Ruby went to the Rainbow Bridge on 8/29/2009. Jo-Ann just wrote to me about it today. Ruby was the first shiba bitch I ever showed and she was such a pretty girl and fun to show. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 14 years since then.

Rogue photo from Jogoso shibas site

Shibas seem to be making their presence known once again in the group rings. I was starting to get worried.

Ban in profile from the MR2 site

First, “Ban” picked up two of the pretty red rosettes way up in Maine at Central Maine KC on August 27th and August 28th under Judges: Mr. Raymond F. Filburn Jr and Mr. Don Rogers respectively. He seems to be on a roll! Both of these judges appreciate a nice shiba in the group.

And Rogue is BACK! Ch. Jogoso’s Notorious also picked up a Group Second at Simi Valley KC on August 28th under Judge: Guy Spagnolo.

And last but not least Ch. Sonkei Ichi Ryu at Pendragon got a Group IV at Cedar Rapids KA on August 30, 2009 under Judge Anthony DiNardo (well that’s what AKC says, but the photo sure looks like Jean Fournier to me!).  Thanks to Lori Pendergast for emailing me a photo!

Ch. Sonkei Ichi Ryu at Pendragon, photo provided by Lori Pendergast

As you see judges awarding placements in the group to nice shibas, remember them when it comes time to suggest judges for your local kennel clubs or when voting for Nationals. I like to see judges that appreciate and like the breed get to judge a nice sized entry.

Ch. "Fawkes" ROM and her owner Katrina.

And good news from the South:  Ch. Fawkes (Ch Cedarcrest’s Rise of the Phoenix) is now an ROM, with littermates sired by Massi (Ch Justa Massimiliano) finishing with in a week of each other and are now Ch Kobushi Swords Of The Samurai “Daisho” and Ch Kobushi La Dolce Vita “Dolce”.

Ban during the 2008 National Specialty weekend

It’s a bittersweet report for me today. Mickey’s last record of five group firsts within a single year fell this weekend as Ban (Ch. Banshou Go Ryuukyuu Uruma) took his 6th blue rosette for the year. This group win was awarded by Mrs. Rita Holloway on August 23rd. Good job Ban! Tom, Sandi, Gibbs, Fran (and anyone I might have missed!) congratulations and enjoy this year, they don’t come around every day!

Taimatsu: Screen capture from 2008 National Specialty weekend

Also placing this week was Ch. Tanasea’s Taimatsu on August 22 at Sugarbush KC. The judge was Ms. Janet Allen. Congratulations to Debbie & Suzie-Q

These reports are gathered from the AKC Events page so if they are not posted there (and sometimes there is no rep at a show) I won’t capture the data. So if you have a dog that wins a group placement (or Best Puppy or BBE in group or anything like that) and it is NOT published at AKC, be sure to let us know! Please provide details such as show name, date, judge and placement and a photo wouldn’t hurt either!

Congrats to Deanna and her new dog’s Group First somewhere … waiting for the details!

Jimmy at about 4 years of age.

A very happy birthday wish goes out to the Toyo-Miss litter that was born 8 years ago today at Hi-Jinx Kennels in Wisconsin. Jimmy’s registered name is Ch. Hi-Jinx Phantom Phlyer and thanks to Pat Doescher for breeding such a great dog. I love to see his beautiful face every day!

Jimmy last week during his big summer shed. More than half of the hair isn't even shown!

Rogue Screen Capture from 2008 National Specialty weekend

Finally, a shiba places in the group after a several week long dry spell.

Congratulations to Ch. Jogoso’s Notorious who picked up a Group IV at South Bay KC on 8/8/2009 under Judge: Jon Cole.

Late Addition: Because it was not published on AKC there was a placement, actually a Group win … and we know how difficult it is to beat the “foo-foo’s” <grin>.

Congratulations goes out to Deanna Rotkowski and “Catcher”, Ch. Sno-Storm’s Catch Me If U Can who WON the group at Lorain County KC on August 9th under Dr. Robert Indeglia. Photo to be forthcoming.

And it’s hot! Highs in the 90s today and yesterday. The Cudahy KC show yesterday on the shores of Lake Michigan was actually CANCELLED due to wind and rain. First time I can ever remember a show being cancelled in this area. Sure glad I wasn’t entered! Pat Doescher was about halfway there driving through really bad rain when she got a call from Tammy Szabo with the news. The dogs aren’t even particularly excited about going out in it. I’m pretty sure the Greater Racine KC show is going on today but after just checking the radar, I sure hope they are nearly done because there is another nasty storm headed their way!

I’m happy to say shibas are warming up once again in groups. Have heard reports that Rogue picked up a Group IV Saturday after a 2 month hiatus from shows (guessing due to coat blow) and also Dash got at least 2 placements up in Canada. I believe he is currently the #11 Non-Sporting dog.

Restaurant Review: Fitzgeralds Genoa Junction located at 727 Main St Genoa City, WI.

We did venture out Saturday night to dinner with some friends to a real hidden jewel of a restaurant up in Genoa City for a fish boil. Yes, you heard it right a fish BOIL. The menu is rather limited, when you walk in the door you pay for your meal ($13.00 fish only, $15.00 fish & BBQ Chicken, $17.00 fish, BBQ Chicken and Ribs). The meals include cole slaw, boiled red potatoes, boiled onions and an apple slice for dessert.

I have to admit to some healthy skepticism about how the fish would be, but I like BBQ Chicken and ribs so figured we’d give it a shot. It’s served cafeteria style and is all you can eat (except you get one apple slice and that’s it). They have hot coffee, hot tea and water is included. A waitress does come around to see if anyone is interested in adult beverages or soft drinks and that costs extra.

Jonathan and I both got the $17.00  meal including fish, chicken & ribs. The fish (North Atlantic Cod) was amazing, they spoon melted butter over it and the texture and taste is almost identical to lobster! The ribs are slathered in a secret whisky sauce (Jonathan thinks bourbon) and were quite tender and meaty. Not quite as good as what we’ve had in Birmingham, AL but definitely the best of the North that we’ve had. BBQ chicken was nicely basted in a honey BBQ sauce, but we definitely preferred the fish and ribs to the chicken. The boiled red potatoes were also nice (especially with melted butter!), I didn’t try the onions, but Jonathan pronounced them good. I don’t do rye bread and frankly I don’t need any bread anyway The cole slaw was homemade and nicely tangy. The apple slice for dessert made for a nice finish to the meal. Service wasn’t overwhelming but definitely adequate.

The restaurant is housed within a lovely old eight-sided house that was built shortly after the civil war, love these historical old buildings. There is indoor and outdoor seating and if you sit outside you can actually watch the cooking of the fish in 3 large cauldrons. There is also a small gift shop.

This restaurant is definitely convenient to some of our local shows, I would think anyone that comes to the Fox River Valley Shows in Woodstock, IL or the Kenosha KC shows in Wilmot, WI would find this restaurant convenient. Bone appetite!

Since I have no good news to report on the show front personally or through groups (although Trouble’s sister Mimi did pick up a major and 2 major reserves — I think at Canfield), I thought I’d just ramble a bit.

It’s interesting to  have a puppy around again, it’s been a while … I think 2001 since I’ve had one living here that was younger than six months of age. He’s actually 7 months old as of yesterday but he’s been here since he was about 5 months old.

Trouble in the garden

Trouble has a very curious soul. Things we all take for granted he finds interesting and worthy of notice. I find him outside sometimes looking curiously at the trees and only then do I notice that a bird is chirping away up in the branches. He is excited to leap after lightning bugs in the evening … none of the other dogs pay attention to them. He delights in rolling on the discarded skins of our local garter snake, but he’s nervous about actually picking it up in his mouth! And every day he finds a new blade of grass to chew on, fortunately he has yet to throw anything back up! He runs EVERYWHERE and delights in tripping up Ryder or Jack in the back yard (not so sure they find it quite so delightful, but they sure are tolerant!)

Everything is new and fresh to a puppy, we could all probably benefit from stopping and smelling the roses a bit ourselves.