A lot has happened, and I've been a bit lazy to write in English. So I try to do it now, to tell something about our busy summer.

In the beginning of July I travelled with both Laekenois boys to Stockholm, World Dog Show. We got some company from Pyhäranta where Erja, Upi, Mirja and Jorma joined us with Näsä's daughter Tessa. In Turku harbour we got even more company, some Shiba people who also travelled with us.

On the ferry I shared the cabin with Mirja, Jorma and Tessa, Näsä was also with us. Enzo went to Erja's and Upi's cabin, it was easier to all of us because the boys can't stand each others. Next morning I almost didn't recognize Enzo; Erja had spent all night (I think...) by stripping and brushing him, and I must say he was looking fantastic!

Totally 34 Laekenois were entered to the show, but 2 of them were absent. Nice number anyway. Näsä was competing in working class, and got VG from the judge. Enzo got EXC and won the champion class, and finally got also res-CACIB! That was really good, there were many beautiful dogs and the competition was hard. Näsä's daughter Tessa got VG, and son Achilles was 4th in open class with EXC.

On Saturday we went to Maja's home in Stockholm, she had invited a lot of Laekenois people around the world there to have BBQ and to spend nice evening. I must say the evening was really nice, it was fantastic to meet all the people and the dogs and to have good conversations about our breed. And of course, not to forget the delicious food.

I've put the results and some photos from WDS and the BBQ at http://sary.1g.fi/kuvat/Laekenois/2008-07-04-06%20WDS%20etc/ .

After the trip to Sweden we had few days at home to rest, and the next weekend we again had shows. This time we didn't need to travel, the shows were in my home town Oulu. Unfortunately the weather had been really wet and rainy quite long time, so the show ground was very very muddy. Not nice experience at all, but anyway the boys didn't care about the mud.

On Saturday the judge was Norman Deschuymere, and he liked Näsä more than Enzo. Näsä was BOB with CACIB, and Enzo was 2nd best male with CAC and res-CACIB. On Sunday there was another show in the same place, the judge was this time Igor Selimovic. He also chose Näsä BOB and Enzo 2nd best male.

On Monday after the Oulu shows we started our next trip. I took my daughter Kaisa, tervueren Ella, and of course the boys Näsä and Enzo with me and went to Asikkala to visit Ella's breeder Jenni. We spent there two nights, had nice long chats, and also trained a little bit obedience. I got some good hints for our training. Enzo was also playing with Jenni's young tervueren male Rommel. Some photos at http://sary.1g.fi/kuvat/Laekenois/2008-07-16%20Enzo%20ja%20Rommel/ .

From Jenni we went to Erja on Wednesday. Susanne - kennel Ruby River's - from Sweden came there also with some Laekenois, and we of course had nice time and long nightly chats. On Thursday we had nice and relaxing sauna evening in Rauma: http://sary.1g.fi/kuvat/Laekenois/2008-07-17%20saunailta/ . On Friday Susanne showed us how Achilles is working in forest, the children Kaisa and Roni were hiding and Achilles searched and of course found them. Nice work, Achilles seems to be almost ready to compete! Some photos of this demonstration at http://sary.1g.fi/kuvat/Laekenois/2008-07-18%20hakukoira%20Achilles/ .

On Saturday it was the highlight of this trip: the Speciality in Kangasala. Good friends, beautiful dogs, nice time, picnic... and also some success. I couldn't wish more! Näsä was 2nd best male and Enzo 3rd best male, both with excellent critiques. But... there was more to come! Näsä became BOB-working dog, and finally in the evening BIS1-working dog! He also made history, this is the first time ever a Laekenois wins that in Finland. This year is the Laekenois year, BIS1 was also Laekenois, BIS2-puppy was Laekenois... The results and photos can be found at http://sary.1g.fi/kuvat/Laekenois/2008-07-19%20erkkari%2C%20Kangasala/ .

Ella was also showed in the Speciality, and she got EXC in open class. Fantastic result, because Ella has underbite. ;-)

One more show to go, on Sunday in Ylivieska, on our way back home. Early wake up in the morning, quite much driving, and we were in Ylivieska. The judge was Monika Blaha, and she chose Näsä to win BOB and CACIB. Enzo was 2nd best male with res-CACIB. Both boys were really exhausted because of all the travelling, and especially Enzo didn't show his best in the ring.

Lot of driving in quite short time, I was also exhausted when we came back home. But all the trips we really, really nice, I wouldn't change them with anything! Thank you to all who helped us in any ways, thank you for the handlers, thank you for Jenni and Erja for boarding and feeding us, thank you to everyone for the nice time we had with you! Thank you also to Bill and Brigitte for translating French language critiques!