30.7.2009 New pics of Armani / Reino

Here are some wonderful pics of Reino (formerly known as Armani - official name Satangin a la Armani) enjoying his life with owner Nelli and other dog friends in the family. More pics and news can be found from Nelli's blog: http://apinalaumatarinoi.vuodatus.net/ . All the pics are taken/copyright by Nelli Okker. It is so lovely to see the dogs really enjoying themselves! Many thanks to Nelli for the pics! :D

30.7.2009 Tara and Dante playing in the garden

For my whole holiday (only 4 days to go sniff!!) I've been letting the young ones play outside for hours to work off their excess energy. For some reason they always come back with completely muddy feet. Maybe they do some digging underneath the bushes or something. Anyway I thought I'd share you some basic "play/chase pics" form this morning.. featuring Tara & Dante! :D

26.7.2009 Mikkeli Internationl dog show - Seti shines again!

Some show news from Mikkeli International Dog Show. Eppu's son Seti (EST JW-09 EST W-09 Satangin After the Sunset) did wonderfully again being Best Male 3 and got a res-CC winning Open Class. Show was judged by Vija Klucniece, Latvia. Many congratulations to Seti and his family and breeder Merike and Tatjana. Here are a few pictures from the show. Seti looking good!!!! (copyright family Mattila). 

10.7.2009 Tara posing

I thought we'd practice posing with Tara today and take some new pictures of her.. she does look very cute doesn't she ;D

4.7.2009 Whippet Speciality Moscow

We got some great news from Russia this morning. Eppu's kids (Bohemia, Balance and Blue Rose) took part in a Whippet Speciality Show in Russia and the judge was whippet specialist Jarmo Vuorinen from Scheik's kennel (Finland). I was very happy to learn that Blue Rose was Best Baby Bitch 1 and was also selected Best Baby. Her sister Bohemia (Mirra) was Baby Bitch 2 and the only boy in the litter Balance was awarded Best Baby Male 1. Many congratulations to Natalia and their owners. What a wonderful start!!!! :D

http://www.collina.ru/Vystavki/MALAHOVKA_09/Malahovka_eng.html

Here are some pictures from the show.

Mirra (Bohemia) looking very nice :)

Baby Winner Rose (Blue Rose) posing elegantly.

Ben (Balance) hunching his back a bit (enough with the posing I guess).. 

but looking lovely as well.

24.6.2009 Eppu training track again

On Tuesday we have track and also often lc-training/practice here in Hyvinkää organized by Luhtilaukkaajat and EGU and I decided to take Eppu there. As he has never officially raced with him I don't have official times for his runs. Occasionally times have been taken, but of course unofficially. Last summer Eppu was perhaps bit heavier (someone at home did mention word fat :D) and in general he is quite strong in built so never really expected him to be the fastest but he is a very eager chap after the lure. 

So now I am hoping that we can try out in lc-competitions later this year, but we will see. So last summer, when he ran first time 280m and 350m, I recall the time for the first length was a bit over 20 sec. I thought we can do better when we lose a bit weight and exercise more and his times did get better. Now after winter and spring he has lost a bit of weight and has been running around in our garden with Duffys so I've been hoping that maybe he would be in better shape (=faster).

So off we went to the track. Yesterday was a hot day, though a bit cooler in the evening. We live quite close to the track (approx. 2 km) and by crossing through Sveitsi sports area you can get to the track easily. But nobody warned me about the mosquitos!!!!! They seem to prey in groups... blood hell.. they were all over me and Eppu like a rash!!!  

We got to the track in one piece and though we got there quite late, we still had an opportunity to run. I decided that Eppu should run 280m again. I want to see how his fitness level has improved and wanted to take it easy in the beginning. We have done this a few times this summer, Eppu running 1 x 280m and 1 x lc-track so this is his second 280m this summer. 

Eppu is one of those dogs that get just over excited at the track. He doesn't care how warm it is, about the bugs or other dogs.. when he hears the lure going u better hold on to him and with a tight grip :D. And the amount of noise that he makes.. I could've used ear plugs easily ;P

Waiting is the hardest thing with him. He goes overboard with his enthusiasm and was panting like crazy. He just gets soooo excited, but I wasn't totally convinced that he would have energy to run after jumping in the leash and whining/barking like crazy. Boy was I wrong. Off he went after the lure with great enthusiasm. Didn't seem to mind the heat or feel tired. He did his record time so far 19.78 sec. I am so proud of him!!! 

19.6.2009 new pics of Bohemia iz Volzhskoy Serenady

Tara's breeder Natalia was kind enough to send me some new photos of Tara's sister (and our Eppu's daughter) Bohemia iz Volzhskoy Serenady to me today. Looking good Mirra!!!! :D