Life with Spots
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.
We took Seren to a ringcraft workshop at Pearlwynd Ringcraft, just to help iron out a couple of bad habits and see if we could improve anything.
It was a fantastic session, lots to think about, a few tweaks to be made, but it reassured us we were going in the right direction.
I wasn’t expecting to have my coordination and spatial awareness challenged and tested, but it was, as I learned a couple of new ways to move and turn. I was pleased with how well Seren adapted to the new skills, she struggled less than me.
The days are getting longer, it’s getting drier and warmer, which means the Spots are enjoying more time outside.
Mac and Lottie are having a few days away in the Lakes, Seren has stayed at home. It’s good to mix up who has time away, as you never know when you may need to separate them out, or which will go to stay over shows.
Seren has stayed home, but come to work with me, again just getting her used to staying in the car for longer periods. We are lucky enough to have a paddock at the side of work that we can use to stretch the dos’ legs. Seren has loved exploring this space.
Whilst Crufts is the biggest dog show in the world, it’s still a dog show, just one that means long days!
Only the girls came along, we decided taking 2 cars was a bit much, Dave wasn’t bothered about going, and Mac prefers to stay at home and mooch, rather than be benched for hours.
It wasn’t the girls’ day, neither got placed, even though they showed their socks off.
Albus (Ailsadot Astral Peacock) also came along for the first time, and whilst he looked stunning, he didn’t get placed either.
We like to take some memory photos of Crufts, but it can be a bit challenging after a tiring day 🤣
Ailsadot Dalmatians 