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Since the specialty show in June I had been waiting to get back in the ring. In the Winner Show the break was finally over and I got to show the beautiful Afro once again. 14 pulis were entered, and I didn't know what to expect. However, the judge seemed to like Afro and placed her first in the Champion class, then again first in the best bitch -competition and finally BOB (FinW-06) with CACIB. We weren't placed in the group ring but it was great to see how Afro, who had been so tired and bored only minutes earlier, put her best feet forward and performed beautifully in the spotlight. Thank you Heidi, it's always a huge pleasure to show this lady, and congratulations!

The super pretty "Riesa" (Narukerän Coco-Kaneli) was BB-3 with CC and res-CACIB. Congratulations, Luna!

On Sunday I didn't have dogs to show so I could just relax and enjoy the show. To me the highlight of the day was the Finnish Championship Final for junior handlers, it was amazing to see all those talented handlers do their job so well, and even I got tears in my eyes when the five best of those 20 were announced. I'm especially happy for Johanna Jykylä's second place, she's a handler I really admire for her great attitude and amazing talent with dogs. Congratulations to you, Johanna, as well as to the rest of the best!

This weekend was all about dogs and dog shows: it was time for the European Winner 2006 -show, held right here in Helsinki.

My original plan was to visit the show already on Friday to meet Anna and the afghans, but there was a change in the plans. On Saturday, however, I was there, this time to see the pulis. 20 dogs were entered (which is a lot in Finnish shows!), so for once there was actually something to see ;) I showed Afro, who got Excellent and placed 3rd in the champion class. One of the Narukerän future stars, N. Coco-Kaneli "Riesa" won the junior class and thus got the title European Junior Winner. She also received a certificate. Congrats to owner Luna!

After the puli ring I rushed to Tuomarinkartano, where the annual afghan specialty was held, to meet Anna and her Urpo after a very long time. I spent most of the time photographing the gorgeous afghan males. Urpo got Excellent, but didn't get a placement in the big champion class.
We also celebrated Anna's 18th birthday on the Tuomarinkartano grounds, and the day couldn't possibly have been any better: good company and beautiful dogs, spiced up with endless sunshine.

The "it" show - Helsinki Aptus Show

When I was still competing in JH, the annual Aptus Show in May used to be an especially good show for me. Even though I'm now too old for junior handling, this year was no exception.

I showed Afro in the breed ring, and she beat all the youngsters and won BOB with CACIB. Just like that wasn't enough, Aunt Afro decided to steal the show and shined in the group ring, even though she had been completely unenthusiastic only minutes earlier in the pre-judging ring. The judge Boris Spoljaric liked her enough to choose her on the top five and then on the top four. Finally he placed Afro third! This was the first group placement for both of us, so it was truly something special. Thank you Heidi for letting me show Afro once again, and congratulations!

I would also like to congratulate the handsome greyhound-gentleman Cobra (Rantalaukan Kuningascobra), who won BOB-veteran on Saturday!

BIG3
Fin Ch FinW-04 NordW-05 Narukerän Afro Afrodite.

Apparently, this success wasn't enough for Afro. On the next weekend she travelled to the Baltian Winner Show in Estonia, and was BOB with CACIB, got herself new titles (BaltW-06 and Est Ch) and placed 4th in the group ring. Great!

Lahti Int

After along break I finally had the chance to return to the show world. Miniature schnauzer breeder Mervi (Super Play's Kennel) had asked me to show Gandi, S.P. Gandalf, and I was only glad to help. I had met Gandi only once before, so I had no idea how our first performance together would go...

And it went just great! Despite the fact that his owners were hiding somewhere near the ring, Gandi listened to me carefully and did exactly what I asked him to do. He looked beautiful, moving with great elegance and standing still like that was the only thing he had ever done. In the end, my job was the easy one ;) He won the Junior class, got 2nd placement in the best dog competition and received his second certificate.

Congratulations, Gandi, Silja and the rest of the family, and a thousand thanks for letting me show this wonderful boy!