You never know when to expect the worse in life

The month of Oct was very challenging how much can a person take. It started off with Hondo getting pancreatitis, along with a huge vet bill . Then Marverick was bit by what we think a spider. Two nights in the hospital and an other huge vet bill. Then on Oct 7th I went to the clinic because I had a headache not a normal headache. When they took me back to the room they took my blood pressure three times thinking the machine was broke. As it was reading 198/110,  The doctor came in and said I am calling an ambulance. I could not allow this as I had a puppy in the car and I drove myself. As she was insisting I said I will sign what ever you need me to but I am taking my puppy home and calling my husband to take me Which is what I did. So off to the hospital we go and I hate hospitals, doctors because for some reason it is what it is. Get to the hospital and the blood pressure it is still very high and I figured they would give me something for it and send me home, Mean while the youngest calls and says she is stranded on the side of the road so I tell my husband to go and help her I will be fine. So off he goes then they come and say doctor ordered a cat scan and we are here to take you for that okay I go I didn't really have a choice. So they do the cat scan and wheel me back to my room while still trying to get the pressure down. Doctor comes in and says we are going to send you across the river to a hospital that handles head problems okay I am fine with that. So as I wait for the what I thought was the paperwork the doctor comes back in and states you bleeding in your brain. Now that is something you try and wrap your head around, He also states now we need to send you to Peoria  by ambulance I say no that is okay my husband can drive me. I brain is not registering the severity of this issue. Nurse comes in and says change of plans we are life fighting  you to the Peoria. Now still not registering I ask is that really necessary, they state yes we don't want you  to ride in an ambulance for 1.5 hours where the medic-vac takes 30 minutes. So in the air, boy was that fun for the tune of maybe if lucky it will only be 25,000.00 but it could be more. To spend four glorious days in the ICU on the critical list. Did I tell you all my hatred for doctors. Can not wait to see that bill. Another cat-scan this time with dye. and a anagram no one bothered to tell me if the bleeding had not stopped I would have a new hairdo. I told my husband not to bother my children with this as they have jobs and school and family is stationed in Germany. NO he doesn't listen I wake up to my oldest child, my mother in law and my husband was going to get the youngest from Western University. Oh and the Red Cross is sending my oldest son and his family from Germany. it appears I had 2 brain bleeds and what they think was a mini stroke although the bleeds were not consistent with a stroke. 

So that was the start, because we like to live and my kids always need things. I am not complaining I will always take care of them. I went back to work  the following Monday, My Son arrived that Friday after I left the hospital. For what seems like years I had all my children under one roof and I can not tell you that feeling. So prior to all this I had entered a dog show with just one dog. I had already requested the time off and now My son and his wife were here. You know I have done crazier things but we went  I didn't lift anything or do any walking as my good friends were park next to us and gave us use of their Polaris all weekend. I knew that i I could not show the dog either my husband or my son would or a number of other people. It was an amazing weekend to spend with my son and his wife one I have to hang on to for it will be five more years before they are on thi

s soil again. Besides my dog must have knew as he was on his best behavior at times I was not sure I had the right dog.  

So lets move forward people look at me like I am a miracle no not one of those. I refuse to believe that I had a foot in the grave. Can I say I am out of the woods nope, blood pressure is still high, changed medicine 3 x for far, My short term memory seems to be effective and my eyes sight seems so off. I still have headaches and my ears ring. And I need to replace my right hip as it is getting worse and they took those Meds away. Can't do the hip as can't afford nor do I have any more time off work. But I am going to live every day to the fullest. I refuse to believe I was at deaths door. Just need to find a disguise and rob a bank to pay these medical bills as the insurance isn't going to cover everything nor will it cover the Helicopter.     

New motto don't sweat the small things other people have it worse.

Believe in yourself and nothing can stop you

                                    
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Whether you know the me that is real or the me I show everyone depends on who you are in my life. Everyone has two of themselves and sometimes those personas become one. I remember a move quote about a soul of a man. Do you really know someone.I know who I am and I am very comfortable with me. I also know that there are people around me who don't ever try to learn anything about me they only see what I allow them to see.

But lets move on. I post a lot of different things on Facebook, my favorite things are memes, Now i really hope that people don't take those as I am going through that or directed at any one person place or thing. With that being said

Stats are out these are how the dog world rate your dogs. I know everything has a list and I am a firm believer that what will be will be and it is what it is. I never knew these lists were around nor did I nor do I understand them completely . One day I will get them down on how they figure them.

First list I found was on the AKC where GCH Elites Storming the house at Jepas is number one for Chows in Illinois.
Then there is the Canine Chronicle on Chow Breed points he is number 15 up 5 points. Then there is the owner Handler list where we are listed as number 8 in Chows.

Not to bad for a person a year ago I know people were laughing at.  Thinking because I had a dog that was a challenge I would disappear. Believing I would give up and go by the way side. Well I am here and here to stay because the most important person believes in me ad you now what that is me

When your dreams start to become reality

Maverick 6-9 puppy 

The days leading up to Labor Day weekend were a very exciting time. We were in the Amana's in Iowa for a 4 day show. At this show I entered all my dogs but at a staggered pace. I had been working with my Tillie and to be honest I didn't expect her to win although it would have been nice but she is still a work in progress and coming along very nice. I did pull her one day ring side as she was very stressed that day and she had come a long way and didn't feel the need to set her back. We will continue working on her and she will be back out soon. 

At this show there was a great entry of Chows and judges I knew nothing about well three of the four. The fourth is on a DNS list but I entered to support the entry any way knowing that we would not fair well. I have learned a lot in this past year. I continue to learn every time we show. But getting back to my dream of having a dog that competes with the best of them. Enter Hondo he is a trip a typical chow only wants what he wants when he wants. I have several nicknames for him but all that aside he and I are a team and I proved that to my self that weekend. One the first day Friday of this 4 day cluster Hondo took Select and BOB Owner Handler, with taken BOB Owner Handler he gets to move on to the Owner Handler Groups. We have been in these groups before were we have taken a group 3 and a group 2. All these dogs in the group are very good representations of the Non-Sporting breeds. There we were with these dogs, Hondo and I were in sync and he was showing very well. Never in my wildest dreams could I believe that the Judge would point to us and give us a Group 1 defeating the others in the group. 

On to Owner Handler Best In Show. This groups consists of the winners of the other groups and compete for Best in Show Owner Handler. So again Hondo and I do our thing and he is showing very well. Dreams happen and on this day Hondo became reserve Best In Show owner Handler something one only dreams about. I know that Best in show is the bigger dream but I will take my dreams one at a time. Where I can savory every moment. 

When it was all said and done this weekend Hondo won 2 selects 1 Best Of Breed and Reserve Owner Handler Best in Show. I would call this a huge success for us and one step closer to all my dreams.But after all is said and done at  the end of the day I take home the best dog at the show. 

When I started this blog

When I started this blog back up I was devastated that my hopes and dreams were dashed. I came back into the dog show world because I truly love showing dogs.  I came back to a breed that stole my heart over 30 years ago. My first " show dog was starting to appear to be anything but that. I had become so discouraged and was most likely the laughing stock of the Chow world. I learned a long time ago what people say or think only sting for a little bit, and in the bigger realm of things don't matter.
I did the parent thing and put my dreams on hold so my kids could experience theirs. We did Child Beauty Pageants another expensive hobby with three of the four children. We did the marching band and the best saxophone money could buy ( with the help of Grandam.) We did football from Rec league to collage with the oldest boy We did baseball with the oldest son.. We did Competitive dance, tee ball to ASA competitive  to collage softball,and track and cheer-leading with the youngest daughter. We also did soccer, and tee ball,( he did not like baseball) to flag football to high school football. To FFA with the youngest son., Honor Society and all the other school activities. We survived heartbreaks, dances,  assaults (you know boys will be boys kind.} and a year in the judicial system. The first child to leave for collage, then the second then the third and now the fourth. We survived medical issues that made my child stronger. I can say I with my husband raised 4 awesome independent and very intelligent and driven children. I am one mother who is proud of every small or big accomplishment my children have achieved. But the one thing that was instilled in each one of them is you never give up, you do your best and you live your dream.

So while  I was an hands on very involved parent I didn't have time to socialize or make friends, friends got in the way I was always busy kids always on the go. So to say I may lack in social skills is mild to say the least and sometimes I may try to hard, or not hard at all. At 60 I am just to old to change who I am. But with the dogs I can be who I was meant to be a competitive handler,with good dogs.

Tillie has always been a challenge she has always resisted being touched so I removed her and have been working with her, and in July she made her way back into the ring after a year off and her second show won a 4 point major. She still has a way to go but I firmly believe her and I can do it

That same weekend, Romeo my import who also wasn't shown since last November as we had a food issue that effect his eyes and  taking care of his eyes were more important so he was on the injured reserve. 

But that weekend was good to us and he became and AKC Champion.

And then there is my Hondo who finished his Championship in late March, Showed him in April then in May June and July a show a month and in that short time he finished his Grand Championship 

He also ended that weekend with a group 2 Owner Handler 

and now my up and coming star that rounds out what we 

call Jepa Chows. This is Maverick 

 It seems like this is all coming together and we will see what the future brings. 

I don't blog like I used to

I don't blog like I used to as I feel I talk to myself. This used to be s blog about out vacation on a cruise, then it was a platform about the justice system when my youngest was sexually assaulted. Then just some everyday things. It was a place to expel my feelings about how I perceived the world around me.

I have never had a lot of so called friends, Yes I have people I know but not people I trust and would say Oh yes that is my friend, I always was on the tail end of bullies and that continued my whole life, Yes it still that way today. I have always tried to do for people the best I can with in my means. You want food I always have food, you want a shoulder to cry on I have that. You want clothes I can help. I continued this through my children's school day. I helped and made feel welcome all the kids who needed to feel important. I never expect anything in return. I am not trying to buy your friendship it is what defines me to the point I get taken advantage of but I don't see it most times till it's to late.

From High school on people used what I can do, what I was willing to do and used that till I could do no more. Then they disappeared out of my life. You would think I would have learned when that when that cycle continued to happen, but no I always try and find the good in people and my nature is truly one that wants to help. You would think at 60 years old I would not care if people walk away but it hurts like it hurt when I was 8.  It happened again not to long ago where I met a person and we talked and talked, we were both going to a huge dog show I tried to help with clothes we planned meals together and what we were going to do that week. But once we got there we had one meal then once we got to the show site they acted like they didn't know me, being new to being back to showing I couldn't do anything for them as far as grooming or any knowledge to help them and I was dropped like a hot potato. I should have seen the signs as there were signs. We both imported dogs about the same time. Although I was having trouble registering mine and they knew it. So they posted Oh look our baby is now AKC registered . Who in this day and age does that. But I ignored. Am I bitter yes, did I change how I felt no I still tried to continue that friendship but soon learned it wasn't a friendship when you hide where your going even when asked. But you know what it's a free world go where you choose, I do.

I still invite people to eat, I still open up my motor home to people, I would still give you what ever I could if I had and could. But it comes a time where I have to understand my personality may not be for everyone, I am gruff, I act dumb, and I try to hard. those are my faults, I am to old to change and you know what I don't want to. 

So as I continue to show my dogs, if you have met me and I seem to be different it's because I put the wall back up. I enjoy showing and that is all that matters. I survived to the age 60 with very few people that I would call friends and I can continue to do so. Oh don't get me wrong there are several people that I enjoy their company and will continue but the rest of the people I am not a door mat. I am no longer going to volunteer my help with items I have no need for. No one I find would do it for me so I will not go out of my way for people.

So now on a happier not, I know have my 2nd and 3rd champion after over 17 years. I hope to be on the way to 4th and 5th. Including my Tillie who has sat in the back seat for a year and now is well on her way well maybe to being finished. It depends on her personality the day of show.
My new Champion Romeo Champion Hondo Needs 5 points for his Grand 
my tillie who won her first 4 point major, a feat people have thought including me couldn't be done then there is Master Maverick who I expect grand things from 

Well I must finish loading my old motor home, It may not be the best to some people but it is our home away from home.

I wonder sometimes

I wonder sometimes why things go the way they do. I wonder sometimes why people think they can walk all over me, I wonder sometimes when people will take me seriously. I wonder sometimes why people think they can ignore me as if I am nothing. I wonder sometimes if they really know me would they do the things that that do.

I wonder sometimes why these things happen. But I also wonder if they knew sometimes that I would give anyone in need anything,

I wonder sometimes that they would know if they were hungry I would feed them. I wonder sometimes if they knew if they were thirsty I would give them drinks. I wonder if they knew if they needed clothes I would give them the shirt off my back. I wonder if they knew that if they needed anything I would try to help.

Sometimes I wonder if they knew that I know how they feel, what they say. I wonder sometimes if this is all worth it.  I also they can wonder if they know they can talk, ignore think they are better then me, I wonder if they know I don't care.

In 1985 I had a dream to show dogs, be a respectable breeder and to breed Chows for the betterment. It took a while to get the right dog and to be on my way. I had so many dreams of success. It took till 4/1987 to achieve my first Champion, But I was not on the other end of the lead as I was almost 8 months pregnant and my mother was concern for the welfare of my unborn child and she got her handler friends to show my dog. Even though I am in the picture and proud as punch I didn't finish him myself. Gunner (Asho-Fanci Jepas gunslinger) was a special dog and so deserved to be a champion but I always question was it the dog or the handlers that got him where he was. After the birth of my daughter my dog showing days were over. Not that I didn't have dogs just very difficult with a baby. Gunner never saw the ring again after that day.

But I didn't achieve any of the goals I had wanted back then. To be honest dog showing was the farthest thing on my mind. I put all my energy into raising 4 well round, respectful, talented children. Who either have very promising careers or very promising futures. Oldest is an attorney for the State of Indiana, the second eldest is in the United States Air force stationed overseas with his family, the third child is in her final year for early education to teach in elementary school, The 4th and final has just finished the sophomore year and plans a to be a DNR officer. So I feel that the trade off dogs for kids worked out well.

So as I start over with the dogs as my children are on their own courses. Respect with in the dog world is very hard. Breeders these days are unlike the breeders of yesterday. If one thought 32 or so years ago it was hard for breeders to give you the time of day they have not meet the breeders of today. Even with today's technology cell phones, internet and such no one really wants to help the new person on the block.

I am going to be looking to enhance the chows I already own by adding to my herd as I call them in the near future. Where to start remains to be seen, but I know I want to add a female and a male to the herd. I enjoy showing and when I finish Romeo I will be done till I can find something as I feel Hondo needs to mature into himself. To be honest I don't want to be done so this will be hard. Showing is my life now and I don't want to put it on hold. The Motor home is my domain it is where I can forget the world and live for me.

Now I met so many people at the Chow National hoping this time they take me serious in my quest to have good dogs. This to will remain to be seen.
Speaking of remains to be seen it happened a horrible picture both me and the dog. But I had to buy it as it was the New Champion photo

                                          CH. Elites storming the house at Jepa's ( Hondo)

They say sometimes dreams come true and here is a start small one but a start

I was reading someone else post about their dog making this list and although it is great that they did. I also noticed at the bottom ranked 19 and it's a tie is none other then my Hondo. ( Elites storming the house at Jepa's. This is a start to a dream and you know what it doesn't matter he is on the bottom with only 2 shows in to the year. What matters is he is one this list. I couldn't be happier. 

And the choices continue my nails

 So I found a site that I really love these nail designs. And if you know me you know that along with my show clothes my nails have to be perfect. I even went as far as having a chows hand painted on my nails for last years nationals.

 But like my nails I have certain colors I will and will not wear.  This is as colorful as my wardrobe gets. Purple and blue on my nails is a

favorite although I do like red and pinks. I am not a fan of white nor black so sometimes designs become hard.

 People often wonder how I do anything with my nails but I will have you know i can do anything any one can do who doesn't have nails. I have had my nails long like this for 30 plus years. It has only been the last three that I have gotten into doing more then just color.

 This has always been my splurge on me. My nails and I don't think it will ever change. I did go through a time where I just didn't do them and people would always comment where are your nails. So I regrew them out.

Holiday's are fun because I can do themes. With Christmas being my favorite time. Rudolph, snoopy, ugly sweaters to name a few. Thanks giving has seen my nails as well as Halloween. This year I am skipping valentines nails and doing something different

Well that is enough nail talk

Let's talk about show clothes

Let  us talk about show clothes show we, This is the motor-home closet and my clothes. My husbands clothes are the purple shirt to the wall, and trust me these are not all of them, yes there are more way more, jackets, skirts, pants, shirts dresses, and there are some formal  kind of clothes there. Why are there so many clothes because I just can't answer that. The only good thing is everything was bought on sale or at the Dillard's clearance store by my house. There are a few from Cindy's closet and eshakti.com. There is a lot of red and black well a lot of dark colors why you ask. I worked for a company a long time ago that paid to have our color analysis done and I am a winter color person which means my skin tone looks best in dark colors. Pastels wash me out. There are clothes in there in various different sizes as when I started showing I was quite a bit heavier. There are things I have not worn yet. Plus there are some that have become my favorites.
Now I will tell you that something my mother told me when I first started has stuck in my head and I base my clothes decision around that. You and your dog are a team and you must present your dog in the best possible way. You have to dress as though when you walk in the ring you are a winner. You must look as professional as you can. Neat clean and together with your dog. So this is one reason way I have this problem. Another issue is I think I look horrible and fat in everything.

 The many many looks and so many different combinations. Yet still the same fat body

I have the staples black ,blue, brown skirts, Then I have floral skirts long skirts mid skirts Solid jackets Multi colored jackets, long jackets short jackets. Items with pockets, some with no pockets.Long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts and no sleeve shirts. Then there are the dresses. Black boots, Brown boots, tan flats ivory flats brown flats black flats, white sneakers. Yeah it's a problem. But I hate the way I look in everything so it is such a challenge. I am also not to fond of showing in pants although I have and I have black, tan and white. I was going to cull the clothes but you know when you do that then you look for something and it's not there. It's not that I want to make a fashion statement I just want to look nice and professional.

 I have had several judges compliment me on how I look and I don't know if that is a good thing or bad.

My new obsession is hats, although I have several I think I have only worn one once. It was outside and it was a hot day in Michigan  

at a 4-6 puppy. I have worn sneakers once new and white again it was indoors and hot and it to was a 4-6 puppy.

See even when I started I had to dress for success all thanks to my mom