Dancin' in Dundee

Well it could only be Ayla dancing with joy after winning 1st Papillon Puppy and best puppy in breed then winning 1st in the av toy special puppy class. Judge was Mr Tony Allcock (MBE) who judged the Toy group at Dundee premier show. Indy was placed a very respectable 3rd in Post graduate dog, shame the bitch in front was only a week or so out of season which meant he went round with his nose glued to the ground and when he stopped the grass was flying.

Times they are a changing ...........

Abbeyton and the word Papillons went so well together (well I thought so anyway) but as the title says changes are afoot.

My interest in showing Papillons started in 1995 when Jim my husband bought me my first Papillon called Poppy and ever since our lives and home has been taken over by these small dogs with HUGE characters and even bigger ears. lol I have enjoyed thoroughly being owned by Papillons over the years but I now find that we are being taken over by the Papillons ancestor and the original dog The Phalene, or Continental Toy Spaniel.

One of the first and most memorable Phalenes I ever saw was Serenglade Symphony bred and owned by Mrs Linda Greenslade when she won the Reserve Chalenge Certificate at crufts in 1992. (was there with some obedience folk long before I started showing) After that I became more aware of the occasional Phalene being shown and believe me they were few and far between. The next Phalene I met was a young dog imported into Scotland from Europe by Mrs Mary Fraser (Fraserdene)

Anyway fast forwarding to more recent history, Liz Anderson (Northlyte) had a Phalene, Northlyte Fire 'N Brimstone (Flame) a beautiful petite red and white girl who I was able to buy. It was almost a year later that I telephoned Linda Greenslade (Serenglade) who let me have my boy Serenglade Indigo Moon (Indy). From mating these two dogs I now have Abbeyton Fire Dancer (Ayla). And dare I say it that I recently went to visit Linda Greenslade with every intention of coming home with an absolutely gorgeous red sable Phalene dog puppy that she had sent me a photograph of but like all the best laid plans I came home with his litter sister. She is a black and white and her name is Daisy (Serenglade New Moon Rising) I was so tempted to bring back both of them (still tempted to go and ask Linda for the boy ) I had even phoned Jim and told him to expect both of them home, Jim was quite surprised only to have Daisy come in the door he went looking in the boxes for the boy as he didn't believe me that I had come away without him. LOL And so we now have four Phalene's and two Papillons!!!!!

Not quite Crufts.......

But a great day all the same.

ABBEYTON FIRE DANCER

(AYLA)

Shows off her Best In Show rosette and Best Puppy In Show trophy from the local Agricultural exemption dog show where we spent the day with Anna and Carter of Bonmeshay. Leavings on the ground from sheep, cows and horses a wee pleasant change from the usual meat treats offered from me so Ayla thought. LOL

Dog Shows

Went to SKC and stewarded on the Friday, took Ayla and Indy on Saturday for showing and came home with a lighter purse and dogs unplaced in the classes. Sunday I went to the Papillon Club of Scotland Champ show at Lanark with the 3 Phalene's Ayla, Indy, Flame and Marnie my only Papillon at present for showing. Indy was first in the ring and went unplaced as did Ayla and Marnie. Didn't bother to take Flame in as the judge didn't seem to like Phalene's. As I had put up a rather large pen all the dogs were quite comfortable with there chews and space to move around if they wanted. Anna handled Indy in the Phalene open class at got 1st place, Ayla was 2nd behind him and her grandmother Sophie was 3rd.

And that was the weekend that was. No more shows for a while so I get to sit in the garden (if it's dry) and watch the pigeons coming home from the race. You can keep up with how they do at Homing Pigeons .

Phalene's Day Out

Had a very nice day at Cumnock and District Open Show, our Judge for both the toy group and BIS was Mrs Elanor Bothwell (Norcis).

With me were Ayla (Abbeyton Fire Dancer), her sire Indy (Serenglade Indigo Moon At Abbeyton) and her dam Flame (Northlyte Fire 'N Brimstone At Abbeyton).

Indy was in the Papillon Graduate class in which he won first place. Flame was next in Papillon Open and came second in her class. Ayla was in the AV Special Toy Puppy where she was placed first, being placed first meant she also won Best Puppy in Group.

Feels a bit strange not having a Papillon out at the shows, but Marnie will be back out next weekend with the Phalene's at SKC and The Papillon Club of Scotland Championship shows. Our last shows for a wee while as I'm going to take a break and put some time in with the pigeons and then take a week out to go down the country and visit with a few friends with some very nice dogs. LOL Jim's worse nightmare. Watch this space............

Ayla has a good day

Left home at 5:45am and headed north to Arbroath with Anna for the North of Scotland Toydog Society open show.

Always a favourite place for people to stock up with leads, bedding, bait bags and the other items so Anna is kept busy with her wee stall. Carter was the only Bonmeshay dog there today and he was placed 2nd in Papillon Puppy. I was in the same class with a little bitch called Misty (Papwings Misty Memories) who belongs to Mary Duncan. At a couple of days over 9 months old she did very well being placed 3rd behind Carter. Also had the pleasure of Lilah's company again and got to handle her in the Chinese Crested open class, unfortunately had to hand her to someone else and she was place 3rd as it clashed with Ayla being in the ring.

Ayla (Abbeyton Fire Dancer) was entered in Papillon Minor Puppy and won her class. She then won Best Puppy in Breed under judge Mrs Penny Robins (Jaroma) and then won Puppy Group 3 from judge Mrs L Humphrey's (Amarantos). WELL DONE AYLA and thank you to both judges.

I did have Indy with me but decided not to enter him in his class as he is losing coat just now and wasn't at his best. But he did enjoy his day, especially when Ayla, Carter and some of the Adnamashan Papillons came to hang out at Anna's stall and they got to tangle leads and owners alike.

Pigeon Life

Catching up with whats happening in the pigeon loft, three youngsters (one is the nominated 1st bird and the others are replacements in case of loss or injury) have been delivered to The Scottish Classic One Loft Race all three pigeons will train and live at this loft until the racing starts with one of four hot spot races on 22nd July culminating with the main race of 160 miles on 22nd August.

Last week the pigeons raced from Lockerbie and Abbeyton Lofts took club places of 4th, 5th, 7th 8th and 20th and saw us make the 10th place in the Ayrshire Federation result. Number of birds sent in the fed was 2110 so not to bad a result for the first race. We sent 30 birds but only had 23 return from the race.

This week saw the pigeons were racing from Longtown 82 miles from home. They were liberated at 10.30am Saturday morning, as I was a local limit show with Ayla I missed all the winners coming in. Jim was caught on the hop a wee bit as he was in the garage doing some bit and pieces when the first pigeons arrived. As we are still using the manual clocks for the old birds season we lost a minute or two in timing the birds. Anyway that doesn't matter as we were 1st and 2nd in the club with 21 home out of 21 sent, we will find out nearer the end of the week how we did in the Fed result.

We have installed a Benzing ETS for the start of the young bird season in July where the birds are timed via an electronic ring on there leg and we don't have to touch them. The youngsters are now out and flying round the loft, we are one down already, whether it has just got lost and maybe gone into someone else's loft or has become some hawks food we don't know till someone if ever reports it as found.

Papillon Health

Has been updated with an article on Tracheal Collapse. This was one of the factors involved in the loss of my first Papillon Poppy (Brollyanna Princess Poppet). Having one of my friends have her 13 year old Papillon Monet diagnosed with the same condition I thought it appropriate to add the item to the PAPILLON HEALTH blog.

PAPILLON CLUB OF SCOTLAND

New look blog. Still finding it's (WEB) feet so to speak The Papillon Club (Butterfly) Dog Club of Scotland were recently gifted there own domain name and have taken space on the internet via a blog (for present) to keep members up to date with club information and news.

If anyone has any news they would like to share with other club members and visitors please contact Hazel who is the clubs blog coordinator by emailing info@papillonclubofscotland.co.uk

Website can be found at http://www.papillonclubofscotland.co.uk/ or click this link Papillon Club Of Scotland

Something of Interest

At PAPILLON HEALTH you can have a read and familiarise your self with some of the symptoms that manifest themselves in certain conditions that is found to affect our beautiful Papillons.

My other hobby

If you find yourself continually going from site to site and looking for something different, go and have a look at our pigeon website at ABBEYTON LOFTS. When you do get to give us a visit remember and sign the guest book and let us know what you think. Jim is a bit of a whizz at designing websites and keeps himself busy almost 24 hours a day in front of the compter.

Papillon Club Champ Show

Travelled down and stayed with Angela on Saturday. Collected Alfie and Cosmo on the way down to take to the show with Ayla, Indy and Flame. Long way down and even longer back home and expensive to boot.

The dog judge Howard Ogden (Beauview) was in his usual good humor and gave every dog the same consideration and only now and again let his thoughts show on his face. Cosmo was in Jr and was placed a very respectable 4th. Indy was short listed but unplaced in a very good PG class but placed 3rd in Phalene dog. Alfie was placed VHC in Open, poor soul kept looking for Joe (his dad) who couldn't be there as he is lying in a hospital bed with a badly broken leg. Get well soon.

The bitch judge was Pauline Wilson (Invergarick) and Ayla was unplaced in a class of 21 Minor Puppy Bitches. Flame was shown by Angela in Limit and again she was unplaced, though she did manage 4th in the Phalene bitch class.

Esetelle Kirk with Abbeyton Runnin Free at Kirkchase was placed 1st in her Jr class. Well done to you both and especially winnng best Puppy in show with your little Papplewick girl.

I stopped off and had a quick visit with Debra and Roo who is looking really good. They leave for the summer in France in May and will be returning back to the UK in September so looking forward to seeing him then and the changes he will have one through.

UK Toydog Champ Show

Went with Marnie and Ayla and both girls were placed in there classes. Ayla got reserve in minor puppy bitch and Marnie got vhc in limit bitch.

Thank you to Jacqueline Hill for the photographs of Ayla.

Well Done

Morven MacDonald and Newlin Zoe of Finmorlan at Crufts 2009 CONGRATULATIONS in winning 1st YKC 6 - 11 year age group Terrier and Hound and then returning on Sunday to win 1st in the National Junior Handler of the year 6 - 11 age group then being placed 3rd over all.

Morven with Zoe and Judge Glenn Robb

Ayla's first show

Went to Clydebank and District Open Show today with Indy and Ayla. Picked Anna up en route with Ruben, Carter and her wee bedding stall. Arrived in plenty of time to give the dogs a good walk and for Anna to set up her wee stall. And a busy wee stall it is most of the day, people come to look and buy and before you know it there is quite gathering at times all discussing what bedding suits what breeds and what lead Anna has made best, LOL only thing is that it can get a bit hectic for Anna to show and serve so the help offered from different people to look after her wee stall while she showed the boys was much appreciated. Carter won Papillon Jr and Ruben won Papillon Open taking Best of Breed and Group 3.

Indy was on his toes today and showed very well and came second behind Mrs MacGregor and her boy Mo. Ayla was a wee sweetheart, did everything right and even had time to give the judge a wee kiss, (sook) she was placed 3rd in a class of 8 AV Toy Minor Puppy. She was really good on the table and tried her best to keep her tail still, didn't work, jut like it didn't stop wagging while she was on the move for the judge. She didn't always keep it over her back but there were some larger dogs at the ringside and it was her first show. I was very pleased with her and how she performed. Mrs Mac very kindly took some pictures at the show and I know they are in my email inbox, will put them on the blog tomorrow. Angela and Jamie have just arrived at there hotel on a surprise visit home so off out for a couple of glasses of wine and a cuddle from my daughter.

A couple of snapshots of Indy looking quite windswept at Lanark.

Crufts 2009

Well it's been and gone again and it will come back round next year again. This is the Crufts that was for us from Abbeyton.

I travelled down on the Thursday evening with Janet Kirkwood of Helydon Gundogs she was going to show her Chinese Crested on the Friday and stay over to show her gundogs on the Saturday. The trip was uneventful and smooth, thanks to some new tyres on the car, could really have done without spending the £400 but needs must. We arrived in good time for the venue opening at 7am. Only problem we parked in the wrong carpark!!!!!!! we were in the east carpark and to get to hall 5 where our rings were we had to go through Halls 1, 2, 3, and 4. Would have done some shopping then but the stall holders were still at breakfast and hadn't taken off the wraps. Left Janet at her benching and made my way to the Papillon benching and found that we were quite well placed just behind the front row within easy reach of the ring but not out in the main thoroughfare. Indy and Marnie were quite happy to get out and stretch there legs with a walk round the hall and a chance to say hello to everyone they met whether they knew them or not. Spent a wee bit of time tidying them up and then settled them back into there trolley with some biscuits and water then left them to go and say good morning to friends and other exhibitors alike. Met Jane Freeman who had just won puppy dog with Annmeeric Galaxy Traveller By Caroadori a super little Italian Greyhoud that I have met a few times now and would quite happily smuggle him away in with my dogs if I thought Jane would let me. LOL He didn't get any further awards but his kennel mates were placed 2nd in special jr dog and 3rd in open dog. Also dropped by the Maltese ring and watched Lafford Marc My Words From Zumarnik gain her CH. title winning her 3rd CC today.

Any way back to Papillons and we had a change of judge, Jimmy Simpson (Penang) was unable to be there due to ill health and the replacement judge was Jean Banfield (Kingshaven). Indy was first in the ring, he was really good on the table and moving (went a dream actually) but at the end when the judge came round for her last look before placing, Indy dropped his tail I just wasn't quick enough to get him back on his toes so we missed out. Marnie on the other hand was doing her usual, flying round the ring and trying to say hello to everyone at the same time. She actually spotted Anna from a fair distance and I thought that was it, but she turned her attention back to what she was doing and was placed a very respectable 2nd in her class. Alfie (Abbeyton What's It All About) was there today as well and got placed 3rd in a very strong class of dogs. Wills and Cosmo went unplaced, but if you had been there to see the very high standard of the dogs being shown there was no shame in not having a placing.

After leaving Crufts I drove the 100 miles or so to Angela's where we were spending the night. Indy had a great time playing with Nacho and was quite happy to share his treats and dinner with him.

Saturday morning we went for a walk and Indy was offered a new home with a lady he impressed at the bus stop by lying down quietly while we chatted. Angela is always impressed when I come back in and can tell her things from around her town. Found out this time that is costs £1.70 on the local bus to the nearest town. LOL

Abbeyton Spring Blossom

I was all ready to post about our trip to Crufts this year but I had a phone call today which put it in the shade, telling me that Becky died 9th March 2009 after being involved in a car accident. Her owner Liz is absolutely devastated. Both Becky and her buddy Gizmo jumped in the car with Liz to go a short trip, the car was hit by another and Liz is left very badly bruised and Becky hurt her back. She was taken to her vet and referred immediately to the Glasgow vet school where they operated but found her spine was so severely damaged that the decision was taken to not to let her suffer any further.

Becky (tri) pictured with her litter sister Belle and Angela at there first Crufts where Becks was placed a very respectable 4th in Puppy bitch. Becky on the occasions she was shown did very well, I stopped showing her after she was attacked by two dogs at a show. She was a very important dog in that she is the foundation to most of the dogs I have.

Once upon a time.......

That caught your eye didn't it? LOL it's going to be a long one so settle down with your favourite tipple and we will begin....

I was the show manager at a local open show and thankfully the day passed without any problems. The edge was taken off the day for me because I had to disappoint a friend by not being able to drive with her to Heathrow to collect a dog coming in from the USA Friday morning. As we set the rings etc up on the Friday night I wouldn't have been there in time. I really did try to get away from doing the set up as I would still have been at the show on the Saturday, but after making a few phone calls I was told this was not the case, I had to be there on Friday evening as the buck stopped with me and if anything went wrong it was my responsibility. Didn't make any difference that it was my first time as show manager and that there were two other committee members with years of experience at the job there as well, my name was on the schedule and I could face a fine if I didn't fulfil my role. So take note that being on a committee really does mean commitment or you could face paying for the privilege. Never mind the hours you give up of your free time to support your "hobby" or the donations you make be it via raffles, prizes or monetary donation to the clubs.

Anyway that was Saturday and for me Sunday couldn't come round quick enough. Went to Catrine show at Lanark and had an ok day, both Indy and Marnie were placed second in there classes. Beginning to think I should maybe give up breeding and showing my own and just continue to show other peoples dogs as I seem to be doing better there at the moment. I handled an English Bull Terrier and won 1st and best of breed. Nipped away for a while to meet up with Sue Deamer and have a chat, Sue was kind enough to collect a satnav for me that I had ordered online from Halfords so I don't have any excuses for getting lost. Well except for the NEC car parks, what a horrible place to get in and out of. Well it is for me. LOL

The intervening week has been taken up with girls in season, poor Indy doesn't know if he is coming or going. As for the girls, any opportunity and they are flirting like mad with him behind bars.

We had no shows this weekend but that doesn't mean I stayed at home. Saturday I went to a Secretaries Seminar organised and run by SKC and very informative it was too. Gave a good insight to the job the secretary of General and Breed clubs have. Met Terry Heath of Holloville Bull Terriers and we had a very long but interesting conversation about health issues in Bullys and dogs in general. Sunday was at an easier pace and didn't leave home till 1pm to take Jean to the Maltese Club of Scotland AGM.

Was going to say The End but that's not true come back for more and I'll promise I will get pictures for you next time. We are showing at Crufts on the 5th March. taking Indy and Marnie so do check what happens there.

Meet Paraiba Frothy Coffee via Bryelis

LILAH

A wee change for me at the weekend when I handled Lilah on Saturday where she won 1st Chinese Crested open class and Best of Breed. She then came to stay overnight with me and the Papillons so I could show her at the show on the Sunday as well, where she again won 1st Chinese Crested open class and Best of Breed then added Group 3 to the list. I have handled Lilah a few times in the past but this weekend we just seemed to click and she went like a dream. Looking forward to our next time.

Indy and Marnie were at the shows at the weekend, both were placed in there classes. Betsy went with us on the Saturday for a wee bit of socialising and done really well, even managed to accept some food and cuddles from people who were kind enough to stop and spend time with her. Ayla and the others (including Jim) at home wondered what had arrived when Lilah came in the door, and I must admit I was a wee bit wary as to how everyone would get on, but they were fine said hello and just all got on with there own business. Really surprising how warm Lilah was to the touch. I thought like a human with no clothes on her skin would be cold to the touch, but there you go learned something new this weekend. An absolute delight to have her here and would certainly have her to stay again.

Obedient Betsy!!!!!

Took her to a local puppy class tonight. Oh wow was she given a rude awakening. Typical pet obedience class with dogs and handlers/owners of all ages and abilities, some like Betsy there for the first time others returning for top up training and others who had been going for quite a few weeks. I met an old friend called Simba and his owners as soon as I walked in the door and it just felt like I had never been away, though everyone was at least 5 years older. Spent my time walking Betsy round the hall letting her get used to the couple of dogs there while we waited for the trainer to arrive. Once the class started I got to have a go with Simba doing his heel work and boy don't the old ways come back so quickly, he knew instinctively when to walk, sit, turn and all this was because his close heel work is so good , and his mum thought he would have forgotten it all. Betsy on the other hand was totally over awed by it all, her heel work was really good for a dog trying to hide under the chairs round the walls of the hall. (LOL shorter lead next week) She wasn't to sure of the dog sat in the corner with it's back to the class because it is a barker, Simba wanted to play but due to his sheer size this just wasn't possible, though they did get to sniff noses. We met Mac a wee WHWT who was there for his first time as well and a right cutie he was too. Was a little surprised when we were called up with the rest of the class to do a 1 minute sit stay!!!!!!!! I personally thought it a bit long for puppies there for the first time but when in Rome etc etc. I chose not to leave Betsy's side and spent the minute breaking it into 10 second stays for Betsy which I thought was more than adequate. She has only just heard the sit and stay command for the first time last night and if I had put her in a sit and walked back for even three paces I knew she wouldn't have been able to do it. Why rush? And all this I managed without having to raise my voice above a normal speaking level once. We are going to have our work cut out for us training, here at home the others just jump all over the two of us and poor Betsy looks to say why do they get to bounce around and she has to sit, wee soul we will find a nice playing field to go and work in and I'm sure all the one to one will more than compensate for not being able to bounce like a kangaroo around the house with the others.

When we go back next week I will try and get a picture of Simba with Betsy and you will see what I mean about his size.