Tennessee..... no traffic and just beautiful

Tennessee is so beautiful.  People wave to us from their vehicles.  We love to see all the homes proudly flying the American flag.   We could live here for sure. People are enjoying seeing the dogs when we are walking them.  Another fun day enjoying the USA.

Tennessee...finally

well, after four hours of delays in Arkansas, we made it to Tennessee. We arrived at the hotel at almost midnight. The location was really questionable. So we found another hotel that took dogs and moved to the hotel. So we're set everybody's eaten and it's time to take two tired red dogs for one last potty break.

Arkansas

Well.....we are still in Arkansas.   There is so much work being done on  the highways here that there is a website to check...arkansashighways.com

We have spent no less than four extra hours here.  Right now we are on the 40 with the truck in "park"

Note to self...don't go thru Arkansas to get back to California

Texas Panhandle...day 2

Well, we were able to get five and a half hours sleep last night. The dogs are traveling very well.  Faith refused to pee until today. That's pretty normal for her when we travel, makes me crazy though.

Th

ere is rain on the horizon. Thus far, dry  freeways for us!

heading to Virginia ...day one

Thank you to Arthur and Lisa for staying at our house with our pets so we could take off and go to Virginia.

we were finally packed by midnight. And the alarm came very early at 3:30 a.m. to get up and hit the road.

Here is a picture of sunrise heading across the California desert.

Bling's first dog show



"Bling"



Rich and I just returned from three days of Irish Setter Specialties. The clubs offered the new 4 - 6 month puppy class. While I have mixed emotions about showing a 4 month old pup, Bling is 5 1/2 months old and we thought this would be a good opportunity to practice before going to the National. She will be 6 months old almost to the day and that will be her first show.

What a great time I had in the ring with her. The judges were all so kind with the pups. They made a big deal about having a fun environment for the pups. They were kind, gentle and absolutely did not expect the pups to behave like big dogs. I can not compliment the judges enough for making this class a wonderful experience for each puppy as they entered into the dog show world.

Bling had some wild moments in the ring. Well, more wild moments than calm if I have to be honest. One judge told me she saw few "movement moments," but what she did see she liked very much. All we could do was laugh.

It was heartwarming to see all the smiles outside the ring. The spectators clapped and appeared to enjoy watching the pups as much as we enjoyed showing them.

Sunday was by far the most challenging for Bling. She went around the ring with exuberance - wagging the entire time. When the judge went to present me with the best 4 -6 month puppy rosette, Bling grabbed one of the streamers and a game of tug toy with the judge ensued. Finally, smiling, the judge handed me the rosette end of the ribbon, as there was no way Bling was releasing her end. Each day the pups were awarded a new toy for their time in the ring. Bling left the ring each day proudly displaying her "winnings."

Thank you the judges for your kindness and patience as well as to all the folks who came up and complimented me on Bling.

As far as showing her in her first official show....I am afraid!!  :)

Bloopers on puppy Bling...

Tomorrow is St Patty's day and I always try to take photos of my Irish Setters with a little fun holiday gear on them.  This year we have a pup in the mix.   Bling just turned 5 months old and we've been working on her obedience training with a friend and her lab puppy for two weeks now. 

My husband ran an errand so I grabbed my camera and took the dogs outside.   I tried a practice run and Bling stayed in place - though she chose to lay down rather than sit.   Hum... why not throw the holiday stuff on the dogs and see what happens.

Bling was a bit distracted by bird shadows on the deck and a kitty cat walking by.   To my surprise, she held her sit stay (except when the cat came along).   The other three, Monet, Faith and Drew are all pretty used to me posing them for my paintings.  

If you look at each photo, the older dogs hold their poses for me the entire time regardless what Bling is doing.   It was pretty funny.   This entire session took about three minutes.   For a five month old Irish Setter pup, 3 minutes is an eternity.   Hope you enjoy the photos!

My newest limited edition print is out.   It is part of the "Country Series."    The title is "Old Country" and is available by going to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/printsforsale.html or by calling me / emailing me.

The painting features a historic stable and carriage located on the East Coast. The family of Irish Setters are sitting on an antique horse drawn carriage. Two horses are shown inside the stable. They are looking out towards the meadow, which is visible through the breezeway of the stable. Cherry Blossoms are in bloom behind the pups on the carriage.

The property on which the stable and carriage actually sit was a 7,000 acre land grant by Lord Baltimore to his niece in 1703. The structures were believed to be constructed circa 1728. The carriage featured in the painting sits protected inside the carriage house along with a number of other carriages.

To create the painting I worked from a number of photos of the stable during different seasons. I chose to use the spring photos, as that is when the 2013 ISCA National Specialty is actually taking place in Virginia.

The original painting has been sold. There will be reproductions produced in three sizes, as well as artist proofs. All will include a certificate of authenticity and will be signed and numbered.

Our puppy - yellow girl

Bling just turned sixteen weeks old. Crazy. Seems like just yesterday we were looking at the one day old babies. Time sure flies by quickly.....


"Bling" Rendition Treasure Every Minute

AM & INTL CH Willowbrook Artists Rendition JH (Drew) x AM & INTL CH Rusticwood Spellbound CGC (Monet)

She is sure a lot of fun.   Part of me can't wait for her to grow up and part of me wants her to stay as she is - just a fun loving pup.

Sera - Borzoi

This is Sera.   I've painted her before - a mini head shot.   She is absolutely gorgeous inside and out.   Her owner has plans to train her to become a therapy dog.   She will definitely excel in that role.   Sera is as tender and sweet as any dog could be!

For her painting, her owners wanted her laying in the back yard with their view of the ocean and flowering landscape.    In the main reference photo, Sera was laying in their bed with her rear legs outstretched.    For the painting, her legs didn't match the pose needed to lay in the grass.   So, I moved her legs under her from the position of being out in front of her.  

This small change really was the right thing to do for the painting.    My eye had kept settling on her legs and body rather than her face.    The ultimate goal of the painting was to lead the viewer's gaze to rest upon Sera's face.    By moving her legs under her, I was able to accomplish this goal.

Hope you enjoy the painting.   Sera is just a joy to be around.    She is a real treasure.

Dog Show Journal: January 27, 2013

 

Faith at the Dog Show

Today is a bittersweet day.   Fourteen years ago our girl, Jewel, came into the world.   I only wish that she was still with us to celebrate this day.

Six years ago today we picked up baby Monet at the airport.   As crazy as it was, she arrived from Alabama on Jewel's birthday.   Thus, making this particular date only more special.

We showed Faith today at the Orange Empire dog show.   Years ago, with our very first show Irish Setter, Bailey, we won his first point at this show.  Our first point with our first show dog.  It was cold and raining, but we never noticed!

Today, Faith won and earned another point towards her championship.   It was cold and raining (off and on) again this year.

January 27th is a great day.   We have so many special memories on this day.    Rich and I are thankful for all the experiences this day brings us.   Sorrow helps to make us appreciate happiness.   Losses help us to appreciate the wins.  

Next year we will be able to show baby Bling at the Orange Empire dog show.   The show probably won't be on the exact date of January 27, but it will be a day we know will be special. 

Faith at the Dog Show

Faith "Jamond Wings of Glory at Rendition"

I showed Faith today at the dog show.   It was a very small show and I had moved her up to the open class.   We practiced in the parking lot and she did fabulous.   Standing ringside she was a little angel.   In our class, she was okay, a bit feisty towards the end, but okay.    Then, we went back in the ring for winners.    My little angel gets that look when she wants to rumble.   Somewhere during our short two minute allotment from the AKC, Faith went on vacation.  She was leaping and frolicking and basically a wild child.   Against my better judgement, I popped the lead and said, "No FAITH!  KNOCK IT OFF!"   Knowing this dog, I should have known what would come next.   "A Challenge!", her little eyes beamed at me.  The games were on.   Dawn "0", Faith "1".

So, I came home and laid down on the bed for a minute, Faith right next to me.   She was so close she was actually breathing my air.   Somewhere in the hazy years passed memory banks of my mind I drifted off to when Jewel was a young dog in the classes.   I kept more of a journal of my dog show experiences then.   Many of the entries said, "Bad Jewel".  "Jewel was a bad dog."  "Bad BAD BAD Jewel."    I smiled and thought of my dog show entry today.  

DOG SHOW JOURNAL:   January 26, 2013 --
Showed Faith today.  Faith was a Bad Dog!   Bad Bad Faith.

I love my dog.  I love her spirit.   We had a good day.

Hannah - Red Girl

This is Hannah.  She is one of our pups from Monet and Drew.   She came over a few days ago to visit us.  She knew exactly who I was.    This picture was taken when I called out to her in a voice that I used when she was just a tiny pup.   It is amazing to see that the pups really do remember the people who bred them.   

She played with Bling and her momma, Monet.   It was funny to watch Monet check her out.  Her long lost pup was home and she had to do a full inspection.   The pups are so much fun.

Biscuit

 

This was a very special dog in our lives.  At first her name was Brook.   As a pup she wouldn't come when you called her unless you had a treat - a "biscuit".   At some point her name just became Biscuit.   The above is a tiny oil painting I did of her months ago.   The oil painting was 4 inches x 4 inches.

 

She was owned and loved by dear friends of ours.   She passed away at a young age - 9 years of age.   She had internal problems that no money could fix.   She was owned by our veterinarian - a rescue as a puppy who was the product of a puppy mill.   I'll always love Biscuit.    We miss her so much.

Irish Setter Flag

The new flags are in.   We are really excited with them.  They measure 2' x 3' and the cost is $25.00.

If you want to purchase one, go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/printsforsale.html

Irish Setter Flag

The name of my painting shown on the flag is "Rockets Red Glare".