"Butch"
GRCH Flinthill's Butch The WonderDog
UKC# P424-407
Born: 4-01-04
white, black, tan
Standard
24 lb, 15 1/2 inches tall
NEW
News Flash!!
Butch completed the requirements for his Grand Champion title last weekend at the Lakeland, Florida shows.
On Sunday, show 2, he won his Champion class, then took a Best of Breed, and finished his day with a Group 3!
Those who know the story, know this was an especially wonderful win.
Since the Perry, Georgia show weekend, Butch had been having a difficult time when he found himself in a "show" situation.
That weekend, there was good competition in Perry, with some of the "winning'est" rat terriers in the nation present.
In the first three shows, Butchie started out with a bang!
He won the first three Champions classes and also a Best of Breed.
He was off to a great start, having fun & playing, and just generally being his happy self.
On Sunday morning, as we were on our way to getting set up, a really bad thing happened to Butch.
He was on his leash ahead of me, & I was carrying his crate in my left hand, talking to a friend.
As we approached a group already set up, several shelties in one crate (cage) rushed the side of their crate to bark at him as he passed.
Startled, he stopped suddenly, & I tripped on him, stepped on him, and at the same time dropped his crate, right beside him.
Butch had never had such a thing happen, & was hurt and scared & took quite a while to get over starting his morning so badly. Needless to say, he didn't get back to himself in time for the first show Sunday, & didn't show well at all.
I kept playing with him, giving him treats, & anything I could think of to help him feel better.
Finally, he got his tail up, & started playing back!
He was acting more like himself again.
But bad luck wasn't done with Butch yet.
Literally, on the way into the ring for show 2 on Sunday, it struck again!
A lady who was packing up to leave, dropped a folded up metal crate right next to him on his left side.
That was enough to destroy his confidence for the rest of that day, and for any shows in the near future!
After that, he was normal at home, but terrified at shows.
He went to Kalamazoo with us, but was not shown because he just wasn't ready.
His next time out was at Lakeland, and I didn't ask him to show until the 1st show on Sunday.
He didn't do well, but at least he got thru it without a major meltdown.
Then, we did a lot of "playing & silliness". Everybody was SO wonderful "making over" him, that by the time show 2 started, he was acting like he could try again.
At about the same time we went into the ring, a really HUGE rain storm started.
That racket on the metal building we were in, really had him on edge, and I was full of doubt.
I can still hardly believe he held himself together for that class, but he did!
Not only did he make it thru, but he won, for his last leg to his Grand!
I was SO utterly relieved, and pleased, I couldn't help myself. I got foolish & shed a tear or two!!
Not just for the win, but for the fact that Butchie had been SUCH a brave boy, and even in the face of his demons, he got it done anyway!!!
I was so proud of him, & overjoyed that he was on his way back!
I swear, when he had to go in again for Best of Breed, I almost didn't think I could ask him to!!
I'm glad we tried tho, 'cause he took Best of Breed, and then held himself together enough to take a Group 3!!!
VERY many thanks to all of you, who were so kind and considerate that weekend, & helped Butch work his way toward getting better.
NEWS FLASH!!!!
Butch is now a UKC Champion!!
His first show weekend, at the tender age of 7 1/2 months, he earned his majors, (three Best of Winners) at Wesley Chapel,(11-13 & 11-14-04).
He then "put some icing on the cake" with 1 Best of Breed, and a 2nd in Terrier Group!
Way to GO Butchie!! :O) |
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