Jamie

Jamie and Lisa last year on James graduation day. Time goes so fast.

Jamie

Got some wonderful news in the mail. A wedding invitation from my niece Jamie. Going to be a great day for her and Sarn. August 15th in Portland. Very exciting.

Crested is Home

Great news!!! Apollo is home. Nancy and Skip headed home a day early to look for him and they just got the call on way home that he had been found. Their kennel help had let out Wynonna, one of the setters while they cleaned and she ran over to where he had been hiding. Thank you Wynonna.

Apollo

A terrible sad note of the weekend, that Apollo the Crested I showed last year for Nancy, ran off from home Saturday night. The Grandkids are searching for him, so hopefully he will make it home. I hope so. He is a sweet boy.
My prayers are with him.

Mt Bachelor Sunday

Ohh what fun, Annette came out and spent the morning with me. I showed Flea at 8am and the Setters were on at 9:30. So it was a rush for us to head over and help with grooming.
I had already decided old body be damned.... I was going to help out and take in one of the open bitches. And stand by for winners bitch.
Our help the day before was sketchy and didn't understand the Setter brain:)
But since it had taken me a week to recover from handling at Canby I was worried. But it worked out. Like I always tell Nancy, It always does.
The judge was a old old NUT!!! I saw in the breed before he was asking us to do a L on the down and back. Okay that is something Junior Handlers practice and do. Not us old timers.
But thankfully Peyton was back to her old self and Skip showed her to WB.
And then the drama.... The Sammy ring was a hoot.
Here's a pic of me and Conway and Annette and her Canby.

Mt Bachelor

These are pictures of The Flea and Lisa and Carol working with Barkley, Flea's Dad. He was having some "girl problems" and couldn't think.
Mt Bachelor results: #3rd out of 4 each day. I'm not discouraged there are a lot of nice Min Pins out there. And we show better everyday. Flea stacks great.....until she quits me:) Got love a minni.
Carol and Lisa stayed at my house Saturday night, and we had a handling class when it cooled down. Flea needs to move out quickly to level her topline and show her drive. I kind a thought I was showing a English I was moving so fast. But she looked better on Sunday. So practice, practice, practice.
Merlin won the breed both days and a GR 3 on Saturday. Hope he was in the money on Sunday too. It was just too hot and I had to head home.
Carol was WB both days with 2 different girls. Can't remember the boys. It was fun to see Gloria show. I can't believe it was 10 years ago she told Sharon to take a chance on me and let me have Isabella.

Down Time

Got home from show today, hot and tired. Took a nap and then watched a classic Movie, Alien. I have to confess, I have never watched it. I thought it was just a scary movie, WOW no wonder it is #1 on so many critics list. I really enjoyed it.

Canby Pictures

Another great Picture of The Flea in ring at Canby.

Birthday Dinner

Conway and I went out to the Mt Bachelor show site tonight for a birthday party for Skip and Nancy. Good Food and Great Friends. Annette and Taylor came out and Taylor became Nancy's granddaughter, Rylee's BFF right away. Wouldn't leave her alone. Too cute. Of course Taylor wants nothing to do with me, until its time to go home.

Nancy's daughter Kathy and grandsons Ross and Ryan came out to. Up early tomorrow, 3 setters to groom by 9:30. The min pins are on at 11:30. Good Luck Flea.

Canby ring pictures

A friend of Lisa's took these pictures of Me and The Flea in the ring at Canby. Unpacked much of the van this morning, but was sure to leave in anything we might need this weekend.

We show 11:30 on Saturday and 8:00am Sunday at Mt Bachelor.

Pictures

I just accidentally stumbled on something great. If you click on one of my pictures, you see it full screen!! And the resolution is great.
So busy trying to get ready for Mt Bachelor this weekend. Still haven't gotten everything from last weekend unloaded from van. Very busy at work, and Irene took a minute from her nap to supervise.

Sunday Clackamas Kennel Club

Skip had a a great Fathers Day, a major with Katie. It was very exciting with a huge entry. And some how he stuck me (let me) show his setter Peyton. She was having a few issues, but it was so much fun to back in the setter ring. I MISS IT!!!

Friday Specialties

We had entries from Oregon, Washington, California, Florida and Canada. A lot of family and friends joined exhibitors, so we had a big crowd. It was a FUN day. The Strawberry Shortcake Social was a hit as usual. Thank you to Claudia and Salina.

Conway

Of course someone was missing me at home. He was packed and ready to go to Canby, but unless he rode on the roof rack, there was no room. There were so many totes full of raffle items and stuff for the potluck, my Baby had to stay home.

Campsite

Lisa and I sent in our parking together and hoped to get a great spot for our Potluck. Boy did we. Just across from the ring and tons of space. I had a great spot and made a comfy spot for me and The Flea.

Raffle

There were so many great items and so many winners!!!

Raffle

Our Specialty was Fabulous. The wind gave us some trouble, but a little duct tape and help took care of that. Especially Carol's Granson, Indy. He was so much help.
I have pictures. but for some reason can't upload right now.

Photo Finish Canby Results

Fourth place finish .... Third place finish ....Second place finish .....Okay you get where I am going with this. After 4 entries and 4 tries The Flea moved into FIRST!!! Against the same girls all weekend. We didn't WIN the points but I was "disappointingly" happy. First time on grass, because our 2 handling classes outside, here in Bend were cancelled, due to storm of the Century weather conditions.., so she thought all that grass meant Stop "n" Sniff, and I felt like a stumble bum, couldn't get a feel for the rough grass and move her out like she needed. But got to Winners Bitch, and the girl that won was lovely. Congratulations to the Winners.

Flea's sisters

Here are The Flea's sisters having a great day at Lisa's.

dress up

Who doesn't love a dog in a bikini? Actually its a tasteful swim top and jean skirt.......

Emmy Lou Shopping Trip

Hope you can see this. Put Setters in van this am to go to work, and Emmy the snoop had to go through my shopping bags. When I came out to car she had gotten the bag over her neck and shoulder and was sitting there like she was off on a shopping adventure. Thank goodness she doesn't panic, but it was a funny start to my day.

Movie night

Tonight instead of getting ready for Canby, I watched Clint in Gran Torino. Not the best movie ever made, but very watchable.

english Setter Guard Dog?

This is a funny video. Setter owners had set up webcam to watch their dogs while they were at work. Its pretty much like I always figured. My setters will be no help in break in. They make it sound like setters are being watch dogs. Kind of look like they are welcoming them.

I will rely on my Min Pins. No one could take their barking and move on:)

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/stories/061009kvue_webcam_burglary-cb.69f0e0fc.html

Kitten Capture update

Cat Rescue got one kitten on Thursday, Right before another storm hit. She was at shop on Friday when I left. Hope she gets the rest of the family. This is the little silver one in trap. Not great picture it was so scared. Turned out to be a male. I have gotten alot of calls from ad in paper, and have directed them to the rescue. Unfortunately many dont want to pay the rescue for a kitten. Which I think is ridiculous. Only $40 and the kitten is spayed, micro chipped, vaccinated everything. Oh well.

Saturday AM at Dog Park

Very nice morning so we went out early to new dog park. Dogs love it. Me too! Top picture is of Conway running under the beautiful Cascade backdrop. Wish they stood out more, it was beautiful out there. Second picture is of Emmy checking out trail below.

I picked up at dollar store a collapsing dog water bowl, for trips to park. It worked great. I picked up one for raffle but think I will try and find a few more.

This was a story about this Burger Stand that President Obama went to in DC. It was a long article I didn't see the NBC story. But they did say there is one in Portland OR. I am going to try and go. Anyone know where it is?

~*~

The only kind of publicity that Jerry Murrell wants is free publicity, and this week, there's been plenty of that. Last week, NBC's Brian Williams followed President Barack Obama into a Five Guys burger restaurant in Washington, DC, as the chief ordered lunch for the White House staff -- and left a bitter press pool locked in their SUVs. The show was so highly rated that NBC re-ran it, and that inspired a glowing portrait in USA Today. "I get tears in my eyes thinking about it, that they made such a big deal about Five Guys," Murrell told the paper.Murrell, 65, has helmed Five Guys Burger since 1986, when he started the burger slinger at a single store in Arlington, VA, as a way occupy his family. But to suggest that Murrell has only just entered the big time would be to ignore the numbers. He's been big for a while. Since 2003, when he took franchising national, his little local joint has mushroomed, if that's the word, into a fast food champ. The chain is now huge, with some 436 locations in 32 states, plus expansion into Canada next month.

travel correction

Ive wanted to fact check the birthplace of President Truman. While in Boston I had reminisced about my state travel count.

I remembered visiting when a kid, but I was way off of where it was. My Dad's wanderings and looking for the "biggest ball of string" took us all over and one stop was in Missouri. I think it was on our way to spend a couple of months in Alabama.

~*~
Visit the birthplace home of the only Missourian ever elected President of the United States - Harry S Truman. Born May 8, 1884, in a downstairs bedroom of a small frame house in Lamar, Harry Truman was the son of John Anderson and Martha Ellen (Young) Truman.The Truman birthplace, which the family occupied until Harry was 11 months old, was built between 1880 and 1882. The Trumans purchased the 20- by 28-foot house as newlyweds in 1882 for $685. Visitors today can view its four downstairs rooms and two upstairs rooms, as well as the smokehouse, well and outhouse located in the back. The modest furnishings inside the house and the surrounding landscaping accurately represent a typical home of its style during the time the Trumans resided in Lamar. It has neither electricity nor indoor plumbing.

Kitten's at Shop

Last Thursday I walked around shop to garbage and came across a little kitten. Fluffy silver puff of fur was playing with a dried up apple from shrub. Ran into air vent on side of shop. Oh No!!!
Next day Cristalle reports two more, long coat tabby's. We buy food and put out water for them for the weekend. Don't know how long they have been under shop. Can't believe we never heard them, maybe Mom just moved them in. On Monday we set a trap. Well, I thought it would work, but Cristalle said it looked like it was from a Bugs Bunny cartoon.
Unfortunately we never could sneak up on them. Our ad for free kittens came out in paper today. Said Free, Need Taming..... Got a couple of calls, but we still haven't caught a kitten.
One of the calls was from a local cat rescue and she offered to come out and trap family in real trap, not mine from ACME, Walla Walla, WA.
Of course she shows up and the storm of the summer starts. Hopefully she will be back tomorrow.

:( Flower damage.

These are my beautiful flowers I planted last weekend. The hydrangea, Ive always wanted split in two by hail storm. The planter was for the Min Pin Specialty, stripped of flowers. It was so lush and beautiful. Thankfully the storm has passed. Now we just have to melt. Its all mixed with leaves stripped from the trees.

Had to circle around on streets and cut through parking lots to escape flooded streets. Van rides very low. Would hate to be stranded, like a dummy on TV.

Hmmm, I wonder how I can get the min pins to go outside to potty.

What a storm! Deep hail, thunder and lightening, roads flooding. And that was at shop:) Water in road over my ankles. Cars were slipping and sliding.

New Dog Park

WOW! We loved it. The 3 Setters and I went to the new 17.7 acre Fenced Dog Park here in Bend. Its only 3 miles from my house. Its on a old US Forest Service Nursery. So there are a lot of open spaces, and alot of trees and rocky outcroppings.

The other dog park that is out by the hospital is very nice and we go every weekend, but that is 5 acres. We didn't even see the whole fenced area on our first trip.

Can't wait to go back and explore this weekend.

Flea at National

Check out that crazy carpet. Thank goodness the ring was covered in mats. I have showed in some indoor locations that we had to show to judge on some outrageous prints. In Boston the main problem was the lighting. Anyone who watched on Internet feed, know how bad it was.

Flea in Ring

Carol took these great pictures of The Flea at Nationals.

Introduction

Thought I would tell you a little bit about me and The Flea and all the other fur kids in my Family.

I'm Rhonda Brookshier from Central Oregon and Flea is Shasta All Fired Up. Bred and co owned by Lisa Uhacz. Ch Be Wright's Circuit Breaker x Ch Sunwind's Shasta Kiss This. When Flea came to me she had the pretty name Flame. But she showed her true self and became The Flea. She hasn't revealed her super powers to me yet.

Picture is of Flea relaxing on her swing in the sun.

Last Day of Show may 31

Best of Breed was Marlex Lulin Mojitto, Best of Winners was winners dog Altanero Red Alert. I thought he could have taken it all. Winners bitch was Kimro N Spivas Kickin Bootie.
The end of judging was fun, but how could 5 days go so fast. Banquet at 5pm, and then it would be over. I was lucky enough to sit at the Judges table at banquet so I could help Janis hand out medallions and lend a hand to Judy to get trophies and awards ready.
I was also there to control Jackie Siotto's bidding addiction during the auction. I had to hold her arm down, but she did sneak a few bids in. We had a great time. The buffet was unbelievable good. It was a great banquet. I can't wait for next year when we host in Kelso.
Up at 2:30 am to get Sherre to airport by 4am and then to turn in rental car. We fly out at 8am.
The Flea and I had a great time.

Mayflower in Plymouth

There was a beautiful Mayflower reconstruction in harbour. To see the streets, buildings, and cemetery right out of history. I could have explored for days. But back to Mansfield for the finish of judging for the MPCA National.
Carol and Salina would be in for winners dog and bitch. And then Best of Breed.

Plymouth Rock May 31

They erected a pretty structure around Rock.

I hope in last picture you were able to pick out Flea's little ears as she watched the sunrise. The historic Plymouth Rock is surprising. Its a large boulder sitting in the sand, right on the beach next to the sidewalk. I thought it was a large rock out cropping, a beacon for those landing there. Its not. And even worse its been cut in half and sent to the county fair, trod upon, and at one point there was even a chisel left for those visiting to chip off a souvenir to take home.

Flea at Sunrise

So glad I went to Plymouth. It was the most beautiful and picturesque spot of trip. Town was right out of a movie set. Sunrise was spectacular, coming up as fishermen were leaving the harbor.

Sunday am

I meant to say Carol's puppy girl was 6 months and 1 week old in Boston.
Talking to Cheryl on Saturday night, I was saying how early it got light here. By 5 am.
She said wouldn't it be cool to see the sunrise out of the Atlantic Ocean, since I had seen it so often set in the Pacific. So pulled out map, and saw that Plymouth Rock was a possible viewing spot. Called front desk and clerk looked up sunrise time, 5:13 and said Plymouth was a great choice. She hadn't done it since High School. This was at 11pm.
So set my alarm for 3:30 am and we were off. It was beautiful.

MPCA Judging continues

WOW!!! Carol wins BBE with her 6 month 6 week old puppy. What a great win. Now Carol and Salina have to wait for tomorrow for winners dog and bitch before Best of Breed. I would go crazy.

MPCA Breed Judging May 30

Boy judging began at 10 am and so exciting Flyer wins 6-9 puppy dog. Looking back at my posts I see I got ahead of myself and used today's picture for Flyer's Sweeps win. Congratulations again to Carol, Mary and Salina.
Flea and I are on at 1pm after just 2 girls. So we are fresh and ready. She has been resting on the beaches of Boston and is ready to go.
She showed great, was so on. Stacking when ever asked, really throwing herself into great some ones. We had worked on our down and back to the judge and she was flawless.
So good on table I was so proud. Judge Lemcke really managed the 14 puppies well. Judge moved us into 3rd!! But as usual I started to choke, got tense and Flea felt it and quit showing. A dismal 5th? Moved back and out of the ribbons.
But I am very excited about our next show, in Canby at the 2 specialties.
Other friends from the Northwest had some great placements. Judy, Janis and Myrna, Congratulations to everyone.

1000 Island dressing

Okay where has all the 1000 Island dressing gone? I ordered room service yesterday, asked for 1000 Island dressing for my fries. We don't have any they said. No 1000? But they did have a very nice BBQ Ranch.
The food at Hotel Restaurant was great. So funny here in a area where seafood is king the host hotel's restaurant was was "Pike's Peak Mining Company" a steak house. I had some great meals.
But anyway. on for the hunt for dressing. Out and about I stopped at a railroad car restaurant, like I see on Drive ins, Diners and Dives on the Food Channel. Their specials for the day hanging in the window, was Scrod(Yucky name) and Fish and Chips, so of course I ordered Shrimp and Chips. I always mean to get the fish, but always get the shrimp.
So I go into this railroad car dinner in the parking lot of the Dollar Store and its like a 50's dinner, and at the counter is the owner doing paperwork. I order and ask for 1000 Island dressing for my fries, waitress says we don't HAVE THAT. But owner pipes in of yes we do. Its downstairs on the shelf under the stairs. I say no, don't go to any trouble. He says no problem and sends waitress down to the bowels of the restaurant, to come back with a dusty bottle of Wishbone dressing. I stick to the tartar sauce. I wonder what they dip their fries in back East. Never did find out.

Boston May30

Drove out to a point called Squantuam Island, and they think we have weird names out west. Drove through University of Massachusetts where the JFK Library is. Very beautiful. Wanted to see Harvard, but just no time. Doing all this driving I kept having "Love Story" flashbacks. That Farrah show from last week still on my mind.
They said the weather was going to clear up and it did.

Sat May 30 Boston

Took off at 6am to drive up coastline and end in Boston. We show at 1pm. A few directional setbacks but saw a lot. Along the Boston Harbor there there were cops everywhere and at every intersection. I thought oh no, they are setting up a road block, must be a bank robber or something. And then over the hill in approaching traffic, hundreds of bicyclists. A bike race. So much for my chance to see big city crime. It was so pretty. Now if I was a Sports Illustrated photographer I would have a picture of that.

Dunkin Donuts

Okay these New England people are crazy about Dunkin Donuts. There is a shop on every corner, all around airport and in every grocery store. They are our "Starbucks". I stopped at one, but they don't have Mocha's so it took me a minute to pick something. Not crazy about them. But they do have those great donut holes.

Sweeps May 29

Sweepstakes Judging today. Didn't get a look. Judge instead of asking us to do our down and back again, because Flea was leaning heavily on lead, followed us around ring a little. Freaked Flea out. Oh well one more day. Great news from the day is that Flyer, owned by Carol and Mary Olsen, shown by Salina was Best in Sweepstakes.

Stormy Atlantic Ocean, at Cape Cod. The marshy area is a bird sanctuary.