Airedale Match Show & Fun Day plus a PBGV's View

This past Saturday, September 24, I had the pleasure of being the chairperson for the Airedale Terrier Club of Greater Philadelphia's annual Match Show and Fun Day. The event was held at Hibernia Park in Wagontown, PA. The show had some interesting highlights - three Airedales received their Canine Good Citizen certifications and an Airedale puppy who had never been in the ring before won Best Puppy. Congratulations to Nancy Sutphen and Brady for winning Best in Match and to the Andrzejewskis for Reggie's Best Puppy win. More congratulations are in order for ATCGP members Sue Brint on Brady's and Molly's CGC certification and to Matt and Julie Eastburn on Violet Mae's CGC certification as well! Thank you to ATCGP President Bill Kochler, who served as judge, and to certified AKC CGC instructor Jennifer McElya for making the event such a success.

Both Mako the Airedale (CH Top Step Flash Act) and Punch the PBGV (Goodspice Sunday Punch) were in attendance. Once again, Punch was the only non Airedale. She's an honorary Airedale, though, and greets each Airedale with Airedalian body language. She gets a happy response from each and every dale! Our first visitor at the show was Desdemona, the mini long haired dachshund. Her human Mary saw our Dog Show sign and came to check out what was happening.

Punch keeps her eye on me while our visitor tries to sneak a sniff as Mako was looking the other way.

Punch was just so thrilled to be at the show. She remembers the good times that she's had there. Her face was radiant!

 Hibernia Park is a wonderland for dogs. It has fields, trails and woods -so  much for them to explore. It's especially a thrill for a scent hound like a PBGV. Airedales have a strong Otterhound background but they still don't wonder around with their nose glued to the ground like a PBGV.

Mary was pleased to meet a PBGV in person. It was a special treat because she's a hound lover. She was happy to see all the Airedales strutting around, though. Her aunt had had Airedales and she loves terriers, too.

One of the first Airedales to arrive was a puppy named Reggie. His owners, the Andrzejewskis, were invited to our event by ATCGP member Jack McLaughlin. Jack was going to teach them how to strip Reggie for the show ring. Jack manufactures Mackynfe stripping knives so he knows what he is doing! Reggie is a Victorianne puppy and his father is Hunter - GCH Victorianne Crimson Sentry.  He is the first Airedale Grand Champion. To show what a small world it is - especially in Airedales - I designed Hunter's ATCA Yearbook ad (which was also his ad in the Montgomery Kennel Club catalog) and I will be painting Hunter's portrait as well.

Reggie was 17 weeks old and earlier in the week had had his ears glued in place by professional handler Margery Good. Most Airedale ears (and Terrier ears) need to be set/glued in place to position the ears properly as the ear cartilage hardens as the pup matures. If you plan to show your Airedale, you need to do this. If you don't set the ears when they are young pups, the ears might  set with one straight up in the air and one down, one sideways or flyaway ears going every which way.

As ATCGP member Jack McLaughlin started out instructing how to properly strip Reggie and he then convinced them to enter him in the show. Reggie had quite an eventful week - his ears were glued for the first time, he was stripped for the first time and then won Best Puppy in his initial venture into the show ring!

Reggie had never been stripped before but he was a little trooper who did amazingly well. He did whimper a few times and Punch went up to the grooming table to console him. Punch was a mommy and still responds to puppies. Mako couldn't have cared less.

The "after" picture of Jack's transformation of Reggie. He has eyes! Now on to victory...

The winner.! Reggie's Best Puppy in Match pic with Judge and ATCGP President Bill Kochler.

Mako and Punch congratulate Reggie on his first win. Mako is showing Reggie how to "give ears."

Mako says, "Enough of that. What's next?" Reggie eyes the platinum Peeb. "She's a beauty!"

We're outta here!

 After the Match show there was a picnic lunch and some socializing amongst humans and canines.

Mako and Bella do some flirting.

Punch eyes the Apple Muffin with Strudel Topping that Adele Abe is holding. "Leslie made those... Gimme that!" She tries the PBGV mind meld on Adele. Adele can resist the Airedalian mind meld - so it didn't work... For now...

Below is a slide show with more pictures...

Devil Dog Mako and Dad

It just seemed appropriate that I found this snapshot of my father and Mako on Father's Day. Dad and Mako were buddies. He loved dogs and Mako was a special favorite. Their interactions were a lot like two brothers - teasing and tormenting each other. Dad would steal Mako's toy and Mako stole the contents out of his pockets. Dad would steal Mako's toy again and Mako stole the pens out of his shirt pocket. He stole countless magazines, while Dad was reading them! I know because he brought all of his loot to me. Mako brought me an endless array of stolen goods, books, a calculator, paper clips, rubber bands, napkins, even the newspaper - a piece at a time. He even brought me a toothpick and a sewing needle. Needless to say, those last two items really scared me! I fussed at Dad for leaving carelessly them around. Of course, he denied any responsibility...

I tried to warn Dad that Mako had a criminal brain. He didn't heed the warning and Mako systematically, over time, unzipped his pants, unbuttoned his shirt and stole the pizza right off the plate! I kept telling him that Mako would strip him naked one day. It never happened but Mako had even tried to unbuckle his belt. Dad just didn't grasp the concept that adolescent Airedales couldn't be trusted. You don't let them near your belt buckle,  or, worse yet, the zipper to your pants (Yikes!) - nothing good will ever come of it. He thought that it was funny. That's until Mako ripped a chunk out of Dad's Motor Trend magazine (he was trying to steal it) while Dad was reading it! What was different that time was that Mako tore a hole in the very article that he was trying to read. Then, and only then, did he realize that Mako's thievery was serious!

Like many an adolescent Airedale before him, Mako earned those devil horns!

Spinach with Freshly Grated Nutmeg

  
  The warm weather has ushered in some wonderful examples of local produce. I just bought my first batch of fresh local spinach and wanted to share one of my favorite ways to cook it. It cooks quickly and is simple to prepare. Washing the spinach takes the longest!

  This is recipe is an adaptation of the Spinach with Nutmeg recipe in the cookbook, Pierre Franey Cooks With His Friends. Some of my best go-to recipes are in this book.

• 1 pound of spinach leaves or a 10 oz. package of fresh spinach
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Wash the spinach carefully. Be sure to get all grit and sand off the leaves. Cut away and discard any tough spinach stems and blemished leaves.

Heat the butter in a large skillet over a medium-high heat and add the spinach - in batches, if necessary - nutmeg, lemon juice plus salt and pepper. Stir as the spinach wilts. Cook until the spinach is totally wilted. About 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve. Yield - 4 servings.

 Above: Nutmeg nuts without shell -  Fresh nutmeg can usually be found at your local Farmer's Market. I use a microplane zester/grater to grate whole nutmeg.

All images © 2011Blue Zephyr Studios, LLC

Happy Mardi Gras and Memories of Monty

Happy Mardi Gras to everyone! This time of year always reminds me of my beloved Bull Terrier Monty. For most of his life, I used to throw Mardi Gras parties. Monty was always the mascot of the parties and oversaw all festivities. Mardi Gras Monty knew when it was Carnival season as soon as he saw the balloons! Balloons meant party time and he immediately checked the door for visitors. Yes, visitors that played tug-of-war with him, give him treats and liked to rough house with him. He ignored the women and partied with the guys! Balloons and beads meant LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!

I always purchased two King Cakes every year and thank heaven for that! One year, our guests informed me that Monty was downstairs licking a King Cake! Oh yeah, the party animal couldn't reach the entire cake but his tongue certainly covered a lot of real estate. What a sight. He had a purple tongue! They were all reluctant to interfere with his mission. I wasn't. I bellowed, "Quit licking that cake!" as I removed it from the table. This is one reason not to bake the baby in the cake - your Bully boy just might swallow it. Then he's King for the night! Awe, gees... That's a scary thought. I called in the stand-in cake and placed it decidedly above the party animal's domain. Monty still hovered in the near-by vicinity. You never know when a cake might fall from it's perch?

So, here's a salute to you, mon ami, the one who inspired me a decade ago to become a portrait artist... LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER! Monty, party hardy over the Rainbow Bridge. I miss you, old friend.

Potatoes au Gratin via Cajun Cooking TV

  I don't eat potatoes. I have a spud allergy so I stay clear of the little fiends but my senior mother loves them. She doesn't really have much interest in cooking these days so I frequently cook for her to make sure that she eats a balanced diet. I have been venturing into Potato Land and started dealing with spuds via Potato Salad. I got the idea when I bought her a jar of mayonnaise. My mom is southern and worships a good mayo. Since I shop for her, I decided to try a different brand with a vibrant red label and lid that I saw in the local grocery; a good southern brand named Mrs. Filbert's.  On the label was a recipe for Potato Salad that I thought sounded good - even to someone who doesn't even eat the stuff. It turned out that my mother thought the same thing when she saw the recipe. I had all the ingredients (minus the potatoes) so I decided to give it a whirl. I can make a great Shrimp Salad so I can make the "salad" part without much worry about taste. It's fascinating to read the recipes with various riffs on the theme of Potato Salad. It's an American institution! I'll include that recipe in my next post.

   I was able to purchase 5 lbs. of russet potatoes for $1.50 yesterday so I thought that I'd try making a dish that I know that she loves - Potatoes au Gratin.  Remember that I have never tasted it so all I have to go by is reading the various recipes that I found via Google. After asking mom what she liked in Potatoes au Gratin, it turns out that she used to add Worcestershire sauce when she used to make it. I normally cook in the Cajun and Creole style so that's a staple in my pantry! (I love it in Shrimp Victoria!) I love just inhaling that stuff. I recall that mom used to add it to Mac n' Cheese, too. Mmmm!

  After doing a Google search and reading various recipes, I narrowed it down to Ree's recipe on The Pioneer Woman's cooking blog -http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/perfect-potatoes-au-gratin/ and Emeril's on the Food Network - http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/potatoes-au-gratin-recipe/index.html. I had considered adding white pepper and making a roux. instead of just making a white sauce and noticed that Emeril includes both, too. Then I though of one of my favs, Cooking Cajun TV! Below is Beryl's version - http://www.cajuncookingtv.com/potatoes-au-gratin - on video from that site:




   This is the recipe that I decided to try. I didn't do the 8 cups o' cheese, though! LOL! My mom has low cholesterol, no weight issues and loves cheese, but my didn't think that she needed or wanted quite that much. Yowza! I used closer to 2 - 2 1/2 cups, including the topping. That is still more cheese than the other two recipes used! Beryl's recipe had more sauce than my casserole dish could handle so I had overflow (note that Beryl mentions a baking pan in the oven and I didn't forget!) even though I had removed half a cup. I just sprinkled the cheddar cheese over the top and let it melt after removing it from the oven - as Beryl does. If mom wants a browned topping, she can do that when she re-heats it. It smells divine.

   I'll take this cheesy delight over to mom's house later. Check back for mom's review.

Airedale Hike and Some Coton de Tulears @ Valley Forge Park

 It was one of those glorious fall days that linger in your memory as a perfect example of autumn. Gorgeous scenery that exploded with the warmth of the yellow, orange and red foliage, along with the good company of Airedales and their humans which made for an exceptional day. Above, Sue Grant with Brady (I think that is his name), Julie and Lou Zanine and Cooper.

The Airedale Terrier Club of Greater Philadelphia held its annual fall hike on Saturday, November 13th @ the Valley Forge National Park. Mako and Punch were in attendance along with their buddy Violet. Violet is a pretty Airedale girl with the sweetest personality. She was in her element on this Saturday, as the only girl amongst a sea of handsome boy dales. Violet brought her people, Matt and Julie Eastburn with her, too. It is always a pleasure to be in their company - they are really nice people. Julie and V can be seen above and V is with her Matt by the log cabin below.

Julie tried to take a group picture by this log cabin and it was like "herding cats." Mako looked at the camera but Punch kept turning toward a mighty powerful smell at the foundation line of the log cabin. Julie took some pics that probably have Airedales going every which way. The dales were busy taking in the sights and smells. Punch was just interested - like a good little scent hound - in the smell at that cabin. Julie made the joke that she was probably smelling a ghost. I had lost me sense of humor at that point - with two dogs going in two directions - so I was voting for animal pee. LOL! I'm a lot of fun! Mako took that spot seriously, too, hence my suspicion that it was animal pee. Maybe we're both right and it was ghost pee! Or a ghost dropped some crumbs?

When we ventured on, a pair of Coton de Tulears greeted us. Their owners were delighted that their dogs chose to bypass several Airedales in order to greet Punch. "She looks like them!" their lady proclaimed. Above, Punch says hello to a Coton as Mako looks on. Below, Julie pets a Coton.

I remarked that Punch was drawn to them for the same reason - they were small, white and have large eyes. Punch is attracted to Malteses, Bichons, Cockapoos, etc. because they look like little versions of herself!

We were joined on the hike by Mako's breeder Caroline Beard and Mako's nephew Tommy. You can see that Tommy was on a mission to check out that tree and there wasn't much that Caroline could do about it!

ATCGP President Bill Kochler strolls along the Valley Forge trail with Foster as two tourists try to pass them.

As we stopped for a water break, Sue gives Brady some water as Julie checks out the view. Julie knows some great trails at the park and was planning our route. Matt and Julie take Violet on lengthy hikes every weekend at state and national parks. Julie will be starting a new blog for the ATCGP where she and others will be planning additional hikes. She'll be a great activity organizer for our club and be a great tour guide as she (along with Matt & V) shows us the best dog walking trails in the region. I'll be posting new info as it's available.

Lou and Cooper are in the center of that photo, too.  Cooper and Lou attended our ATCGP Specialty in May and I included a picture of him my post about the Specialty but I had misidentified him as Winslow. Lou wrote to me to  inform me of the error and in return, I invited them to our hike. We're glad that they were able to attend. Cooper is a teen-age Airedale so the hike was good socialization for him - he saw lots of dogs, people, cars, bikes, strollers and was quite shocked when a horse galloped by! Mako assumed his "been there, done that" mode. Besides, he was more interested in catching up with Violet!

Violet, Brady and Cooper were at the vanguard of the hike at this point. It was fun to hear the people count the Airedales as they passed by. Some looked shocked as their eyes fell on Punch. "She's not an Airedale." I would then go into the routine of all PBGV owners, "She's a P B G V! A Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - the smallest of the basset breeds. A rabbit dog!" Then I'd hear, "Well, I knew she wasn't an Airedale!" What they don't know, is that in her heart, Punch thinks that she's an Airedale, too! An honorary Airedale on short legs!

Montgomery 2010 has come and gone...

I have been so caught up in the rush of life that I haven't posted to this blog in three months! Yikes! One of he many things that have transpired in all that time has been my favorite week of the year - Montgomery week.

The Montgomery County Kennel Club show was held on October 10th in Blue Bell, PA. and thousands of terriers and their people came to the Delaware Valley to participate in all those festivities. I have loads of photographs from the MCKC show plus the all Airedale Obedience and Rally. Of course, I have pics from the Airedale Terrier Club of America's Banquet and Auction. Below is my donation to the Fine Arts Auction - Mako @ MCKC. It was won by Sue Oury who was the Banquet Coordinator this year.

This head study is a detail from a larger painting of mine that is currently a work in progress. I'm using a photo by ringside photographer and Airedale person, Chris Halvorson of DogAds fame, as an inspiration. The image is from the Best of Breed ring in 2005 when Mako made the cut under judge Ed Biven. (For those of you that watch the dog shows on the Animal Planet, he's the AKC judge whose does the color commentary during those broadcasts.) I was so thrilled with how well this portrait turned out that I really wanted to keep it but I'd already committed to a donation of a portrait so I had to let go of it... I want to paint one for me!

The irony of choosing this image as a donation to the ATCA Fine Arts Auction is that the person in the background is Deirdre Hernandez, the Auction Coordinator!