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So much fun to live in the countryside!

I totally understand why Ruska one day simply decided to stay with my parents in the countryside instead of returning with me to the city. With my parents he gets to go to the forest every day. Sometimes he "helps" them to pick berries or cut some trees, sometimes he sits by the fire and waits for his sausage or just runs free and sniffs all the smells of the forest. He's also very happy & witty and practically reads my parents' minds (so they say) and does what ever they want him to do. And most likely my parents do what ever Ruska wants them to do aswell!

One day our neighbour had been hunting ducks but lost them in the lake shore so he asked if Ruska could help him out. Sure thing, what a nice task for our Ruska! He has never really been trained for hunting, but he has talents and a good nose, so he found and fetched two ducks as you can see in the picture above. He had been very proud of himself - and for a good reason!

While Ruska has been enjoying his freedom in the coutryside, Ulla, Friida and I have started to study some of the things you should know when hunting with a spaniel. We haven't yet done much, but have been to the forest a couple of times and got some great advice: many thanks go to Pertti & Päivi Huovinen and to my brother Petteri!

We also heard great news from Kennel Eastfarm's: four out of five in Nuusku & Sally's (Eastfarm's East Of Eden) litter have been xrayed - all with healthy hips! There were 3 x A and 1 x B-hips!

Friida has A-hips

We got great news from the Finnish Kennel Club: Friida has the best possible hips: A-A! Her eyes were checked two weeks earlier and are also healthy.

Emma turns 3 years 24.9.

Emma spent her 3rd birthday on 24.9. She had lots of goodies of course and also went mushroom hunting. :) In the picture above she's beeing cuddled by our friend Riina - and seems to love it!

Friida in Haastaja 2006 finals!

Each year there's a special hunting ability test (Haastaja = Challenger) arranged in Finland for young spaniels (the ones born the previous year). This year we entered the test with Friida with great success: she was one of the 6 finalists! I really value this achievement since she hasn't been trained for hunting at all, but seems to have the gift for hunting. We got some good hints from the judges and lots of energy from this great result, so now we'll start some hunting practise with Friida also. Many thanks for Ulla for guiding Friida in the test and to Anne & Hymy for great company!

Friida passed the working ability test

We spent one more hot day in a doggy way - this time in the forest as Friida took part in spaniels working ability test in Nilsiä 27.8. The judge was Jaana Heiskari and 8 spaniels were entered. Four of them passed the test, among them was our Little-Friida! GREAT JOB Friida and Jyrki!



The old chap is back

We spent a very hot day in Haapajärvi group show with Nuusku on 12.8. Judge was Leila Kärkäs and 8 Welshies were entered, all males. Nuusku went all the way to BOB, BOB- and BIS-veteran. BIS-vet judge was Jorma Silta. The grand old man was on a great mood again, especially in the BIS-veteran ring he moved like a young man and showed the best of him.

The day after, on 13.8., was almost as hot as the previous one. We drove to Pyhäselkä group show with Emma & Friida, but all we gained was experience... both girls got VG1. The judge was Hannele Jokisilta, she thought Friida needs more time to develop, which is true. Emma was in her opinion too fat and her rear movement wasn't the best, though otherwise the critique was excellent.

A week earlier (5.8.) Friida also attended Kuopio Int. Show with her co-owner Ulla. Friida was a little tired in the heat and didn't move so well, but Ulla did an excellent job with her and Friida got EXC4 in junior class. Judge was Stelios Makaritis from Greece.

Nuusku's offspring entering showrings with success

While Nuusku has been spending well earned summer holidays, some of his offspring have made their debut in showrings with success:

In Kotka all breed show 30.7. (judge Maudie Burke, Ireland) Viivi aka Dirlian Sweet Surprise (S-B Neptunus - Dirlian Nice Surprise) made her debut in the puppy class and was BOB-puppy! Many congratulations to Viivi, Maarit & Viivi's owners!

In Vesilahti group show 6.8. judge was Marjo Jaakkola. Oiva (age 10 months) alias Standard-Bearer Minotaurus (S-B Neptunus - S-B Urban Legend) was also entered in his very first show and he won BD1, cert & BOB! Many congrats to Oiva, Suvianna and Oiva's owners! What a great b'day present for "granny", too!



Shownews from Ylivieska 1.7.

Nuusku, Friida and I spent a sunny and hot day in Ylivieska all breeds show on 1st July. 13 Welshies were entered and the judge was Dusan Paunovich from Serbia. Nuusku was BD2 & BOB-veteran and Friida BB4. As our ring was over before noon, I decided not to stay for the group finals, as it was really hot. Instead I drove home and took Friida and Emma swimming - much nicer than just waiting and sweating in the sun for hours, wasn't it girls?!