
Ch. Sno-Storm's Catch Me If You Can, Photo from Sno-Storm website
Updating my last report, please note that there was a group placement that was not reported on AKC’s site probably due to being one of the few shows that are not attended by a rep.
So .. on January 24, a bitch named Ch. Niel-Sans Touch of Kenka took a Group III at Alaska KC under Judge Vincent Grosso. Have tried to locate a photo of this girl to put in the report, but alas no luck! Again, if I’ve missed a placement of any kind, whether it be Puppy Groups, BBE Groups, etc. please be sure to let me know!
Ok, onto week ending 1/31/2009, including two for Ch. Oak’s Fu Yu Kazan Ryuu. He managed a Group II on Saturday under Dr. Gerard Penta and a Group II on Sunday under Barbara Alderman who has often been good to shibas in the group rings. These placements were at Charleston KC 1 & 2. No photo of this dog unfortunately
On January 30, Mrs. Sari Brewster Tietjen awarded a Group IV to Ch. Sno-Storm’s Catch Me If You Can at Erie KC and several hundred miles to the West, Ch. Tobishi’s Rough and Ready was awarded a Group III by judge Steve Hayden.
On January 31st, two more placements. One in the soon to be hopping state of Louisiana at Alexandra KC (2) where Mr. Roy Keiser gave a big yellow rosette to Ch. San Jo I’m a Rock Star. On the left coast it was Ch. Copperdot’s Big Sur taking a lovely red rosette under Mr. Robert Stein.

Ch. Tobishi's Rough and Ready, a Shibaweb photo 2009

Ch. San Jo's I'm A Rock Star
This was my weekend to get to go to a dog show in January. The location was reviewed last year and not much has changed. The bathrooms are still great, although not quite as pristine as last year. Weather was a little bit warmer too. Jonathan came with on Sunday because he wanted to head over to a fish store after the show and it was on the way, so I have many photos that are at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=142356&id=52115318911&l=4d9e5dd255 which I’m putting names into in my copious spare time. The short story is Rowdy (Ch. Tobishi’s Rough & Ready) got the breed both days. Monica Flynn’s Finn (say THAT fast three times) was BW on Saturday for his first major, and Jane Chapin’s Jag was BW on Sunday for his second major from BBE. Pat Doescher’s Spring was WB both days but unfortunately did not cross over for the major
First day’s judge was Mr. Dennis McCoy, a well known former poodle handler, and on Sunday we had Mr. Steve Hayden, who I know showed chihuahuas along with other breeds. Both judges had a nice hand on the dogs, and were on time! Mr. McCoy had a rather odd way of running his ring, using a backwards triangle but upon closer examination, the ring was set up kinda backwards so I guess it worked for him. Mr. Hayden had his table set up a little closer to the mat than I personally like, but everyone managed to avoid hitting it (and maybe that’s the reason Mr. McCoy did it the way he did!). As I mentioned earlier, Rowdy collected a yellow ribbon in the group on Saturday from Mr. Hayden. Congrats to all the winners!
Because Mickey is getting on and my shows for a while will only be day trips so I can be home to take care of him, thus my next show will be IKC benched shows at the end of February. A lot of people are coming in for that show and I think it will be a fun time. It’s a benched show thus we will have to be there all day and makes for a great place for people to see dogs and talk to people about the breed.

Ch. Copperdot's Big Sur, Photo courtesy of Diana Smiley
Just looking though the AKC Events results for shiba group placements for week ending 2/7 and finally found a Group III for Ch. Cantebriar’s Hot Toddy. The judge was Mrs. Jean Fournier who recently judged our National and she likes her shibas in the group too. And I guess that’s it for this week.
Good luck to everyone who fought their way through some really nutty weather to some of the shows this week and to everyone competing at Westminster. As soon as I hear any reports I will let you know!

Ch. Cantebriar's Hot Toddy, photo from the Cantebriar site