Author: kdarci

Did you know Colorado is close to California?  I didn’t either – but Momma says it’s closer than Norway.  She’s smart like that.

Little did I know that Momma’s definition of “close” was actually a 14+ hour drive.  Ugh…it was a LONG WAY.  I know Momma’s private jet goes fast, but 14 hours isn’t that fast.  Plus we go to a different time zone – Pacific time zone.  That means we eat dinner later – no fair!

On the way to Cali, I saw Utah, Nevada, and finally California.  We were headed there for the Western.  Momma took all of us: Kaba, Cayman, Gito, and of course me!  My first trip to Cali.  Momma says we are going to see the ocean – the Pacific.  I can’t wait!  But, first, we have to attend this event called the Western.  What’s the Western you ask?  Well… there’s one day of AKC lure coursing (that’s the first event…phew – and it will be my first AKC Lure coursing event.  EVER.)  Then, there are 4 dog shows spread out over 3 days.

We got to stay in a hotel in Santa Ana – and there were lots of Pharaohs staying in the hotel.  I want to meet them all!  But first… it’s time to get to bed as lure coursing is tomorrow.  Sighhhhhhhhhhh.

Momma says we’re going to 4 shows, again.  Well, I just did 4 shows in Arizona two weeks ago…and now 4 more.  I’m a New Champion – what else is there?  Momma says that since we were already entered in the show, and it’s a local show, that we need to go for points for the other dogs.

It’s a weird format – two clubs host the show at two different locations.   Friday, we had 2 shows, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Then, we didn’t show Saturday.  We showed again on Sunday and Monday.

Friday, the AM show, it had snowed the night before and the roads were so icy…that made Momma late to the show site (by 4 minutes) so she couldn’t move me up to the Specials Class – that’s where all the Champions show.  So, I had to stay in Open, which I won – and ended up going Best of Winners and Winners Dog.  Cayman, my brother, was Best of Opposite.

Friday, the PM show, Momma moved me up – so my very first time shown as a Champion…and guess what?  Yep, I won Best of Breed.  Heck yes!  That win gave me 5 points towards my Grand Championship!  Yeah!  I guess that’s the new goal, according to Momma.

Sunday and Monday I won Best of Opposite, for Grand Champion points.

What an adventure is has been earning my AKC Conformation Championship!  Well, not really.  I only showed four times (in New Jersey) before I showed these past 4 days in Phoenix, Arizona.  Momma says I am amazing for finishing so quickly.  I told her, I know!  I’m the prince!

Dad drove us from Colorado to Phoenix, Arizona since Momma had to work.  Momma flew in, just in the nick of time, to show me at the Friday show.  I won Winners Dog AND Best of Winners with Judge Pam Lambie for a 3-point major.   I also won Best Owner-Handled, since Momma gets to hold my leash…and that meant I got to come back in the afternoon and bop around the ring for more practice.  Not bad since I get cookies all the time.

Saturday was a really awesome day, at least that’s what Momma says.  I won BEST OF BREED!!  Just 10 months old – not kidding – and it was in an entry of 13 Pharaoh Hounds!!  All this under judge Christine E Calcinari – she really thought I was so handsome (and told me so when we got a picture.) So, I got a 5-point major.  That also means I won Winner’s Dog and Best of Winners…oh, and we got to go play in the Owner Handler Ring AND the regular Hound Group Ring.  I’m still a baby…so my first time in the regular Hound Group Ring was a bit scary.

Sunday was a weird day for me – my Dad had to fly back home due to his work.  And I was “full of the dickens” – Momma says.  I decided I didn’t like Momma’s treats anymore, and there were so many fun Pharaoh Hounds in my open class (my cousins from Sweden, actually) – I didn’t want to show today and wanted to go play.  The judge didn’t care for my antics and put me in 3rd out of 3.  A bit of a downer after the past two days’ wins, says Momma.  But, I don’t care…

Monday.  OMG.  Monday.  Momma couldn’t stop telling me she was so proud of me.  I decided I would behave and pulled it together.  I went Best of Breed…AGAIN!  And, guess what?  I became a show champion just like my brothers Cayman and Kaba.  At just 10 months old!!  Best of Breed was worth another 5 point major, and meant that I also got Best of Winners, Winners Dog, and Best Owner Handled.  Woot!  Momma had to call Simon, my breeder, and wake him up to tell him what happened.  We didn’t stay for groups because it’s a 12-hour drive home and we showed at 8am – so best to hit the road and get out of there.  Momma was on Cloud 9 – and I was just thrilled to get new treats.  The judge, Shelley Hennessy, gushed about my floating movement.  Thanks for making me an official Champion!

Simon and Knut just adore the “Caym-tastic” four (my human Mom’s name for us 4 puppies.)  Penny, my dog Mom, is so laid back and cool. The other Pharaohs here are cool too.  I see them through the enclosure – and I’m so curious about them.  When I’m bigger I get to meet them.

Simon and Knut are preparing for a special visitor.  They keep saying “Grandma Darci this and Grandma Darci that.”  I think it’s my human Mom, once I’m ready to go to my forever home…but I’m not sure. I’ve already met Grandma Kristen, she is Penny’s human Mom…and soon to be new human Mom to Catniss, my littersister.  I do have some questions though – Do I have two Grandmas?  What’s a Grandma?  How come this new Grandma hasn’t seen me before?  I’ve been here forever, BTW.  And where is she coming from?