Last Monday I went over to S’s to see a bitch she had just taken delivery of who is going to go to Solei on her next season. Gorgeous! The ears will be very dodgy but she’s really lovely.

Tuesday was the puppies second vaccination. They were all very brave, bar Elton who felt the need to do a little squeal! Mind you, he had a large lump by his right shoulder blade that I assume was from the first vacc, so even though the lump had gone down it was probably still sore. Came home from that and had Darwin to bath before a show the next day! We ended up doing him quite late and then had to take him over to Thes’ cos as I had her three puppies as well (from taking them to the vet) I thought I might as well take them back after Darwin was bathed so she could do the final touches. It was late when we got home so I fed the dogs and went to bed!

I was being very intrepid on Wednesday! As it was Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Show the public can bring their dogs, so whereas you usually wouldn’t be able to take non-KC registered dogs or puppies under 4 or 6 months (depending on the show), you can take any dog. So it was too good an opportunity to miss and I decided to take Darwin (obviously, as he was showing!), Solei and both Lacey and Elton. Lacey travelled well, Elton wasn’t so good but I still arrived at the show with two relatively dry and non-messy puppies! There was just the one class of Papillons – Open – in which Darwin was 4th and then Best Puppy in Breed and Puppy Group 4. I was absolutely delighted to see Andy, who I had for a couple of months last year when he was 4/5/6 months old, take his very first BOB 😀 He’s looking amazing and I think I made a mistake turning S&T down when I was offered him! Though I don’t regret it because his owner is a lovely lady and waited such a long time for a puppy, I’m so glad she got such a nice one!

That evening T brought the rest of Fancy’s pups and Sally’s litter round for us to look after until Monday, whilst they went to Welsh Kennel Club.

On Saturday Darwin did his last ever show in Puppy 🙁 A really nice companion show, though he only got a 3rd! Solei managed a 2nd 🙂 behind the RBIS winner…I’m really pleased with how he’s doing given his teeth. Vale won the novelty Veteran 7-10yrs class!

I really wanted to find another companion show for yesterday but there was nothing within a 50 mile radius 😛 which is very bizarre given the time of year! But still. Was a bit frustrating because there were two I really wanted to do on Saturday and I wish one of them could have been Sunday instead. In the end we ended up going to Fern Animal Sanctuary for an hour or so! I took Solei, Darwin, Pippin, Polly and Elton and all were much admired 🙂 and very bemused by some of the animals – first time ever seeing a pig! 😆

And then today is Darwin’s 1st birthday! My boy’s all grown up 🙁 I bought him a Kong Bone and he and Solei each had a chew stick.

He ends his puppy career with 6 Best Puppy in Breeds, 2 Best of Breeds, one Group 4, two Puppy Group 4, one Puppy Group 3, one Puppy Group 2 and one Puppy Group 1!! From a grand total of 7 all breed open shows. And at companion shows he has multiple class wins, two Best Puppy in Show and one Reserve Best in Show. He’s only been unplaced once, and the classes have usually been enormous.

Here’s hoping the success continues now he’s up with the “big boys”! 😉