Friday, October 27, 2017

Fiber Arts Friday: More Pink

I have completed my 5th Pussy Hat.  Have I mentioned that I'm not a fast knitter?


Back in January, I decided that I would keep a Pussy Hat in progress at all times... for as long as was appropriate.  So while I was contemplating casting on a different, non-pink, hat as this one was nearing completion, the anniversary of the leak of Trump's Access Hollywood video passed, as did the firing of Harvey Weinstein.

These are just two high profile examples of how women are often treated, as illustrated by the #MeToo event.

So I continue to knit pink.  #6 is in progress.


Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Monday, October 23, 2017

Dog Show: AKC Rankings

There are several rankings in AKC Conformation competition.  Three of which I've been paying attention to:

Breed:
This ranking is based on number of dogs defeated in one's own breed in a calendar year.  We generally don't have a lot of breed competition in our area, so I am happy to see our dogs anywhere on this list.

Ranking in the Top 5 as of October 31 results in an invitation to the Westminster Kennel Club show in February.

Ramen in currently ranked 16th.


All-Breed:
This ranking is based on the total number of dogs defeated in a calendar year.  So this includes group placements, Reserve Best in Show and Best in Show.

Ramen is currently the #2 All Breed Tibetan Mastiff and has been since February 2017.

Ramen has been closing the gap on the #1 All-Breed Tibetan Mastiff.  However Bravo was awarded a group placement last weekend, so the gap will be widening.  ;-)

So far this year, only Bravo, Ramen, and Gemma have been awarded group placements.  Bravo and Gemma were both with professional handlers.

Owner-Handled:
Points are awarded for Best of Breed, Group Placements, Reserve Best in Show and Best in Show.  These points are awarded regardless of competition and are tracked from October to October.  The Top 10 in each breed as of October are invited to the Owner-Handled competition at the AKC National Championship in December.

Ramen is currently ranked 5th and Gunnar is tied for 11th place.


There are also rankings tracked for Top 20 in Group (no TMs in the Top 20 of the Working Group), Grand Championship (dogs that have at least a CH title by Breed), and Juniors (Handlers between 9 and 18 years old).

Monday, October 2, 2017

Alpacamundo Monday: Silas is Healing

A few days before shearing last May, a herd-mate was feeling amorous.  He forced Silas down and shattered his right, front leg.

After speaking with our vet, Hubba made a splint with PVC pipe, cotton batting and vet wrap.  It took a couple of revisions to get it to stay in place.

Silas wore the splint most of the summer and got the the point to where he was quite mobile on three legs.

We reduced the support the splint provided over about last six weeks and completely removed the splint a few weeks ago.

It took about a week for Silas to realize that he could put weight on his foot and about another week to start using his leg for walking.

We're not out of the woods yet, but his prognosis is excellent.


He looks a little funny with one leg un-sheared.  :-)