Rottweilers Ate My Laptop

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

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

New champion!!

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I actually missed the phone call from Julia this morning. She must have called seconds after finishing up in the Rottweiler ring, and as luck would have it, I was in the shower and missed being the first to hear the biggest news of Axel’s young life. But, anyway!!

Our Axe is now…

CH Precious Gems Axel vom Viersen!!!

He finished his American Championship (pending AKC verification, of course) this morning at the Manatee Kennel Club’s show at the Florida Winter Classic I in Brooksville, FL. He went Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a three-point major under judge Robert C. Thomas and handled by Julia Foster.

Julia has been so wonderful as a handler and surrogate “mom” to the sometimes overbearing and rambunctious Axel, and with her friendship and support to me as a first-time show dog mom. Axel’s breeder, Denise, has also been here with friendship and support throughout the whole process… from helping us pick the right puppy, with advice through his troublesome teenage times, and on the road to his championship.

Axel will be home at the end of the month. I can’t wait to pick him up in St. Louis! Meanwhile, enjoy a picture of him from the Chicago Christmas Cluster (click for a larger view)…

Photo: Booth Photography

(NaBloPoMo | January ’10: 14 of 31)

Axel returns to Chicago

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Well, sort of! Since Axe didn’t finish his championship at home this past weekend, he’ll be home for the holidays only, and then heading out on January 3 to Texas, then Florida, which is way more exciting than what his human family members have planned for themselves for January.

As you’ve guessed by now, if you’ve been following Axe’s championship quest, our much-hoped-for 3-point majors for Rottweiler dogs did not hold for any of the three Christmas Cluster shows at the Rosemont Convention Center. Oh, I guess that should be Donald E. Stephens Convention Center now, but I don’t call the Sears Tower the Willis Tower either, so bear with me, please.

Despite the lack of majors this past weekend, I still have good news to report. Axe went Winners Dog and Best of Winners at Friday’s show for 2 points, giving him 13 total points. Now he needs just one more major win to earn his championship. On Saturday, he had a successful debut in the Rally Obedience ring, qualifying for his first Rally Novice leg with a score of 94 points, which was good enough for 3rd place. Have I mentioned before how much I appreciate Axe’s handler, Julia Foster? Not only does she make him look good, she gets him to work well with her, too.

I’ve added Axel’s November show photos to his gallery for you to enjoy.

What’s my point?

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axel_points120109

So, when your dog is out at the shows, and even when your handler is excellent about keeping you informed about your dog’s progress, and even when you know that AKC doesn’t update the points progression daily, do you keep checking it? Every day or maybe even more than once a day? Waiting eagerly for the next update?

axel_11points

Or is that just me obsessing about Axel?

This is MAJOR!

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Stop the presses!

Axel’s advertisement for Issue 4 of Total Rottweiler Magazine must be corrected, because he is now not just “AKC pointed, V-rated Precious Gems Axel vom Viersen”… he is AKC MAJOR pointed, V-rated Precious Gems Axel vom Viersen!

His eagerly-awaited first major has finally happened! Today in Belleville, IL, Axe went Winners Dog and Best of Winners to earn a 3-point major under judge Mrs. Barbara Dempsey Alderman at Edwardsville Illinois Kennel Club’s show.

I continue to be amazed and grateful at how Julia Foster transforms my wild child into a handsome and successful show dog every weekend.

One more major and four total points to go!

(NaBloPoMo | 75% Challenge: 272 of 274)

Another Rottweiler birthday

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Axel’s birthday, as well as Freya’s, also falls within the usual time frame of this vacation trip. As most of you know, right now he’s on the road in search of his AKC championship, so is not at home in Chicago anyway. But had we been back home today, we would have made a short-ish trip (about seventy miles) to Kankakee, IL to celebrate his third birthday together. And as it turns out, we would (and are!) also celebrate Axe going Winners Dog at today’s Kankakee River Valley Kennel Club show and earning another point towards his championship.

Yesterday, he got a visit from his “grandma” Denise and “aunt” Gina. He didn’t win yesterday, but I know he was happy to see some of his extended family.

Happy birthday to our “puppy boy”!

(NaBloPoMo | 75% Challenge: 271 of 274)