Mission Accomplished

We managed to avoid the cold and snow for 5 days - YES!

But seriously, ever since the AKC introduced the Owner Handler series In 2012, I wanted to support the program.  Dublin and I went out of our way to attend qualifying shows, and finished that test as one of the top owner handled ES in the country.

Then the AKC announced that they would invite the top 10 owner handled dogs to show at the Inaugural OH Series Finale at the AKC Eukanuba National Championship.  John said "you have to go".

We did and we won.

I can't tell you how it felt to be in the group ring with my beloved Dublin.  I realized, as I scanned the long line of sporting breeds wrapped around that huge and elegant ring, that the judge had a blank page.  No familiar faces to draw his eye.  No preconceptions about who were the top contenders.  This really blew me away.

I also have to say how wonderful the ES folks were.  Frazier helped me out before the breed, and Frazier, The Mowerys, the Vanns and other ES folks came to cheer Dublin on in the group ring.  That was sooo great!  Thank you!

We had a local friend - Susan Palius - to share grooming area.  Susan's Spinones is the #1 Agility Spinone in the country. They did great at the Agility Invitational, and also showed in the OH Series Finale and in the breed. They are an awesome team.  Rico loved meeting Molly:

Dubin also had family support-John's sister Kathy and her husband Frank drove up from Dafety Harbor to watch.  We all celebrated afterwards.

That was one LONG day. 

Saturday was the open show.  Tammy Vann's pretty blue girl finished her championship going best of winners!  We were among a tremendous group of specials.  Will never forget this.

Here John is babysitting while I find the ring and pick up my number

After showing, we did some shopping and strolling around the huge building.  Then we packed up our rented minivan, checked out of the hotel, and headed down to Safety Harbor for som relaxation before heading home.

Kathy has an awesome yard.  While Molly n Dublin played, John and I enjoyed the Florida warmth and hospitality of Kathy and Frank's tiki bar!

 

The next morning we all went to the village for breakfast, and then John's uncle Pete and his wife Linda joined us and we had a great visit.  Uncle Pete is also a submarine vet - WWII!

We left safety Harbor at @130 this afternoon and are now in South Carolina.  We will be back in the snowy north tomorrow.

This trip really was a classic JnJ Adventure!

Overwhelming

We were loaded up and back on I95 by 730 this am.  Toldja we had our rented minivan packed to the gills 

This was the first interesting thing we saw - South of the Border

John is pointing out the beautiful inlets around Savannah

We liked the Spanish Moss in Georgia

Saw loads of interesting loads on the road ;-)

Pretty cool Mustang eh?

This sign was a welcome sight

And this one made Jane cry.  It was overwhelming that we were actually making this journey

0thers on the road appArently shared our destination. These ladies from VA had agility Irish Setters.  We decided to get lots of cool car magnets like they had

15 hours from home, We felt very welcome Checking in at our wonderful hotel.  Definitely dog friendly!

After a short rest we went to the Conventiom Center and unloaded all our gear.  Dublin enjoyed some finishing grooming and a bath in one of the special  bathing stations.  He wasn't too happy with that.  Then it was back to the hotel for dinner and a well deserved rest for everyone.

Goodnight!

Somewhere Only We Know

Somewhere Only We Know is the name of the first big hit from the band that got me back into music, Keane.  Actually, we don't really know where we are.  We think that we are near the NC/SC border, and we are definitely at a Best Western off of I95, and we drove a bit over 500 miles today, but that's where we end it.

Our rented minivan fits all our stuff- bikes and dog crates.  The pups made not a sound the entire 8 hours.  Now, however, Dublin is crying.

He misses John, who went out to scrounge up some dinner.

Molly, on the other hand, is totally chill and loving her vacation-

John gets back and everyone is happy!

Goodnight!

And Now For Something Completely Different

Ok folks, we know that you are used to reading this blog to be with us on our epic cycling adventures.  Well, tomorrow we will set sail in a rented minivan with ... Well you will see.  There will be bikes - yes- but they may not be what you expect.  And some special friends will join us too.  

We have a lot of packing to do for this adventure.  Gear, special equipment, frozen sautéed liver.  Stick with us as we drive for two days to a location - yet to be disclosed - where we will live another dream.