Saucie's California Debut

Well, I got up at 4:30 this morning , got dressed, ate breakfast , loaded the car with Saucie and headed to Santa Barbara for the Santa Barbara Kennel Club Show. This was to be Saucie's first time showing in California and my first time showing by myself. I got to the Warren Show Grounds in Santa Barbara, parked , got out to open the back (leaving my purse and keys in the car) couldn't open the door so I pressed what I thought to be the "unlock" button. Well, you guessed it, I locked the car with my phone , money, keys and worst of all "SAUCIE"!!!! I had arrived early and luckily a tow truck helped me by unlocking the car and I had time to spare.
Saucie was bathed and brushed and with a few finishing touches we were ready for the ring. I got a call of encouragement from my good friend Annette in Washington a little before our ring time. When our time came Saucie was a little shy of all the people, dogs and noise and had her ears laying back but with encouragement she quickly calmed down. Well, out into the ring we went and she did a fabulous job other than moving away from the judge during the examination. She stood perfectly and had a cute alert expression on her face. We didn't win but we were awarded SECOND PLACE!!! Now we are going to get busy and train for our next show in Santa Ana in Sept.where we want to win a Blue Ribbon (LOL) It is fun and I'm so proud to have the privilege of showing a Rise N Shine pom thanks to my very good friend Julie Clemen. We plan to make Julie very proud of us as Saucie and I learn the art of "Dog Shows" and become a working team. It was a long day, I got home about 5:30 PM, tierd, hungry but feeling very good about the day.

Saucie , Ready for the Show

School has started once again but for the first time in many , many years it hasn't been a big occasion. After being a district nurse for 17 years I find myself working as a Program Nurse for the Kern Co. Supt. of Schools in a program that has year round school so there isn't a beginning and an end to the classes. I work in Alternative Ed and do health assessments on students that are incarcerated or students that are attending Community School and the majority of my day is working with Pregnant and Parenting Teens. It is an exciting change and I still have a lot to learn but I think the change is going to be good.

I'm preparing to go to Santa Barbara on Saturday with Saucie where I have entered her in her first California show. I'm anxious to see how I do without my Washington friends at ringside but I know they are excited that I'm taking this big step. Saucie has been washed, brushed, trimmed , walked and practiced on the table so hopefully we are ready. Saucie has adjusted well to her new home and she and I have formed a real bond so hopefully she will trust me in the ring and together we can make Rise N Shine Pomeranians proud of us!! It will be fun and it will be good experience.

Saucie practicing her stand on the table

Relaxation

It has been over a year since Brad and I have taken the time to do something we both enjoy and find extremely relaxing --- Kayaking. It looks like a lot of exercise and it can be when the wind or the tide comes up but the majority of the time it is a very peaceful and quiet time just to relax and enjoy your surroundings. We've owned kayaks for three years and love going up to Huntington Lake, Florence Lake, Monterrey Bay, Lake Ming, Lake Isabella and Morro Bay. Last Saturday we packed up the car and kayaks(this is a lot of work and Brad does it so willingly because I am almost no help at all) and headed to Morro Bay.

AHHHH...... it was so nice to step out of the car and feel the cool air and feel the mist on our faces from the foggy clouds that hung over the bay. A lot more comfortable than the over 100 degree temperatures we are experiencing in Bakersfield! We paddled around Morro Bay for 2 1/2 hours looking at Pelicans, Boats, Sea Otters and just enjoying the ocean breeze. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious lunch , I had Clam Chowder in a Bowl while Brad had Fish N Chips. DELICIOUS!! It was a wonderful day, we enjoyed the time together, the time on the water and the time of relaxation.

Kim The Handler

This is a picture taken in Portland when I was getting my experience at handling show dogs. This is Windy who took 2nd that day in 6-9 month Puppy Bitches

Rally Advanced Title x 2

Official picture taken by photographer July 10 when Mick placed 2nd and Gage placed 4th in Rally Advanced. This was their 3rd leg with a qualifying score and they both earned their RA titles. It was a windy weekend in Ventura thus the windblown look.