ALL KINDS OF STOFF

We weathered the International Kennel Club without much success. Two red ribbons (please don't ask how many were in Open.) We saw some lovely dogs and some really awful ones. The first day Conley got lotsa belly rubs but by Sunday he had had enough, and I kept him crated most of the day.

Attendance was way down-- both in entries and spectators and even vendors. Getting in wasn't hard but leaving was the usual hassle. (If you have never tried to get a dog and your equipment out of McCormick Place along with probably 1000 other dog people, I cannot possibly explain it.)

I took my camera but largely ignored it. Sunday, I didn't even take it along. There was a new dog there, the Icelandic Sheepdog, with which I fell in love. I did not get a photo because I never found them. I would see them now and again and Saturday I looked all day and couldn't find them. (I could have used the catalog, but what fun is that?)

This Pyrenees was benched next to us and I have always liked them.

But I was not inspired this year, either by 99% of the dogs I saw or photographically. My first catalog from this show is dated 1966, the first year I was married and we came into town for the show. I probably have photos of relatives of many of the Bassets being shown today. My first set of photos was from a Polaroid!!

This is Katie and her Wheaten Terrier.  I never mastered the art of holding the dryer under my chin, aiming it accurately, and brushing all at the same time, muti-tasking training. Katie's last name escapes me but I have known her off and on for years. Once upon a time she worked with Jackie, my breeder and co-owner (of Conley) but now she is on her own and quite capable. She had a lovely Basset puppy there.

Around in back, on the other side of the bench, I found one of my favorite dogs, altho from what I gather from the Judges I have spoken with, the temperanent is "iffy", and that is a Skye Terrier.

I think they are stunning. However. I am not, really, at heart, A Terrier, but a herding breed first and a hound second.
second.  That said, here is Jackie's little dynamo, her wire-haired doxie. In the hound group but really have the personality of a Terrier.

And last. My favorite photo from the show. I do not know who she was and I certainly hope she had no expectations of privacy. I did not get a waiver. I think she must having something going with a Corgi. Just a wild guess.

Maybe next year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   .