Trask - Chinook National Best of Breed

Yesterday, at the Chinook Owners Association National Specialty, "PR" BrownStone Cascade Mt. Trask, CGC, TT, NWD (Trask) brought home all the bling except the Best Altered Male (which he was not eligible for but was won by his father Channahon’s Kikiah Tyee, (Oscar)).

National Speciality Best Male. National Speciality Best of Winners. National Speciality Top Honor. National Speciality Waldon Award.  National Speciality Best of Breed

I had been out of town with house sitters watching the dogs and Jake for a week while I taught Laser boat sailing during high wind conditions. I rushed home; hugged everyone; grabbed Trask for a quick trip to the groomers for a bath and blow dry and then had a very long trip to Seattle (9.5 grueling hours). We are so fortunate to have Marleen, owner of Oscar, as a friend with a welcoming guest room.
The next morning we took off for the National Specialty (dog show) at Argus Ranch. Trask, of course, wanted to play with all the puppies and meet all the females. He was so excited that taking pictures proved almost impossible while holding him with a show lead. I also learned a valuable lesson: Check your camera battery before trying to take important pictures. Mine went dead. As it weakened, so did the shutter speed. Between a slow shutter speed during filming pictures of people running with dogs and Trask jumping at the end of the lead while cheering the dogs in the show ring on, I have a dismal collection of pictures to show for my efforts. Hopefully, other photographers did a better job of documenting the day.
I am so fortunate the BrownStone Chinooks has had such a successful breeding program. I am clueless when it comes to the show ring but the dogs shine. McKenzie, my founding girl, took Best Female at our very first show, a Chinook National Speciality. Cedar was Champion of Champions at her National Speciality.  Koyuk won Best Female Bred by Exhibitor at her National Speciality. And now Best of the Breed, Trask.
"You won't let me meet the females and then hang ribbons all over me. Let's go home."

BrownStone Pack

Hot, Hot, Hot. We broke the record for heat by 10 degrees. Water, cools grass and shade were the haunts of the BrownStone pack today. The poor groomer had to give pedicures to three soaked dogs and one soaked cat. All had gone swimming to cool off though I am not sure Jack the Cat actually got into the water on purpose.

Emergence

The past year has been the toughest trial of my life. Taking time and making the effort to blog has fallen to a low spot on the to-do list of just living and trying to thrive. I did enroll in two terms of photography classes. They proved to be challenges I could focus on outside the realm of my new alone life. The curriculum was intellectually stimulating. Who knew taking a picture involved so much math and homework? Going to class six hours a week, forced me to leave the house and meet new people. Each term ended with the presentation of a portfolio which included a statement of what the artist hoped to convey through the photographs. Thursday night I presented my portfolio.

"Three hundred sixty-two days ago I lost my husband of 41 years. The grief of widowhood dulled the colors of life. Learning photography has been self-therapy to help me once again vividly see the world around me.

The natural world has always been my solace. In nature wondrous beginnings emerge each spring. New growth with its vibrant hues, brightens the dull uniform green of winter’s foliage. 

Flowers delight with infinite shapes and colors.

Both tears and rain bring forth a renewal of life. 

As in nature, my life is emerging anew. I rejoice in the colors, patterns and, textures of spring along with the transitions of Darkness to Luminance. 

Within this portfolio I tried to capture the emergence of new life blossoming forth upon the old. Life that was restored through tears and nurtured by rain."

After presenting my project, I came across a poem from 16th century poet Herbert.

And now in age I bud again,

After so many deaths I live and write:

I once more smell the dew and rain,

And relish versing. O my onely light.