The end of summer is near....

This past weekend, I drove down to Santa Barbara, CA with Maggie (Vallee's daughter). Tom decided at the last minute to not go as he felt his football team needed their head coach. I understood and so Maggie and I made the trip together. She is a good traveler and was good company too, as she does not talk back when I am talking to her nor does she interrupt me. We were going to Santa Barbara for the dog show as well as to be able to spend some time with John, who was flying in from CT and Jane, David, Sherry, Hal, Brian, Joanne, and Susan.

Unfortunately hurricane Irene decided she needed to head north from the south east part of the U.S.A. and be in a direct line with CT where Jo

hn and Carole live. Therefore, John had to cancel coming to the Santa Barbara show at the last minute. While we all missed seeing him, we all felt he made the best decision too.

The Santa Barbara Kennel Club started a Breeders Showcase 3 years ago. Bellatak has been represented since the inception of this event. It is a wonderful event. Good food is served to all under the lights of the arena. Wine and cocktails are available. Watching the best of the best compete in the Breeders Showcase while dining under the stars is awesome! To enter, two dogs from the same breeder must be entered and shown. For the past two years, we entered Vallee and Dreamer. This year, we entered Dreamer and Vallee's daughter, Keely. To see my dogs move together in unison around the ring is breath taking for me. As I did last year, I shed a tear of joy to witness them together and seeing how beautiful they look. It is confirmation for me that I am doing something right as a breeder!

Once again this year, Bellatak was awarded a group placement. This year though, instead of getting a Group 4 like the last two years, Dreamer and Keely got a Group 3 from Judge Janet Allen.

Maggie and I had a wonderful time seeing everyone and being able to talk to our hearts content!

Dreamer won Best of Breed and Group 2 three out of the 4 days of the show with a beautiful final lineup in the Toy Group each day. We are all thankful to all the judges that see Dreamer as the exceptional Havanese we know he is.

I look forward to next year at the Santa Barbara show, as it has quickly become one our favorites to attend.

August 2011 and all is well!

WOW, I can't believe that it has been 8 months since I last posted on here! Just goes to show you how time flies as we get older! LOLOLOL

A lot has happened in the last 8 months. Dreamer has remained #1 Havanese All Breed all year again and we hope he continues to be #1. He won his 3rd BIS on May 1, 2011. Here is a picture of that awesome win from Judge Paula Nykiel.

In April our pool was taken over by a female Mallard Duck and her 12 ducklings after they were born in a well hidden nest behind our pool. They moved out when the ducklings were 8 weeks old and it took us a month to get the pool back to it's swimable state! Here is a picture of Daisy Duck and her 12 Ducklings.

We have wonderful weather this spring and summer. It has not been as hot as it typically can be here in the Sacramento Valley.

Travis, our 4 child, graduated from high school the end of May. We can't believe that he is old enough to graduate, but the school district and Travis claim he is!

I went back to work after being out on disability (yes, getting older isn't all fun!) in December. I made plans to attend the 2011 HCA National Specialty in North Carolina. I wasn't sure I would be able to go due to my injuries, but I was able to make it. I was so looking forward to attending, as it was my vacation for the year. Tom had to stay home and keep the "fort" under control.

The entire Bellatak Dream Team was in attendance as we have been for the last few years. It is always fun to be with everyone. I enjoyed myself even before the final day.

For the 3rd time, never to have been done before by anyone in the Havanese breed, a Bellatak Havanese won the 2011 HCA National Specialty. Judge James Reynolds pointed at GCH CH Bellatak McDreamy to be his winner! What a thrill and this time I was able to sit ringside! I could never sit ringside when Vallee (CH Bellatak My Funny Valentine) was in the ring. Dreamer winning meant that Bellatak retired the Havanese Club of Southern California Perpetual Trophy! I still am pinching myself to be sure all of this is true! While I always knew that Dreamer was structurally correct to the Havanese standard, it is nice my belief in him was once again confirmed by a prestigeous judge like Mr. James Reynolds. His choices remained very consistent from WD to WB and BOS, as they were all very similar in type and style. The Dream Team made it happen! Thank you, John Oakes, Carole Shea, Jane Samson, Tom Patrick and David Murray.

Something I think you ALL would like to buy can be found by clicking on this link. You will not only want one for yourself, but you should buy a lot to give as gifts since the Holiday's are just around the corner. http://havanesetalk.tumblr.com/ So BUY, BUY, BUY! All proceeds go to Havanese Club of America.