Sunday, February 20, 2011

GOLDEN GUNDOGS SHOW THEMSELVES

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
TOBY here...


Hey guys...it's me...
SWEET HOOLIGAN TOBY!

It was another beautiful, sunny day and another opportunity to go and meet up with my Golden buddies today.  This time it was the
'Gundog Open Show'
at Goldfields Kennel Club in Johannesburg, South Africa.

---xXx---

I am sure none of you will mind if I dedicate today's post to my Golden buddies.  I know there are other 'gundog' breeds, but today is mainly about us Golden Retrievers.

When we arrived there, Maxmom handed me over to my new hero -
DONOVAN
 - who was my handler today. 
(Thank you Donovan, for getting me into line!)


So Maxmom handed me over and then she went off to take photographs of some of the beautiful pooches at the show.

She said I can show you what some of my buddies look like.
So, get all your treats together and some nice drinkies and enjoy my own special little 'show':


Firstly, the "BEST IN OUR BREED" for today:

Margaret McAra with her beautiful
"KELLY" 
from

(Kelly is a 9yr old veteran Golden and has been a champion for many years)
Congratulations to Kelly and Margaret!


There were many dogs at the show including some pretty "labradorks" (above) who tried to take over my photograph...don't get confused now, I am the one behind...yes, Maxmom is focussed on me!

There were some beautiful Springer Spaniels (below)...

There were also household buddies who had to come along for the ride (below)...
they loved being in their crate together.
HEIDI AND SARA...
There were Pointers...who really run like the wind!
...and there were a whole lot of other gundogs.

Of course, Maxmom and I were mainly interested in my breed.

THE GOLDEN RETRIEVERS...
This is MY DAD -"FLANAGAN" (above) and guess what,
his handler is also DONOVAN. 
This means that I now have to call Donovan....
GRANDPA DONOVAN!...
(but he's still my hero!)

There was a beautiful male golden -
CLYDE -
 who Maxmom thought was maxnificent!...

Above:  Margaret McAra with her beautiful boy
"CLYDE"


 Then there was 'SUE' with beautiful
"SEBASTIAN".(Above)
Sebastian was the "top Golden Retriever" in South Africa last year.
That is quite impressive!

Above: The Oldest Golden Retriever at the show today. 
He got the "Best Veteran" award and his name is:
"HUNTER"
He's had many years in the show ring already and is a made up champion too.

Above: My hero - Donovan - took charge of the sweet girl
"LASKA". 
She is about 17 months old now and this was her first time in the show ring.

 Then Sue showed off her girl -
"SARA" 
(above)
remember - she is the house-buddy of the border collie
"HEIDI"
in the photograph above.


Above: Then there was Steve with
"SUMMER"
She is the same age as me...a very sweet girl indeed!


Above: Here's Donovan showing off my moves.
"Run Granpa Run!"


And here he's telling me to "Shhhhhh...!" (above) so the judge can feel me up...


Suddenly I found myself in the line up for the judging of the
BEST OF BREED.
(There were three other beautiful doggies that Maxmom unfortunately couldn't get in the photograph - she's very sorry about this),
 but can you see me...?
I am the one that the judge is examining above.

Maxmom says that I must show you the beautiful flowers on the judge's table with their unique vase...

And finally, here's me (below):

"SWEET HOOLIGAN TOBY"
with my hero...
GRANDPA DONOVAN...
"Thank you, Grandpa for showing me off!
I luvs you!"

I want to congratulate ALL the doggies who were at the show today.
Maxmom says that you should ALL win top honours -
simply for being wonderful and beautiful doggies!

Thank you to ZENA and ALAN at
RUFFITWOOD GOLDEN RETRIEVERS
for your continuous support and encouragement!

Sending lotsalicks to you all,

20 comments:

Asta said...

Toby
What a glowious day(you have so many, I'm happy to see)
Congwatulations to all those bootiful woofies
You and "gwammp[a" Donovan did awfully well
I may be pwejudiced, but I think you awe top doggie thewe!
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Amber-Mae said...

You as well as your dad & other friends looked wonderful! You have a nice front & a lovely male head, says my hoomie Melissa.

Deborah said...

Beautiful pictures of the dogs! The springer was gorgeous!
Have a nice week!
xxoo
Deborah

The Life of Riley said...

Well done Toby for enjoying your day there and getting into the Best of Breed line up! Mum enjoyed seeing all the photos.

Sending you love and woofs from NZ,
Riley

Rob said...

It looks like there were lots of nice dogs there at the show.

houndstooth said...

Toby, you're looking great in there -- all the dogs were! Isn't it fun to go and be with dogs of your own breed sometimes? I like all dogs that I meet, but when I see another Greyhound, it makes me REALLY happy!

Bunny

pam said...

We thinks yer the most wonderfulest, most beautifulerest doggie there. And who they trying to call Hooligan??? Not you sweet Toby!!!

Bobo and Meja

Two French Bulldogs said...

Great job Toby..We can't believe how much you look like Max. Does your mom think so?
Benny & Lily

Mrs. JP said...

What fun! I'm so impressed that Toby behaves so well w/ new people. That is a good trait for his upcoming acting career :O) Blessings to our friends in S.A. from the holler...

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Toby, so many beautiful breeds of dogs and so many gorgeous goldens. You have certainly grown up fast and still are a very sweet hooligan! Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

Anonymous said...

Maxmom,
I just had to send you a quick note. I got a good laugh about the judge "feeling Toby up." Thought that was hilarious!! I also wanted to let you know that I read your blog every day. I love following Toby's adventures. I am amazed at how much Toby reminds me of Max...I am sure you feel the same.
Regards, Marlene,Sable,and Tiki from Canada. (these are my 2 cats)

Molly the Airedale said...

Do you ever have a dull day, Toby? You are such a handsome boy!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Dexter said...

Those show judges are just plain rude for sure. Always feeling up the doggies. And the shows can be most tedious with all the waiting around, but you had fun seeing so many of your pals and of course a great showing for yourself as well.

Slobbers,
Mango

MySpecialDoggies said...

Wow Toby
You are one busy doggie these days - school, shows, training - when do you rest???

You are sure cute though - Neeli and I think you were the best in breed!

Woofs
Nadine & Neeli
Angel doggie Apples (1994-2010)

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Lots of beautiful woofies and you are among the handsomest, Toby!

I must say that I do have some reservations about what "they" have done to the ears of show springers...

Woofs,
Tommy

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

There were sure a lot of beautiful doggies there, but you were fur sure one of the best!
Looks like a whole lot of fun, thanks for the pictures!

Rudy's Raiser

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Khousins Merdie and Harley are GReatly impressed!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Scout and Freyja said...

Beautiful dogs - beautiful day. Below zero here last evening and tonight, too, brrrr.

KT and Easton said...

Oh my, what boooootiful Goldens....all. very impressive
We just can't get enough.
Congrats to Toby for putting on a good show with his bud.

Miss ViVi Gold said...

So many beauties in show! Nice to meet you. And thank you for dropping by my blog. It sounds very exciting that Toby will be acting in the play Annie. What a great big feat! We'll be checking back soon!

XOXO,
ViVi