Quiet, Baby Lightning Is Sleeping

It is hard to imagine that Baby Thunder is now a dad. Just remember him being a little baby in http://ncag.blogspot.com/2006/09/baby-thunders-first-outing.html

When the Thunder rolls, the Lightning will strike. His little baby boy Lightning is showing all the signs of being a top show dog.

Baby Lightning is soundly asleep in the photo; he won't be that quiet when he waits up. He is getting ready to light up the shows.

Carol Receives A Great Honor

Carol is a well-respected judge and a top breeder of American Fuzzy Lop in the wonderful world of rabbits. In her professional life, she is a very successful project leader at the SRI International, well respected and loved by her colleagues. She received her Ph.D. degree from UC Davis.

Carol says, "I just found out that I have been selected for this award at SRI. I am totally shocked and honored."

Here is an explanation of this award:

"Mimi Award
The Mimi Award is the highest recognition SRI offers to staff members who have demonstrated and fostered the personal and professional growth of others in the context of their work at SRI. This annual award was established in 1996 in recognition of Marion S. "Mimi" Stearns, who was SRI's Vice President of the Health and Social Policy Division, until she died of cancer in 1992. Mimi was a champion at enhancing the skill, dedication, development and success of her staff through mentoring, guiding and inspiring those she managed. Recipients receive a 6-week paid sabbatical to engage in a project of their personal choice that conveys the spirit of the award."

Congratulations, Carol. We are all very proud of you.

Graduation Day for Elvis and Priscilla

Casey reports,

"Here are some graduation pictures of Elvis (Mahogany) and Priscilla (Black and tan). They have successfully completed their classes at the obedience school. They did very well. They are very happy puppies.

I had help each week from Cole, Ashley or Jeff. Having 2 dogs in class made it challenging. Every time they came near each other it was a love fest, they had not seen each other in 10 minutes.

They can now walk, heal, sit, stand and lay down. Well, most of the time anyway. They are just puppies so they do get distracted. They also kind of understand the 'Leave It' command. When they go off to smell things, people or another dog, I'd say "leave it" and they'd stop.

I will be putting them in shows when they reach six months old in October. We will see how that goes. Should be fun. "

Troy and Jill's New Baby Boy

Young judge Troy moved back to CA from WA with wife Dutch breeder Jill a few months ago. Soon after their move, their new baby boy, Aaron Allen, was born.

This is the first show for the baby, now just seven weeks old. With both parents being rabbit breeders and dad a judge, are we seeing a new breeder in progress?

Carol and Cathy Judging at Stockton

These two ladies are very popular judges. Exhibitors are happy to have Carol and Cathy to judge their breeds.

In the top photo, Carol is examining the Standard Chin. In the second photo Cathy is judging on the Best In Show table. The beautifully typed rabbit happens to be Carol's American Fuzzy Lop.

Manue and Jamie Judge English Angora

At the Big Valley RA shows in Stockton, the Angora breeds had two wonderful judges: Manuel and Jamie.

At the top, show A judge Manuel is making the decision of whether the white senior doe or the colored senior doe wins the Best of Breed. The two rabbits are very close; after back and forth many times, Manuel decided on the white senior doe.

In the second photo, show B judge Jamie is checking on the two colored senior does.

In the third photo, Jamie picks the colored senior doe as the Best of Breed and the colored senior buck as the Best Opposite Sex. Jamie and Betty are posing with the two winners while Lindsay and Deirdre waiting for the French Angora's turn to be judged.

Baylie Wins All Breed Reserve In Show

Big Valley RA all breed show at Stockton is the biggest fall show. Exhibitors come from the very north to the very south plus all in between. There were 18 judges judged 2,200 rabbits in show A and about the same amount in show B.

Betty's English Angora white senior doe Chu's Baylie won the Best of Breed in show A then went on to win Reserve In Show.

In the top picture, from left to right are Rick who won the Best In Show with his beautiful Netherland Dwarf, Judge Mike from Iowa, Judge Cathy, Judge-soon-to-be Allen and Betty with Baylie.

The second photo is Baylie in a sitting pose.