I borrowed Uno (Armahani Jade Jalokivi) and Avicii (Armahani Lapis Lazuli Lurjus) for some shows this weekend, having the fun of two young boys playing non stop during out home time and Louis desperately trying to join in!

In this show ring, they both had some shining to do, Avicii gaining Best Baby Puppy in Group and the Ballarat Dog Club yesterday under judge I Hinde, and then Uno being shortlisted in group and then awarded Aus Bred in Group at the Bacchus Marsh & District Kennel Club today under P Cutler.

It was Avicii's last weekend in the baby puppy class, and boy is he looking ready to go up - no longer a cute little puppy he has some adolescence to get through now and a slow ride to maturity.  Uno I haven't had back in the ring very long, and we've been pretty much training from scratch, so I was super proud of how he performed both in the group and general specials ring. He's really starting to get the hang of what he is meant to do.  Hopefully there will be more fun with these two boys in the future.

We had a simply incredible Melbourne Royal this year!

Our breed judging was held on Monday under Irish judge Mr M Forte. I took five dogs along this year, although only handled the four, with big thanks to Rachael Holloway for taking Loki's lead for the occasion (as if I had a choice!).

First in as Avicii (Armahani Lapis Lazuli Lurjus) who did an awesome job at his first royal taking 1st place in the Baby Puppy Dog class, and earning several lovely complements from the judge on his soundness.

Loki (Ch Armahani Jade Jylha) was next, taking 1st place in the Aus Bred Dog class, against some very competitive competition (amongst them all breeds Best in Show winners, and previous major royal best of breed winners). Loki shows rarely, and not in the last six months, so I was so proud of what a great job he did.

Then to Tortik (Supreme Ch Armahani Heliodorr Halu (AI) RA JC), also out for the first time in six months, who was simply on fire, and not only took 1st in his class, but went on to win firstly Dog Challenge, and then Best of Breed!

In the girls, little Kira (Armahani Lapis Loimuta) strutted her stuff in a very adorable way to take out 1st in the Baby Puppy Bitch class against some lovely competition.  She later went on to beat her brother for Baby Puppy of Breed.

Then finally my Baby (Am Ch Ch Calaban's Dirty Dancing RE ET JC) placing 1st in the Open Bitch class, and then going Reserve Bitch Challenge.

Kira had to come back into the ring a little later to compete for Baby of Ring, which we were absolutely thrilled to win.  We then got the opportunity to compete for Baby Puppy of Day, where again she did an awesome job, but the winner of that went to a very lovely German Wire Haired Pointer who went on yesterday to win Best Baby Puppy in show.

Yesterday was General Specials day and I returned with Tortik to represent our breed.  The last time I was there was 7 years ago with Emmi, where she became the first Finnish Lapphund in history to be shortlisted in group at a major Royal show.  Well, Tortik was clearly determined to follow in her footsteps, because I was incredibly proud  for us to be called out in the final 8 shortlist. 

Not to be left out, young Leevi (Armahani Kunzite Kuutamo (AI) RA JDX ET HT JC) made his way to the Royal Agility Games Trail today, getting quallies in both Snooker and Strategic Pairs.  He and his SP partner also gained 1st place, so he got to get his own royal podium photo as well!

​It was mother and son time today at Knox’s obedience and rally trial. Two passes a piece (Leevi in CCD and Rally Excellent A and Baby in Rally Advanced B and a Rally Excellent B)

Leevi broke the ‘Armahani first mum is watching curse’ and Baby overcame all of her fears in her worst nightmare trial conditions (go strong positive reinforcement history!) and didn’t die after all!!!

​Love the days people completely floor me with the unexpected! Well today was certainly one of them.

Lumi (Grand Ch Armahani Diamond Davvir (AI) CD RN JDX ADX ADO GD SPD SD ET WPD) has been retired from the show ring for quite some time, but today much to my surprise, took a little fun outing with Bianca Ralphs at Wagga, and got himself a Runner up in Group and Aus Bred in Group!

No keeping the good ones down!

Right off the back of becoming a Grand Champion, Benni didn't waste any time, today gaining the last Best in Group award he needed to now be known as Supreme Ch Armahani Heliodorr Hulivili (AI) ET!!

Benni joins little brother Tortik in this achivement, making them the only two Finnish Lapphund Supreme Champion litter mates in the country.

It has been an amazing adventure that Rachael and Benni have taken together, and I couldn't be more proud and pleased, not only for their achievements, but for the wonderful bond and relationship they have formed. Benni really is a mumma's boy!

It is always at these moments we remember Benni's first mum, Vanessa.  I hope she is smiling down at both of her boys and the legacy they have made since she had to leave us all. I'm pretty sure it has been beyond her wildest dreams.

It was an incredible weekend for the Armahani sports lappies, with lots of achievements across four different disciplines.

Firstly on Saturday both Baby (Am Ch Ch Calaban's Dirty Dancing RA ET JC) and her son Leevi (Armahani Kunzite Kuutamo (AI) RA JD ET HT JC) headed out to the Bulla Agility Trial.  It was Baby's first ever trial following a large break in training with her injury.  She did such an awesome job, with a Jumping Dog quallie in her first run with a 1st place, followed up by an incredible second run which only fell apart when a certain handler squealed with excitement a touch too soon at the finish line causing her to drop the last bar! Not to be outdone by his old mother, Leevi took home his final Jumping Dog Excellent quallie for his JDX title.

Meanwhile in NSW, Lolly (Ch Armahani Iolite Into (AI) ET WPD) was heading out with Steve for two days of backpacking.  They finished today with another 64km under their belt, earning their last quallie for Lolly's WPDX title.

Also in NSW, Shell and Squiggle (Ch Neut Ch Armahani Diamond Dansut (AI) CCD RA ADX JDX SDX SPDX GD HT ET JC WPD FMX were competing in Flyball, earning the final points they needed for Squiggle's Flyball Masters Champion title (FMCh).
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And in Bendigo, Baby was changing it down a gear, back into the rally ring, where she earned her final two legs for her Rally Excellent (RE) title, with scores of 95 and 99, both 1st place in ring.

After showing yesterday, and earning herself a tidy 22 points, Baby and I ventured out to the State Rally Trial today.  I only entered the morning trial to keep it a nice and easy one, and she sure didn't disappoint, with a lovely score of 97 points, which put her at 2nd place.

First show for Avicii (Armahani Lapis Lazuli Lurjus), who turned 3 months on Wednesday, today at the Heidelberg and District Kennel Club where he was awarded a really nice Best Baby Puppy in Group by judge R Lucas (NSW) who declared him to be a lovely pup with a lot of promise.

​So much fun to be back in the ring with a baby! 

Another Runner up in Group for Benni today at the Tasmanian Kennel Club.  That makes number 24!

It is with a really heavy and broken heart that we say goodbye to our precious Tahvo who joined his mum Emmi today and is no doubt being brought very strictly into line!

BIS BISS RBIS Can Grand Ch Exc & Am Grand Ch Armahani Diamond Davvenasti RN CA RATI
15 Feb 12 - 23 July 19
Sire: Fin Ch & Fin Working Trial Ch Lecibsin Kultkuono
Dam: Aus Grand Ch Lumiturpa Emmi CCD RE JD HT

Always one of everyone’s favourites, he left my arms as a 12 week old puppy 7 years ago now. My main memory of that day was crying uncontrollably at Jetpets as we saw him off (much to the concern of those with me).

The pain of separation very quickly turned to multiple moments of joy and pride as he surpassed over and over again all I could ever imagine in both the USA and Canada (and as his progeny follow in his footsteps).
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My very deepest condolences to owners Kathy Knapp, Gene Hayes and Linda Marden and also to his Canadian handler Connie Krohn as you deal with his loss way too soon. Thank you Kathy for giving Tahvo your love and care for so many years and trying so hard to save him in the end.