We're just home from a lovely long weekend in Tasmania, where we spent some time with Rachael at Zuleika Kennels, and got to cuddle Benni and Fleur.

I took Tortik (Gr Ch Armahani Heliodorr Halu (AI) RA JC) and Baby (Am Ch Ch Calaban's Dirty Dancing RA ET JC (Imp USA)) across for Hobart Royal and the Tasmanian CACIB show a couple of days later.  Tortik was BOB and Baby RUBOB at both shows under judges Mr Y Yataka of Japan and Mr W Yang of China, and both earned their CACIBs - Tortik his first and Baby her second.

Under both judges, we really did think they were about to award Baby the BOB, so it was almost a surprise when they selected Tortik instead.  Tortik got a nice long look in the group lineup at Hobart Royal too, which was a nice acknowledgement.

Best of all, we had a fun time away, even fitting a nice day for a break, walks and leisurely lunch breaks! Thanks to Rachael and her family for having us, and making it such a lovely time away.  I'll be dreaming about Damien's wood fired pizzas for months!!!

Benni (Ch Armahani Heliodorr Hulivili (AI) ET) has been out showing with Rachael again this weekend, and had another awesome run, winning 1 x Runner up Best in Group, 2 x Best Australian Bred in Group, and 1 x Best Australian Bred in Show!

He had his son with him, who also picked up a couple of Best Baby Puppy in Groups!

Loki Bear (Armahani Jade Jylha) became our newest Australian Champion today, aptly handled by Nicole at the Rock Show Society for his last points, and being shortlisted in group as well!

Loki is Nicole's first show dog, and she's done such a great job with him. He is a pretty handsome boy and we think very well deserving of his title.  Congratulations Nicole and Chris, and a big thanks to Bianca for all of your support for this new team.

Today Tortik became Grand Champion Armahani Heliodorr Halu (AI) RA JC!!!
While he is not the first of my Finnish Lapphunds I've handled to a grand, and not the first of my prefix to earn his grand, he is the first I've breeder, owner, handled all the way, making it pretty special to me.

I can't begin to express how incredibly proud I am of this dog. We've had quite the ride together! While every single BIG and RUBIG win have been damn thrilling, the times he has been singled out by Nordic judges for major awards are the particular 'proud breeder' moments. That whisper from a Finnish judge as he handed over the ribbon 'I know these are rare here, and I wanted everyone watching to know just how good he is' will always stay with me. His wins have included BISS under Norwegian judge A Foss, as well as 2 x DCC/RUBISS under Finnish specialist Tapio Kakko and Swedish specialist Ambjörn Lindqvist.
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Huge thanks to CJ Yeap and Kateryna Yeap (Tortik's mum, co-owner and performance handler) for putting up with my craziness these last few years, letting me steal him away so often, and sharing the love of this complete sweetheart of a boy with me. Thanks also to Elaine Short and Sarah Ewenson for being the two people who enabled him to actually happen!

Super news today with Dolce (Ch Armahani Crystal Caibmat RA) gaining the last quallie he needed in Canberra to earn his Rally Excellent title.

Shareen pulled him out of retirement this year to see if he could finish, and I'm super proud of them both.  He's almost 9 years old, so it is lovely to see him still enjoying the performance rings!

 ​This weekend our superstar Diamonds: Lumi (Grand Ch Armahani Diamond Davvir (AI) CD RA ADX ADO JDX GD SPD ET WPD) and Squiggle (Ch & Neut Ch Armahani Diamond Dansut (AI) CCD RA AD JDX SPD SD GD HT ET JC WPD FMX), along with owners and handlers Bianca and Shell got the very rare pleasure to hit the agility ring together in Canberra. Here they are earning a SPDX quallie together!

Squiggle also earned her GD title over the weekend as well as an ADX quallie. And daughter  Slinky (Ch Armahani Iolite Ihana (AI) ET HT JC WPD) earned a SPD quallie.

A super weekend for Benni (Ch Armahani Heliodorr Hulivili (AI) ET) and Rachael this weekend in Burnie, Tasmania.  He did a three show weekend, with his results being:

Show 1 - Judge R Bridgford - Runner Up Best in Group & Aus Bred in Group
Show 2 - Judge B Marsh - Aus Bred in Group and Aus Bred in Show (GS judge R Bridgford)
Show 3 - Judge J Horton - Runner Up Best in Group & Aus Bred in Group

​A fabulous weekend for this special boy.