Dog's Day Out

It's been a busy week for one of the puppies. Wendy, Ollie's new owner, had entered him for two shows. One Easter Monday and the other today.

Everything was new to both him and Wendy and they both coped very well.

At the first show Ollie was in a class with about 9 other dogs, some of which had been showing themselves off for years. Ollie, being a very lively dog, thought he was there to play with all the other dogs in the ring and as he walked around first tried to play with the dog in front of him and then the one behind him but they were having none of it.

The judge picked out about 5 dogs to stay in the ring but unfortunately Ollie wasn't one of them but he did do well for his first ever show.

Today we went to Shepton Mallet, Bath and West Show Ground. I had asked Wendy to phone me at 7.15am to wake me up so I wouldn't be late to pick her up at 8.30. I left home at 8 giving myself 30 minutes to do the 30 minute journey to her home, even in the Saturday morning traffic that would be plenty. Well it would have been if I hadn't got lost again.

When I did arrive at her home it was nearer to 9am and I was panicking. Wendy lives near the M5 and so we had to go straight across to the other side of Bristol to get onto the A37 and once on the right road we still had the drive to Shepton Mallet.

We arrived at the show ground with about 10 minutes to spare. We quickly put the table up, Wendy did Ollie's hair and they were off, into the ring, to show off to the judge.

There were 5 dogs in the class and they were all puppies, but only one was younger than Ollie so Ollie was still at some disadvantage.

He walk around the ring like he owned the place. Head high and proud and tail up and over his back, just as it should be, he looked lovely. Then came the time to put him on the table so the judge could have a good look at him.

He stood and waited for her and as she approached he decided she was a long lost friend and jumped up at her, tail wagging so fast his hair was going everywhere.

The judge tried to calm him by talking to him but this made him worse and so after a quick look Wendy was asked to walk him around the ring again and then back in line with the other dogs.

The judge took her time, looking at all the dogs again and then she picked out the winner, then the 2nd placed and 3rd. She then turned and picked Ollie, he had come 4th. Wendy was very happy with the placing and Ollie was just Ollie, trying to play with any dog which come within smelling distance.

Now sat at home and watching my two puppies, nicked named the terrible twins, I wonder if they will ever be ready to go into the show ring or am I doomed to have two hairy dogs that never grow up!

Ollie's Family

Ready to Go

Summer having her dinner

The puppies are 8 weeks old tomorrow and they were checked by the vet last week and all are in very good health. Summer will be going for her first jab on Thursday, an experience I don't think she will enjoy much.

Ollie will be the first to go to his new home and I am sure he will be very spoilt. His new family have been to see him a couple of times and have been surprised eash time how much he has grown.

They are planning to show him so I will be visiting his new home when he's a bit older to help get him ready for the show ring. I am also planning to show Summer so they will be seeing each other a few times a year. I wonder if they will remember each other? Time will tell.

More Shih Tzu Photos

Here are some photos of the puppies I took in the garden today. they have grown so much since taking the first photos which are here and here

SUMMER

SAMBA

DANI

AKOS BUZSKY

That's a Funny Name for a Shih Tzu

The Puppies Now Have Names

The Puppies are now a week old and have more than doubled in size. We have also named them all so we can tell who's getting on well and who may need a bit of help.

One of the smaller ones at birth is now one of the biggest ones. here she is in my hand.

Summer Sleeping

Their noses haven't completely turned black yet and their eyes and ears have yet to open. I expect they will be everywhere when they can see where they are going.

Is this what Donny Osmond meant when he sang Puppy Love?