A Responsible Boy

We went to AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day with Norman today. He happily sat on the table most of the 3hrs as a cute "display"....I only wish I had $10 for everybody that asked 'what kind of dog is that???' We even had signage with his breed and name. He was a very good boy.

So Fun, Show Fun!

Water Break!

We drove up early Sunday AM for the Chattanooga Kennel Club Show in East Ridge TN (about 2 hrs from where we live). Laura (norman's breeder) groomed and handled him for us. Norm was RWD to the very nice boy Nash. Norm's sis Rosie went WB for both days of the show. Congrats Rosie and Laura! Thanks also to Janet for her hospitality after the show. Scout loved rolling Norman in the yard!

Norman, the Builder

Norman is such a great boy with the girls. My mother recently found my old (like VERY OLD) Lego blocks and the girls were playing on the floor with them. When Norm came in , he just sat down beside them and watched intently. I would really like to thank Laura for entrusting us with Norman . He brings so much joy to our lives everyday.

Happy Birthday, Norman!

We had lots of fun celebrating Mr. Norman's Birthday on Thurs. Sept 2! Here's a short video I put together of the festivities.....

MAJOR NEWS!

Norman went WD and BOS for a 5pt Major under judge David Bolus at the Conyers Kennel Club Show in Atlanta on Sunday! A BIG BIG thanks to handler Cheryl Mika for offering to groom and handle him for us on Sunday. He just loved her! Thanks also to Laura for handling him in the breed ring while Cheryl handled Scout. Norm now has 8 points, and will be 1yr old on Sept 2. It was a fun show (close to home), and winning is a pretty good thing too. BTW, we all got to meet Chase and sign his book too. The girls were so excited about his autograph book that they went home and made one for Norman. They are so funny.

Observing the Pass-over

*********Seem to be getting passed-over alot these days.... we are finally back home after going to Greenville (awesome show!) and New Orleans (well at least the air was really working well!) The New Orleans show is a great example of the need for the 2 shows in one day format...only about 600 entries each day. Norman looked great in Greenville. He was the youngest dog there in a fairly large (well it was a major), so I didn't feel like he got much of a glance. But the judges really liked him. I think we had Carmen Battaglia the first day and he said he had a great topline. And they always like his head. He a got a little gift sunday in Greenville for best breed puppy (dinky purina bag) Then we get to New Orleans and the judge said he had a little hump in his topline. Can things change that fast (less than a week) with an 11 month old dog?

Anyway... he was rwd both days in New Orleans. On Friday, we had two judge substitutions. The orig judge's flight was late, so they bumped us back an hour, they they got another judge but she was in conflict with two of the other dogs because they are in her training club. So...they find another local judge BUT he is not approved for cardis or herding breeds of any kind. He actually got into the ring and asked the ring steward if cardis were a table breed. Bad sign. He poked and prodded Norman on the table in a very odd manner and then Norman was nuts so I knew we were finished at that point. He was better when he went back into the ring so we did get reserve.

We start conformation classes tonight so maybe frank and Norm can sharpen some needed skills before the Atlanta Shows at the end of the month. Hope to see you there! I made a bunch of pics of group and Best in Show Thursday in New Orleans with my new lens. To take a look go to my FaceBook album here.

Thanks for the Goodies!

A big thanks to Janet, Spencer, and Scout for the "Paw it Forward" goodies! Norman was excited to get mail! And the Cardi Decal will look fab on the Element too! Soooo....the first two people to post on this blog get Paw it Forward goodies from Norman and me. It might take me about 10 days to get something out...we leave thurs for the Greenville shows and then come home and leave the other direction for New Orleans on Wed. for the show at the Pontchartrain Center.

Norm, the HAM on the 4th.

Well here are the pics from the July 4th Weekend! Norm loved being in the parade, being petted by the boy scouts, and riding the float. (That was on the 3rd) ON the 4th we enjoyed some steaks on the grill and fireworks. I was amazed that Norm didn't really mind the fireworks, and we had some pretty big loud ones! The only time he barked was when other dogs in the neighborhood started barking. GOOD BOY, Norman! Please take a look at the short vid clip from the parade that I posted to youtube.

The Cover Boy

Norman will be the doggie cover boy for this coupon magazine that we advertise in (here locally). He is REALLY wearing the little hat! (But he is photoshopped onto Sarah's lap.) The pic of the girls is from last yrs 4th of July. I think this cover took about 10-12 pictures to make one cover photo. Maybe we should change our mascot from an eagle to a cardi!

Norman will also be riding our company float with me and the girls at the 4th of July Parade (on the 3Rd). I will have pictures and maybe even some video so stay tuned!

"Ring of Fire"

"I fell into a burning ring of fire

I went down, down down

and the flames went higher.

and it burns, burns, burns ....the Ring of Fire"

All I can think of is this Johnny Cash song when I ponder how hot is was at the shows in Asheville. I thought it was supposed to be cool in the mountains. Our ring times were 9 and 10, so it was not SO BAD....but the poor people and animals in the afternoon with forecast highs of 96 degrees. We stuck around sat for group so I could try out my new lens. If you are interested in seeing some more of my shots look at my FB page here.

Congrats to Norm's nephew Yippee for going WD on Sunday for a 3pt major. As far as Norm goes...not so much. He actually stacked nicely and looked good on the table...but movement-wise....he was totally...goofy. We continue to be learners.