Puppy Finlay's Casebook: December 2018

Saturday 6th January 2018, we took a rough and ready (and extremely cute) nearly 7 month old Tibetan Spaniel puppy to the Taunton Open show. We had decided that it might be nice to take him to a few shows during the year. He pranced around the ring and didn't do very well at all. A couple of months before that I had started this blog, wondering what news I would have to fill it, thinking it may get a bit boring. Well I needn't have worried, as many of you will know, there was in fact quite a lot to fill the blog with over the coming months.

In the end we went to 13 Championship shows and 27 Open shows with Finlay during 2018, a total of 40 shows!! As I've said before, we only intended to go to a few shows.....it reminds me of the Michael Caine quote "you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off".
Finlay won a total of 58 Rosettes, as shown on the new 'Finlay wall' in our dining room. Of course as well as many different coloured Rosettes quite a few of them were red and one very special award was his RCC at Richmond Champ show, a very special day. He and Deb also won a few Special Beginners classes and awards too. He now has his stud book number and is qualified for Crufts for life.

We were ably supported by many of our fellow Tibetan Spaniel dog showing friends. Having read much in the dog press about falling numbers of exhibitors at dog shows, it makes sense that we were encouraged to show Finlay and help to stem the dwindling numbers. We'd like to thank everyone for their support and practical help during the year that helped us whip our little devil into shape.....well, kind of. He still has a wonderful character which is just what you'd want in a pet dog, not always what you want in a show dog, but we wouldn't have him any other way. In a room full of still and posing dogs, there will always be one who wags his little bum off and doing his best to get the judges attention, well anyone's attention. He just screams "me, me, ME!".

Of course, as well as the exhibitors, Finlay made 'friends' with quite a few dogs during the course of the year. Jinpa, Darcy, Willow, Heidi, Rio, Angie, Deva and many more (maybe even Taggart!) Whether a dog wants to be friends or not, Finlay will give it his best shot whether inside the ring or out. Oh and judges, many a judge has got a kiss and a wag.

So we finish 2018 very much on a high, so much fun was had although sometimes it can be a bit stressful getting to a venue on time, working out where you are supposed to go, where your ring is, what ring you're supposed to be in when.....and sometimes that long drive home in the dark at the end of a long day. I'm sure we are always much more tired than Finlay.

In 2019 we will not be doing as many shows, and no doubt you will be quoting me on that in the months to come, but we will continue to show Finlay that's for sure. I mean really, who wouldn't!!

For sure, there will be more Finlay 'dog blog' this coming year and maybe 2019 will bring some more 'something in my eye' moments.

The Finlay wall of fame