New Years Eve Eve

Vallee looking at the judge at Eukanuba during the breed judging. I LOVE this picture a friend took.

We had a wonderful Christmas. While I was pretty sick, the boys helped a lot and in fact I couldn't have pulled it off without them. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was extra special because mom came too. It was so much fun watching the grandkids open their gifts. They were thrilled with what they got. One thing Tom and I bought them was real Army fatigues I found at an Army Navy Store. Including the belt, hat, socks, and more. They couldn't wait to try them on. Thankfully they fit! It was so cute. BJ say's he wants to go into the military after college, this from a 7 year old.

I am still not well from this darn cold/flu thing, but hopefully I am on the mend. I keep taking medication in hopes something will help. Maybe it just needs to run its course.

I had scheduled today off to do something that got cancelled but decided to go ahead and take the day off anyway so I could take dogs to the vet that needed some things done as well as get ALL the dogs groomed. I had hoped to be able to take the tree down and all the other decorations, but I just didn't have the energy in the end! Ran a progesterone test on the girl I want to breed and she is just about ready. I am excited about this breeding and hope all goes well. I always worry about mom and pups before, during and after birth!!

Tom came home from work and cooked a great dinner. Brandon joined us too. It is always nice to have either him or Sarah here when they can come by. The boys are enjoying being off from school and frankly I am too. It won't be long before they will be like their older siblings and will be gone more then they are home!

We finally got the results today from mom's kidney biopsy that was done almost 2 weeks ago!! She does have renal cancer. They had told us back in August that she had kidney cancer but they had never taken tissue to confirm because they also thought she had bone cancer. Well, the 2 bone biopsy's came back negative so the oncologist decided to do this biopsy. Not sure what treatment they can offer as they are still convinced she has bone cancer too even though the biopsy say's something different. We are not too happy as we are feeling like something more could have been done during these last 4 months since she was given a wrong diagnosis!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe and happy New Year's Eve. Don't celebrate too hard though! We will be staying home and hope we are able to make it to the midnight hour. Here is wishing everyone a prosperous, healthy new year! 2010 will be an awesome year!! Don't forget to cook some black-eyed peas as they are suppose to bring good luck in the new year!

Christmas Eve

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU.

We are having our gift exchange tonight instead of tomorrow since our grandson's will be here today. I am feeling better after having some kind of flu!

Food is cooked, house is clean thanks to my teen boys, decorations are out, table is set, presents are wrapped and under the tree.

It's been a good year, with some trials and tribulations, but in the end God has blessed us all.

Dogs have their Christmas bone and can't wait to see what Santa Paws will bring them.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fudge!

I am finally unpacked!! Why as I age does it seemingly take me longer to do just about anything anymore??? I find myself throughout the day each day now, smiling uncontrollably when I think about my weekend and Vallee winning the breed at Eukanuba. I still have to pinch myself to realize all of her accomplishments are true. I think I will be talking about it all for years to come.

My mouth is still causing me a lot of discomfort. I went back to the oral surgeon to learn he left not 1 but 2 pieces of bone in the spot that is bothering me the most!!!

Tonight the family, including the grandchildren will be coming over to make fudge and decorate our tree. I make Christmas fudge every year and it has become a tradition that everyone enjoys. I only make it this time of year so it always remains a treat.

All the dogs are well. Sarah called me today to let me know that Bugsy and Ollie got into the cat's food and ate it all. She is preparing for them to have stools less then desirable!! LOL Watching and waiting for one of the girls to come into heat as it is time for her, but she is not cooperating like I planned!!! It has been almost a year since we had puppies so I am looking forward to having a litter. I am very excited also about these planned breedings and hope they take and all goes well of course.

Tom and I are going on a "date" tomorrow night, something we do every year, to finish our Christmas shopping and just have fun with each other. Maybe this year he and I should shop only for ourselves??!! LOL

Day After Eukanuba

I am sorry that I have not posted in a while. I have been sick with a bad cold and at the same time have had oral surgery with some complications. Then it was time to leave for Long Beach to attend the 2009 Eukanuba Dog Show. It was a wonderful trip even though my pain has been bothersome at times and the weather wasn't what we all hoped it would be in S. California.

Friday was the HCSC Regional Specialty. There were 59 Havanese entered and a nice representation of the breed. Vallee couldn't be shown as John, her co-owner is a member of the Long Beach Kennel Club. However, BJ (Bellatak's Greatest General) owned by Jane S. was shown and he won Winners Dog and Best of Winners and Best Puppy! It was thrilling to say the least and his owner Jane was flying high and I wasn't sure when her feet would be back on the ground. Rightfully so too! Jane called me Friday morning on her way to the show with BJ and asked if she should pull him from being shown as he woke up that morning and had thrown up a little. After we discussed it we both decided he would probably be fine and to bring him and let him be in the show. We are both so glad he did! The judge loved him!! Jane won some beautiful crystal trophy's which I am sure will be proudly displayed in her home. Then it was on to the Puppy Toy Group. It was judged by Wendal Strike, who is also a Havanese owner and a member of the Long Beach club. While Wendal didn't pick BJ for a group placement, we all felt that BJ was the biggest winner that day!

Yesterday was the first day of the 2009 Eukanuba. It was another great day to say the least. BJ was shown in the 9-12 month class and while he didn't win he did get Reserve Winners Dog and got a nice ribbon and medallion at the greatest dog show in the world. What an honor for BJ.

Then it was time for breed. There were a lot of very nice Havanese in the breed ring. I was standing fairly close by as I knew Vallee wasn't going to win and this was going to be her last time at this very prestigious show. I finally decided to sit down at the ring next to where we were showing to watch. Well, I so enjoyed watching Vallee on the table and strut her stuff around the ring. Then I turned my attention to what was happening in the ring where I was seated. Suddenly a woman who is a fan of Vallee's suddenly said, "Oh my, she just moved Vallee to the front of the line." That made my heart drop to my knee's and I swiftly turned my head back to the Havanese ring. I stood up to watch and when I saw the judge point to David and Vallee for Best of Breed, my legs suddenly started to give out from under me!!!!! I broke down in tears and tried to walk back over to the ring so I could get to John and Carol. We all were thrilled to say the least as Vallee is retiring. What a wonderful way for her to leave the dog show world as the 2009 Eukanuba Havanese Best of Breed winner. You will be able to watch the show on Animal Planet in February.

We all went out to celebrate and then went back for the Group's. While Vallee didn't get a Group placement, it was wonderful to see her on the blue carpet and share the moment with some wonderful friends.

It was a great day for California breeders as my good friend Elaine C. won Best of Breed Bred By with a nice bitch she co-owns with Joe C. Joe and I drove up and back together from the show, with Elaine following behind. Congratulations Elaine and Joe!!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend and will enjoy the Holiday's however you spend it.