I meant to take lots of pictures of our dogs at the show. Alas, I forgot. However, Nor-Cal Buldogger captured this photo of Wilson.
From left to right: Simon, Kevlar, Cash, Oliver, Violet, Emoji 🙂
Well it was quite a weekend at Lynden. Four days but worth the effort. Simon won Best of Breed each day giving him 20 more points toward his GCH GOLD. Oliver and Kevlar both obtained their American Championships. Cash added to his Grand Champion points and was awarded a Group 2 Owner Handler. Liberty finished her Grand Championship. Violet and Sassy both snagged snagged 4 point majors and Emoji grabbed a Reserve Winners. On Saturday every award that was given went to Absolutely dogs! That’s a dream of a day. Oh, and Oliver (in the ring as a Special for the first time on Sunday) won Select Dog and a Group 2 in the Owner Handler ring.
It was such a memorable Nationals for us this year. So many of our extended Bichon family traveled to Tucson to watch the show. I do think we had the biggest crowd there. It was great. We certainly felt the love.
At just under 18 months of age, Oliver was the Grand Sweepstakes Winner this year. OMG! This is the first Sweeps win for Absolutely Bichons. Many will recall last year at Nationals at the tender age of 5 1/2 months Oliver won Best Baby Puppy. So the promise he showed early on continues as he matures. Our judge for Sweeps was Karen Graeber of Whitebred Bichons in New Jersey. Ms. Graeber is a long time successful breeder and a win under such a knowledgeable judge is all the more special.
Not to be overshadowed by the whipper snapper Oliver, our boy Simon also traveled to Tucson. At the age of 8 1/2 Simon was the oldest bichon entered by far. Simon proved he still has everything it takes to be successful in the ring. Simon showed beautifully and came away with the 1st Award of Merit. So proud of this guy. He has really put us on the map. Simon is about to make history. Watch for a post in July.
Liberty-CH Absolutely Snowbird Free Reign CD BN NA NAJ RN TKA CGC, received a Versatile Bichon award, competed for the first time in rally intermediate recieved a 99 out of 100, then a second in obedience.
Kevlar- Absolutely Snowbird Heart of Strength BN RN TKA CGC, won her class in breed! Competed in Rally for the first time, with a PERFECT score, and third for her first time in obedience.
Liberty and Kevlar are owned, trained, groomed and shown by the incomparable Tasheena Housman. She just amazes us and was definitely noticed at Nationals! Thank you Tasheena, for representing us so very well.
Karen’s girl, Absolutely Affinity Smiley Face 🙂 (Emoji) placed in her class also! Emoji is completely inexperienced and was a tough handle for Karen, but she pulled it together enough to finish in the ribbons. Every ribbon at Nationals is a prized possession.
