Dog Blogging

Reader Tips 44 Comments

As promised, a couple of candids of me and “Raylan” in the ring in Orlando, this one taken en route to winning the Central Florida Mini Schnauzer Specialty (his eighth breed specialty win of 2017).

At left, placing fourth in the group at the Space Coast Kennel Club Of Palm Bay (defeating 340 terriers). I was digging in my pocket for a dog treat as we waited for ribbons.

Beginning in early January, we made 14 road trips and two flights from Saskatchewan to points across the breadth of the US — including Florida, California, Oklahoma and Texas, Arizona, Wisconsin, Kansas, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, clocking nearly 37,000 miles by road in the process.

He’s the first dog of his breed to have achieved #1 status in both Canada (2015)
and the USA during his career, and one of only two in breed history to win Best in Shows in both countries. It’s been a record year.

“It’s best to leave when you’re on top” they say, and so Raylan has been officially retired from the ring.
As for me, I’m home for a few months to rest and catch up on a few postponed projects around here. My sincerest thanks to my readers for your patience with this adventure, and to Lance and the guest bloggers who kept the place humming during my absences. I hope all of you will stick around to add flavour and variety to the content here.
Merry Christmas to each and every one of you, and may you enjoy as much fun, success and adventure in the year to come as “Team Raylan” experienced in 2017.

44 Replies to “Dog Blogging”

  1. Wow. Dedication, long hours and hard work nicely rewarded. Merry Christmas to you and your peeps and thanks bigly for a great blog … an Island of sanity.

  3. Kate, are you planning on going to Westminster next year? Do you have any tips for people who are interested in going as spectators? I know that at Crufts they do a different group each day over the course of a week. Is Westminster the same?

  4. Nobody can pull the crazies out of the woodwork like Kate although Lance (and Robert) did a pretty good job while she was gone.
    Merry Christmas and congratulations on the wins.

  6. Congratulations on the wins Kate and Merry Christmas. Thank you for your outstanding blog and thanks to all the commenters on here who provide so many interesting links. I gave up on Canadian news several years ago when I found that I had to keep fact-checking their stories and they kept coming up wrong. Most of the interesting news shows up here first anyways and without the spin of the Media Party.

  7. Wow! Runners-up and also-rans not even close in points. Most impressive!
    Nice to have you back…. Christmas greetings to you, Lance and all your SDA followers.

  8. Awesome kate. thank you so much !! for your time dedicated to this absolutely necessary blog…you know if i was a socialist…and i had political power this blog would be listed as an essential service there for you would not be able to strike. lol.
    many blessings in the new year kate(and lance) of health happiness good cheer and success.and with that i will drop a little something in the tip jar .
    God bless!

  11. Congratulations Kate and Raylan!
    Best wishes for the coming year and future competitions for you and your next show dog. May Raylan retire in the lap of luxury.

  12. Big time DITTO to that Tim…!!
    Simply the best Blog/REAL News source evah..!!
    Merry Christmas Kate, to you and yours…!
    Cheers,
    TxG

  13. Congratulations Kate. A lot of miles and well worth it. Merry Christmas! (I despise the ‘Happy Holidays’ thing that prevails down here where we spend the period away from snow back home.)
    LOVE SDA – my first visit pretty much every day.
    Take care all.

  14. Merry Christmas and Blessings to you, Kate. You have made SUCH a difference in so many lives and minds.
    You have given many foot soldiers the ammunition to fight the war.
    And your work with the pups is as exemplary as your work with the peeps.
    May 2018 be your best year ever!

  15. Congratulations, Kate, and hope you and your family have a VERY Merry Christmas. I admire the EXCELLENCE you demonstrated with your wins, but more importantly … on the excellence you demonstrated in breeding, training, grooming and showing Raylan. He’s (? … he isn’t “transitioning” is he?) a beautiful dog … a credit to his breed (sorry that sounded so doggie-Racist). Seriously … an absolutely beautiful animal. I am guessing that you have a bit of a “perfectionist” streak … I am impressed that Lance has acclimated to that very difficult-to-live-with trait … I know how difficult it was for my wife to adjust. Merry Christmas to ALL I have come to know here … yes, that even includes my favorite “ageist” UnDo … and “Christophobe” NME… At least on Christmas … I can find a moment to LOVE my haters.

  16. May Raylan have a happy retirement, spending his days in typical doggy pursuits such as playing fetch.
    Frohes Weihnachtsfest to him, Kate, and Lance.

  19. Great record! Points are really impressive.
    Merry Christmas to Kate, Lance, Robert and other guest bloggers and everybody else that comes here. God bless.

  21. Yes a Merry Christmas to you Kate and Lance and the very best to you and SDA nation in the New Year. Take care all and may you not fall too heavily in your cups this Xmas!
    Simon

  22. Kate
    I have been a frequent reader for many years and can say that SDA has been an inspiration of factual insights. I especially enjoy your witty headlines. All the best in the coming year.
    Bill

  26. Holy moly, Kate. One and a half times around the world in 2017! I don’t understand the economics of your business, but do hope it is not only satisfying but profitable.
    I’m so glad your efforts have been rewarded – and that we readers can enjoy the ‘connection’ of seeing your person as we’ve admired your insight and incisiveness.
    SDA is easily my favorite place for news that counts and I often share my interests with my more liberal friends.
    A blessed and Merry Christmas to you and Lance. Peace, health and joy in 2018, too.

  28. Congratulations to Kate and Raylan. Their hard work and many miles have paid off. I hope Raylan has a long and fun filled retirement.
    Merry Christmas to everyone!
    Thank you Kate and All the Co-Bloggers. You make this site a daily ritual.

  29. Thanks to all who manage this site, but especially to you, Kate. Thanks so much.
    My compliments on your breeding and showing success. Speaks well of the dogs, but more of the character of the person who is their breeder, owner and manager.
    All the very best to you Kate, to Lance, the mods and the gang who toss in the comments.
    Thank you,
    Clive

  30. Well done Raylan! Here’s hoping Santa Paws leaves something extra special under the tree for you to enjoy in your retirement. At the moment there are more treats under our tree for my son’s girlfriend’s basset hound than there are for us two-legged beasts.
    Merry Christmas to all!

  32. At the moment there are more treats under our tree for my son’s girlfriend’s basset hound than there are for us two-legged beasts.
    Ever since my parents got their first dachshund, I’ve sent presents to the family dogs. I made sure that they knew that the gifts came from me as I’d rub them on my hands and then put them in a plastic bag before wrapping. When the packages were opened, they could smell that I’d handled the items and that meant that those toys required extra attention.
    I arranged to have the last dachshund to be adopted after my father died earlier this year. It’ll be his first Christmas with his new family and I didn’t forget him. Knowing the little guy, he’s going to go hog wild with joy at his present.

  33. Sending personal congrats and Merry Christmas to Kate and Lance and my ‘fellow commenters’ here at SDA.
    Wow! Kate…a lot of miles and rewards.
    Hope you and Raylan enjoy his retirement!
    I am thankful for Lance’s contributions. Definitely a different approach than yours Kate. But just because he is ‘family’ doesn’t mean he has to copy your way. 🙂
    Hoping we can focus on the Birth of Christ our Saviour over the holidays.
    “Wise men still seek Him”

  34. Congratulations on your success at what must be a passion for you. Thanks for all the good work you, Lance and others do at SDA. Merry Christmas to all.

  36. ah Kenji, you left of the best part of my handle, thee 666:-)))
    Your bias shows with the fact you have no clue as to my “beliefs”. I have no complaints against Christians, just against stupid bible bangers, and yes, there is a big difference:-)))
    Butt merry Christmas to you, Rylan, Kate, Rance and all the rest in here!!!

  37. A big thank you for this site. A lot of time and effort goes into it.
    Congratulations on your other accomplishments outside of here.
    A round of thanks for all the other supporting player and contributors.
    And most of all – Merry Christmas and a happy, safe and prosperous year 2018 to all who visit here.
    f

  38. Merry Christmas, peoples and pups,
    May there be many more apt zingers and wagging tails in your future.
    And I hope the beer turns out well, too!

  41. I will give you credit for one thing. At least you aren’t wearing high heel stiletto shoes like that nasty Melania Frump!

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