Page 49

National

continued from page 47 Sitting ringside on Saturday I saw a number

of amazing dogs and bitches. A first were littermates Clementine’s Neon
Moon going Winner’s Dog, Best of Winners and Best Bred by Exhibitor as
Clementine’s La Luna went Winner’s Bitch and BBE in bitches. Checking in
with Vicki Clement later, I asked her about the breeding of this litter and her
thoughts about the pups as she evaluated them early on. “Well, you really
never know even after showing and breeding dogs for 30 years. I hope I have
learned something from my mentors after all this time. Along the way you
have to have an eye for a good dog. Then when they do well, it's one of your
proudest moments,” Vicki said.

When I spoke with Donna Moore after GCH Jodell’s Boogie Back to Texas

of M&M won Best of Breed at national, she replied, “It was one of our biggest
thrills ever when John Wayne won the national. Then when his daughter,
Texas, won it in 2011, we were so thrilled! For Texas to come back and win it
again this year, two years in a row, was a dream come true for a breeder.”

Handler and co-owner Janice Hayes was just excited. “I just want to thank

everyone who has supported Texas and all of her accomplishments. I have
had so many memorable moments with her and winning the national again
just capped off her career perfectly. She truly is a special girl and has made
me laugh on our whole journey together. I want to thank Donna and
Donnie for trusting me with their dogs’ careers and especially for allowing
me to co-own Texas as well, she means so much to me. She has far exceeded
our expectations and we look forward to what comes next!”

One of the fun things about national is always the dinner and auction on

Saturday night. I was honored to be asked to act as
auctioneer again this year and to be able to give out
the awards. There were a number of “hot” auction
items that brought big bucks for the PBGV club and
Health and Rescue. The state baskets were a huge
success, and “huge” was the word to describe a
number of them. The Texas “toy box basket” was
as big as the state itself and reminded everyone of
where the national will be held next year.

Going to our national is so much more than

showing your PBGV in conformation. It’s about
obedience, agility and rally. It’s a place to meet other
owners and breeders who have been in the dog
world for many years, getting sage advice about
training, breeding and educating oneself about the
health of the breed. Sometimes national is about
getting big ribbons and having an experience you
may never forget. And yes, I paid to check a bag!

Saber Tails

June 2012