Prescott AZ Kennel Club, Sept. 18-19, 2010

Had a phenomenal weekend at the Prescott Arizona Kennel Club in September.    On Saturday, I finished Impi's championship from the Bred-by-Exhibitor class, going Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex over a Specials bitch for a 3 point major.  Impi is out of Ch. Mickywin's Mainio Skandia and Ch. Skandia Pikku Sirkka.  She was just a few days shy of 18 months old at these shows.  The judge was David Krogh.

Impi

Because there was some confusion about whether or not a bitch entered the previous day would be disqualified due to being entered in the wrong class, I did not move Impi up to Best of Breed competition.  She went Winners Bitch and Best of Winners again on Sunday.

Impi

After that, the weekend went from great to fantastic.  My boy, Ch. Mickywin's Mainio Skandia, won Best of Breed under judge Lewis Bayne.  He faced some very serious competition, but was up to the challenge.

Mainio

 And then, the incredibly magical moment happened.  Mainio won a Group 3 under esteemed judge Fred Bassett, handled by yours truly.  I am so proud of my boy!  And eternally grateful for the fortuitious set of  circumstances that led him to me.  He is a Special boy, indeed!

Mainio

Finn in the Sun meets BIG water.

This summer I traveled to Michigan with my Finnish Spitz, Ch. Mickywin's Mainio Skandia, better known as "Mano".  We spent a wonderful week at a charming cabin on the shore of Lake Superior in Marquette, MI.  And Mano discovered water.  BIG water.  We went down to the shore on our first day there, and he cautiously padded into the shallows, stuck his nose down for a drink, and was promptly slapped in the face by a very rude wave.  Much offended, he refused to go near the water again that day.  I took him back for what became our daily morning walks along the beach the next morning.  The lake was much calmer, and after considerable coaxing, I finally convinced him to try the water again.  He tentatively walked in, got a delicious freshwater drink, and started padding through the water's edge.  Suddenly, his keen senses picked up something -- I never did find out if it was gnats or fish, but he started hunting.  Deeper and deeper he splashed, leaping gleefully through the gentle waves and periodically sticking his muzzle into the water for a quick look or a drink.  The sun glinted off his golden coat, and diamond drops of water sparkled in the light as he dashed through the deep blue waters of the lake.  It was a magical time for both of us.  After that, he eagerly anticipated our morning strolls, and so did I.  There is nothing more glorious than a Finn in the Sun!