Sunday, October 5, 2025

East coast dog shows are over. Today was the big deal - Montgomery County Kennel Club. It's an all terrier show. The largest all terrier show on the planet, I believe. Crufts has a bigger entry, but it's not solely a terrier show. 5 days of showing is a lot. Buster is exhausted. Even Grizz who showed only 3 days seems pretty wiped out. Me? I'm pooped, but satisfied. Overall, really good results. Grizz went Winners Dog (best of all the non champion males) from the 6 month to 9 month puppy class on Thursday. AMAZING! The next day he was reserve winners dog (first runner up). Buster was overlooked the first two shows altogether. But after that he was in the final line up or in the ribbons for the final 4 shows. Today he earned what I hoped for - an Award of Merit at the national specialty with 84 Airedales entered. The icing of the prize is that for the 125th anniversary of the club I orchestrated the commission of a sculpture for trophy plaques. Buster's award of merit earned him/me one of those beautiful bronze trophies/plaques. I am thrilled.

I will start the drive home tomorrow, but will only go as far as Ohio. I don't feel the need to rush home on the first day after such an exhausting week and a half.

I've eaten what I've eaten the past 10 days. Not to much thought given to it and a lot of eating on the run. I'm hoping my activity level being fairly high will compensate for the extra non nutritional calories I've consumed.

BTW, temperature today in Macungie, PA was in the mid 80s. We've had gorgeous weather here all week.

It's late and I'm tired so it's off to bed!

Congratulations on bringing home the hardware!! I do like the attitude of I've eaten what I've eaten. It acknowledges that we do the best we can in unusual cir****tances, and recriminations for not being perfect don't change anything.

Congratulations and no wonder you are exhausted! A lot for all of you! Drive safe making your way back to the left coast.