Yes We are Alive and Well!

Diamond has been having a relaxing summer....she finished her Championship last year and is currently enjoying a life of leisure! Norman has been on the road in FL showing again....and doing pretty well after a hiatus of about 2 years or so....more info on that when we have a photo to share.

Gimmie That!

Oh, what a Time in OH!

We had a wonderful time at the CWCCA Nationals in Huron OH. It was COLD...especially compared to the South, which had almost no winter this year. We arrived Tuesday in time for the Megan...then Wed AM was sweeps time and our sweet Diamond was first place in 12-15 sweeps! Her sister TJ was fourth in sweeps, and her brother Cody was 3rd in Sweeps in 12-15 boys. Special thanks to Cheryl Mika for handling Diamond (and making her behave!) and Laura Prosser for handling Norm in The Megan and BOB!

Diamond with first place in 12-15 sweeps!

Cody, TJ, and Diamond in a Sweeps.win photo.

Sweet Sarah and the ever-happy Norman!

We just enjoyed the show on thursday, then friday was regular class bitches. Diamond won a fourth place ribbon from the 12-15mo class. We were so thrilled! Then,,,it was Sarah's turn on Saturday for her Junior Showmanship debut. She did great and enjoyed every minute of it and she got a big 2nd place ribbon to show her classmates!  We framed all the ribbons so the girls could take them to school:
When we left Huron it was spitting sleet, and when we arrived home Sunday it was almost 90 degrees. It was good to meet old and new friends....a good time, indeed.
If you want to see or purchase some photos from Nationals, please visit my website www.ashotinthebark.net/cwcca12

Happy Birthday, Diamond! (and other roving news)

Happy Birthday Diamond! She was 1yr old on Feb 20, and she was pretty -much being born the same day Norm finished his Championship.









We all had a good time at the party and Norman loves wearing a party hat!

We now are the proud owners of  a 1982 Airstream 280 Motorhome! . We had to close our inflatable business and Frank is working in Nashville during the week for an architectural firm and living in the Airstream. I am staying here with dogs, kids, and elderly parents (MIL in basement, mine next door). I think our Airstream looks a lot like the one NASA used since 1985 for the Shuttle Astronauts' transport: (but we have nice blue awnings)

 I fell in love with the Airstream in about 1975 o a class field trip to Huntsville Space Center where the original Mobile Quarantine Facility was on Display:

Now they have moved it to somewhere near DC , so they replaced it with the Apollo 12 one. Not as cool.

And then , of course on Feb 20th...NASA celebrated its 50th Anniv of John Glenn's orbital Flight....so I guess Feb 20 was a big day for everybody (especially for John Glenn who still alive at 90 to enjoy it all)

So there you have it: dogs...Airstreams....NASA...all tied together somehow. Kinda weird, huh?

Time Flies : Happy 2yr Anniv Norman!

This is what he looked like the day he came home at about 4 months old.

Laura says goodbye to her sweet boy!

He seemed really BIG. HE seems alot BIGGER now!

We got Mr. Norman 2yrs ago on MLK Day! How time flies! In other news, we are shopping for an Airstream for Frank to live in since he is working in Nashville now....I think an Airstream could be VERY useful for (ahem!) other things too. We have been looking at fixing up an older one....not much luck at finding a decent one so far....but Diamond found a boat she REALLY LIKED on Saturday in Albany, GA!

A Visit to St. Nick

Last Sunday, we ventured to Lenox Square Mall in ATL for Santa Photos. This Santa is normally for humans only, but they let pets join the fun for two Sunday evenings in December.As you can see by the photos, Di and Norm were excellent Cardigan ambassadors...one lady even knew what breed they were because she had owned a Pem! A Christmas Miracle! The only bummer was that Frank had his iphone stolen. Tis the season, I guess. 

Win Pic

Here is Diamond's win pic from Priceville. Cheryl always makes her look so pretty. Hopefully, we will go this weekend to see Santa at Lenox Sq. Mall in Atl. They let the official Macy's Santa do pet photos a couple of hours on two Sundays in Dec. It should be fun. Oh yeah... and the girls can have their picture made with Santa too :).

We have ribbons....

Diamond was WB and BOW Sunday in Priceville AL. Only one point (I think), but a good finish for her final entry in the 6-9mo puppy class. (She will be 9 months on the 20th). Now she will come home and have fun till next year. I am sure she will especially enjoy watching the Macy's Parade this year as Neil Diamond will be riding  and singing on the South Dakota Mt. Rushmore float this year! Then, of course we can watch the Philly Dog Show...We will be glad to have her home! I will post the win photo later when we get it, but here is a pic Cheryl snapped of Di 'laxin' in her crate:

Halloween Fun, Dog Shows, and Deer

Ready for Halloween...Sarah is Marvin the Martian, and Norm is Marvin's dog, Commander K9

 Emily and me are in our Star Trek Uniforms!

Costume parade at Kennesaw Show was led by Emily and Diamond!

Marvin the Martian and Commander K9!

Happy Diamond at the ATL Show a week b4 the Halloween Shows.

This was a pretty appropriate response to this judge for sure.

We have two young yard deer. They are so pretty and my cat stalks them.

Is it coming a flood soon, or what??

   
Hello, this is Norman and they made me model this orange jacket. I do not know why but they said they were selling some of these Fido Floats on ebay and needed a model. The one I am wearing was too small. I think it would fit Diamond better,but she is with The Boss. She used to be my boss.

    I am also supposed to tell you that Diamond was RWB Friday at the MD shows, whatever that means! Oh yeah...and I think I am going to try Lure Coursing in a couple of weeks if the weather will cooperate. I am going to be Commander Canine for Halloween (that's marvin the martian's dog). Mom will have to make the costume, though. Maybe it won't be too scratchy! I will post a picture of that!

The Remnants of a Good Time

This is the look of satisfaction after shredding the pillow on the sofa. She was only by herself for a few minutes. Norm says he had nothing to do with it!

Baby Steps and Norm's Visit to Grandpa!

Diamond participated in her first cluster of shows this past weekend... We came home with a couple of blue ribbons, and lots of new experiences for a barely 6 month old puppy. She had fun and is starting to learn how to be a show dog. Right now she is at Camp Cheryl  and she is entered a couple of days at Lexington this weekend. Super-congrats to Norm's sis Rosie for her 4pt major on Sunday, and to Tommy (ScoutxChase pup) for back to back majors in the ATL this weekend. It was all quite exciting to watch!

Here is Emily, Frank, Norman, and my dad in his room in rehab. Norman did well for his first experience in such a place. He got to meet some of the other patients/residents too!

 Norman is going to get to play therapy dog tomorrow (though he isn't yet certified or anything)...my dad is in rehab after a nasty blood infection and they told us that it was OK to bring our doggies. I am sure this will be a good thing for man and beast alike. Norm is so sad and lost without his little Di-Di!! I will have to post pics of this visit to the rehab/nursing facility too! I have since added the photo above! Norm and my daddy were very happy to see each other!

Resistance is futile...

"

"We are Cardigan...you will be assimilated....resistance is futile..."
They are definitely in charge. Happy 6 month Birthday Diamond!

Not Much Happening Here...

Hello, this is Diamond! I am trying to keep this big stick I found in the yard away from Norman....I also ate a book today, and threw up in the Element like three times! Like I said, not much happening here!

 BUT ...I hope to meet some new friends in Atlanta at the shows in a couple of weeks. We all think Norman needs to enter the weight pull 'cause he's so big and strong.... I will just be out in the ring looking cute and wagging my tail, I think. I will try to be a good girl!

Did I do that???

Hello, it's Diamond. They say I was bad and ate the purple Ikea bench. Was I really bad??

And they Call it Puppy Love...

Miss Diamond practices...Norman Barks

Our club had a match yesterday so Frank took Diamond out in the ring for some fun and Norman got to stay in his crate and...BARK. A good time was had by all!

I Am Cardigan, Hear Me Roar

Hello, this is Diamond. I got my Cardigan ears yesterday.  Everybody says they make me look very cute now that both of them are standing up.I also had to go see people who poked me with needles and things, and that microchip thing really HURT!!. The Dr. gave me a yogurt treat to make me feel better. Please look at the video below if you want to see what me and Uncle Norman do all day (when someone is around to watch us, that is...otherwise I have to stay in my "bullpen"). It sure is fun being a Cardigan! PS: You need to look at Emily's blog about me at diamondiscute.blogspot.com .

There's a New Kid in Town...

We were thrilled to go to Tennessee on Friday to pick up the newest member of our family, Grangefield Lyberty Cracklin' Rosie Make Me a Smile , "Diamond". She is Ch Winbucks Mosaic Wheel D'Fortune CDX HT (ferris) x Ch Grangefield Lyberty Savannah (jill). Norman is a very happy uncle, although I have to admit that Diamond will certainly be ruling the roost before many days pass. She is a fearless little spitfire, and we love it!

 She was born Feb. 20, which is also the same day Norm finished his championship. Diamond will be old enough to debut in the ring at our Club's practice B Match in June. Also... my 5yr old Emily has started her own blog about Diamond : www.diamondiscute.blogspot.com . There are some other photos on her blog from our trip to TN. Special thanks to Laura Prosser and Shirley Hobbs for entrusting us with this beautiful and SMART girl. I will co-own her with Laura.

Winner of the Silly Cardi Award....

Here are a couple more shots of Norman from Nationals. It is possible that he could have won the silly Cardigan in the ring award, if such an award existed! Please note in the first picture that he spotted me and became a total ham! We had a good time, and it was a great experience for all of us. I have about 2000 photos from Nationals (conformation movement and candids) that can be viewed and/or purchased at www.ashotinthebark.net/cwcca2011 . I have prints, digital downloads, and other merchandise (like mousepads) available. Even if you were not there, please just enjoy taking a look at all the dogs.

There will be a new and exciting announcement coming in the next couple of days! Stay tuned!