Winter Rut

Winter Rut

There is a certainty of winter…..getting stuck in a rut.  I’m not talking about a snow packed rut in the road!

When the calendar rolls back to November; Winters Wind, winds down our show schedule.  The holidays come so quickly and we made a conscience effort early on to spend this time with our family and savor the time between Thanksgiving and New Year.

The path that becomes my rut begins around December 15th.  I’m usually ready for Christmas; gifts are wrapped, candies and cookies lay snug in the freezer waiting to be placed on trays for holiday merriment.  It’s now that I begin to sneak peeks at upcoming shows…knowing that I made a commitment to wait until January to hit the circuit once again.   Everyday I find myself, looking to see what has been posted.

My rut deepens as the snow of December.  January is a hard month to travel, let alone with six show poodles.  I drive my mind down my rutted path, frustrated because I know that it will be February before we are on the road once again.  The money is always a snug fit rather like my jeans, after Christmas!  So the rut expands….no bun intended!

I now am scanning the February shows, praying for good weather and finally…..a date appears!  “YES!” I exclaim to the poodles scattered like throw rugs on the floor around me.  I eagerly begin to fill in the forms, choosing the classes and calculating the entry fees.  It isn’t just the fees; the travel trailer is up to its tires in snow; which means hotels.  The dreaded “H” word, finding a hotel that will allow dogs is one trick, but multiple dogs….that’s another wave of the magic wand!

“Abracadabra” and as luck would have it….a hotel emerges from the abyss.  The price is right and they will take my poodle party! 

Now it’s a matter of waiting for the month of January to fly by like the snow flakes pas my window. 

Then it’s “SHOW TIME” once again!

Stay tuned…..the year is just launching!

Fall, Frost and Freedom or Burrs!

I am confessing, fall is my favorite time of year!  Pumpkins adorn the entries to homes, autumn leaves, like a patchwork quilt cover the ground.  The chill in the air make one reach for their favorite fleece or sweatshirt.  Waking in the morning to the intricate lacy artwork that only "Jack Frost" can do.   Oh and that smell......the hint of a fire in someone's back yard makes me want to race to the store to stock up on smore fixin's, cocoa and hot dogs!  

The word dogs brings me to the one thing I loath about fall.....burrs!  Those nasty little remains of the weeds that didn't get pulled!  Did you ever think about how many different types of burrs there are!  Those little round ones that find their way deep into poodle hair....or the ones that have spurs on the end, they get tangled up in those beautiful ear feathers and my clothes!  

Our motto is to not kennel our dogs....freedom!  Which is all well but when fall rolls into town, this is when I begin to question my sanity on the freedom issue.  I know...Poodles ARE hunting dogs, so yes they are going to get burrs into their hair and I know that the Continental cut is the original hunting cut....but I doubt strongly those hunters had 8 or more inches of hair on those dogs!  Okay, I said it..... They must have kept those dogs shaved down and those in continental's didn't have hair that required banding.

Right now I don't have any of my Poodles in a continental.  Although I am trying to grow hair, so it has become like the kindergarten class coming in from outdoors.  Instead of taking off boots and hanging jackets; I'm riffling through hair.  I must look like a Police Officer frisking a suspect to my neighbors!  Checking ears, legs, tails for contraband! 

So to curtail freedom or deal with those little nasty burrs?  After a long discussion with my hubby the hard decision was made.......allow them freedom.  This is a major deal because it means checking and brushing out 6 poodles several times a day.  Now some people would say "crazy" and actually I'd be inclined to agree with them on some fronts.  It is so important to me that my dogs are mentally/physically a champion as well as in conformation. Please don't think I am getting down on others who have their dogs in runs.....by no means!  Like raising a child, there are many ways to parent.....well there are many ways to raise Poodles.  This is MY choice and MY preference.  So given that it is MY choice, I am ordering extra combs and brushes, so when they come in I can just sit on the floor in the kitchen rather then running to the grooming room every time.

I started this post with I love Fall......I still love Fall but I think I'm ready for a strong north wind to come through!  Blowing off the burrs that cling for dear life on the limps of the weeds that surround our property.  I say DIE to seeds that create those weeds, that when their flower fades leaves behind my nemesis, burrs! 

So the next time you come back from a glorious fall hike and are brushing out your dog.....suddenly you feel a small burr entangled in that 'like gold' Poodle hair; remember Round UP!  I'm planning ahead for next year!  Purchased a gallon and a sprayer!  I am all about organic but in this case.....It's war!

Fall, Frost, Freedom, Burrs or Bust!   

Sink, Swim....Dive into the Deep End!

On my last blog I wrote about, to AKC or not to AKC, well since that time; ever the adventures; move over Christopher Columbus because the Winters have set their sails to yes a new land! The land of the American Kennel Club!  

With apprehension, I filled in the required entry forms and had our Handler/Agent in line.  Although we were ready to swim in the AKC pond, neither Rob or I were ready to go into the pond!  Kim, our handler for Luna, was so excited to show a Poodle.  Her history as a handler was all larger breed dogs with little hair maintenance.  This is where I was able to be involved!  I must admit to nerves as I prepared Luna for her debut.  Bathing, blowing dry with meticulous care, hair straight and scissoring, more scissoring and yet even more scissoring!  I felt like I was cutting each strand of hair separately!  She looked amazing and she was still happy!  Now that is a feat!  

Indigo was going to the eye clinic and hopefully achieve his CGC at the 4 cluster, Amana Colony shows.  Indigo being a multicolored poodle, is not allowed in the conformation ring. The Parti color is disqualified, but that's another blog for another day.  I wanted to "Show Off" our handsome boy.  So he too went through the exact same drill.  My thoughts were if he looks like a show dog, acts like a show dog.......he's a show dog!  You know that old saying, "if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck....it's a duck!"  

We loaded up the trailer, had a dog sitter for the rest of the group, and off went the Long, Long trailer on yet another road trip, to yet another dog show!  We hooked up the trailer in a rain storm, like yellow beacons on a stormy sea our rain slickers stood out in the darkness.    The rain didn't dampen our spirits......well, actually Rob was a little testy but I was able to cheer him up as we drove out of the rain.  Unfortunate for us, we arrived at the RV park in the dark.  I had assumed (wrong thing to do) that there would be street type lighting,  Instead it was dark and hard to find our slot.  I had never seen so many RV's and Trailers!  Finally backing into our space;  not that easy, but we managed on the third attempt!  Now for the hooking up, leveling and dog xpens, all in the dark!  It reminded me of the hide and seek game in the dark.  One flashlight.....note to self....NOT enough!  but another one!  At this point of the game, our enthusiasm was waning....no arguing....just that silence, as each one concentrates on the their task; meanwhile the dogs are still in the car watching us.  I'm sure they were thinking....."Get those xpens up!  Forget the trailer!  I need to stretch my legs, eat and nature is calling!"  It's like the kids saying, "are we there yet?"  

Soon all was right on the good ship Winters.  Lights.....check.....Water....check.....Sewer hooked up.....check......xpens up......check.  As we sipped a glass of wine, under the night sky; poodles content in their pens we checked our compass and set our sites due north.....the AKC ring!

I won't bore you with all the details of shows, but to say we were very proud of our little Luna and Kim was thrilled on Luna's performance.  At 6+ months she took the puppy class and winners bitch in all 4 shows.  The highlight was to see Luna in the same ring up against....dun dun dun dun....On the cover of Poodle Variety this month!  GCH Darwin's Hearts On Fire!  I have to admit just watching 'Flame' move in the ring IS Breathtaking!  I must confess I was rather a paparazzi.....not a stalker as my husband claimed!  It was inspiring and Sarah Perchick, Flame's handler, was gracious enough to sit down and let me interview her!  That article will be in a future edition of the "Parti Line Newsletter".

Rob DID make his debut as well!  Kim wasn't able to stay for Monday's events; Rob donned his suit and entered into the AKC ring.  He did a great job, abet nervous and came home with 4 ribbons! 

We ended the Labor Day weekend with Indigo getting his CGC!  He was a hit with all the show attendee's and people working.  No one understood why he wasn't allowed in the AKC conformation ring, but the rule stands.  He also passed with flying colors his eye exam!  Luna walked out of ring with lots of ribbons and a Best Puppy award!  We are very proud of our Luna girl and Kim Ketelsen for her wonderful presentation of "blue belle".

All in all, we didn't sink, we swam and even dove into the deep end of the AKC pond!

Kim and Luna....ring time

Rob and Indigo with CGC ribbon!

To AKC or not AKC...that is the question!

If you have been following our blog you have a good sense of who we are at Winters Wind Poodles.  Yes, we have silly times and those thought provoking moments; we enjoy life and embrace all it offers us.  You understand why we entered into the zany world of breeding and showing this versatile breed, the Poodle.

With the addition of Kenzi, our silver girl, we stepped into the world of the American Kennel Club. It is similar and yet different from the United Kennel Club in that here Owner/handlers are few and the professional handler is used most times.  You will also note the Poodle's appearance is now only in the continental cut for adults and puppy cut for under 12 months.  The use of hair product, color and switches is used, though not in the standard.  These are strictly prohibited in the UKC ring and cause for disqualification.  It is interesting if you put the AKC and the UKC Poodle Breed Standard next to one another, they are identical.  So you ask yourself why go to the expense of paying for handler, etc. etc.  In this world of dog showing, AKC still carries a great deal of weight; it could be because of Westminster Dog Show or just the "impression" that the AKC title holds in other people's minds.  Also AKC does not allow the markings or coloring of the Parti Poodle..............but that's a whole other blog post!

For us the, To AKC or Not to AKC.......was a tough decision.  The cost of hiring a handler is considerable and to allow your precious pup to go off for months to live with the handler isn't any easy one.  The decision was made via the co-ownership agreement that we have with Kenzi's breeder.  It was a stumbling block for me to get over and see the benefits of having a Poodle in the AKC spotlight made sense.  So we bit the proverbial bullet and put our foot into the AKC pond......I still wanted a life jacket though!

Now that Kenzi was in the ring and was doing great, we made another decision ......... Luna, our solid blue girl,who is both AKC and UKC registered; we threw her into the same pond!  No life vest..............she will be handled by both my hubby and a handler!  Rob felt ready to enter into this pro/owner ring.  So we committed..............I should BE committed somewhere!  Luna is entered in her first AKC show, but we have an advantage.....she stays with us and we attend the shows.  I like this better.......I never could have sent my kids off to a boarding school either!    

We are still thoroughly invested in the UKC events and both girls will be titled in UKC as well.....but I figured if I can't beat 'em.....................join 'em!  I'll blog more about our experiences as we move further into the deep end of the pool!  In the mean time I am extremely pleased to announce that Kenzi, Sterling Beyond the Clouds has her first show under her belt and walked away with a MAJOR!  From what I hear that's pretty impressive!  I'm still trying to learn the AKC point system (which I think I need an Attorney to help me decipher! ) which is more complicated then the UKC point system.  

Oh well......I suppose I had better study up on my mad math skills!  Sounds like if I am going to AKC or Not to AKC.............better learn the language!