Sandia Peak Tramway, Albq.Zoo and Thanksgiving

Yesterday Leonore, Nancy and I toodled up to the Sandia Peak Tramway for the view. All I can say is WOW!! Pictures yes, when I get home and reduce them. While you couldn't quite see the usual 100+ mile view from the 10,400 foot top of the mountain, you could see over 75 miles away , it was spectacular. It is the longest tramway of it's kind in the world and well worth the $17.50 to ride it up. Someday I'll come back and do some hiking about the top but not in hot weather, snakes and black bears would make it not the best choice plus I like cool weather better. We got some great photos and also saw a completely crazy couple of young men riding on TOP of the other tramcar. How do you get to do that we asked? You have to work here said the tramcar chick. Leonore and I agreed that with a safety harness hell yeah we would do it. Weather would have to be a might warmer though as it was around 35-39 at the top of the mountain but no wind so not bad. Where the two tramcars pass each other coming up and going down they are around 1000 feet above the ground or 7 seconds above the ground depending on how you look at it.

Then we headed to the Albq. zoo and just had a great time taking photos and admiring the animals. They have some magnificent specimens there most noteworthy the white rhinos, cougars, lions, and polar bears, the most arrogant wicked trio of bald eagles too. They also have the very rare Mexican wolf, some snow leopards (including a BABY one that was way too cute) and a lot of really interesting birds. We got to watch a kookaboora eating his dinner ( a mouse) and go through a freeflight cage with a huge flock of budgies to get to the koalas. We didn't make it to the aquarium so entranced were we at the zoo but that was OK, I really loved it. A rather weird thing kept occuring at the zoo though ( and I suspect it was because Leonore and I must be innudated in the smell of large predatory canines). The really big predators all took distinct notice of us within moments of our arrival at their exhibit especially the lions and polar bears. The golden tamarind primate thingies all got agitated and ran over and postured and chattered at us, and the poor red river hog ran to its barn door and "squealed like a pig " with ear splitting decibels looking over its shoulder ever so often at us. It must have realized how much I love pork tenderloin and bacon. We even had a large ornamental crane go complete beserk posturing, flinging its wings and running back and forth in its enclosure. Note to self, wear clothes fresh out of a dryer and just step right out of a shower before you go to another zoo.

Today was Thanksgiving and what a feast, fire rubbed turkey breast, brown sugar coated baked ham, roasted medley potatoes (red,yellow,blue) a casserole made of corn, grits, green chilies and lots of cheese, a salad and for desert Leonore's son Anthony made neat little individual chocolate volcano cakes. I took a taste of everything, it was yummy, managed to exercise self control and not eat enough to regret it though. Leonore's sister and her husband came over and after dinner they played several rounds of rousing, competitive dominoes ( I know nothing about the game), and our friend Susan Van De Water was also here from TX for Thanksgiving so it was really very very fun for me, I greatly enjoyed spending time with all of them.

Now we are praying that the weather front doesn't dump any significant water in Roswell tomorrow or Saturday or those of use with two wheel drive (even frontwheel) will not be able to get our vehicles on the back dirt roads to the coursing event. I am just not willing to sink my Caravan up to its axle for this when I could just drive elsewhere and free course on BLM land. The forecast has improved though and the chance for rain has dropped from 30% to 10% with great temperatures only in the upper 50s. Great for the dogs. The entry is huge for a Thanksgiving one day breed event (12) so I sure hope that rain holds off. We are heading out earlyish tomorrow morning to maybe drive down and see the VLA and the Bosque del Apache NWR.

Oh yeah it snowed like mad here for about two hours, just enough for me to get cute pictures of Vger in the snow. Tried for cute CJ photos but he would not cooperate.

Don't Ask Questions You Don't Want the Answer To

So yesterday Leonore and I are talking about our involvement in "corrections" (Leonore is involved in working with some juveniles, and I have spent 20 years working with adults)and I was showing her this neat little feature of the TN Dept of Correction website that allows you to look and see where the sex offenders are within a 10 mile radius of any address. So I entered my address as the example and wow 50 of them within that radius. You can also view their names, addresses and photos there if you are so inclined, youch. Jeeze is there something in the water there in White County TN, there are only a few thousand people in the entire county? A whole lot of attempted rapes and attempted sexual batteries so I am suspecting a whole lot of frustration going on.

These folks are feeding me so well I may be looking for property out here. Man, this deliciously seasoned chicken Sunday night, FIRE shrimp Tuesday night and last night went over to Steve and Joan's and had a perfectly seasoned chicken dish with asparagus (YUM), onions, tomatoes and mushrooms. Of course I did sneak in two small glasses of Yellowtail Shiraz ( couldn't let Steve and Rick drink alone) and then after we segregated to the men's room and the ladies room I proceeded to tell off color stories (Steve said I could just blame it on him so that's exactly what I'm doing ......bah haha).

This morning I am feeling great despite having hiked a lot of miles at some altitude yesterday, not sore at all. We will be tramming it and zooing it today.

Best Layed Plans of Mice and Men and Redneck Girls

OK Sunday we did the Salt Mission scenic trail and the 3 mission ruins. My God Abo is still magnificent. Even though I'm not Catholic I can appreciate the devotion to spreading God's word that these monks had to have to sail halfway around the world then do horseback almost across this continent to build mini cities truly in the middle of nowhere. Amazing at least to me.

Monday was Taos scenic drive up there, stopped at the Sanctuario de Francis of Asisi in Rancho Taos ( just South of Taos) a spectacular adobe church from the early 1800s. Did some shopping, took a bunch of artsy photos of some buildings. Then drove out to the Gorge bridge just West of Taos , WOW what a big hole in the ground. There was shopping to be had there too with Indians from Taos Pueblo there with their wares and offering great deals. So bought a little more silver there. Drove back on the scenic "High Road To Taos" hit the Sanctuario de Chimayo, that was very intense more on that when I am home and can reduce and post photos here.

Today Chaco Canyon was planned but a run in with a log and ruined rim on thefront of the van gave me a late start so I went to Petroglyph National Monument just West of Albeq. and hiked somewhere between 5-7 miles or so between all the canyons and the two volcanoes so I "ain't" mad or feeling sorry for myself. I had a great time keeping myself amused today. Tomorrow more local stuff like the Sandia Tramway and the Albeq zoo/aquarium. More later
Peace man
Sandra at around 6500 feet tonight again.

American Southwest Look Out

Here I am in Sandia Park at my friend Leonore's having spent two days on the road shopping and sightseeing (saw the OKC memorial and Palo Duro Canyon TX). Got a great leather belt and a few Native American Silver pieces. My friend Nancy who is traveling with me has outdone herself shopping though and has gotten great stuff also for her family and friends. I'm not like a big shopper myself but I have enjoyed finding a few things. Looking forward to the rest of the week and sightseeing here in NM (Chaco Canyon, Salt Missions Trail, Turquoise Trail,several other highlights). Try and see Mr. Rabbit a bit here and then the long drive home.

I'm not sure why the strange stalker I seem to have continues to try and harass me into some weird my dog is better than your dog exchanges because I haven't said a word about them or their little pooches in months. In fact until someone recently mentioned them to me I really had not thought of them. I hate to tell them that I have zero interest in whatever it is they are doing and burst their bubble but hey it is just the truth. Have fun, ignore what people are saying about you ( I do) and don't worry about where I drive to or how I get there. As a judge, I accept a fair number of judging assignments and driving to them ( since unlike many I live in an area that is hours from any events) is just part of the deal but I don't know why that would interest you little stalker. I've never gotten into any my dog is better than your dog arguments with you, nor have I ever claimed your little doggie wasn't a nice little doggie so get over yourself and look at the people who are trying to start some problem where one doesn't exist. I have traveled less in the last couple of years than ever, and find there are many things that I will change a dog event for including travel to watch other events, and have human fun. I'd suggest you try it yourself instead of worrying what someone else is doing with their dogs or their spare time. Hugs and kisses babe.

Next updates will hopefully be after more sightseeing. On the OKC monument, very sad, definitely something all Americans should see if they are in that town. Palo Duro Canyon, well worth the time and drive. Beautiful colors truly a work of God's art.

Ocala FL

The weekend after the PBR finals I flew down to FL, spent the weekend with my mother (we went to a Vince Gill concert and had too much fun). Anyway on Saturday I judged a supported entry sweeps there at the dogshow. My mother took these photos of me while I was judging. The suit is a cross between midnight and bright navy blue with harem pants, a beaded tank and a jacket with sheer sleeves. It's one my mother picked out, we apparently share a very similar taste in clothing and some other funny quirks like loving peanut butter with coffee and not eating the yellow parts of eggs. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Cowboy Petting Zoo

On Saturday in Las Vegas they had a PBR meet and greet where you could get an autograph(s) from your favorite rider. Yeehaw, if confining cowboys to an area where they must sit still, sign autographs, have their photos taken with fans and endure being touched (mauled) is not a cowboy petting zoo then I don't know what is. There were two photos and autographs I HAD TO HAVE. One was Guilherme Marchi who won the top PBR title this year after finishing 2nd the last 3 years, so that was the first line I hit. Wahoo! Jackpot! ChahChing! That's Marchi above and me, he is 5'9" 180 and a walking advertisement for Brazil and cowboy jeans. Holy mackerel. More photos of him later.

Then there is Adriano Moraes who retired this year the only bullrider to ever win the championship 3 years. 37 years old, Brazilian, 5'10" 185, boy did I get lucky, I was the last autograph he signed or rather my book was and only because this nice lady from ND shoved me physically into him and shoved the book in his hand and said PLEASE PLEASE she has waited forever. She also took this photo boy do I owe her. I can tell you being shoved into Adriano was no hardship, it was however kind of like walking into a tree, talk about firm and muscular. Egads be still my beating heart

OK OK you have caught me, I just happen to have some more photos of Marchi. OK OK I confess, I have a lot more than just these other two photos here, but heck it might look like I was a stalker.

I did manage to snap a few more of Adriano too or at least a few is all I am going to cop to. So here enjoy these too. I KNOW I enjoyed getting close enough to take them. Talk about dark and handsome. Yes I already have tickets for next year even though they are the same weekend as several pretty fun doggie events. Hard to imagine but some things are even better than supported entries and field trials. Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Nevada trip

OK I may be the only person who has ever been to Las Vegas and not spent a nickel on a slot machine however I did have a great 3 days out there. The afternoon of the first day was spent at Red Rock Desert National Recreation Area.

It is just a spectacular place and only about 20 minutes north west of Vegas. I won't tell you my tale of horror and my 4 hour flight to Vegas where a woman 5 feet from me puked for 4 hours, fainted and had paramedics waiting on her when we landed. No, let's NOT talk about that.
Instead lets talk about the bullriding I went out to watch. This first photo on the left the cowboy is upside down in the air on the left about to land on his left hand. The two bull fighters are distracting Mr. Bull to take him in a direction away from the cowboy landing zone. Below to the right is another cowboy doing that crazy thing of even considering sitting on 3/4 ton of hopping hamburger. Considering we were in the nosebleed section my camera got some really good photos of the action. Extendable lense cameras were not allowed and they did check your bags for them. Below left another bullrider is atop some big mean roan bull that is channeling a Lippizaner doing a capriole or some such airs above ground. These animals are so athletic and in tremendous condition. They were in pens for we fans/tourists to see and they don't have a hair knocked off of them by this sport. I would be rather remiss not to include one of the only two photos I got of Guilherme Marchi ( who was top PBR rider for 2008) riding on that Friday night. It isn't as clear as many of the other shots I got but perhaps I was so excited to see him ride that I wasn't at my best. You'll understand why when I put up some cowboy petting zoo photos.

A great time had in Louisiana

Have been busier than a one legged man in an @$$ kicking contest lately. Last weekend judged at a 3 day AKC trial in Bush Louisiana. Man, great folks, great field and great hospitality. They sure know how to do it in the deep South. Sherita my friend from Santa Anna TX was also judging and we stayed with a friend of hers in Covington who has the most lovely aviary with finches, and all sorts of hookbills big and little. I fell in love with the umbrella cockatoo they had. If I am ever retired and home more I would love to have one for all the company they are. They love people. Saturday night they had a ROAST HOG IN THE PIT there and it was FINE eating man. Oh my my, let me sing the praises of the pig. Yummy yummy yummy I got pig in my tummy. Anyway, they also had wicked red beans and sausage for lunch Saturday ( and rice of course for those rice eaters) Sunday they had turkey and shrimp gumbo and man oh man whoever made that roux, wow. Sherita had a good weekend with one of her boys picking up majors two days and a different boy picking up a major on Sunday. I can't complain either , CJ was BOB on Sat lost the Best in Field run by one point, on Sunday though Vger was BOB and won the Best in Field run. I really really love that little goofy dog. He is so sweet. You can see him at the bottom of my blog behind his cousin Tory "running wilder". So a nice big gaudy ribbon ( which is how I think ALL Best in Field ribbons should be) for the Vee dog, a 40 pound bag of Pro Plan and his name engraved as the first dog on a perpetual trophy for a deceased club member.

Counting down the days to Las Vegas, only 3 more. I'm excited but of course dread the flight and I'm not a big city girl at all.

Oh yeah, my big news is I am down to a size 12 which ain't bad for someone who is 5'10"

PBR in LV NV

The end of the competition year for Professional Bull Riders is the second weekend in November in Las Vegas, and I will BE THERE. Wahoo !! Never been to Vegas, not a gambler but bullriders and batwing chaps are reason enough to go!!

This amazing specimen to the right is Brazilian bull rider Guilherme Marchi, 2005 PBR averages champion, finished 2nd for the year the last two years and who is looking very strong to win it this year.

Found out when I was visiting my friends who were having the party last night that some other folks I know from here in White County are also going to be in Vegas that weekend for PBR. The more the merrier.

Way Cool Weekend or Going to the Dogs

to

Man where to start well first on Friday I drove up to KY and ran Vger and CJ . Vger was 1st in FCH earning a placement towards an LCM2 in case we ever get inspired to head there and CJ was 3rd of 6 to put him only 8 points from his ASFA FCH title. On Saturday I got word from my friend Shirri who was running him for me that he had been 1st of 5 to finish! Yay. His sister had finished her FCH the day before so that is 4 from that litter with the AKC FC and the ASFA FCH title .

Saturday I helped some friends work a race meet, no one with Borzoi showing up so no point in just taking my own dogs there and running against myself since I'm not trying to rank anything. However, the day wasn't wasted as I stopped at the fabulous VF Outlet mall in Calhoun GA on the way home and got some more Easy Spirit shoes AND a couple of awesome blazers and some jeans on sale. Later I got home and went to the Halloween party my vet and his wife had and spent several hours laughing and having fun.

Sunday in Nashville at the fairgrounds (also known as a raceway) I did the very rare trick of me showing a dog ie. Sailor that I coown with my friend Paula. Well he went WD for one point then BOW for a major with me tripping around the ring with him. Even better from a breeder's point of view my girl Tory was WB for her second major shown by my friend Suzanne who is her cobreeder. If that wasn't enough joy for one day I get a phone call from my friend Leonore in NM with Tory's brother Py and hear that he has gone BOB for a 5 point AKC lure coursing major to finish his AKC FC!!! WHOOP WHOOP goes I riding down the road. I am SO thrilled. He is such a good boy, truly the golden boy and not just in color. Above photo by Dan Gauss of Shot On Site is our Tory FC Avalon Victoria Cross SC, FCH in Jan of 2007. Tory has both conformation majors, is open field pointed and has all placements and 200 points towards her LCM. Yes I think she ROCKS.

Hope Springs Eternal

in everyone involved in breeding animals for a purpose whatever that purpose is. In my case it is a passion ( or maybe its an insanity) for breeding large well mannered, healthy sighthounds. Studying the pedigrees and the dogs themselves, often times working with friends who have similar goals ( that saves all of us from breeding a litter when we cobreed litters). The most current project just arrived yesterday ! The sire is group placing CH Avalon Prismatic Cobaka CGC, TDI , eyes CERF clear and cardiac OFA'd, DNA databanked owned by my dear friend Mary Lee Jenko in PA. Prism will be 6 years old in October this year and this is his first litter. Priz as he is affectionately called is this handsome white dog with spots you see in these two photographs. Mary Lee was one of those brilliant puppy buyers who wanted her first show dog to be old enough for her to tell about so she bought Prism when he was over 6 months old, gave him access to plenty of exercise, let him mature and trained him for the show ring with classes and also had a great handler friend who showed him for her due to her severe back problems at the time. Priz won WD at two big supported entries for his majors had BOB wins over specials at smaller shows from the classes too, it is a real joy to have been able to place a promising youngster with a truly motivated new owner. Prism is a big 33 inch hound with beautiful movement and type and a sweet loving temperament.

Dam of his first litter is a beautiful talented bright red bitch, DC Audruid Bremen's Techenetium of Ryhka MC,LCX, ORC owned by another good friend Diana Darling of Ryhka Borzoi in Maryland. Diana was good enough to do a cobreeding between herself, Mary Lee and me after she and I had carefully looked at pedigrees and what Techie's brother "Thor" had produced for me and in his outside breeding. Techie who is dedicated to the chase looked like a good choice as Priz really thinks that chasing plastic is probably a silly idea. Mary Lee called me yesterday from Diana's where she was there for the whelping of 3 male and 2 female pups all 14-18 ounces so big beasties. Two of the boys are the color of their mother black masked self reds (one of those boys will be staying at Ryhka) the other boy is a self deep mahogany brindle probably black masked but hard to say for certain about the mask at this stage of the game. One of the girls is also a self mahogany brindle (think Prism's spots color but all over) and the other girl is a spotted mahogany brindle marked a lot like her sire Priz. Needless to say I can't wait to see them. After Diana and Mary Lee pick their pups the other 3 babies will probably be coming to camp Quebeck to grow up a bit before I decide who is staying here. Techie's brother Thor has produced really well with the two girls from my line and an outside bitch, we hope to see the same happen with Techie and Priz.

Fall Creek Falls

Today was another spectacular fall day in Tennessee. My dad wanted to ride over to "the park" which in this neck of the woods is Fall Creek Falls State Park home of the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi river although as you can see with the drought this summer it isn't pushing a lot of water over the falls. Took several photos but the lighting just wasn't working today, wrong angles everywhere I was at, sun was just too high overhead so the readers are saved from most of these photos.

You've met my only offspring Mike here, and my mother now here's my Dad, Robert Moore, he is 66 years young and quite a beer fan if you could read this T shirt you would see it is a Benjamin Franklin quote that goes something like this. Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. As my Dad says "I'm an eccentric old &@$!@^# " . I've given him a bit of a time over his "going blonde" and that was his answer to me. Of course considering the menagerie that I live with, I am quite certain the same could and has been said about me.

Speaking of me, its me in front of a danger sign at Cane Creek Cascades. The park has a number of waterfalls and cascades in it, with Fall Creek being the "famous" one but the others are lovely too. I think I have found something interesting to do on these newfound Fridays I am off. There are a number of hiking trails in the park to various falls that I've never seen but guess what I bet I see them now. I love to get out and walk in crisp weather, I don't mind the cold, you can dress for it and cold means no ticks and no snakes two creatures that I really detest.

Snake Oil Salesman

I'm trying real hard to watch this debate and be unbiased about the way the two candidates present themselves ( obviously I am biased as to their politics) but McCain just sounds like a snake oil salesman. He has not answered the first question with a straight answer. Obama truthfully isn't faring that much better in terms of straight answers but McCain sounds like a repeat of Palin just constantly repeating himself that "I am the one", "I know how to fix this." Hell he has been in the Senate voting with Bushie for the last 8 years if he knew how to fix this why didn't he clue in his best buddy and his buddy's evil sidekick Cheney? Was it a special secret he could only reveal if elected President? Yay! I want to vote for someone to hold the country hostage for at least 4 more years. It has worked so very well the last 8.

Laughing at myself

OK, I was laying on the couch watching Black Ops (movie rental) with Lance Henriksson a few moments ago and thought what the heck have I done banged up my knee there's this knot there (anyone who knows me knows I am like Blunderella and typically have bruises here and there from stumbling or hitting stuff working on fences or moving dog crates or the dogs themselves) . Sat up and started investigating it, gee it isn't sore and realized it was just a bony protuberance of the knee I had not seen in decades I guess . So I fell out laughing like a hyena, good thing I have no close neighbors or that no one was here, I might be committed.

So I popped up and thought hmmm maybe I should weigh myself, I typically weigh myself on Mondays but a day early. Last week I had lost 3 pounds to the week before and usually I stick for a couple of weeks but I popped on the lithium scale and low and behold I've lost 4 pounds since last Monday. So now my total loss since January 17 is 100 pounds on the nose, add to that the 24 pounds prior to surgery and it's considerable, well a small person. Combine this with my actually having to go out and buy smaller jeans again and this time they are size 14 talls that I haven't been able to get into since high school THREE DECADES ago and I am really going "wow what a good week I'm having". I can't believe how good I feel, I realize I have traded off one problem (morbid obesity) for another one (permanent malabsorption of everything) but right now the hips, back, knees and ankles are all telling me it was a trade up.

I wish gas would stay cheaper, I would be everywhere.

My mother and I

While at Mt. Dora on Saturday night walking around the park there, we got this nice fellow to take a photo of us. Light didn't work well for portraits (shooting into the sun sucks) but since I presented a photo of my elusive offspring earlier, now I'll post one of my elusive mother. We have not had a chance to spend a lot of time together due to the miles of separation but we do have a lot of fun when we do get together.

A few more photos

I took some more sunrise photos it is interesting how you can change them a bit for effect. This first photo I edited a bit on the "cool" side.

This next photo taken in the same time period I edited "warm".

Pretty dramatic difference and it made sunrise look like sunset in the second one. Well, to my eye anyway.
A bit of a funny here now look carefully you'll see this sign says No life guard on duty. If you look behind the sign you'll see that the mat of weeds growing on the water at this spot is incredible. I have to wonder who on earth would brave alligators, snapping turtles and snakes for crying out loud in such a grown over place but I suspect with this sign in place that it has been an issue at some point. Any Jeff Foxworthy fans will appreciate this but I think that if someone wants to swim there then they probably need another sign besides this one.

To the right is the sunrise at Lake Dorr the way it was actually presented to me that morning, pretty spectacular without any help ( or was it hindrance). Mornings like this walking the half mile down to the lake, enjoying time with the dog(s) I had with me I can almost forget about my own petty concerns.

Some promised photos of Florida

OK here's sunset at Mt. Dora on the water. They have this cute "lighthouse" there. A few more sunset photos one just as the sun dipped to the horizon and another

literally seconds later, I

love the change in depth of red. This was Friday night before the trials in Altoona Saturday and Sunday Sept 26 and 27. The campground we were at was Chisolm Trail campground, it says Altoona but there was a sign right before we got there that said Pitt so I'm not sure but it is on Hwy 19 and was maybe 2 miles from the Rocking Horse Ranch where the trial was held. Literally next door to the campground is access to Lake Dorr which is one of the waterways in the Ocala National Forest. Apparently black bears abound because there are signs everywhere warning of bear crossings and not to feed them etc. The lady who owned the campground warned us not to walk around the front of the travel trailer too quickly and to make plenty of noise because they did have bears in there on occasion. (Sure made me wonder about leaving my van open with crates of dogs in it for the weekend). Of course as has always been the case for me the more signs there are warning about bears the less likely I am to see one. I did however catch some pretty wonderful sunrise over Lake Dorr on Sunday morning pictures.

What a fun weekend

Will have photos up after I can get home and edit them. Am posting from Paula's computer here in Roswell, GA. Anyway, spent the weekend in Altoona, FL judging an AKC trial for Sunshine State Coursing Club of Central Florida. OH MY GOD what a beautiful field!!! Sandy grass covered level horse ranch with live oaks covered with Spanish moss. Yes, I am a real live Southerner and nothing says deep South like live oaks and Spanish moss. Drove through a large portion of the Ocala national forest and my mother and I stayed in this vintage (1966 I believe) travel trailer literally on the boundary of the NF at Lake Dorr . (Sunrise photos of Lake Dorr are forthcoming) . On Saturday night we drove down to Mt. Dora and marveled at the beautiful water front homes, stopped at one of the parks there took some photos then drove back North stopping in Eustis at a restaurant called Steakhouse that was in the old downtown. If you go there you need to eat there. While it was a bit late for me to eat steak, I ordered their crab cakes and my goodness were they tasty. Had half of one then took the other half and the other cake back for my brunch on the field the next day. Steakhouse makes their own sauces and their remoulade is to die for. While in Eustis we took in the vintage car show, street after street of spectacular cars, (I could have licked the hood on that turquoise 1964 Stingray it looked so yummy). Fun time by all. Tarzan and Vger came back with 5 LCX points. CJ came back with 1 LCX point. Our competition couldn't make it back for Sunday but I know what it is like not to be able to get off work. I wish Florida weather was cooler and less humid, the state is such eye candy albeit in an entirely different way than NM and WY.

Stuck in Nashville

OK, I am stuck at a convention here in Nashvegas, it does beat 8 hours with 20 inmates though so that is why I volunteered for it. Unfortunately the Maxwell house won't let us check in our rooms yet. The clothing I wore I almost have to strip off everything just to go to the bathroom (I knew there were a lot of reasons it had been awhile since I've worn leather), and I shouldn't have had that last coffee.

Last weekend the LGRA meet was much more fun for me and the dogs than the dogshow would have been although I almost didn't get out of the state of TN due to panic gas buyers and not being able to find anywhere to gas the van up. Finally found somewhere at four freaking dollars a gallon and then I was outa there.

CJ surprised me he is completely mad about the jackalure and straight racing. I sure wish there was more of it around here. Vger and Beckett also had a good time but we found there is no way to keep a muzzle on Beckett for even a few seconds. He broke TWO of my Halemars so I bought some heavy duty plastic basket muzzles and he couldn't break those but he did manage to get them off and still get out of the box on time so that is probably the end of his racing. Everyone freaks out over dogs getting out of their muzzles even though he wasn't the only one that kept doing it, it isn't worth hearing all the whining. Need to run the boys every weekend so they will be in shape for OFC in November though.

Unenviable position

For those of us who were staunch Hilary supporters we are in a rather unenviable position. Many of us almost like McCain as a candidate, he is almost as close to Hilary as is Obama with both of them leaning off in different directions but neither of them are scary right or scary left. We prayed BO would pick Hilary as VP then that didn't happen and he picked Joe Biden. Not a bad choice, the fellow authored the big federal bill protecting women (well mostly women come on guys) from domestic violence that the states then all built on somewhere around a decade ago. At any rate still no Hilary.

So I waited with baited breath to find out what kind of choice would McCain have as VP, I even listened to his Rep convention speech ( and I didn't listen to any Dems this year so disheartened was I by Hilary's loss). He gave a great speech I thought but he picked a far right slightly out of touch with reality chick as his VP choice. Chah ching. So now it is so funny to occasionally be in the position of "defending" BO since I never voted for him to start with but it does look now as if the Reps far right leaning VP choice has pushed myself and many others there.

Don't get me wrong there are a couple of things I like a lot about Sarah Palin
a. She is in high state and now national politics without a law degree. No offense to my lawyer friends but I am sick of that being the only profession being represented in government administration and legislation. They can hire attorneys they don't need to be attorneys.
b. She is governor for Alaska not Tennessee. Enough said.

Equal time for the candidates.
McCain has a creepy smile, I hope his speech writers have duly noted this and will pen things that don't give him the opportunity to look like Herman Munster periodically.
Obama reminds me of a used car salesman for some reason I can't quite pin down. Maybe his speech writers could do something about that.

Anyway, enough on politics, I have decided to blow off the Atlanta dogshows and do something fun this weekend. Will write about it later!

Wahoo that should have been earlier

This should have been earlier in the week but dang getting the news that my work schedule is going to 4 days a week blew my mind and honestly I have thought of little else since I heard it I am so amazed, anway.....

Last Friday I heard from my friend Leonore that the golden boy Py finished his ASFA FCH title (WAHOO!!) Only a week before I had gotten the news that he had finished his RA (Rally Advanced) rally obedience title. It is just way too cool, he has really been a neat, fun and biddable dog that tries whatever she points him at. I have tried to update his webpage to reflect his new titles but right now Geocities and I are apparently not speaking the same language so I change it save it and then it isn't saving. I'm sure it will work out but it is irritating.

So that was the first big Wahoo the second one was that Vger (Avalon Dark Voyager of Ryhka JC,LCM) finished his AKC FC on Sunday last weekend winning a big open stake both days and BOB by forfeit on Sunday. Last year he was #1 ASFA Borzoi and finished his LCM, this year we decided to go for the AKC title, it went like this we went to TX trials in May the first day he was just out of the points , 2nd day he and CJ were tied for 1st for a 5 pt major in a 12 dog stake and since CJ was closer to finishing I forfeited V to CJ, V still got 3 points for it. In June I took he and CJ to an AKC trial in NC and on Saturday after prelims I pulled him as it was so hot and I had 5 dogs to run and walk out just too much frankly that day for me alone but CJ finished his FC on Saturday and on Sunday Vger picked up a 3 pt major. So then he was up to 6 points. Then last weekend on Saturday he was 1st of 8 opens for a 4 pt major to bring him up to 10 pts and on Sunday he was 1st of 9 opens and the owners of the FC stake winner wanted to get on the road and forfeited making the 4 pt major a 5 pointer and finishing him. So that was a thrill. He is a very cool compact (28.5 inch) little dog, quick quick quick too and fun to watch on the real thing WOW! Hope to do some more of that this fall with him.

Also this weekend another one of the Thor x Mattee puppies got her JC and had two practice/cert runs with other dogs ( one a boy and one a girl) to hopefully get her ready to compete in AKC and ASFA lure coursing this fall. Go Genie!

November is a BUSY month

I have an earlier post labeled my November NM (New Mexico) itinerary. The rest of the month of November will not find moss growing on me either though. Oct 31-Nov 2 I'll be judging AKC field trials in Bush Louisiana which is about 40 minutes north of New Orleans.

Nov 7 (Friday) I'll be flying to Las Vegas (arriving there around 10 am their time) for the Professional Bull Riding finals that night, Sat night and Sunday lunch time. Airplane ticket is already purchased and stuck on my bulletin board. I found a great cheap car rental and hope to be able to drive out and see a few things like Red Rock Canyon NRA or Mt. Charleston or Hoover dam. Flight times were not what I had hoped for on Sunday so I am stuck in Vegas until quite late that night then fly back into Chattanooga (via Atlanta) fairly early on Monday morning.

Then on Wednesday Nov 12, I'll be flying to Tampa FL and will get to spend 5 days with my mother in Zephyrhills, on Saturday I have a sweepstakes to judge at the Ocala dogshow then we are toodling back to Tampa I think it is for a VINCE GILL concert which is way too cool. He is probably the best male vocalist in country music right now. I suspect with his range if he had been born in Italy he'd be singing opera. Pavarotti would have found him. I'll be flying back from FL on Sunday Nov 16 then I actually have to work a whole week before scooting out of town and heading West on Friday November 21st.

In the midst of all this they just told us our schedules are probably changing from five 8 hour days to four 10 hour days. Now I am all for it, because it will save me a handy chunk of change that extra day of 75 miles round trip driving to work and back but it will take getting used to, getting up even earlier and getting home an hour and a half later.

December is a pretty calm month. I'm judging an ASFA trial in Calhoun that first weekend, then down to FL (Tallahassee area) to judge the region 7 regional trial the second weekend, then nothing until I head West towards Deming NM at the end of the month. Looks like I'll have a couple of friends from AL caravanning (following) out there with me so I anticipate having a really good time. Touristy things are always best shared with good friends as is watching good dogs chase jacks.

I don't want to talk about politics but

Man, I could make some money if I collected $5 everytime I heard someone say, "well I don't want to talk about politics but....". There is always that but. The closer to November the more upset everyone gets when they discuss that which they do not wish to talk about but........

My take on it is pretty simple. If someone launches into a statement about how wonderful they think some politician is, unless you are at a fan club meeting for that particular fellow or gal then you can inevitably expect that not everyone shares your views, and someone may well be happy to launch ICBM's into your statement, or they may just say I didn't like that guy, I think he was senile or incompetent or impotent or whatever you want to insert as a descriptive adjective there. I try not to discuss how wonderful I may have thought this politician or that one was but there's always someone who wants to and when I trot out my favorites it seems to make them feel the need point out how awful that "other side" is. It's all pretty fruitless.

The other one I hear at work a lot (one of my coworkers has an offspring elected to a minor state office) is well I won't talk politics but blah blah blah just want to do this or give that away or blah blah blah. Newsflash, that IS discussing politics if you are trying to ascribe what you consider a negative trait to the "other" side whatever the "other " side is. What happens then is either
a. you are surrounded by those of like mind and everyone bleats in rhythm about how great their side is
b. you offend someone from "the other side" in earshot and they feel compelled then to remind you of all the shortcomings of "your" side so then you feel offended and don't understand why they are talking politics
c. you are ignored because you are trying to discuss it with people who either don't know or don't care about the issues you consider important or who don't like "your side" but who are not willing to discuss it like the "B" people above.

I am not looking forward to the next two months with everyone around me asking me what I think of this person or that person or just wanting to discuss this person or that person or what they think it is one side or the other stands for. Pick your side carefully, vote your conscience but don't try to make it someone else's.

November NM itinerary

Looking at a November calendar it appears that:

Friday November 21 my van will be PACKED and ready to load out. I'll be arriving home at 4:15 PM, loading Kix and Vger for sure and then (To the right is what I really hope to see a good bit of! ie. Borzoi chasing rabbits) probably Beckett and Charo (and probably Umber who goes everywhere with me) for the long drive West. I expect I will arrive in the Little Rock area between midnight and 1 AM Sat morning. Name of the game will be drive drive drive, walk dogs when I get to either a hotel North of Little Rock ( there's a pretty nice motel 6 there I've stayed at or go to my friend Rebecca's, Rebecca is South of LR and more comfortable to stay with dogs by far so even though it adds time to my drive the next morning I think probably Bauxite is where I'm headed. This piece of the trip is about 30 miles to I40 for me then 288 miles West out of TN, then another 150 into Arkansas.

Saturday November 22 wherever I'm leaving from I hope to get up and be on the road by say 7 AM, my atlas says Oklahoma is around 330 miles across so hoping to cover the 150 across the rest of AR and then through OK to arrive in Northern TX maybe by 3 PM? Gotta have a dogwalking in there somewhere after leaving AR. There's 176 miles to cover in TX and there is a canyon that I really want to see (Palo Duro) just south of Amarillo, and of course Cadillac Ranch which I have driven past but didn't get photos of before. So my timing for this I'm not sure of. I'd love to be at my friend Leonore's house Saturday night but realistically I am thinking maybe staying at the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari if they will allow dogs. This would keep me from staying on the road past when I should really be off of it and I get to take photos in the canyon, CR and maybe a great sunset in Tucumcari. I love the mesalands.

Sunday November 23rd I hope to be up and at em again by 7 PM maybe earlier, looks like I have around 150 miles to cover to get to Leonore's Rancho Abordo in Sandia Park which is quite close to Sandia Peak so I am hoping to be there say nineish in the morning (I'll try not to get terribly distracted on the drive over . So maybe after 2 days and around 1600 miles on the road with 4 or 5 furry riding companions maybe Leonore will be up for "local" sightseeing that day. I'd like to hit the Peak/tramway and then afterwards drive up Turquoise trail and actually stop at some of the cool places on that route, there are a number of ghost towns I think and ruins of old ghost towns.

Monday November 24th-You know there is so much to do in this state it is unreal but I have tried to look at things that won't drive me to death before a weekend of walking in the desert . I think Monday will be spent going to Quarai, Grand Quivera and Abo at Salinas Mission National Monument, they are all in the same vicinity south of Sandia, maybe also hit Sevilleta NWR on the way back up to Sandia. If not Sevilleta then maybe the Very Large Array near Socorro NM.

Tuesday November 25th I hope that I am not driving my host crazy by then or that my dogs are not. You know what they say about fresh fish and out of town guests, they both start to smell after about 3 days . Leonore mentioned Chaco Culture National Historical Park and said "like no other place on earth". For my part I never feel closer to God than those rare moments I can be in a vast wilderness. The first overlook at Yellowstone where Yellowstone Lake glitters like the biggest sapphire in the world made me weep. I cry at anything maybe it's being middle aged. When I was driving through Gila National Forest back in February one of the overlooks (Emory Pass) at 8200 feet has a 40 plus mile vista. I had to get some paper towel out for that one. Miles and miles I'd drive and never see anyone, however I am now digressing from my November itinerary and getting maudlin. I am sure whatever Leonore comes up with to do will be spectacular, she lives in a state with rare wild beauty everywhere and most of it I haven't seen.

Wednesday November 26th-Gosh I guess I'll save the rest of it for another blog entry. I will say that I am really looking forward to Leonore's authentic New Mexican Thanksgiving!

The week FLEW

Last Friday night after work I whizzed down to Calhoun, GA to get ready for the first Silken Southern Independent Specialty shows and lure coursing trials. Had the van already loaded just had to tell Umber, let's go. Serious traffic and a wreck blocking downtown Chattanooga slowed me down a bit but still got there before dark. My friends Francie and Chuck arrived shortly after I did, and other friends from FL too. Shirri had prepared an incredible pork roast and some salad of which I partook, then we watched some bullriding ( wasn't PBR but there were a couple of impressive bulls and rides there). Everyone but Shirri and I went to bed and we zoomed down to Walmart so I could pick up breakfast muffins for folks the next few days, some ice for the cooler and an OTC drug for myself as it looked as though I was being visited by a UTI so needed some relief with a long weekend ahead and no doctor in sight.

The event was well attended, and I think/hope everyone had a great time, I know I did. Great people, great food and fun little dogs the Silkens are. Here is a rare photo, me in a dress showing a dog (this Silken is Ultima who is Umber's sister that lives in FL with Gretchen Goode and I just LOVE her) so I must like them as the Borzoi only usually ever inspire me to wear slacks.

At any rate I finally gave up on the idea I would get better without drugs and went to the Dr. Friday after work where he found me to have a raging bacterial UTI, oh joy and now I get Cipro ( yes the drug you take if you are exposed to anthrax) which is a PITA because you can't take vitamins /mineral supplements for 6 hours before or two hours after the pills as it bonds to metals and becomes ineffective. Oh yeah and you are advised against exercising other than mildly because of the number of Achilles tendon ruptures while taking it. WTF? Great I can't take my vitamins or exercise for a week, that is really going to be great for my fitness plan.

Next week total hell week, three days I have to go in at FOUR AM due to an inspection. Then I'm off to Chattanooga Friday morning for 3 days of judging and lure coursing, entered my GH in the shows but that may have been for nothing, hard to say GH judging is pretty dismal usually.

Roma at heart

Although it isn't quite fall yet, the weather here has been pretty glorious the last week or so, upper 80s at most and then only briefly, mostly in mid or even lower 70s thanks to hurricane Fay, so it FEELS like fall. That's all it takes for me to get this urge to be going or doing every fall just like clockwork. I don't know if it was all those years spent in school when you know you are going back in the fall thus you are "doing something" or just some strange seasonal wandering urge I get but I could just take off in the fall and spend the season going hither and thon (great archaic phrase).

Just knowing that I have plans to spend a week roaming Northern NM ( in November) and then another week and a half roaming Southern NM (in December) at least gives me some hope for venting this frustration I have right now with being a responsible human that goes to work every day when I really want to be wasting that $3.50 a gallon gas burning up the roads headed toward the sunset. I'm going to come up with an itinerary ( subject to change of course but I'm pretty anal retentive about schedules so it probably won't change much) for both of those trips and post them here in hopes some other adventurous souls might want to either ride out there with me or caravan along.

What a job

I'm not sure anyone would believe what my job was like if I told them. Even on film I suspect it would be surreal and people would say, "yeah that's Hollywood for you." I have 20 students all of them adult convicted male felony offenders, some for violent crimes, some for property crimes. No boy scouts here. Do I know what they are in for? Well, if I want to know I can find out with a phone call but for my purposes ( teaching) I don't need to know. My exception to that rule is if I am going to have them help me on a project that requires me to be there early when I'm locked up alone with a group of 4-6 or 7 at 4 AM then yes I want to know but for the most part no I don't care.

While only one of the mission statements of the department is to help reintegrate these men back into society, my theory is that is the most important one. Specific skills aren't nearly as needed by most of these guys as are social skills because believe me that they are lacking. If they are working on a project with someone and they think the person they are working with isn't trying or needs to do something differently do they ever TRY to have a calm discussion with their partner? Almost never. Instead they run to me, "Ms. Moore, Ms. Moore, I can't work with Billy Bob, he gets on my nerves or he is lazy or he won't do this or he can't do anything right or he has a booger on his lip." You get the idea. I say"Bubba, have you tried talking to Billy Bob?" "No, I just can't talk to him."

Yes, it is like they are socially retarded, so I mediate it seems most days in the hopes that when some of these men leave that they won't come back (recidivism rate is around 50% though) because they are so unable to cope with work partners that they beat somebody senseless at their first job post release.

Yes, my knives are chained and padlocked to the work tables. Hard to chase somebody around with a 250 pound stainless steel table attached to it.

Had to change my blog colors

It was pointed out to me that a psycho had copied my layout and colors so I thought I'd change it a bit. These are kind of wild but they'll do for now. Was out walking earlier just thinking about my NM trips this fall. I can't wait. I sure hope my little dog Vger heals up for those. Looks like he is out for September and maybe October but if I can get him in shape by the end of November I'll be happy.

I've been tagged!!

Not quite like a whitetail deer but tagged nonetheless by my friend Todd to come up with 6 things that the generic you may not know about me. So here goes.

1. I have a bachelors degree in psychology and lack a masters degree by 2 classes, unfortunately it is doubtful I will ever again be motivated enough to go back but I'm not unhappy or unfulfilled about it.

2. By trade I am a teacher in a medium security male prison. So really if you want to offend me or scare me you'll have to up the ante a lot.

3. I have bred over 30 American champion Borzoi ( conformation) a few that finished in Europe and two that were Canadian champions. I don't particularly like dogshows (although they can be fun places to socialize and see old friends and make new ones) so most of these were finished by their owners not myself. Where most of my money is spent is at performance events and have bred over 35 Borzoi that made it to at least their FCH or AKC FC some of them are AKC dual champions, multiple LCM titled dogs including two #1 ASFA Borzoi, also a handful of straight racing dogs including two #1 Borzoi there (one number 1 all breeds) and what may be my proudest moment was hearing from a friend that a bitch of mine that she owns finished her NOFCA CC this year. If only I could get to those fields more often!

4. I have drawn in charcoals, pen and ink and dabbled in painting over the years. Once upon a time I actually won a 1st place for a pen and ink drawing I did at a local art show ( yes there were way more than one entry ) . It was of a Borzoi head, imagine that. Sometimes I think when I retire I need a little shotgun shack not too far off of some Interstate out west ( I10? I40? I80?) where I can paint bad sunsets and rocks and sell them to tourists . What a great retirement that would be.

5. Despite having a houseful of "death" to cats, I actually own two housecats Beevis and Peaches. Peaches is a GA girl about 9 years old that my friend Vickie Littleton gave to me before she moved to VA. Beevis is just a local double for President Clinton's cat "Socks" . Actually I only have one dog that would bother the housecats, the rest of them have had a faceful of Beevis and his claws and think it best to leave him alone.

6. Prior to discovering the still great American West my vacations were always spent on the Gulf Coast of Florida swimming, and snorkeling which I love to do. Then there was that year the bull sharks tasted all the tourists and suddenly the thoughts of swimming in places I'd gone before lost it's appeal. Of course it doesn't help that New Mexico and Wyoming are so scenic and have jackrabbits either.

Feet of Clay

I am so unenthused about both of the presidential candidates I could puke. One that cries "change" "change" but has nothing of substance to say much like a parrot that has learned one word, the other a fellow that up until this election I rather liked because he did often "buck" his party but now that he is a presumptive nominee he is stepping in line and marching with the good ole' boy conservative band again.

My great grandmother was a very dark skinned, black eyed little lady born in 1897 who remembered when women weren't allowed to vote. Before she died in 1978, she instilled in me the importance that women SHOULD always vote, we have been disallowed this right in the past, and to not vote lays waste to all the work and magnificent sacrifice of those that came before us. Pearlie McKinley Cope walked everywhere and come election day she would walk several miles to wherever her designated polling place was if need be. So, I really feel like I must vote.

Feet of clay is a reference to neither candidate however but one of the possible VP choices for Obama, ie. Edwards. Now while I don't care that Edwards had an affair ( any more than I cared that Clinton did which is NADA) he did voice some minor distate about Clinton's behavior at the time everyone was flapping their arms and squawking about it. I had hoped that perhaps Obama would pick Hilary or Edwards as his Veep but Hilary didn't make the short list and Edwards obviously is no longer a player in many senses of the word. A shame too for many reasons.

I keep hoping McCain will pick someone like FL's governor Criss as his Veep candidate because from all of his environmental work that I've been reading about, party be damned he may be a sheep in wolf's clothing and I might be able to stand that ticket.

How do Florida folks do it?

How can you live somewhere that it seems every year at least part of the state has to make a mass exodus due to the possibility of a hurricane hitting the state? Even though I must grant that Florida is one of the more spectacular states to drive through ( like eye candy), the thought of having to live in fear like that would not drive me to retire there as some do. Of course it was pointed out to me that unlike tornadoes that are regular monsters in Tennessee that hurricanes do give you notice. "Hey everybody in a 50 mile swath GET OUT, GO NORTH JAM I75 up like a can of sardines"

I really enjoy my trips to Florida when I go but I can't imagine having to pack up my animals ( and I damn sure am not leaving without them) for such an event ( or multiple events) as this. God bless Florida and keep them through the hurricane season this year.

More Do as I say Not as I do

It would be funny if it didn't have such far reaching repercussions for the animals but the cyberworld is just rife with discussions on email lists about what it is that constitutes a responsible breeder. Some of the expectations that supposedly we have of each other ( and that buyers have of us) are
a. that puppies be microchipped or tattooed before leaving
b. that health testing be done on parents and either in a database or proof provided
c. that the ability to keep an entire litter be present before you do the breeding ( this was hammered into my head by my "mentor" in the breed and it is something I have kept)
d. that the parents have some sort of bona fides ( either in beauty or performance, now while this isn't a requirement it is usually a preference)
e. that the puppy be warranteed

Apparently though these things seem to be only important as long as some are discussing other people's dogs or practices. Classic examples
1. the MANY MANY breeders who do not microchip their puppies, this is far further widespread than I would have thought and some of the most supposedly enlightened breeders have placed puppies far and wide without any permanent ID. So what happens if the dog is lost?
2. Breedings are routinely done with no health testing, sometimes the reason given ( and I just LOVE this one ....not) oh the dogs were TOO YOUNG TO HEALTH TEST. EXCUSE ME but CERF registers dogs no matter what age they are. It doesn't take a rocket scientist either to take your dog to a veterinarian or better yet a cardiologist for an auscultation and it costs less than a bag of dogfood to register these results. Come on people give something back to the breed. What is funny is the people some of them highly educated calling some of these backyard crazies and inquiring about these puppies. When asked why "oh I might find something good". Well honestly as if a complete novice could sort through a pedigree (that is assuming the breeder knows anything other than who the parents were) and figure out who was healthy , who died of bloat etc.
3. I actually had someone get all fluffy like a cat's tail on some list when I commented people should be in a position to keep the entire litter before breeding one. Poof, novices came out of the woodwork to tell me I'm wrong about that one. SOrry Charlie Tuna's but that one I am dead right about. If you can't keep them you don't need to breed them.
4. See section 2, as if most rank novices ( and some not so rank)
could sort a pedigree or pick a good puppy
5. What really bowls me over or yanks my shorts are people who quiz quiz quiz you out , all bout the dog or it's parents, etc etc. Then they show up 3 months later with some dog that they found at "Super Elite kennels" that has a bad bite missing a load of teeth and a gay tail, no front, and guess what their contract covers nothing at all IF they actually have a contract. What happened to these enlightened , concerned buyers? Were they only interested in asking questions if the puppy was possibly coming from a real breeder but it's OK to meet none of the responsible criteria if you just had two dogs running in your yard and decided to let them have a litter. I really cannot follow the logic on this one

Bloodwork update

everyone after my last Vanderbilt visit July 17. Well although my iron and vitamin D levels still show low on the blood work, my nurse practicioner said that she was pleased as my "stores" were back up so she added a vitamin D to my regime, and another calcium ( Lord I take FIVE big calcium citrates with D a day now) and said to go to non Rx iron in addition to the two multis I take daily so that was good news. Even better news she said if I didn't lose another pound I would be considered a success story for them as my fat % of body weight is now in a normal range and I had lost 40 pounds in the last 3 months but built 20 pounds of muscle ( meaning I lost 60 pounds of fat). She said that she never sees those kinds of numbers on patients and is constantly having to encourage patients who are losing to exercise so that they don't lose muscle mass too ( and I had lost 20 pounds of muscle in the first 3 months when I lost 47 pounds). So I am just keeping on doing what I'm doing, a lot (6 miles daily 5x a week) of power walking and I've added a light workout (for toning) 5x a week with weights that was written up by one of my students that is an ex body builder. I just started that last week so it is way too early to report on it but I can tell you that I think I could walk just about anyone down to a nub in the open field at this point even though I am "pushing 50" (well I'll be 47 in January). I can't say enough good things about my surgeon Dr. William O. Richards and his team at Vanderbilt, they are truly a compassionate and talented group.

While we are talking about old dogs

Another really difficult thing to do that only applies if you are a dog breeder is balancing when you are able/ready to breed a litter with when you really "need" to do it. Now you should never do it if you don't have the space or finances to keep them all if it came to that, even though that is rarely the case in today's economy you really don't know. Sometimes you have the space and $$ but it is so much work and so emotionally draining that you aren't up to it and sometimes you have to make yourself be up to it. Why? There's a dog or a bitch you "need" to use for whatever reason that is of an age that to wait makes it marginal either that they will be fertile or that it will be safe to try ( mostly with a bitch). A friend of mine was in that position this year with bitches all getting older so she bred them and luck smiled on her with one litter being quite small, the other one completely spoken for and two of a moderate size with a lot of interested folks. This year is sort of the same thing for me, I had a 5 year old bitch I bred absolutely lovely puppies all spoken for quickly now if their mother only grows some hair back she can go out and look for her finishing major. That was the easy one. There's also an 8 year old very healthy beautiful girl from one of my earlier litters everyone loves her curvy, broad muscular and pretty from a litter strong for prey drive and good bites and dentition. Two of her sisters have had a litter. One of them bred to a nice dog but not the dog for her (my opinion and I get to have one as the unwitting cobreeder) as he shared her same faults and strengths so to my taste the litter was like the parents and just sort of plain but sound. The other sister was bred to a dog very different from her but related and produced a spectacularly good litter both in the ring and field ( field as in open field). I didn't keep anything from that first litter and the one I had from the second litter was lost sadly at a young age (3) which makes me a little more "hungry" to breed their sister. Another breeder tried to buy her years ago ( but she had actually just been sold to a novice who later returned her for being the "wrong color" as though that was something that had changed? ) and yet another leased her to try for a litter when she was a two or three year old but she is BIG and they were unable to get a live cover, the AI didn't take and I don't think they ever had a litter sired by the dog they wished to use with her. As usual I digress. Anyway, her owner and I may just bite the bullet this year and try one last time. This is one of those breedings that as a breeder you truly do for yourself because nothing else would make it worth the worry. I am pretty nervous about that though due to her age and I may just schedule a C section for her, I don't know.

Of course she isn't the only girl whose born on date is getting older and older. Another dear friend of mine has a bitch I bred who is over 6 years old pictured to the left here. My friend has only bred 2 litters in 30 years of being in the breed although she has cobred 3 other litters whelped here and enjoyed puppies from those litters. She does a lot of local mixed breed rescue and has been dedicated to that forever so it is rare that she has the time and energy ( she also is a teacher ) to even consider a litter but she has also had bad experiences with some litters in the past she tried to breed with older bitches so she decided this year she was going to breed her girl if she passed her health testing ( which she did). She sent her over here and I AI'd her with a younger male (2 year old) who just passed his health testing and conformationally is a great match for her. Time will tell if she is pregnant or not. She went back home the weekend after her AI's and I imagine I'll exercise my option to take a puppy from the litter and to cobreed it since both parents are of my breeding and I had input on it. Fortuneately there are several folks/friends and breeders who already want a puppy from that litter so I hope to be able to help her place them. Her pedigree has two of the most dynamic performance males in the breed close up and the sire while unrelated has two more truly talented males very close up. I think he himself has the potential to be a powerful sire for those wanting to breed performance dogs that they can show.

Hope is really all we have when it is all said and done now isn't it? After the hard work and thought that goes into anything that is.

The old and the not so old

Here's a picture of Neechee the "old man" here at 9.5 years old. While his face is finally starting to gray and he has slowed down, he still considers it his job to rage at the cats through his crate once a month (Oh how I would love to have him running loose inside when I get home in the evenings but I'd have to sacrifice the cats and that isn't going to happen) and to sniff the fluffy girls and see if they might like an older man. It is one of the more difficult things about dog ownership watching them age but the alternative having been through it is just as bad. The longer they live the more they entwine themself with you though, losing a young dog is tragic, losing an old dog is epic, so long live the Neech, I don't need any epics for awhile.


On a lighter note this tiger stripey looking pup is "Ruslan" or Avalon
Zavaristsky Athos from our "Z" litter. He is living large in Kansas and his owner who is a very good dog trainer is already channeling some of that puppy energy into the organized pursuit of a dumbbell. Bully for her!!

Nice Visit, Fall Schedule and Sundry

My mother had a chance to drive up here and visit for the last 5 days. We had a great time, the weather cooperated and we didn't have anything over I think 88 degrees here so it was really nice. It is unfortunate Florida is so far away but it just leaves me something to look forward to when I fly down there in November.

A heads up for anyone flying to Florida there is an airline called Allegiant Air and they are headquartered in Florida and have ridiculously low airfare, example my roundtrip ticket to Tampa from Chattanooga is $192. Now I don't know about anyone else but I certainly cannot drive down there for that.

This weekend I hope its nice and pleasant too since I'll probably be working on the yard some. I think Suzanne is coming over to visit Saturday. One more at home weekend before Labor Day weekend which is when we have the Silken Windhound specialty in Calhoun, GA, then everything gets crazy. My September schedule tentatively looks like this
an asterisk * means that particular weekend isn't in stone but the weekends I'm judging of course are since you commit to those months ahead of time.

Sept 6 and 7 AKC trial in Arkansas *
Sept 12, 13, 14-ASFA, AKC trials and Shows in Chattanooga, TN
Sept 20th-dogshow in Atlanta with the Borzoi entry supported by
the Borzoi Club of Greater Atlanta
Sept 27 and 28-judging AKC trial in Altoona, FL which reminds me I need to make hotel reservations

October is an open month right now. I have really sort of stretched myself thin in November with an event most every weekend, will put those up here later as we get closer to the events but those events are all in stone as they either involve judging or my trip out to New Mexico. December is going to be a bit slower with just an ASFA trial at the first of the month then judging the regional ASFA trial in Tallahassee then nothing until the last week when I'll drive out to Deming.

Butterflies peacocks and projects

Two of God's gifts to the world. They are nothing but eye candy, and I LOVE them. We have a couple of butterfly bushes in the front yard, now in the sweltering heat of summer they are covered with butterflies. Here's a handsome tiger swallowtail ( I think that is what they are called). I took a bunch of these photos some are good enough for enlargements which I'll probably do just because I like them. Well, apparently you'll have to wait for the photos this *&%^$% blogger site won't let me upload anything tonight and no I haven't used all my space here. Crap . Apparently it has been going on all day today when I read the help site lots of folks have posted about their inability to put photos up. Finally 8/5 I loaded the photos, argh.

Here is my pair of black shouldered blue India peacocks. The one with the darker chest is the male, the light grey is the female. They are only a year old, she won't lay eggs for another year and the male won't have a train of any real sort for two more years. We also have a pied India blue male that was hatched here about 4 years ago and this year he finally had a beautiful tail. (Did you know they shed the tail out and regrow it every year).

Another bit of eye candy here is my most recent project, a new walkway in the front yard. It was a bit of sweaty manual labor but I love stuff like this. Next I think I'll fix up maybe an 8x 8 section with pavers and put a nice wrought iron bench on it and bird bath and some more solar lights.