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Vickie forwarded this link. It is worth a read. I particularly like the closing paragraph, especially the last sentence!

It’s possible to be a decent human being without signing a save-the-chickens petition. And kindness to animals – actual flesh-and-blood creatures – is a good thing. Volunteer at your local shelter. Adopt a cat. Get your dog spayed or neutered. Feed your fish. But recognize that extending human “rights” to animals is a truly crazy notion. It’s possible to be so open-minded that your brain falls out.

Yep. That’s where I’m headed, along with Julie, Melissa, Ginny, Vickie, my sister Kelly and her friend Ingrid. Seward, Nebraska. Why would we all be going to Seward? Why in April? After all, it’s not the 4th of July. Now that would be a reason to go to the 4th of July capital!

You guessed it. Dog shows. What else would lure us to meet in Seward?! This isn’t a big dog show…nothing like the Specialties in Minnesota or the Rocky Mountain Classic in February. Conformation is judged in one of the only two closed sided buildings on the fairgrounds. Getting grooming space ‘inside’ is a feat, one Vickie has mastered. She has also reserved three motel rooms, side by side, with a grassy area right outside the doors. A small park adjoins the motel, backing right up to our rooms. Perfect! Our Lady of Reservations, I affectionately call her.

The motel itself is one of those old Ma and Pa kind, the kind you rarely see these days - unless it’s on Colfax, being rented by the hour. About 5 years ago a young couple purchased it. Their tender loving care in renovating something from the past is evident. For me, I love these kinds of places. Character. History. Not the same ol’, same ol’ you find with the chain hotels and motels. The owners had packets made for each room last year, containing dog treats and a handy hairbrush/mirror for a people treat. This meaningful gesture was certainly appreciated! It’s nice to know the dogs are not just tolerated, but welcomed.

The dining options in Seward are limited. Pizza Hut is about as good (if you can use that word to describe it) as it gets. A couple three years ago, after eating a meal Vickie titled the Fried Feast, we decided to cook our food in the motel. The rooms have a refrigerator (or maybe Vickie made those appear - she has the capability!) and a microwave.

The purpose of this trip, this weekend isn’t ‘winning’. It’s a great midway place for Julie and me to meet, to see the youngsters living with each other, to evaluate their growth, to exchange dogs. It’s something we do at least once a year, maybe twice a year. Why not do it in conjunction with a dog show, especially one with a relaxed (as long as you have grooming space!) pace, a relaxed energy. It’s a great way for the canine youth to experience dog shows, a travel trip, building their experiences so when it’s time to put ‘pressure’ on them in the ring, they don’t have a meltdown. In fierce competition, a dog must be able to handle the intensity, the competitive energy. Not only handle it, but continue to show off. Some dogs are born naturals, but most must learn.

So, hi ho hi ho, it’s off to Seward we go!!

Vickie wrote: The following is an article by Cindy Cooke as published on the UKC site.  If you think this can’t happen in your city, you’re wrong … dead wrong.  Pay particular attention to the ordeal an ethical/responsible breeder (and rescuer) was subjected to and how the City of Littleton, Colorado basically held a gun to his head, including forcing property inspections outside the City’s jurisdiction!!

My cherished Lhasa Apso
my culture’s watchdog,
you are dead by Chinese
poison dog food
imported, trade imposed
stirring the air
with political pollutions
javelins

spearing Tibet
to teãr a tear
from fallen monks
shot in cultural genocide

Compassionate ones,
we are the only true
clique for justice

A gamble on diplomacy
is failing
like a kidney
on Chinese heparin

A dialysis is
to bet Tibet
in a card game
with Artists of War
and propaganda
an atheistic clique
with bullets

For the tourists’ amusement
let them people
the autonomous puppet government
with the buffoonery of their claque

But let us be
the only true clique
left alone
for our prayers
and daily walk

Why would the world
be a lap dog
—- Douglas Gilbert

I am disgusted right now. Disgusted! I thought the subject of Weekend Veterinary Fun would fade away, like most conversations. Instead, it has turned into mud slinging. I will not tolerate this on the blog!!! Enough! I’ve had enough! I did not start this blog to be a mud slinging message board. Enough! Ladies, this is enough! It’s certainly enough for me. Susan is learning. She was gracious enough to take in a special needs dog that was no longer wanted, for more reasons than explained. She continues to seek solutions, including coming up with some great ideas herself. Enough! I’ve had enough!

The purpose of this blog, besides my own enjoyment, a creative outlet for my need to write, a great way to stay connected, is for education. I am a believer in teaching through encouragement, not mud slinging. I will implement my ability to approve posts before hitting the blog if necessary.

I am disgusted!!!

Alma shared that the National Dog Show will be in Philadelphia. The show is held November 17 and 18 at the Convention Center. It’s hosted by Purina and televised Thanksgiving day.

For more information… 

Had to share this neck scarf, made from yak and merino wool - Superyak by Karabella yarns. Kathy knitted it, complete with a pawprint button. When she gave it to me, it was nestled inside a piece of paper, made from a photo of yaks taken just outside Lakewood, Colorado.

See photos from Minnesota shows

See photos from Dr. Marley’s presentation. 

See photos from Apsos on the Mountain.

Sometimes, I forget how much I know about dogs, dog shows and animal husbandry. What’s obvious to me, isn’t necessarily obvious to others.  

There is an AKC process called a Bench Show Committee. Every all-breed show has one. The officers of every specialty club are the Bench Show Committee. The Bench Show Committee addresses complaints (bad sportsmanship, foul language, threatening a judge, etc.) with a trial at the show. The verdict is sent to AKC. AKC determines the punishment, which usually includes a fine and suspension of AKC privileges anywhere from 3 months to lifetime. Five years is the average. 

In an effort to address the issue of misuse of motels/hotels by exhibitors, AKC encourages the use of the Bench Show Committee to discipline those exhibitors. The all-breed clubs encourage local motel/hotel owners to contact them if abuse of the motel/hotel facility occurs. This is actually a ’selling’ point when local clubs are soliciting motels/hotels and rates for show exhibitors and includes barking dogs, not cleaning up after your dog/s and destruction within a room. The trial happens at the dog show. If you’re found guilty by the Bench Show Committee, co-owners are effected as well regardless of if the co-owner/s was at the show.  AKC privileges include being able to breed, register and show dogs as well as judge dogs. 

Here’s what is printed in nearly every premium list (the information packet on a dog show), usually on the page listing the motels/hotels.

 Vickie posted this:

In conjunction with the upcoming Colorado specialty, a raffle is being held to benefit the Gompa Lhasa Apso Preservation Program Trust and Registry.  For those collectors of the apsolutely unique, a giclee print of an original watercolor is up for grabs …

The second item is a BlueMax crate sized for an Apso (complete with pan and cover).  I’m told that these crates have a latch mechanism that’s the best out there.  More information on the raffle (tickets are available via PayPal) can be found here … Fundraising.