Sunny days bring smiles and happy dogs

All is well at Regalridge.  The weather continues to be spectacular.  There are sunny days and cool evenings.  It has become fall in the blink of an eye.  Lee spent a couple of days in Toronto, bonding with the CKC lawyer and senior staff.  Reports include the full airports, full airplanes and overfull hotels.  Nobody has mentioned to Toronto that there is an economic downturn.  Our Ken held the fort, started a new employee and wrangled dogs.  The flowers throughout the property are in full bloom.  There are gladiola front and center with dinner plate sized dahlias competing for attention.  The begonias are startling in their depth of colour and the phlox brilliant white.  With the underpinnings of wax begonia, many varieties of daisies, the many rose bushes and the beautiful pansies and there is a sense of a colour uprising.  There was a visit from Ian and Glenda, some good laughs and departure with Lily in tow to keep Darby in line.  Poor Darby - life on the blanket box is due to change.  The word from the dog shows was that the weather was great, the dogs showing well and the handlers successful.  Logan managed a Group win in tough competition.  |He is in excellent condition so would be highly competitive at this stage of his maturity.  And Bella had a significant win so it is up to Chantelle tomorrow - we await word.  In the kitchen, there was canning activity.  Mint jelly made an appearance and Our Ken's yellow plum crop is now jam - a bright flavour to be looked forward to on a cold winter morning. 

The kennel is as quiet as it gets with Trebia in residence.  She and Sarah are on the look out for escape hatches, just to keep Ken on his toes.  He appreciates their efforts.  Chopper and Capone are managing the opposite side - favourites of Ken and easy going fellows in their American Pit bull Terrier garb. 

The house dogs are content.  The roofers have disappeared, normalcy has returned and the games resumed.  Piper has almost forgiven Lee for her departure.  Patti is thriving and delighting in the fall weather.  There was a visit from a teen age girl to really perk up her spirits - that worked.  We really do need to buy Patti a teen ager.  Abigail is bouncing and little May holding her own.  Jack is back in great form after a health hiccup.  And the puppies - all are thriving.  Marguerite's two are enjoying life to the fullest.  They are a great pair and smile with delight as we work with them.  There are games between the two and games that we must be part of.  They bounce and play and thoroughly enjoy all that is on offer.  The baby puppies are wonderful.  They are enjoying their expanding world, have been introduced to the great outdoors and love it.  It is great fun watching the world unfold through a puppy's eyes - we forget so often how fortunate we are to live as well as we do.  Each is developing a personality, each has a share of collegiality and independence and each has those smiling Airedale eyes that encourage you to pick him up and chat. 

Dinner was fabulous.  Our Ken decided that a charcoal bay b que was to be on offer.  Lee rose to the challenge - there was steak with  mesquite chip smoke, unbelievably tender and with a flavour that is indescribable.  Perhaps the best steak ever to grace a Regalridge table.  There were potatoes freshly dug from the garden and green tomatoes picked in the warmth of the afternoon and fried in southern fashion.  There was corn picked on this day and quickly cooked and apple sauce from Regalridge apples.  There are meals that will stay with you forever.  This may have been one.  And we look forward to tomorrow.

HKC Labour Day week end shows and more

Labour Day week end and the Halifax Kennel Club shows are behind us.  It was a successful week end of shows with many innovations.   Lee was show Chair.  The baby puppy class was highly successful, both for the exhibitors and the public who appeared to enjoy the little ones as much as we did.  There was a Sanction Match and there were Correction Matches; there were three days of shows accompanied by National and Regional Specialty shows and Boosters.  There was Junior Handling judged by an AKC judge - what a wonderful experience for our Juniors.  There was a Veterans Class at the all breed shows and there were Best In Show ranging from our important Best In Show at the all breed, to Best Baby Puppy In Show, Best Veteran in Show and our regular Best Puppy.  On Monday, there were critiques written by our highly capable judging panel on every dog shown.   There were judges' seminars and ringside mentoring. Timing was good,  We stayed on time all week end in all rings including Monday.  There were excellent Obedience and Rally entries and the judges were highly complimentary.  It was a pleasure to meet Isabel Hutton and is always a joy to have Michel Calhoun 'in residence'.  Having taken Michel and Carol Graham to the airport at the end of a long day on Monday, the last heard from Michel's somewhat strident tones was "Want to see my scars"?  Carol may not have had a lot of experience with our prized Obedience judge in the past but there is little doubt she will long remember him - as does everyone who makes his acquaintance.  There were lots of CKC discussions, explanations of the current situation and explanations of how the organization may benefit from the changes proposed in the current Referendum.  Chantelle, Dawn and Jim,, tony and Karen, Shawn and Kelly were are at the Park to enjoy the week end.  Dawn was in charge of hospitality for the shows and it is amazing to see how that role 'spreads'.  Oh my. 

The kennel was busy and has emptied out quite nicely after the long week end.  Chopper and Capone (two or Our Ken's favourites) are in residence.  Lori is keeping Sarah company.  Trebia misses Barrett. 

The house dogs managed with Ken's stewardship but would like a bit of normalcy to return.  Babies are growing and others may be brewing so lot of activity through the fall. 

Dinner included lemon potatoes, Boeuf Bourguignon and heirloom tomatoes baked with cream of balsamic and blue cheese.  Then it was time to collapse.

Perfect weather for the last day of August

Another great day in the neighbourhood.  There was sun, gentle breezes and, you guessed it, roofers.  Each day Our Ken offers that this should be the last and at the end of the day, as Lee looks hopefully at the departing trucks, the word is 'they will be back tomorrow'.  The painting stage has arrived, though, with only occasional tap, tap, tapping.  Elsewhere, it was a day of phone calls and paperwork, a quick trip through the village to visit the post office and bank and then home again for CKC chores.  Our Ken gardened, sorted through the property and surveyed on the tractor.  There was an early morning visit for coffee and the recounting of a tale of woe that included waffles and mustard sauce (thought to be raspberry so generously applied).  Have we mentioned Chantelle's cooking abilities previously - this would be quite typical. 

The kennel is readying for back to school week.  Mr Riley departed at the same time that Old Bailey gathered her things and packed her bags.  Miss Millie watched with surprise as her buddies waved their good byes.  She will be introduced to Trebia for a couple of days of running and chasing.  Lori also found her way to the kennel so Sarah will have a friend in residence for September. 

The house dogs are continuing picket duty with volunteers lining up to carry the sign.  The chant has become clearly Woooo  Woooo Roooofers must Goooooo.  Airedales can be quite vocal when it is necessary.  Perfect weather and the lack of a favourite yard do not make them happy.  The Marguerite daughter is now part of the big Airedale run in the early mornings and is delighted with her elevated status.  Lily shepherds her around the property and is considered her hero.  Marguerite watches closely.  The baby puppies are happy as can be in the den, play baby puppy games and enjoy their meals, requesting the addition of a noon repast just to keep them on track.  They are a collegial crew, typical of Airedales. 

Meals suited Our Ken.  Dinner was a particular favourite of his with sausage made by the market across the road, yogourt based pancakes, fried green/yellow heirloom tomatoes and ice cream.  May agreed that this was a dinner fit for a queen.