We Took A Crazy Birthday Trip

Marc, the girls, and I took a crazy birthday weekend trip to Oregon for TEVCO's Summer Specialty. We left early Friday morning and ten hours later we were pulling in to Redmond. That evening we had a thunderstorm which produced just a little rain.  Dinner was from our favorite Mexican take out which is now Rigoberto's.
We were greeted with humidity when we stepped outside the hotel at 7am Saturday morning. It was going to be a scorcher of a day and, it lived up to our expectations/fear and more. Thankfully, Greg and Dennise, gave us space in the motorhome for the girls while we took Sparrow over to the ring. Jim and Lily came to the show and stayed until it was over.  Lily looks alot like Sparrow and the two girls were able to play just a little before Sparrow had to move closer to the ring with Suzanne. Suzanne showed Sparrow to a third place in her class. There was a potluck over in the campground for club members and guests after the show. The heat made it difficult to do too much and had me worried about the girls and if we were keeping them hydrated and cool enough. They were sure happy to get back to the coolness of the hotel room. It was 104 degrees by that time!  We celebrated my birthday with dinner at Madeline's with good friends. 

We woke up early Sunday morning and drove from Redmond to Portland to see our kids and to deliver an air conditioner. We celebrated Marc's birthday with lunch at a New Mexican cafe called La Panza.  Karen was able to join us there. After a couple of hours with the kids, we headed over to see Kyra and her owners. Kyra and Sparrow also look very similar. So that means, all the girls - Lily, Kyra and Sparrow - all look alike! The do have different builds though. What I noticed most about Kyra was her chest!! I could only wish for that for Sparrow!! We had a very nice visit and all the girls were able to play on their upstairs deck.  Hannah let us know when it was time to leave! We enjoyed dinner which was delivered to the hotel. 

Monday morning came too soon.  We were on the road a little before 8am. A short stop at a farm store in Roseburg; lunch at the Olive Pit in Corning; gas stops; a potty break for the girls and we were home by 8pm. The drive for the most part was uneventful. It's good to be home but I'm glad we made the trip.  

The Awards Table at Specialty

The Judge going over Sparrow

Suzanne and Sparrow on their down and back

Lily

Jim and Lily

The stack for the judge

Sparrow at home with her third place ribbon.

Sparrow's Big Weekend

Sparrow didn't know it when she loaded into the Explorer very early Thursday morning but she was in for a long weekend. Having not been in the show ring since the Vizsla Club of America Nationals in San Jose, CA in May 2014, she had four days of shows ahead of her. Thursday and Friday were the Yosemite Kennel Club shows and Saturday and Sunday were the Contra Costa Kennel Club shows. But on Saturday, the Vizsla Club of Northern California held their Specialty and on Sunday a Supported Entry. There would be lots of Vizslas there and almost as much competition for placements as there had been at Nationals the year before.  The only day she was awarded a ribbon was on Friday under AKC Judge Houston Clark. On that day, Sparrow earned a third place in her class of Open Bitch. Jessica Vetter handled her all four days for me.  Sparrow showed well and with more time in the ring and growth in confidence, she just might earn her championship.  I do think she had fun for the most part.  Over the days, she got to play with a few Vizslas, a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, who at 11 months was bigger than her, and spend time with Gracie's puppies. I don't think puppies are her thing right now but she played the Auntie well. Sparrow and Gracie are half-sisters through Mojo. She had her photos taken with a psychedelic tie-dyed backdrop. She had her OFA cardiac exam and passed which means she had now completed her health testings for this time in her life.  

Sparrow and Jessica on Friday under Mr. Houston Clark. This is when she earned her only ribbon of the show.  Photo courtesy of Pam Lambros

Sparrow and Jessica at VCNC Specialty under Mr Michael Faulkner

Photo courtesy of Pam Lambros

Sparrow went directly to the back yard where she could hunt butterflies upon arrival home.  All is good in her little world!

Hunt Test at Hasting's Island

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we participated in the Irish Setter Club of Central California's Hunt Test. Saturday's test was for Marc's learning and on Sunday she passed. They ran out of ribbons so no photo. I will take one once they send the ribbon.  This makes Sparrow's third pass toward her AKC Junior Hunter title.

Enjoy the photos I took over the weekend -

This is a male Northen Harrier

I don't know who these two belong two but they were waiting patiently in the parking lot at the clubhouse for their owner's return.

This is a Red Tailed Hawk - perhaps a juvenile.

Not sure if this is another Northen Harrier or an adult Red Tailed Hawk

Our Trip To Arizona

The girls and I spent two and a half weeks in Arizona at the beginning of May.  We went out to celebrate Cullen's 4th birthday but had alot of fun waiting for the day.  The best Vizsla related fun Bree and I had was catching up with Janet Galante who lives in Tucson.  Here are some highlights from our trip.

On May 5th, we stood in support of Vizslamentes' Red Ribbon Campaign for abuse of a family of Vizslas in Hungary.  Our photo even made the news there. Hungarian News Cast

A trip through Saguaro National Monument West

Battle

Sparrow

Hannah

Patriot

He is doing well and has been on medicine since December 2014 for his diagnosis of Valley Fever.

Battle

A trip up Madera Canyon

A trip to Saguaro National Monument East

A Boy's 4th Birthday!

Patriot and Sparrow

Hannah, Patriot, Battle and Marley waiting for breakfast handouts

Paloma, Battle, Sparrow and Patriot waiting for itty bitty to throw them a treat

Battle getting fresh with his sister

The birthday boy

We had a trip to Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, also, but there were so many non-V related photos that I won't include here!

VCNC Fun Field Day

Marc, I, and the girls attended the Vizsla Club of Northern California's Fun Field Day at Hasting's Island near Rio Vista, CA, on April 11th. I pre-ordered a chukar for each of the girls. Marley and Sparrow were more interested in coming back to me, waiting on the sideline, than hunting for a bird. Marc was able to gain control of each of them but in the end, they went birdless. It was no surprise that Hannah hunted the entire 15 minutes and found her bird plus one but when Paloma set her nose to the ground, Marc was amazed. He didn't remember Paloma enjoying it quite so much.  

Sparrow running back to me.

Marley

Marley

Marley

Marley - our one eyed wonder!

Marley

Marc took videos of Hannah and Paloma but currently the files for them are too large to post on the blog. 

The following weekend we attended Lone Cypress Vizsla Club's Fun Day at Carmel Canine Sports Center in Carmel, CA.  We enjoyed a fun off lead walk/run and lunch followed by a presentation of the developers of the canine center and club meeting.  There are no photos from our time but the Hannah and Sparrow had a good time. We left Marley and Paloma at home not knowing the area we were going.