Dear Humom Connie and all my blog friends,

First a foremost, Mom Maggi and I want to thank all of you for the encouragement you have given us since I was running around in the x-pen with my brothers and sisters; just like Pink’s puppies are doing now.  It has meant the world to us.  Can you believe it was less than 9 months ago when our journey together started?

And now, here I am, CH Harbor’s Won’t Back Down!!!  Thank you all.

The last few weeks have been a very busy time for me.  I just go about my doggie business while poor Mom Maggi has lots of ups and downs during the shows (that ribbon and point thing I’ve explained before).  The first 2 days we were in Pennsylvania, she was sad.  The next two days, she was very happy.  Had to do with a gold and purple  and a red and white ribbon I won on Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday, I thought I was done for the day, when that woman whipped out the comb and brush and took me to a BIG ring for what Auntie Ronda and Auntie Karen called the Group Ring.  One each of all the little dogs were there, including that naked kind with a furry top knot and boots.  We got in line and all went into the ring.  This time it TOOK FOREVER since there were so many little dogs.  Poor mom Maggi kept looking at Auntie Ronda and Auntie Karen for support..  Guess she was a little nervous.  Me-well I thought the Toy Fox Terrier next to me was very interesting and wanted to play.  Also had lots of bait bit leftovers on the floor that I would find and mom Mag would take away from me-something about we didn’t know whose mouth they’d been in-like I cared.

When it was my turn to be on the table, I was fine.  That nice judge, Ms. Sally Belle, who called me a “little urchin” in the breed ring was there.  So I looked at her adoringly and she smiled!  She’s so gentle and nice.

I did my down and back and then walked around the ring.  People were clapping for me!!  That was cool.

We finished our turn and then waited.  After all the little dogs had been on the table, we all had to walk around the ring again. Too bad I hadn’t taken contributions for a charity as a walk a thon, we walked so much that day.  Then Ms. Belle called some dogs away from the others. She got to me, and said, “bring that little urchin out.”  Thank heaven, mom Maggi had the sense to look at Auntie Ronda or I really think she might have fainted.  I swear I saw her knees shake!!  As it was, Auntie Ronda had to motion with her hand for mom Maggi to close her agape mouth LOL. Me, I just stacked myself like I’d been doing it all my life and Ms. Belle had me come up right behind her 4 group picks.  Even though I didn’t get another ribbon, mom and the Aunties were tickled pink; and, boy, did I get lots of loving from all.  Mom Maggi said Mom Connie was very happy about it, too, when mom Maggi called her.

This week didn’t start too well.  Mom even took me out of a show Friday  because she thought I was tired at the show Thursday(Sophia the Spinone was visiting and she thought we’d been running around too much).  Little did she know my plan.

We went to Lima Saturday and Sunday and I got Winner’s Dog both days: but, mom Mag was worried that I was sluggish. But Mom Maggi is not a dumb bunny.  She may be a bit slow on the up take now and then; but, she noticed I wasn’t a bit sluggish on the way back to the car.  So she talked with Auntie Karen about not wanting bad habits to start and took me to see beautiful Auntie Amy Rodrigues Booth, who shows Emmie Lou-you remember my beloved Emmie lou, Toy Fox Terrier extodinair-oh I love her.  Auntie Amy said she’d be  glad to help.  She looked me over and played with me-said I was wonderful!!!  The next day, I spent the morning with her and Uncle Phil.  Then Auntie Amy took me into the show ring and I just walked around that ring like I owned it to impress her.  The next thing I knew, I had a blue and white ribbon, a 3 point major and I was FINISHED!!!  MY PLAN HAD WORKED!!!  I’ve been trying for weeks to spend time with beautiful Amy, to have her cuddle and play with me-she is sooooooo cute!!!!! Knew mom Maggi is such a worrier, she’d go to an expert if she thought she needed help.  Am I smart or what??!!

WELL!!!!! For the last few months , every weekend mom Maggi and I go to a show, I’ve heard about points, ribbons, majors, championships and the word “FINISHED”.  Now, to me, finished means “done”. But does mom Maggi see it that way?  NO, NADA, NYET, NON etc.etc.  She says I’m so handsome and such a nice show dog, we are just getting started.  Go figure.  Oh well, I like going to the shows and I can tolerate that beauty parlor stuff.  If it makes Mom Maggi happy, I’ll give it a go.

So, if you like, I will keep you posted on my adventures.

Sincerely,

Eli

ps  being a champion doesn’t cut much ice here at home.  DC, Hot Shot and Daisy get lots of attention since they missed mom Maggi while we were gone.  The guys still make me take turns in Hav Tag. I haven’t noticed any rib eye in my food bowl.  Oh, well, sometimes it’s just nice to be part of the family.