It's been too long...

Hi Everyone,

Well, once again, I am running way behind with updating my blog. So, where to start?

Since it's a 'dog blog', I shall begin with Tiva. My brother is here for a visit and on 1st November he went along with me to the working and Pastoral Breeds show in Edinburgh, at Ingliston. Tiva was in JPB. She was so well behaved. It was a benched show, but my crate wouldn't fit in the alloted space and there is no way she would sit there quietly, so we set up in the grooming area and settled in for the day.

Mostly we watched some classes and read our books, we also took the occasioal walk with the dog. And then ~ it was our turn.

There were only 3 in our class, both of whom we had met in the ring previously. Tiva was active and alert in the class and really moved well. She also stood well and let the judge go over her without a fuss. When he put us 2nd I was thrilled and pleased and excited! The dog we beat was one that has consistantly beaten us, so it was nice to have someone prefer my dog! I am looking forward to seeing her crituque in Dog World.

We have another show coming up on the 22nd. It's a local show, so we'll go for the whole day and I have entered 3 classes: AV Pastoral NSC/Post Grad, AV/Owned and Handled by a Lady, and AV dog never having won a a 1st at this show. She is going on the Thursday before to be groomed and fluffed. Fingers crossed everyone!

In other news, I was in Finland at the end of October! I went to attend a seminar in Helsinki. I had no notion of what to expect (except perhaps reindeer, but didn't figure I'd see them in the town center!)and was pleasantly surprised. A local took us to fabulous places for dinner at night and the city is immpressively clean. The first night I had a cold-smoked reindeer coldcut kind of appatizer, really good! For desert I had lingonberry soup! It was topped with cinnamon cream and the whold meal was wonderful. Night two I had the daily special...elk sausage, also fabulous. Night 3 was lamb meatballs and our last night was at a Russian restaurant called Troika. Fantastic!

As for the horse, Remy was off work with an abscess in his jaw a week ago, don't know how that happened! The vet said it wasn't his teeth, but the dentist is coming tomorrow, we'll see what he finds, his teeth need done anyway. Once he recovered (quickly and well) I had a jumping lesson and then, last Thursday, Jane took me to Rowallan for clear rounds. How did we do, you may ask? Well, we got round the very small course (70 cm) without knocking anything down, but not much style! I was taking too many pull and not letting him go for it. Once I relaxed a bit, and did let him alone, we actually did put in a couple nice jumps. Definately need to practice, practice, practice!

It is going to continue to be busy right up to the new year. Sean and I are off to shop right now. We are having an early Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, our lovely neighbors are going to join us. Also Thursday is Tivas' appointment at the beauty shop. Next week an old friend from high school(and her family)is coming to the UK for a visit and I am picking them up in E'burgh on Thursday for a day out in the countryside(maybe up to Perthshire or Aviemore...hmmm...) Fingers crossed for good weather! And through all this, I still have to Christmas shop and ride my horse and, oh yeah, WORK!!!

So, I better hit the road, more as events unfold!