I would definitely do this show again in the future.  The club members were friendly and helpful, the venue was lovely, and the facility was clean and well kept.  All which help make a great weekend.

Friday

Under Judge Alvin Krause:

• Bullie went Best of Breed for two points over very nice competition
• Thistle took a Best of Opposite Sex, Winners Bitch, and Best Puppy, all for two points
• Mickey also received two points for his Best of Breed win

• Agent was awarded Best Puppy and Winners Bitch

Under Judge Mary White:

• Ra went Best of Breed

Saturday

Under Judge Leslie Rogers:

• Ra took Best of Breed, and the judge was very complimentary about this special boys many fine attributes
• Bullie again took the breed for another two points
• Mickey went Best of Breed a second time, as well as Winners
• Chatty won a point by going Best of Opposite and Winners Bitch
• Agent took a Best Puppy

Under Judge Judy Elford:

• Muddy won his class, and was Reserve Winners Male

Sunday

Under Judge Lee Ann Bateman:

• Bullie placed first in her class, and was Reserve Winners Bitch
• Mickey was awarded another Best of Breed
• Agent took Best Puppy, and Best of Opposite Sex

Under Judge Mary B White:

• Muddy was first in his class, and took Winners Male
• Thistle really had her day with a Best of Breed, Best Puppy, Best of Winners - and received a very long look in both the group and puppy group rings.  The judge felt she has a lot of potential as a specials dog

Under Judge Alvin Krause:

• Ra again took a Best of Breed

Also this weekend, two of our charges completed their championships in fine style.  Congratulations to both Thistle and Mickey!

Jaime and Thistle in the breed ring, photography by CanineCaptures.com

On Friday, under judge Robert Whitney:

Ra (neo) went Best of Breed.  Meadow (brittany) went Best of Breed for two points and has now finished her Championship.  Thistle (brittany) went Best Puppy in Breed.  Thank you Mr. Whitney.

On Saturday, under judge Susan Badick:

Ra (neo) again went Best of Breed.  Thistle (brittany) made a triple play by going Best of Breed, Best Puppy in Breed, and Fourth in Group.  A big thank you to Ms. Badick for seeing in Thistle what we do, she's a typey, sound girl who's a joy to handle.

On Sunday, under judge Thom Nesbitt:

Thistle (brittany) went Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed.  Ra (neo) went Best Opposite Sex.  Bella (neo) went Best of Breed over Specials for a major win.  Thanks to Mr. Nesbitt for recognizing the quality of this wonderful girl, and for being such a joy to show under.

Ra, just doing his thing, with Jaime Marion.

Bella, working a little magic.

Meadow earning the last two points towards her Championship.  Fabulous Movement!

Photographs by CanineCaptures.com

The HCKOC show is another of my favorite Prairie shows.  The club members are hospitable, the venue is bright and clean, the outside areas are well groomed and taken care of.  It's just a really wonderful show for everyone involved.

This weekend was an incredible weekend for the Almost Family team.  Two of our "charges" finished their Canadian Championships.  A huge congratulations to both Fatal (the Smooth Fox Terrier) and to Ra (the Neapolitan Mastiff).  Congratulations must be extended even further to Ra, for taking a GROUP FOURTH on Saturday under Phyllis Wolfish with 13 breeds competing. 

Almost Family is now handling two "top five" dogs.  Ra and Vodka.  Way to go boys!!!

Ra and Fatal both took Best of Breed in their respective breeds all three days.  Under judges Michael Hill, Phyllis Wolfish, and Lawrence Stanbridge.

We had two debuts this weekend as well.  Both Bella (Neo) and Nova (SFT) came out with style.  While both were "nervous nellies" on Friday, they handled like old pros by Sunday.  Way to go girls!

The junior member of Almost Family, my little sister Jewles, also had a chance to hit the rings this weekend.  She took Best Puppy in Breed with an absolutely charming Pomeranian named Cutter.  Thanks so much to his breeder, Linda, for allowing my sister this opportunity.  She hasn't stopped beaming all week.  Showing a Pom was a dream come true for her.

And yet another first...  Nova had the opportunity to go in for Junior Handling with a Senior Open competitor.  The two of them looked great together, and it was a wonderful learning experience for them both.  As a team, they took second over all.  Congratulations Girls!

So over all?  Another great weekend for the Almost Family team.

Jaime Marion, playing in the ring with Ra (the neo) and with Fatal (the SFT).

Nova competing for the very first time, handled by TD Yandt.

Jewles and Cutter, the Pom puppy.

Nova in the Juniors ring with some stiff competition...  photograph by CanineCaptures.com

This was the first weekend out for Ra and Phoenixx (the Neapolitan Mastiffs), and while there were some snags, they both adapted quite well.  Phoenixx overcame a great deal of trepidation and fear, and Ra showed great potential.

Ra took Best of Breed all three days for three points.  Under Judge Martin Doherty (Ontario) on Friday, under Judge Richard Lopaschuk (British Columbia) on Saturday, and under Judge Judith Shurb (British Columbia) on Sunday.  Many thanks to all three judges for making his first weekend out so enjoyable.

Fatal (Smooth Fox Terrier) went Best of Breed on Sunday over a Specials male for a point.  Thank you to Judge Martin Doherty (Ontario) for recognizing her quality.

Baby Blue Phoenixx in the ring with TD Yandt (I love being in the ring, and think it shows), photographs by Brad Magnus.

Ra with Jaime, and Phoenixx with TD.  Photo by Brad Magnus.  Thanks Brad!

Aspen Exotics The Great Amenra in the ring with Jaime Marion.  Photographs by CanineCaptures.com.

InStyle's Fatal Attraction being examined by Mr. Doherty, self stacked, and then receiving her BOB ribbon.  Photographs by CanineCaptures.com.