Coming up...

. . . in the next few weeks : we are going to be rather busy ! Next weekend (on the 4th and 5th of August) and the Saturday after that (the 12th) we are attending dog shows. The first two are in Kuopio and the 3rd is in Sotkamo. On the 19th Jonni competes in agility since our dog club is having it's local championchips competition then. And on the 26th of August we are going to yet another dog show, this time in Ristiina. So not much rest for weekends, eh ? And MAYBE, just maybe we ARE going to take a trip to abroad later in the year . . . . but to where, that remains to be seen. ;-)

Nigths are getting darker...

Nights are getting darker ! That means the autumn is not too far off ! The days get shorter quite quickly. It seems that only yesterday the nigth was a bright as the day, but now you can see the first stars !! It is sad that our short summer is about to be over, but still, I quite like the winter too.

How many ?

Bella's dam Umbra is expecting a litter which is due in August. Last time she produced a litter of 8 (!) pups and it looks like she is having a big litter this time, too ! Or what do YOU think about by looking at this picture ? She is HUGE !!! The proud dad-to-be is Rätt O Slätt Ozzie from kennel Viking.

Pictures from Maaninka

Jonni and his prizes !!!

The hero himself after the competition.

We had 3 Valls with us. Erja had her Eevi and I had Jonni and Bella.
Erja took care of the dogs: gave them water and took them to walks while I had other duties, like getting to know the course and things like that. We had a loads of fun !!!

Somewhere over the rainbow...

This is what I whitnessed this evening. There were actually TWO rainbows, one above the other, but I couldn't capture it into the same picture. This picture doesn't do justice to the colours of the sky. They were breath taking !

Two placings in agility !

Today I was competing in agility in Maaninka. The weather was quite nice, sunny but not too hot. Jonni did two nice courses and we did not get any faults. We DID however get a little overtime. Only the winner in both MINI classes went under the ideal time. But the best thing was that I got two placings: we were 2nd in the first class and 3rd on the second.
I was happy that we did get any penalties on the course. I have not practised contacts since....since the last time I was competing in Maaninka ? A long time ago anyway ! And still Jonni went very well !!! We just lacked the speed but that is no wonder since it has been so hot in here lately that we haven't been able to excersice a lot in these past few weeks ! So all and all a very nice day !!! I got two trophys which I will have to fit somewhere. I am lacking the space where to put them !!! Jonni has gathered so many prizes that I will need a bigger room to get them all in !!!

More show news...

First news from Finland. In Salo 8.7. (judge Tapio Eerola) BOB and BOB-vet was Jonni's dam Fennican Yvonne Ystävä, "Vonne" !!! The next day (9.7.) in a show that was held in Karjaa (judge was Seamus Oates from Ireland) Fennican Yvonne Ystävä was BB-4. BOB in Karjaa was Fennican Ron Ronaldo ("Rolle") who got his last CAC and became a new FIN CH. Ron Ronaldo is Jonni's half-brother. They both have the same dam. Congratulations to both Vonne and Rolle for the great performances during the weekend !!!

During the same weekend (on the 8th of July) a national dog show was held in Tvååker, Sweden. 32 Valls were shown there. The judge was K. Nilsson from Sweden. BD-3 and BOB-VET was Lejondalens Amos-Pärson, who at the end of the day ended up as being a BIS-VET !!! So great news from there as well !!

Both Jonni's and Bella's relatives had a great show weekend !!!

May I present...

....Bella's half-sister (they have the same Dam) Rätt O Slätt Quirina. She lives in Switzerland ! Thanks Virginie for this lovely picture !!!

Show news from Switzerland and from Sweden

National dog show in Bulle (Switzerland) was held on the 2nd of July. The judge was M. Barenne from France. 8 Valls were entered.
In the Intermediate class females competed Bella's half-sister Rätt O Slätts QUIRINA (Lejondalens Dexter x Heds Umbra de Lux), owner : Mme Schenk de Stoutz. Her result was: 1ère exc. CAC Jeune & Meilleur jeune (1st exc. CAC young & BOB young). So Bella's relatives are doing great !

In Sweden there was a national dog show in Borås on the 1st of July. There were 28 Valls in the show and the judge was Louise Gäfvert-Asplund from Sweden. In Borås Bella's great grandfather Lejondalens Amos-Pärson (owner Lejondalens kennel) was BD-5 and BOB-veteran at the age of 11 years !!!
In the same show Bella's "cousin" (or more: the dam of Freja is Kaja, whose sire is Lejondalens Boris (Bella's dad) and dam Heds Cajsa De Lux (Bella's grandmother) ) Heds Freja De Lux ( owner Maud Hedberg ) was BOB-pup and finally BIS-2-pup !!! A fine achievement !!!

Hot hot hot !

It is HOT in here ! We have +25 degrees Celsius in the shade ! I am melting and the dogs are just plain LAZY (no wonder, since Jonni still has his winter coat on ! He has just recently started shedding ! And it is JULY now !! What has he been thinking ?)
Well, maybe I should be glad that it is not -25 ?

Anyway, we are forced to ease our training a lot so now we are just having a summer break from all the competitions and such. I am HOPING the weather will cool down a bit soon.
Have a nice summer and if you have a holliday now.... ENJOY it !!!! WE ARE !!!!