Rottweilers Ate My Laptop

Rottweilers. Computers. Cameras. World Domination. Not necessarily in that order.

Rottweilers.
Computers. Cameras.
World Domination.
Not necessarily in that order.

Strangely blank

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This might not be a good NaBloPoMo month for me. I hope the Rottweilers did not eat my muse. Without her, I’m left with a blank page (this is the 21st century, I guess I should say “blinking cursor” instead), a blank mind, and twentysomething days still to go. Even when I’m not spending much time online, I spend a lot of time in front of a computer, so maybe it’s just burnout. Or eyestrain. Or maybe it’s just that I’m still getting over the very last traces of that nasty winter cold.

Earlier, I tried to do some Axel photos. May I say that for a correct and good-looking champion Rottweiler, he is not very photogenic when it comes to candid photos. If he were a human child, he’d be the one in the class picture with eyes closed, or looking to the side, or making a face. He’d be the big dork in party and sports pictures. If I post tonight’s photos, they will surely torpedo any future stud dog opportunities, so I think I’ll just save those for another time.

After a week off from training due to my winter cold, Freya and I both need to get back into the game in time for the UKC trial on March 13. I have a backlog of Freya videos to review, some from just before our unintentional week off, so at least I know where we left off.

Hopefully my muse will be back tomorrow to help with those video posts!

(NaBloPoMo | March ’10: 3 of 31)

These manatees are endangered, all right

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Now that Axel has finished his AKC Championship, I am hoping to get him out to some sieger (German-style conformation) shows this year. One of these days I will get around to writing more about this type of show. I have enjoyed them as a participant, as a spectator, and even as a critique typist, and wish there were more opportunities to attend this type of show in my area.

I won’t lie and say that they are devoid of politics and dog snobbery, but they generally have a more casual atmosphere than a typical AKC conformation show, and you will probably have more of an opportunity to learn about the breed because each dog is individually critiqued from nose to tail for all to hear. In the shows I have been to, many of the judges also take a minute at the end of the class to explain their placements, something I don’t think I’ve ever personally seen at an AKC show.

But for now, the main thing to remember is that food cannot be used to bait the dog in the ring. You may, however, use a toy. And that is where the manatees come in. That was your next question, wasn’t it?

Since Axel finished his AKC championship at the Manatee Kennel Club’s show, I thought it would be cute to have a manatee as his bait toy for sieger shows. Don’t judge me. Since I did not see any manatee toys at our local pet supply stores, I went online to look for manatee toys for either dogs or children. The Wishpets manatee mom and baby looked extremely cute in the picture, so I ordered one. It cost a total of about $20, including shipping. Here it is:

Axel cannot have this. It is way too cute and I just do not know what I would do to him if he were to rip the baby off the mom’s flipper and consume it. When I get around to framing his new champion photo, manatee mom and baby will go into the curio cabinet along with the photo and ribbons from the show. They will not go into Axel’s mouth. Sorry, buddy.

I was also shocked to see that this might have been some kind of limited edition single-parent manatee family. It doesn’t seem to be available any longer at the online store where I purchased it, and another one lists it at $78. Whoa.

The search for a slightly less cute and somewhat sturdier manatee continues. I hope to find one before he actually enters a sieger show!

(NaBloPoMo | February ’10: 20 of 28)

Like father, like son

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Denise just added some of Endy’s show photos from 2002 to her website. Endy (V-1 CH Endy von der Frankentanne, SchH 2, ZTP, BH, TT) was Axel’s sire and when I saw those photos, especially next to Axel’s show photos, all I could think of is “like father, like son.” Wow.

Go and see! Father Endy is here. Son Axel is here.

All three of my male Rottweilers were chosen because of the instant admiration I had for their sires. I should probably not admit this, because in general I am all about the research into bloodlines, titles, health clearances, siblings, progeny, breeders, stud dog owners, you know… everything. But sometimes, first impressions matter. Maybe looks aren’t everything… except sometimes when they are.

(NaBloPoMo | February ’10: 19 of 28)

Last one for a while

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More physical proof has arrived! Click away now if you are one of those who has had enough! We’re still awaiting one more title certificate for Freya, and then we have to go back to earning titles and awards before we can get any more certificates.

I’m particularly happy that Axel earned this title, and very grateful to Julia for trialing him in addition to showing him. I am happy that I was able to teach him the exercises well enough to qualify with decent scores, and even one placement. I am happy that Axel was able to get through the last two legs on packed dirt in a horse arena, especially after he NQd once in the same type of venue.

(NaBloPoMo | February ’10: 18 of 28)

A few more words about Westminster

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As mentioned earlier in the week, there are only a very few times over the long history of Westminster that Rottweilers have placed in group competition. Unfortunately, 2010 would not be one of those times. But it was still so exciting to see Julia and Patrone on TV, and what a wonderful team they made.

I’m not one who yells at the TV very often during sporting events. But last night, there was clapping and cheering (and barking) for Julia and Patrone, as if they, or the judge could hear us. And when they made the cut and got pulled into the line at the end, we got even louder. Alas, Patrone would not follow in his great-grandfather’s pawprints as one of the very few Rottweilers to place in the group. Still, a beautiful showing and very excited to see a friend in the spotlight at the Garden! Just a little disappointed that the commentators did not mention Julia by name, as they did with some of the other handlers.

I was pulling for the Whippet for Best In Show, but the Doberman should have had it. Sadie, the Scottish Terrier favored by many to win, did in fact prevail. But you all knew that, too!

I was a little surprised to find myself liking Tamron Hall as co-host. She spent quite a few years on the Chicago Fox affiliate’s morning news show, and I didn’t particularly care for her in that spot. Upon reflection, perhaps it was that I didn’t care for her teamed with David Novarro, or more likely, it’s David Novarro that I still don’t like in that morning spot. Anyway, good job, Tamron! Way better than last year’s co-host.

Oh, yes. I am sure you were hoping I’d forget, but guess what came in the mail recently, and that I finally got around to scanning? That’s right, Axel’s Canine Good Citizen certificate!

I know those of you who knew him as “Junior Gang Member” or “Junior Sex Offender” from puppy classes or as the unruly adolescent who tested me constantly are laughing at the idea of him being a good citizen. Well, there’s the proof. So there!

(NaBloPoMo | February ’10: 17 of 28)