Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Here is the Press Release about the American Kennel Club National Championship. I never ever in my life thought that I would be looking forward to watching a dog show on TV but things have really changed for me. I actually am looking forward to it.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club(R) and Eukanuba announced today that 2,444 dogs will compete for a total of $225,000 in cash prizes at the Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Dec. 1 and 2, 2007 in Long Beach, Calif. The show is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (entries of 470 and 95 respectively) making for a combined entry of nearly 3,000 dogs competing in the three events.

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be simulcast on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 from 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT). Highlights from the AKC Agility Invitational will air on Animal Planet on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 from 8-9 p.m. (ET/PT).

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a unique experience for any dog lover -- whether they are watching it on TV or enjoying it in person," said Ron Menaker, Show Chairman. "With nearly 400,000 square feet of event space, 3,000 dogs in competition, dozens of vendors, 148 educational displays, numerous demonstrations and now 40 international competitors in our Eukanuba World Challenge event, there is nothing that can compare to this complete canine extravaganza."

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a phenomenal event that brings together the best breeders, handlers and champions to encourage and celebrate the excellence of dogs," said Dan Rajczak, general manager, Procter & Gamble Pet Care. "Alongside our partners -- AKC and Animal Planet -- we're proud to be part of one of the most prestigious and well-respected dog shows and to provide a showcase that allows the world to appreciate these amazing animals."


Event highlights include:

-- Eukanuba World Challenge -- This inaugural international competition
will feature top dogs from 40 countries and six continents. Rare
breeds such as the Spanish Greyhound and the Azawakh will compete
against more traditional favorites such as Poodles and Dalmatians for
the title of "Eukanuba World Challenge Winner" and a total of $15,000.
The 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and 2007 Westminster Kennel
Club Best in Show winner -- "James," an English Springer Spaniel --
will represent the U.S.

-- AKC Meet the Breeds(R) -- Dog enthusiasts will have the opportunity to
get up close and personal with 148 breeds, as the AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship continues its honored tradition of highlighting
responsible dog ownership with its "AKC Meet the Breeds" event.
Designed to showcase a wide variety of adult dogs and puppies, breeders
will also be on-hand to share their insights and expertise on unique
canine characteristics. Visitors should make sure to stop by the
booths of the two newest AKC breeds -- the Beauceron and Swedish
Vallhund.

-- The AKC Agility Invitational -- The AKC's fastest-growing canine sport
and one of the most exciting to watch, agility allows dogs to
demonstrate their athleticism and versatility by racing against the
clock and overcoming a challenging obstacle course of tunnels, weave
poles, jumps and seesaws. It's a sport of physical skill, control,
patience and -- most importantly -- teamwork between handler and dog.
The top five ranked agility dogs in each of the AKC recognized breeds
are invited to attend this prestigious event. A total 470 dogs of 129
breeds from 41 states plus Puerto Rico and Canada will compete. The
AKC Agility Invitational airs 8 p.m., (ET/PT). Feb. 10, 2008, on Animal
Planet.

-- AKC National Obedience Invitational -- Obedience trials demonstrate the
usefulness of a dog as a companion to humankind. Accuracy and
precision are essential, but the natural movement of the handler and
the willingness and enjoyment of the dog are also important. To be
invited to this prestigious competition, a dog and handler must be
ranked within the top 10 percent of their breed or be ranked in the top
25 nationwide. A total of 95 dogs of 30 breeds from 44 states and
Canada will compete.

-- Junior Showmanship -- The excitement of competing in the National
Championship isn't just for adults -- 159 Junior Handlers (ages 9-18),
who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based
on year-round competition will compete for prestigious wins and
scholarship money.

-- AKC Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) -- Given annually to dogs in
five categories (Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service
and Exemplary Companion), the ACE Awards commemorate loyal,
hard-working canines that have made significant contributions to their
community. The five honorees and their owners -- including Junior
Handler Francisco Sanguino who discovered the sport of dogs with the
help of his foster mother and a rescued Rottweiler -- have been flown
to Long Beach to receive their awards and be recognized in front of the
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship audience.


For more information visit www.akc.org or topdogshow.com or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.akc.org/invitational/2007/tickets.cfm.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. Its rules and regulations govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year.

Eukanuba offers the most complete food lineup, delivering nutrition that is customized by breed and breed size, as well as health and performance requirements. Eukanuba is a division of Procter & Gamble , and you can visit us on the Web at www.eukanuba.com or visit Iams at www.iams.com.

Animal Planet, available in more than 93 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals.

keywords: dog collars, dog toys, dog beds

Our pets sometimes tell us things we do not want to hear

So I am starting to develop a little bit of a complex about this. Kona my little english lab girl always lays right at my feet when I eat. Plus she looks up at me like she is just waiting for something to fall. She does not do that for my girlfriend. I didn't think I was much of a piggy eater but maybe just maybe my girl Kona is trying to tell me something.

Blogging

This is a somewhat unrealted post. You know I never understood everyday folks like me blogging. I mean what is the point. Since I have started blogging I understand it a lot better. It is a lot more fun than I realized.

Why do you blog?

Dan The Basset Hound

Here is a picture of Dan. Dan as you can probably tell is a Basset Hound. We see Dan almost every time we go to the dog park. Dan is a really good dog with an owner that really loves him. Dan plays with most dogs and runs around barking in his deep basset hound voice.
Dan has some really silly habits. I think it is because he is a scent hound he likes to roll around in poop more than your average dog to bring the scent back to his pack. One time Lucy really let one go. Great Danes are a pretty big dog and with big dogs come big messes. Sorry for getting a little graphic but it is a funny story. Remember I said Dan likes to roll around in poop. You know where this one is going. He was there quicker than anyone could get there and sure enough he was sure able to carry that scent around for a while.

The funny part of the story was he turned around to his owner, ran up to her and sat up like only a basset hound can. They sit on their butt with their long body vertical in the air. I do not think I have ever seen a dog more proud of himself. He sat there giving that doggie smile, wagging his tail like crazy.

I know this goes without saying but it was a while before his owner was able to get the stuff off and into the car.

Lucy and Kona's trip to the dog park

Well, we went to the dog park as planned. It was a good time and the girlies had a good time just running around. Lucy, of course, went from person to person getting them to pet her. She acts like she gets no attention at home, she looks up at everyone with those sad, sad eyes of hers and people just love on her for a while. When they get tired she goes to the next unsuspecting person. Kona just goes from person to person, to dog, to person tail a wagging the entire time. she is very much the social butterfly. Both girls had a good time chasing the other dogs. Kona usually gets some unwanted attention from a dog while we are there and yesterday was no exception. She is pretty good at letting the other dog she wants to be left alone. But sometimes the other dogs just do not get it. That is usually when Lucy comes over and gives her very inimidating growl combined with a little aggressive posturing. Strangely enough that has a 100 percent success rate. It is kind of funny but Lucy treats Kona like her little sis or daughter. She is very protective.

We are off to the dog park

since it is a nice day here. well nice and cold we are off to the local dog park. the girlies love it there.

Getting Your dog to be more affectionate

I was just reading in one of my dog magazines that if you want to get your dog to be more affectionate you should hand feed them. I thought that was a pretty cool idea. But then I thought about it for a second. I would have to feed Lucy from both hands. Then I thought about it some more, I do not think that I could handle her being more affectionate. Both Kona and her climb into bed (usually with a dog toy) with use pretty much every morning, especially on the weekends. Kona is a little more of an issue as she is jumping around, lightly biting me on the face (I understand that is a way of her showing companionship) and eventually sitting on my head. Lucy just wants to be pet the entire time. It is hard to say no when she looks at you with those big calf like eyes.

She always looks so sad even when her tail is going around the world.