A Very Good Day (enough photos for you, Lynn?)

First of all, I have to thank Yvonne for taking a bajillion amazing pictures, without which this blog wouldn't be very visual in reporting the news of our day!

The dogs were exhausted enough from the bounce to finally let me sleep a full night so we woke up refreshed and ready to tackle day 3 of the shows.

Stanley was in fine form and handled beautifully. He even carefully held his stack and managed to lean up and kiss the judge during his exam! In the end, Stanley was Winners Dog!

And then...

We went back into the ring (where I was really hoping Yvonne's gorgeous girl Kendra would take Best of Winners to finish her CH). Instead, Stanley went Best of Winners AND Best of Breed over a special (that is, a dog that is already a champion).

And then...

We went into the Herding Group ring, where I typically have no expectations. And made the cut to the final 5 dogs! Stan did not place in Group but to be pulled to the last 5 with only 4 placements to be given was quite an honor. We DID remember to get a photo taken with the judge and will see how they looked when we talk to the photographer tommorrow.

In the afternoon we went to Gary's hometown of Port Alberni on the west coast of the island. Talk about just amazing scenery the whole way!

Getting ready to go into the ring
No fault to be found with this weather and scenery - look at those snowy mountains!
Sweet Stanley face
Free stacking outside the ring
Smooching the judge mid-exam
Stan and Kendra go around the ring
In for herding group judging

The beardies5 posing in Port Alberni
Totem doggies