!
He celebrated his birthday with a long walk, a biscuit and lots of sleep 🤣🤣
So now he’s grown up we are venturing back into the show ring with him as a veteran, see if he enjoys it.
Ailsadot Dalmatians 