Elton’s tooth finally came out on Friday night! His ears were much improved by Saturday and you wouldn’t have noticed anything amiss with them.

We didn’t get in the ring for hours and when we did Elton was horrendous 😆 When I’d taken him round the ring before judging started he was really well behaved and I thought maybe we’d cracked it – nuh uh, he was worse than ever when it was his turn to show 😆 I don’t think she could really assess his movement, possibly a couple of steps here and there. Never the less she must have liked him, cos he was still 3rd out of 7+ dogs! I hope he learns to move a bit better soon, because he’s going to start getting placed lower down the line than he would have done purely because movement couldn’t be assessed! Though S said he would have been a bit small for this judge, too – story of his life! It’s getting frustrating now – he’s still well within standard, only 6 months old and he *is* growing! So cut him a bit of slack 😆

On Sunday we went to a companion show – I wanted to get the pups out and give Elton some more much needed practice in a “real” show enviroment. Elton was 4th in Puppy – judge said he liked him and he moved well but he was a bit small and needed a touch more body – Darwin was 3rd in Toy/Utility – he wouldn’t stand properly on the table which he’s never done before, and then decided the bait of the lady next door was far more interesting than mine and wouldn’t stand properly at the end(!) – and I decided to bring Solei out for a bit of fun 🙂 and he was 4th in Open!! Vale was then 3rd in Veteran. Very pleased with Solei & Darwin in particular, who were both in enormous classes.

In the novelties I entered Eeny in Puppy, which ended up being judged exactly like a pedigree class so that was super – exactly the experience I wanted for her! (She’s not quite 6 months so couldn’t do the pedigree class) – and she was 2nd 🙂 Vale won Waggiest Tail and Elton won Dog the Judge Would Like to Take Home 😆 He almost did, as well! (Take him home). There was a lovely Christmas atmosphere and it was an enjoyable day. Oh and Elton was so well behaved in his Puppy class!! (Damn dog…:lol:)

Took Elton to ringcraft on Tuesday, for some more much needed practice….the problem is he’s fine after he’s done about 5 triangles 😆 but you only get one attempt in the ring! I’ve also been trying to take him outside most days this week to practice, but it’s rather futile…he’s fine until you get him on 1) Mats and 2) In a class of other dogs! But I can only do what I can do.

He’s entered for LKA on Sunday, which is why I’m working so hard with him…it’s a big championship show (his first) and his one and only chance to qualify for Crufts 2010. He’ll be in a class of about 20…and he’s got to get in the first 3. At 6 months. (and a very immature looking 6 months) Yeah 😛  Almost certainly not gonna happen but I want to give it our best shot and not come out feeling “if only he/I/we had done ____”.

His ears have been sitting perfectly for nearly a week….I discovered yesterday his other top canine was hanging on by a thread (at the 90 degrees against the roof of his mouth stage :lol:) and I was surprised because it has had no effect on his ears what so ever…

Of course this morning the tooth has come out and now it’s out his ears are awful!! *headdesk* So they’d better be right again for Sunday…it’s more worrying because I can’t think “oh well, they’ll be fine when the tooth comes out”, cos now there’s no tooth *to* come out! Fingers crossed…