Stubbylee Blog

With Liz away at the Keswick Jazz Festival it was down to Andrew & me to show the dogs at the National, Andrew handling Zorro whilst I had the task of handling Diva. Andrew did an excellent job with Zorro and we were disappointed not to get anything with him either in the breed class or or the PG stakes. Diva was her usual sulky self - fed up that she can’t go in the ring sooner and then fidget her feet as you try to stand her.

Then she switches on.

She knows exactly when the judge is looking at her and poses, then when she moves she really comes into her own. She just adores moving, extending with none of the busyness you see with some borzoi its just effortless drive and float. She probably didn’t need me to handle her, she’d have done it on her own.

It was a total thrill to win the CC, with BOB it was just fantastic. Andrew and I had fun winding Liz up, after the CC we sent her a text saying Diva 2nd followed by one 10 minute later saying CC - there’ll be trouble when she gets home.

The BIS ring was totally new territory for me - its always been Liz handling in the past. The whole organisation was very efficient with well organised and friendly ring stewards. Entering the ring Diva really turned it on - the more she gets to move, with the big ring and with people applauding the better she gets. Being able to move around the full extent of the ring she absolutely floated. Then we got shortlisted in a cut of 9 and, moving again with even more applause,  it was even better - even I was starting to enjoy it. Its surprised me but is actually more nerve wracking watching than actually being in there. As the judge was pulling out the dogs I was concentrating that much on keeping Diva stacked properly it took a few seconds to realise we’d been pulled out 4th.

Afterwards it was off to get photos done for the dog press - it will be unusual to actually see me in the photos I’m normally the one doing the snapping.