Fish Story

Every once in a while you have to do something that doesn't involve work, dissertation or dogs, so for Mike when he had a chance to try an outdoor adventure he jumped at it. The Manistee River was flowing with opportunity. What's for dinnner Mike?

Mike's Rig Run

While I was home trying to work on my research (the power went off because of high winds and I lost what I was doing on my computer), Mike met up with Bill and they went out for a rig run. Here Mike is coming in at full speed with Austin (left) and Cruiser. Get out of the way!

Boston's New Title Picture

Here is Boston at the national in her "new title" picture. She was rather dirty that day since she was blowing coat and we didn't want to wash her. The next day she has a bath and lost most of the rest of it, so I'm glad we waited. I figurine she won looks very nice against Jeanne Nonhof's red sweater. On the other hand my Samoyed necklace is askew proving once again that I need someone to manage my posing or perhaps just my getting ready in the morning!

Mike and his gal Korbel

This is Mike's first ever Samoyed national placement. I think the two of them can be quite proud of their moment on the podium! On the left is breeder judge Lia Benson and on the right is SCA president Jeanne Nonhof.

Mom to be update

Korbel's pregnancy is coming along very well. She is just now starting to show a bit. It is easiest to tell she is pregnant by feeling her belly, but she has also lost her "tuck up". She enjoys being the spoiled one in the household and is quite certain she has done something extraordinary to deserve all the extra attention.
After a couple of weeks of morning sickness (yes dogs get it too) she is now ravenous. Mike and I really need to watch our fingers when giving her a treat which is a big change. Until now she has always been the one with the soft mouth. Dogs are amazing in how their pregnancies progress. It seems like the puppies lie dormant for almost five weeks and then in the last three they grow like weeds! Somehow Samoyeds go from being the size of a walnut to one pound wonders in the span of three weeks! About November 3rd we will take x-rays to determine how many puppies we have coming. The whelping box will be set up and then the web cam. Check back often for the latest.

Alaska's New Friend

Over the weekend the Holland Kennel Club hosted a workshop on showmanship for 4-H members. Alaska teamed up with his new friend Eric and they got some pointers from Matt Reagan. Later they placed first in the junior handlers class at the match.

Puppies are on the way!

Korbel and Austin are expecting in early November. Here is the ultrasound done this morning. We were pretty sure she was pregnant because she has had morning sickness all week. The small dark area at the top is a puppy. No idea how many since they move around a lot. We will x-ray about a week before they come so we know how many to expect.

More Specialty Results

Korbel and Mike had a great time today at the specialty. While I went to the judges seminar, they went in the ring and came out with a 3rd in the American Bred class beating out 15 other gals! Korbel won another framed print and a big rosette. She got her picture taken like all the other winners and the judge told her she was very pretty and a beautiful mover.

On Wednesday Boston picked up a leg to her RAE title (it takes ten) and was 4th in Excellent B. Then both Treasure and Korbel got their first legs of the Rally Novice title (that takes three) and Korbel was 2nd in the class winning a framed print. Way to go girls!