Hey Man, Ranger went to Woofstock

I have been pretty remiss about not keeping this blog up-to-date. Truthfully, though, I have an excuse; Ranger has only been in one cluster of shows since my last post. He went to Woofstock in allejo, CA. He was not a good boy and acted more like a petulant teenage boy than the champion show dog he is. Angie was not amused. He did managed to get his first major select on the first day, bringing his grand championship points to 9 with one major, but the rest of the weekend was a washout. Whether this is because he just wasn't what the judge was looking for that day or because he wouldn't stand still on the table and was a general PITA in the ring isn't known, but my guess is for the later.

Meanwhile, something good did happen at Woofstock besides the 3 GCH points. Ranger got his OFA preliminary Xray done thanks to Carolyn Tompkins who took him for his 2:00 p.m. appointment. Afterward, she told me that his hips looked good and on 6/20, the OFA sent their confirmation that they agree. Here is the proof.

Plans right now are to get the rascal back in the ring around the end of August, but we know how plans can go.

He Went. He Saw. He Did Not Conquer (Not This Time).

Ranger went to the Nationals in Sandusky, Ohio, April 23rd to April 28, 2012. In the sweepstakes, he was one of 5 pulled from a class of over 20. He didn't place, but in my book, that was a pretty big honor for a white-faced, spotted-eyed black dog in a sea of beautiful brindles.

In Breed, he didn't make the first cut, but Angie told me he showed like the champ that he is and he just wasn't what the judge was looking for "that day." It's all fine and good, if you ask me. I don't want this boy to burn too brightly too early. He was probably just letting me know that he's saving "it" all for next year in Tucson when I will be able to be there to see him shine. Yeah, that's the ticket :-D.

Thanks again, Ladies of Whimsy Show Dogs (Angelia Hall and Jen Outhet) for taking such good care of our boy. And thank you, Steve Hall for taking care of Angie and Jen.

Next stop: Woofstock in June.

Glendale, AZ was Very, Very Good to Ranger

Best of opposite sex to the number 1 Cardigan in the country sounds pretty good, if you ask me, and Ranger did it for all 4 days of the Glendale, AZ cluster. And just in case you don't know who Libby is (GCH Aubrey's Tails of Mystery), here's a photo of her with proof of why she's the #1 Cardi. (NOTE: All the photos in this series were taken by me.)

Ranger had his share of Kodak moments, too, under the expert handling talents of Jen Outhet of Whimsy Show Dogs. (I'd like to pause here to thank Wiccan York-Patten for her expert photography advice. It is because of her that I was able to catch some really good shots.)

This series is from the the first day, hosted by the Kachina Kennel Club.

Also hosted by the Kachina Kennel Club, these next photos are from the Saturday, April 7th show.

The last day I attended was the Sunday show, hosted by the Arrowhead Kennel Club. Unfortunately, I didn't get any good movement shots but caught a couple of stills that I like.

In all, it was a wonderful trip. My brother lives nearby so I was able to combine seeing Ranger in the ring for the first time since his debut in the Boise, Idaho fun match last October, with visiting with family I hadn't seen since last April.

Ranger's First Snow

Because he had spent so much time in the south this past winter, Ranger missed out on his first Idaho winter. Well, actually, Idaho kind of missed out on its winter altogether, but that's a different story. We awoke to snow this morning and, like most Cardigans, Ranger went to it like a duck to water.

Championship Photo

Angelia Hall, Ranger's most wonderful handler, decided that she'd had enough "formal" shots on the road to his championship so she went for a casual look in this photograph. I love it, although I did not love having to work a little Photoshop magic on a pictures that cost $35. Ranger's eyes had been turned completely white from the flash and the photographer didn't take the time to fix them before printing.

They both look so happy and proud of themselves. I really like this photo.

Win Photos from CWCCSC Regional Specialty

The pictures are in and what great photos they all are.

This shot was taken by Amanda Roberson right after Ranger and Angie won the CWCCSC Regional Specialty sweepstakes. It brings me to tears of joy, seeing this wonderful team celebrate a job so well done! The love Angie shows for him couldn't be more evident. In all the world, I couldn't ask for a better person to be with him when I can't.

The official Sweepstakes Photo. On the left is Sweepstakes judge Cindy Bossi. Next are the stars of the day, Angelia Hall and Ranger. And on the right is Melissa Crouthers Stevens.

The official photo from the morning show. On the left is president of CWCCSC, Barbara Tannahill, then judge Deborah Anthony and again Melissa Crouthers Stevens on the right.

The official photo from the afternoon show. Melissa Crouthers Stevens, the official prize holder :-D, stands with judge David Anthony.

Ranger Earns His Championship in Phoenix

On Friday, February 3, 2012, at the Sahuaro State Kennel Club show in Phoenix, AZ, Ranger went BOW, earning the last point needed for his Championship. Pending AKC approval, he is now CH Coedwig's The Masked Man. Thank you Kim Shira & Leo Eickhoff for letting me take this magic dog home. Thank you Angie for showing him to his full potential. And thank you to all the judges who looked passed the unusual markings and saw that Ranger really is a nice looking Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

I'll end this entry with a little blurb I'll call "Hmmmmm." Imagine my finger against my temple and my expression one of contemplation:

Does it mean anything that that for the most part Ranger earned his points from either breeder judges or provisional judges and was largely ignored by long-time, all breed judges?

Ranger's Most Excellent Trip to the SoCal Regional Specialty

On behalf of Ranger, I would like to thank the members of CWCCSC for putting on the wonderful regional specialty in San Bernardino, California last Friday. Under expert handling by Angelia Hall of Whimsy Show Dogs, breeder/judges awarded Ranger with multiple wins. Cindy Bossi placed him Best in Sweepstakes. Deborah Anthony awarded him with WD/BOW/Best Puppy in the specialty’s regular morning show and he went WD in the afternoon show under David Anthony. Winning that much was wonderful but earning all of them from breeder/judges made the day even more unbelievably special. Ranger now has 3 majors coming from the 6-9 month puppy class and needs only 1 more point to earn his championship. Thank you, Angie. Thank you, judges. And thank you again, CWCCSC.

Ranger's First Win Photo

Even though it felt like forever, the picture took less than 2 1/2 weeks after the Kennel Club of Palm Springs show to arrive. It sure was worth the wait. I'm so very pleased. Everyone looks great and we learned that Angie baits as well as Ranger :-D. Thank you again, Judge Grant Winchell, for bestowing such a win on an 8 month old puppy.

Ranger's Great, Soggy Portland Experience

Well, the big 4 days of shows in Portland, Oregon has ended. Congratulations to all the winners this passed weekend. The entry numbers were a bit disappointing to me. I'd always heard that Portland was this huge show that had majors every day. This year, however, there was only going to be a major on the last day which was probably my fault because my dog was entered :-D. Unfortunately, that only major didn't hold, so all 4 days were only 2 points with the exception of Saturday, which, of course, is the day Ranger took Winners Dog :-D. Hey, a win is a win and we'll gladly take the single point with thanks to judge Mrs. Michele L Billings, The rest of the days Ranger took Reserve Winners Dog. Definitely nothing to sneeze at for a baby boy.

Once more I'd like to thank Angelia Hall of Whimsy Show Dogs for her expert handling of Ranger. Through the terrible drenching rain, fighting a terrible cold, and dealing with the Portland show's less than dog-friendly environment, she kept on keeping on and made sure that Ranger showed to his best of his ability. And when I all comes down to it, that's all one can ask of someone.

Next stop San Bernardino, California for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of Southern California's regional specialties and the Orange Empire Kennel Club dog shows taking place January 27, 28 & 29, 2012. All 4 shows have entries enough for 4 point majors, but we know how circumstances can change so quickly.

Final point count for Ranger now stands at 6 points with one major.

Ranger's First Major

Under the talented hands of Angelia Hall, Ranger took Winners Dog and Best of Winners for 4 points at the Kennel Club of Palm Springs show in Indio, California today, 1/8/12, under Judge Grant Winchell. This is Ranger's first major and brings his points up to 5. Only 10 more and 1 major to go.

Yesterday's results were not as stellar. Evidently, he's traveling with a few girls who are just going out of season and puberty has hit him hard. I heard that he was one of two "crazy, hormonal, girl crazy boys" and wouldn't settle down. Oh well, I guess that kind of behavior is expected in a youngster. He'll learn.

He comes home for a day or so then off to Portland, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of Southern California Specialty, Orange Empire and finally Phoenix for 12, count them, 12 more shows. He's going to be a very tired boy by the time he comes back but that's okay, it's his job and he loves it.

Ranger returns to California

I forgot to post that last Friday, 12/20/11, Ranger returned to the care of Angie Hall to attend the shows in Indio, California on 1/7 & 1/8/12. They had to leave early because Ranger's BFF, Zippy the Norwich will be showing in the Terrier Specialty Shows that started today, 1/5. Now this will be the biggest show for Ranger, so far. There are 5 dog entries, making it a 4 point major. I have my fingers crossed but I know that he has some hurdles to jump because of his coloring. Some judges may not think he's "legal," so this weekend is going to be a big test.

Here he is hanging out with his new friends, Samantha the Pemmie and Roo, the Blue Merle Cardigan.