I just got to say hello to Jerry Guzman. It is so good to see him again. Lots of people milling around.
First is the ;ameteur Owner Handler and it is Maple BCAT Swmn. She is there and the only entry so I expect she will win
Now the Bred by Bitches. I see Mike Sherman is here with Kelly. Bred by is going in now, and I see Dresta with Dawn. I will go out on a limb and say he is first. Dawn qualifies as one of my favorite people. YES, she won first. No second third or fourth today.
On to American Bred. In goes Wild Honey with Bill Tank, Annie with Zac, next is Ruby Tuesday with Lenny, Tin Roof, then Pride and Joy, Red Ruby with Autumn, Sassicai with Liz. It is good to know all handlers. Or maybe that is just a function of doing this too long. Seven in there. They decided not to show Cate. Owner's choice.
He takes them around and off they go for a second pass. Done with the individuals. Each bitch takes a pass alone. It is so good to see Celeste here with Pat. She has missed too many Nationals. The crowd has woken up and is showing some love for the bitches they like. It is a small crowd, but I hear the auction has over $2,000 already and the big push will be tomorrow.
Now it is the Sound of Silence. I need to get down from the announcer's stand and mingle. But Tony left so I am here to deal with an outbreak of violence. I wish they had set up a blackjack table at the show. Dwayne came out of the ring for a bit with Pride and Joy. The crowd likes Sassicla. Other than that is is very still here.
Now the first four around. and off they go again with Wild Hone, Annie with Jac and others with no change.
Time for the last three. Around again. This is like watching paint dry.
Now they set up and Morton looks them over and takes the first two together. Not that many judges do that anymore. Now the next two together. These he wants again. Walking this time. Now the last three together. Walking. I never did that because I tried not to compare the dogs to each other, but to match them to the standard. Now he takes the first three out to the center and has them stand while he looks at them, and now one at a time. And sends them back and does the same thing with the last four. He wants them to stand and sends them back. Morton checks his notes. Off goes the whole class again. And back to the front,and Morton tells them to take another pass.
Off goes the whole class again, no movement of any of the entry. Bill Tank hasn't been in front this much in years. And they stand. Morton continues to look them. He sends everyone aside except the first dog. And yes, Bill goes around by himself.
Now the second one with Zac, etc. etc.
Everyone gets a look. Morton watches them all the way around. What is the sound of one hand clapping?
They just opened the bar. The crowd like Sass, (that's the name I will use), with Liz owned by Sherri. Morton checks his notes and he goes to the end of the line and walks to the front. Liz to the front and then Bill with Wild Honey and then Ruby Tuesday with Lenny. and they stack. After all that looking he should be done. He looks them over again and walks to the front looking at each one. Morton sets aside the last two and they go out of the ring. Zack and Dwayne. Now he brings two out to the center. and they walk eight steps away and back. Now he takes the second and third bitch downand back. And off they go again. iThey are walking and he is watching and they keep ongoing and ghe stops them. He sends the last two and the first one, Sas, aside and takes the second and third around with Bill in front. Now Lenny in front. Now off they go with Sas in front. The bitches seem tired. Morton brings them to the middle talks to the crowd and puts them up that way.
Sasss in front then Ruby Tuesday, then Bill Tank with Wild Honey and fourth is Red Ruby.
