For me, Gateway Nationals was so much more incredible than I even imagined. Several big dreams came true, and I cannot accurately express how proud I am of my dogs.
Gateway was so much fun because I got to meet a lot of AKK breeders and owners. I couldn’t believe how many AKK were shown, and what an amazing group of dogs. I had brought Summer as a CH, and Honor as an ALCH. I couldn’t wait to see what Summer could do, and Honor was on the verge of her ALGRCH and was doing agility as well!
Purina Farms was so much bigger than I anticipated, and it was wonderful to have seven conformation rings, agility, and rally, and still have plenty of room for vendors and seating. All the AKK exhibitors gathered around our first ring, ready to go. Before I knew it, the champion class was ready to go in, and Summer made her CH debut. To my surprise and pleasure, Summer ended out receiving an Award of Merit. This was such an honor against so many champions! Still high from Summer’s AOM, I got Honor ready to go for altered. This was the moment, the big cheese, the ultimate…if Honor won this ALCH class, she would be an Altered Grand Champion. Not just the first AKK ALGRCH, but the UKC’s first ALGRCH as well. Honor showed beautifully, going around and stacking with ease. Totally on edge, I held my breath as the judge asked us to go around for the last time. As he pointed to her, I almost wanted to scream. My Honor, an Altered Grand Champion! I didn’t think the day could get any better, but it could. Honor went on to win Best of Breed and Group 2 in Show 1. Then Show 2 began, and an exciting repeat of Show 1 happened. Summer AOM, Honor BoB and Group 2! Totally thrilled with the day, Honor and I went over the agility ring for her FIRST agility trial. She was being so sassy and ridiculous before the run, I’ll admit she made me nervous. What was my fast and wild dog going to do? The answer is she was going to do a great job. J Honor qualified in both agility runs, gaining two out of the three Qs she needed for her UAG1 (United Agility 1 title). What a day!
Saturday turned out to be one of the most exciting show days in my life. Summer went into the rings on fire, and won the champion class in both shows! She ended out winning Best of Breed in Show 2, which was an incredible moment. For those who know Summer, she used to be a shy little thing. No longer, she was a totally different and confident dog in the rings that Saturday. Honor ended out winning breed twice, and got two more Group 2s. She also sealed the deal on her UAG1, and got her third and final Q!
Later on that evening, I had the pleasure of being able to chat with some of the AKK people. The raffle setup looked amazing, and there seemed to be a lot of people supporting and buying tickets! I was also staggered by the nice gift boxes that different Klee Kai people from around the country sent in for various winners in the Specialty. The Specialty was well run, and it was so nice to get a lesson from Judge Richard Yates before the Specialty began. He explained what he looks for in the breed, and gave showmanship tips and techniques. With all of the exhibitors extra prepared, the Specialty began. With Summer’s success earlier in the day, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful that she would have a shot at the champion class. She showed the best she had all day, and I couldn’t’ help but feel that win or not, I was so proud of her. To my shock and delight, Summer was awarded the CH class. As I prepared to go in for Best of Breed, I was filled with nerves and excitement. The judge sent us all through our paces again, and prepared to send us on the final go around. The order hadn’t changed, but I couldn’t help but hold my breath anyways. It was like the world slowed down on that final pacing, and as he raised his hand to point at Summer everything just flew away. I scrambled to pick up Summer, to hug her, my amazing amazing dog who worked so hard for me. I didn’t even realize I had started crying, and I vaguely remember so many people congratulating me and being so supportive. It was truly an amazing moment. Then I was reminded that I still needed to show Honor, and I pulled myself together to present Honor in the AGLRCH ring. She ended out winning against another Grand Champion, and as we went in for Altered Best of Breed, I couldn’t believe that we had a chance to do this twice tonight. And as the judge pointed to Honor, I couldn’t contain myself again. What a night, my two special girls win the Specialty!
Sunday turned out to be special again, as Summer went reserve champion in both shows, and Honor won Best of Breed and two Group 1s! As I waited for Best in Show, I found myself getting nervous, as the other altered dogs were all so nice! But Honor showed me I had nothing to worry about, and showed the finest she had all weekend. The judges both loved her woo-ing, and she stacked with a fire. As if the weekend couldn’t get any better, more tears piled up as Honor won Altered Reserve Best in Show for BOTH shows!
What a wonderful weekend. While the winning is always awesome, the best part had to be how supportive the AKK community was. Everyone had such nice things to say, and there were always congratulations and words of encouragement going around. I can’t wait to go to Gateway next year!
