Home from Tulsa!

The Dalmatian Club of America's national specialty was May 3rd through the 9th in Tulsa, OK.  We had a blast!

Dave and I drove out there, took us a little over two days.  The dogs are such great travelers, they start going places and staying in hotels/motels at a very young age.  We left here on Tuesday morning and got there midday on Thursday.  Boy was it hot and humid the first few days.  Brought back memories from visiting relatives in Kansas and Oklahoma when I was a kid.  Luckily most events were indoors.

TommieMommy did a nice job on her individual exercises at the obedience trial on Friday but decided to "sing" her way through the group out-of-sight stay exercise losing 5 points on the sit and 5 points on the down.  That took her from what would have been a score of 197, and the High In Trial award, to 2nd place with a 187.  ~sigh~  oh well, she had a good time.  ;o)

Hacker did an awesome job in his three conformation classes.  He was in Sweepstakes on Sunday and placed 4th in his class.  Futurity was Monday morning, he won his class.  The "regular" classes for the boys was Monday afternoon.  I entered him in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class instead of the puppy class that he was also eligible for.  He placed 2nd!  I was totally thrilled.  There are so many dogs at a national specialty that just "making the cut" - meaning the judge pulls you out of the line and places you in line with the dogs that he/she is considering for placements, is a big deal.  To place a your National is a very big deal.

Honor and Laurie won every class she was entered in :o).  Watching them go back in to compete for Best in Sweeps and Winner's bitch just brought tears to my eyes; they are such an awesome team.

Stella and Teller were also entered and received many nice compliments.  Before we left we took a group picture of mama Tommie, papa Sagan and the four kids who were there - Hacker, Honor, Stella and Teller.  I hope to get those downloaded soon, along with the hundreds (and hundreds!) of pics on my camera from the all the different classes and events.  When I wasn't ringside Karen or Laurie were using it to take pics of different dogs/people in the ring so I honestly don't even know how many are on there - other than we filled one 8G chip and started another!.

We left Wednesday afternoon after Best of Breed judging and got as far as Albuquerque that night.  Got up the next morning and drove ALL the way home - over 1,000 miles.  We were pooped but it was so worth getting home early and have that extra time to get caught up and relax.  The dogs were sure happy to be home, Hacker immediately grabbed a tennis ball and started playing.  ;o)

Tomorrow Dave's daughter, Michelle, graduates from college.  More pictures!!!