While subjecting Nina to her Halloween costume last weekend, I noticed she was looking like she might be thinking about going into heat. Then Sunday she was near-perfect in agility class (always a warning sign of impending heat). And then Monday November 2 was day one. So this week we’re off on a road trip to hopefully get her pregnant! We will start progesterone testing her early this week. Further bulletins as events warrant.
Last weekend, at the Swedish Vallhund Club of America’s supported entry in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Nina won her first AKC championship points, taking Winners Bitch on the Friday and Sunday, and Best of Winners on the Saturday, for one point each day. Not bad, considering she had a really upset tummy on the Saturday and didn’t show very well! She was back to her usual happy self on the Sunday. Needless to say, I was thrilled.
Nina - Best of Winners. November 22, 2008
On Thursday I got a phone call from Animal Planet, asking if they could use a picture of one of my Vallhunds for a viewer poll on their website during the Eukanuba National Championship. So I said “sure, pick whichever one you like” (what, was I gonna say no?), and here’s Rakki at bottom right (relaxing on the deck at the cottage, looking stoned). His non-Amanda-website Intarweb debut lasted for as long as the herding group was on (Ingrid Low’s lovely CH Aros Brave Brewster won breed):
Close up (yes, I voted for him!):
So what did people learn from this picture of Rakki, representing his ancient, rare and noble breed to American viewers? Dude…wait…what? Vallhunds reprazent!
It snowed on my birthday celebration weekend (woo! Snow! Living with proper weather again!). Jennifer was here with the setters. Crazy runarounds (and therefore pictures) ensued!
Everybody bite somebody:
Here are some pictures of Nina’s brothers and sisters (and friends):
The whole gang watching for Ulla to come back from the barn:
We spent the weekend in Ottawa (Wednesday visiting with Al, then on to Ulla’s on Thursday), showing at the Ottawa Kennel Club show. Nina earned her first three Canadian Kennel Club points in her very first shows, taking Best of Opposite Sex on Friday and Sunday, not bad for a six month old puppy! More importantly, she had fun! As always, it was great visiting with Ulla (even if I did tell her grand-daughter that she was a “good puppy”…), and she even made me cinnamon buns (Ulla is a fantastic cook, and I said I wasn’t going to come unless there were cinnamon buns).
The Irish setters invaded again, and I have yet more crazy dog lady pictures to show for it.
Sullivan and Cillian:
These were taken today for Nina’s AKC registration application. She’s 5 months old now…some days she looks like an actual dog, other days she still has too many legs and a big giant head. She’s a total sweetheart, and SO smart!
Front:
Side:
Vallhunds play hard. I don’t say that lightly. It looks horrifying and sounds even worse. Their idea of fun is to run around, crash into each other, growl as loudly as they can while they snap their teeth and snort at each other, bite each others legs and wrestle like they’re on some kind of Ultimate Fighting show.
This is a promo shot from our horror movie “VALLHUND!” (the sequel to the movie “ROTTWEILER!”). Vallhunds have big teeth and apparently can suck their ears into their heads for safety:
