We’re still sitting home while all the dogs (including the tibbie) are starting to really blow coats. No surprise considering we were in the 80′s the other day. We’re really happy we had a whole house fan installed … we haven’t put the A/C on once this year so far! 

You might remember me mentioning Ryder’s photo shoot and I have posted one of them here for you to see. It’s probably my favorite of the 166 photos that were taken by Rob Johnson www.photobyrj.com.

You can see 60 photos from that shoot on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=24175&id=1223124935. You do not have to be my “friend” in order to view them, but I believe you do have to register. It’s actually a pretty cool site, I found an old friend there that I hadn’t seen since shortly after we graduated from high school (which was more years ago than I care to admit ) 

Yesterday was dreary and rainy outside so was a great day to watch movies and we watched Marley and Me, based on the true story of columnist John Grogan’s family and his dog, a rather wild labrador retriever.  What I really appreciated about the movie is that they didn’t sugarcoat anything about this dog’s behavior. He was awful, chewing up furniture, destroying whatever he could get into his mouth, running off whenever he was off lead. There was one point when they were thinking about placing him, but to their credit, they kept him and he did seem to settle down with age. I think my favorite scene is when Owen Wilson takes an aging Marley for a walk and they sit on a hillside together … just a boy and his dog and enjoy a beautiful afternoon together.

All in all, Jonathan and I both really enjoyed it. There were some parts that raised my eyebrows a bit, for example, the obedience trainer? What was that all about? Ive been to my share of obedience classes, and I’ve yet to see anyone “expelled” on the first day. But I suppose that’s what you call literary license  

I thought the last few scenes were handled with great sensitivity and I hope I’m not giving away too much of the plot but you WILL need kleenex. Overall though, we liked it and give it two thumbs up for any doglover.

Shibas are continuing to shine in the ring, and while I think most shows have been reported on the AKC site, there could still be a few more to come.

Gavilon KC 4/25/2009 Judge: Lee Brown
Send photo if you have one!	Best Veteran in Show Ch. Copperdot’s Academy Award

Seward County KC 4/25/09 Judge: Mr. Robert Sharp Seward County KC 4/26/09 Judge: Mrs. Karen McFarlane
	Group III & Group II Ch. Justa Wizard of Oz

Myrtle Beach KC 1 4/25/09 Judge: Ann Hearn
Send photo if you have one!	Group III Ch. Oak’s Fuyu Kazan Ryuu

Magic Valley KC (2) 4/25/09 Judge: Dr. Johan Becerra-Hernandez
Send photo if you have one!	Group IV Ch. Yuko’s Chief Red Eagle

And if I thought they went wild last weekend … take a look at this week! Back to back group firsts for Rogue, who’s on a pace to beat the last record that Mickey holds for 5 group firsts in a year (1999), and another one for Ban. Three placements in a row for Oso, and 2 more bitches placing in the group as well. Good job everyone, keep it up.

Palouse Hills DF (Fri) 4/17/2009 Judge: David M. Krogh Palouse Hills DF (Sat) 4/18/2009 Judge: Sharon A. Krogh Lewis-Clark KC 4/19/2009 Judge: Noreen C. Cartwright
Photo provided by Laura Perkinson	Group IV, Group IV, Group III Ch. Taichung O’so Handsome

Bloomington Indiana KC 4/17/2009 Judge: Mr. Jon R. Cole
Send photo if you have one!	Group IV Ch. Roscka’s Bitjutsu No Sasaku

Columbia KC 1 4/18/2009 Judge: Michael Dachel
Screen shot from 2008 National Specialty weekend	Group III Ch. Ranchlake’s Aki Kohana

Angeles Canyon Dog Club 4/18/2009 Judge: Miss Virginia L. Lyne Angeles Canyon Dog Club 4/19/2009 Judge: Ms. Elizabeth Muthard
Screen capture from 2008 National Specialty weekend	Back to Back Group I Ch. Jogoso’s Notorious

Central Ohio KC 4/19/2009 Judge: Col. Harold Brizee
	Group III Ch. Fanfair’s Without a Trace at  Glenchester

North Arkansas KC 4/19/2009 Judge: Chuck Trotter
Send photo if you have one!	Group III Ch. Pendragon Making Waves

Fond Du Lac County KC 1 4/19/2009 Judge: William Usherwood
Screen capture from 2008 National Specialty weekend	Group III Ch. Taiki Go Kuwana Mitomosou

Catoctin KC 4/20/2009 Judge: Rita Holloway
Screen capture from 2008 National Specialty weekend	Group I Ch. Banshou Go Ryuukyuu Uruma

Licking River KC 4/20/2009 Judge: Ms. Sandy Wheat
Send photo if you have one!	Group II Ch. San Jo the Ruthless One

April 10, 2009

Sweepstakes Judge: Dawne Deeley

Best In Juvenile Sweepstakes  Kazakoshi No Kurotaka Yokohama
Best Opposite In Juvenile Sweepstakes  Sunojo Pai Ah Ten Shun
Best In Veteran Sweepstakes  Ch Langans Brushwood Spy
Best Opposite In Veteran Sweepstakes  Ch Sunojo Kanzen Na Shinju

Specialty Judge: Laura Perkinson

Ch Katai's Daichi No Sunojo

Best Of Opposite Sex — Ch Sunojo’s C Umi Go
Best Of Winners –  Dragon House Mr Jones

Am & New Can Ch. Dragon House Mr Jones

Best Puppy –  Sunojo Pai Ah Ten Shun
Award Of Merit –  Ch Sunojo Kanzen Na Shinju
Brood Bitch –  Ch Sunojo’s C Umi Go
Best Brace –  Koyotes Chibi Aka Kitsune & Ch Koyotes Shelby’s Little Secret

Shibas go WILD this past weekend: dogs, bitches, from the classes!

Steel City KC 4/11/2009 Judge: Mr. Steve Hayden Steel City KC 4/12/2009: Judge: Ms. Arlene A. Czech
Screen Capture from 2008 National weekend (he was just a baby!)	Group III & Group III Tobishi’s Rough ‘N Ready

Harrisburg KC 4/11/2009 Judge: Thora Brown
Youmee at Chester Valley 2008	Group IV Ch. San Jo’s She’s On Fire

Atlanta KC 4/12/2009 Judge: Mr. Kent Delaney
Screen shot from 2008 National Specialty weekend	Group IV Ch. Ranchlake’s Aki Kohana

Silver State KC 4/12/2009 Judge: Dr. Rene Echevarria-Cofino
Send photo if you have one!	Group IV Copperdots Rexlas Kaching

Terry-All KC 4/12/2009 Judge: Mr. Eugene Blake
Photo courtesy of Bill Fletcher	Group II Ch. Justa Wizard of Oz

Taking Ryder to see my friend Rob Johnson (http://photobyrj.com/) for a photo shoot. Rob is an extremely talented wedding photographer and is trying his hand (or camera) at some animal/pet photography. I’ll post some photos later!