After a run of shows leading into the new year, we only entered the one for the NY cluster, making our way to Bulla with our puppy team Wicket (Armahani Nacre Nuotio (AI)) and Milou (Armahani Opal Otsaripa (AI)) for some lovely summer evening showing on New Year's Day, under NSW judge P Hartwell (NSW).

It was Wicket's night to shine, with a good deal of over-enthusiasm, being short listed down to the final 3 in group judging, and then coming back into the ring to take Best Puppy in Group.

He's an exciting boy with loads of potential (to match that enthusiasm!) and I'm looking forward to having a fair bit of fun with him this year.

The last few months of 2021 were a bit of a whirlwind: the end of lockdown, followed by opening up in Victoria and a rush of shows before the end of the year.

In Tasmania, the wins continued with Liina (Ch Armahani Moonstone Movtta (AI)) ending the year with another couple of Best in Groups under her collar, as well as several classes in group (including one earned in Melbourne). She finished the year*:
 #1 Finnish Lapphund Bitch (Australia)
 #3 Finnish Lapphund (Australia)
 #3 Bitch - All Breeds (Tasmania)
 #3 Working Dog (Tasmania)
 #1 Working Dog Bitch (Tasmania)

Fleur (Ch Neut Ch Armahani Iolite Ilo (AI) HT) ended the year having earned 10 Best Neuter in Shows and the top neuter in Tasmania*. And little Orson (Armahani Opal Otso (AI)) gained his first points toward his championship.

In Sydney, Obi (Armahani Nacre Nalle (AI)) was finally able to hit the show ring, racking up several points toward his championship as well as a Puppy in Group win.

Here in Melbourne, we pushed forward with a bunch of shows to get our group of youngsters some experience.  Milou (Armahani Opal Otsaripa (AI)), our at home girl, surprised me with earning the BCC or RBCC from the minor puppy class at almost every show she was at, defeating a range of older girls. We also gained points on our puppy boy Wicket (Armahani Nacre Nuotio (AI)) and intermediate Avicii (Armahani Lapis Lazuli Lurjus) who had a couple of very nice wins on the way.  Both boys have a lot of maturing to do, and some experience to now gain, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they can achieve.

Mika (Armahani Fireopal Fapmu) at 7 1/2 years of age was rehomed back to us, and now lives with my Dad who has been pretty lonely since the passing of Kulta a couple of years ago. He's settled in marvellously and I've taken the opportunity to start showing him a little, and he ended the year with a couple of Best Neuter in Groups. We also started a similar journey with neuter girl Kira (Armahani Lapis Lazuli Loimuta) who was Runner up Best Neuter in Show at the only show she attended, the Working Dog specialty.

Outside of the show ring, we haven't yet had a chance to start competing again, but most of my fun has been taken up with lots of foundation training with Milou, who completed her agility beginner's course as well as learning a vast range of behaviours.  She is a smart (albeit incredibly naughty!) pup who is going to give me loads of fun and I look forward to every moment.

Her uncle Leevi (Armahani Kunzite Kuutamo (AI) CCD RE TK.S AD JDX SPD SD GD HT ET JC) has had a chance to get out again, and competed at the State Agility finals, where he placed second in Excellent Agility.

*Dogzonline Pointscore