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Post by Sue on Jan 21, 2004 20:40:29 GMT -5
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Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Jan 21, 2004 20:56:21 GMT -5
Gail, I could SO see Spike as a Weimaraner, visually, although in temprement he's rather terrier-like, do't you think?
Julia, who's been trying to get the brain cells together all day to write up a bit about Spike, but hasn't decided which terrier... except to eliminate Bull.
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Post by RAKSHA on Jan 21, 2004 21:48:48 GMT -5
Gail, I could SO see Spike as a Weimaraner, visually, although in temprement he's rather terrier-like, do't you think? Julia, who's been trying to get the brain cells together all day to write up a bit about Spike, but hasn't decided which terrier... except to eliminate Bull. I don't see Spike as one of the Terrier breeds. There's a softness and sensitivity to Spike underneath his bluster; and he's been very needy in terms of wanting love/attention/recognition. Terriers, while they share Spike's resilience and determination, are more independant of spirit, not as needy. Cordy could be one of the Terriers; I'm thinking of Peggy Sue, the Scottie bitch who took BIS at Westminster several years ago.
GAIL
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Post by S'ewing S'cubie on Jan 22, 2004 9:31:07 GMT -5
Up next at the cat show is Willow, a beautifully groomed Maine Coon.... The Maine Coon is the native American longhaired cat and was recognized as a specific breed in Maine where they were held in high regard for their mousing talents, as Willow has proven with her amazing dedication to and care of Amy the rat. The Maine Coon is also well known for its loving nature, kindly disposition (unless provoked by evil Warrens) and great intelligence. (nuff' said.) Maines are especially good with children (named Dawn) and dogs (named Xander) and have always been a popular and sought after companion (by both sexes). This particular longhair is distingished by her luxurious red coat, which at some moments can seem to include or be replaced by a magically glowing white mane... Patti how did you find a pic of a Maine Coon that looks just like your avatar, complete the direction that it's gazing? Adorable!
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Post by S'ewing S'cubie on Jan 22, 2004 9:38:06 GMT -5
Here we go!
For the purpose of this exercise, I am a multi-millionaire breeder/exhibitor who can afford to campaign multiple Specials (the term for a dog who is good enough to be 'campaigned' after winning its championship and is expected to take Group placements and other nice wins, and maybe get to the top) and even co-own other people's dogs as a backer.
All names, those of dogs or handlers, are about as real as Wolfram & Hart, and the Shanshu prophecy, etc. The names or nicknames for the shows are real as in real life.
I really, really want one of my dogs to win BIS at Westminster. My dogs have taken Westminster BoB wins, Group placements and wins, for 20 years, but I haven't yet been the owner of a BIS at the Garden.
This year, I have three dogs that I own/co-own going to the Garden.
My young hopeful, who has never with me but is co-owned by me (and three other people) is Ch. Sunnydale Pinocchio, call-named "Spike". Spike is a 15-month old Weimaraner, a gorgeous young grey ghost with silvery eyes, a fantastic ground-covering gait, and a jaunty personality. He's still immature, though, and needs to fill out some; when he reaches 3 years he could be unbeatable. He's already one two BIS at small shows, a BoB/Group One at the National Specialty (beating 400 other Weims), and 27 Group placements, and is the top Weim in the country. Spike is handled by longtime Weim handler Jane Griswold, who he adores. This year's Westminster Sporting Group judge, Sarah Dibble, put Spike up for his first BIS, and likes him.
I co-own a gorgeous Kuvasz bitch with a good friend of mine. She is Ch. Frostland's Snow Queen, call-named "Darla". I owned Darla's half-sister, who placed third in Group in Westminster '98. Darla is three years old, sheer white perfection with a pretty head and perfectly shaped eyes. She moves well, and is very typey, and fears nothing and no one. Darla is the top Kuvasz, and is in the top 20 all-breed, she's had 8 BIS wins and 110 Group placements, and has won BoB at the National Specialty two years in a row. She's handled by noted Working Dog handler Wesley Doyle. Vic keeps her under control; Darla likes to enforce dominance over the males and likes to body-slam while flirting; which won't do in the ring.
I'm not sure WHAT my third dog, who I personally bred and took to his championship, will do at the Garden. "Gunn", a.k.a. Ch. Ashmont Shotgun Shaft, is a big flashy Boxer of four years. He's the top Boxer, and is ranked 4th of all dogs; with 40 BIS and 200 Group placements (including 70 Group Ones)He's one of the best dogs I've ever owned; but isn't always predictable. When he's 'on', he's almost unstoppable, struts and shows to beat all. But he'sa strong-willed boy, easily bored or distracted. And he can be feisty with the other males; certain handlers like to take advantage of that and let their male dogs get too close to Gunn so he'll behave aggressively in the ring. (which hasn't happened in two years, thanks to Wes Doyle, who also handles my Darla). Gunn is typey and the best-moving Boxer I've ever seen.
The Westminster Working Group judge, Rob Ullman, has often put up Gunn, but he also likes Gunn's strongest rival - Liam the Bullmastiff (Ch. Galloway He's No Angel). Liam is ranked #3 in all breeds, and is handled by that pushy, tricky slut Eve Lindsey. (sorry, but Eve's a worse bitch than any canine - she practically shoved Liam's nose up under Gunn's butt at ringside at Springfield in 2001 and at Middleburg in '02 to incite Gunn to fight. Luckily, Wes had Gunn under control, and there were no hostilities ...though there was a bit of a fracas in the ladies room between Wes' assistant Justine and Eve's sister Lilah after Group...) Liam is a strapping dog and was magnificent in his prime, but at five he's showing his age; and he's put on some weight that Eve is evidently finding it hard to take off. Liam won the Working Group at the Garden last year; but Gunn won it in '02. I don't think either Gunn or Liam have showed much under the BIS judge, T.B. Powers; he's from Alaska...So it's anyone's guess, though I'm expecting at Gunn to at least take BoB (as he's done for three years at the Garden), and hopefully First in the Working Group.
So I hope that Darla and Gunn will both place higher in the Working Group than Liam; but it's the Garden and anything can happen. Spike should place in Group, but his chief rival, Robin the Gordon Setter (Ch. Brooklyn's Avenging Son, JH) is coming to Westminster too. It should be quite a show; but then, it always is![glow=purple,2,300]GAIL [/glow] Did the show circuit myself years ago. I like your scenario. It's a complete episode--with dogs. I never judge these entries 'cause they're meant to be fun not competition, but if I were going to--I think this one'd take it.
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Post by LadyDi on Jan 25, 2004 22:07:26 GMT -5
Gail, I don't have as much experience with dog breeds as you do (the only dog I've ever owned was part German Shepard and part Collie and who knows what else). OTOH, I think I have as much experience with the character of Spike. I just don't see him as being quite as needy as you do. Spike changed despite a lack of encouragement from Buffy and the Scoobies. He didn't even tell her he was leaving town. Besides, Buffy only gave him her approval after he'd won back his soul. s7 of BtVS was all about power. When Spike won back his soul, he won back his power. I think that's why TFE tried so hard to bring him back into the dark. An ensouled vamp can be a very powerful force for good or evil. I think Soul Purpose tells us in no uncertain terms which ensouled vamp is more needy.
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