Winner Takes All

What a weekend. I can only take credit for paying the entry and holding the end of the lead. Esme did all the rest. This morning's show went pretty much Plain Jane, Esme won Winners Bitch again but didn't get to go into puppy group because a puppy placed in group. Ah well, better luck next time.

In the afternoon Esme was all in a dither because she hadn't seen the Ridgebacks in some time and I think she feels like she has to keep an eye on them. She fussed and fussed like an over-tired child but when we headed into the ring she was all business. I can usually tell when a judge likes my dog and I felt this judge immediately liked my little girl. She is hard not to like!

We won Winners Bitch again, then in the Specials class she was put in front stayed there for another Best of Breed over group placing specials! So we hung around and then headed into the group ring, expecting the same result from our foray into the Big Leagues as yesterday since a junior puppy placing in the group, much less a Puli puppy without real cords, doesn't stand much of a shot. Mr. Guy Jeavons  proved me wrong! He pulled Esme out for a fourth in group and I was astounded and gratified; here was my special starting her 'real' show career. They grow up so fast ... she didn't actually win the puppy group though because the judge liked the Bouvier puppy better but winning a fourth in group trumps a puppy group any day in my books.

So Esme is now retired from the Canadian show ring although I will enter her a few times at the local shows just to keep her head in the game. A Puli special is generally expected to have an almost full length coat so in about 4 years she will be ready to hit the ring for a planned campaign. She will also be heading to the Puli Club of America National Specialty in 6 weeks so expect to hear great things about this little marvel kicking butt in the USA.

After only three weekends of showing while still a junior puppy, Esme has proven that she has what it takes to become a world beater show dog. She has the attitude, type, and structure to give the Herding group a run for their money. Watch out Herding breeds, in about 3 or 4 years Esme is going to steal the spotlight.