Day 2 & Final Day at the FVKC Dog Show In Missoula

Boy was I ever so humbled today.  I thought for sure, today Odin was going to shine and he was going to get that point!  Just one point, but I will take it.  Instead, Odin refused to allow the judge to touch him, and all he did was wiggle away and crawl up onto Kassie.  The judge was sweet and very patient and even helped Kassie restack him, talked to him, etc.  But examination again was a no go.  I had thought for sure it would be okay, because after yesterday we took him with us shopping around Missoula.  We had everyone who expressed interest to touch him, head to tail.  He was even put on the counter as some girls wanted to see him stand "like a show dog".  He loved being doted on and all the attention he was given.

So here we were at the show thinking today was going to be better.  The owner of the dog that beat him yesterday kindly took Kassie aside after we had a little bit of conversation, and gave her some hands on tips on how to stack and handle him to better present him.  Which was most appreciated!!  Its nice to see kindness from other exhibitors at the dog shows.  The lack of kindness and drama is one of the reasons we quit showing the Danes.  

I am not disappointed in Odin for not doing as well as I had imagined he would.  I am disappointed in myself.  I feel as if I have failed him, let him down.  I know he has it in him, he was bred for this.  It's me.  I have to help him be able to bring it out.  So now we are going to focus hard core on examination for Odin.  We have about three weeks until the Great Falls show.  Nine days before entries are due. Odin's breeder will be there as well.  Although I have shared everything with her this weekend, by sending videos and photos, I want to be able to show an improvement.  I want to be able to prove that I am working on him and helping him learn what he needs to do.

She entrusted me with this amazing dog, now I have to prove that I can do it.  Maybe not just for her, his breeder, but for me.  This after all I have dreamed of owning a dog with his breeding, and showing it to championship.