Lottes lille boble: It is never too late: NUCH Portinbos Amber The First Lady

Yesterday I experienced the grandest thing I've ever been a part of. It is still totally unreal, I almost wish that someone would pinch my arm so that I could feel that I am not dreaming. I look at yesterday's photos and see that it is true, but it's like it's not me or my dog on the photos. To me, this is something that runs så deep within, and in danger of using clichès and seem big-headed I want to say: "It is never too late" and "Don't give up fighting for something you believe in". Nothing is impossible - it just takes a little more time (my life's motto).

It does something to you when you get told that what you're trying to accomplish is impossible, that your dog is too old (ref. Rikke on a show two weeks ago). That "she is too large, I don't see why you even bother" og that "she is a veteran, she doesn't need the CAC, she won't be bred anyway". It really does something to you, even if you try to hide it there and then. To constantly get placed last - it is so rare to see a veteran being placed high enough to get a CAC. Still, the veteranclass and the rules exists.

That is why it is so special when you succeed. Because the "impossible" has become reality.

Rikke is my first portie, and my first dog to become a Norwegian champion - at the age of 10. She was tried once as a two-year-old (then she got a blue ribbon) and didn't see the showring again until she was a veteran. She came to me as a 6-year-old and at the beginning I wasn't even considering to show her - I was told she was too big. Also it was a challenge to get her coat long enough (my first dog was a Golden and grooming those two breeds are worlds apart!). It was not easy to figure out. It took two years and my first male dog I was going to show. I came to the conclusion that I might as well show Rikke too, instead of her staying home alone. My expectations were low, but the hope was there.

First show, 30th December 2011: Excellent, BOB veteran with CK, 4th best bitch.

First BIS veteran-placement, 5th February 2012: BIS 4 veteran, 4th best bitch, excellent with ck, res.CAC.

First CAC, 29th April 2012: BOB veteran, excellent with CK - CAC, 3rd best bitch

First foreign speciality show, Askersund 2012: BOB veteran with ck, BIS 4!

First ordinary BOB and BIS-veteran placement, 19th February 2013: Excellent, CK, CAC, BOB and BOB veteran + BIS veteran.

First Norwegian speciality show, 25th August 2013: CAC and Norwegian champion!!!

I have shown her 29 times - 28 excellent (22 with CK). She got "good"/yellow ribbon once.

Yesterday, the Norwegian breed speciality show. I'd shown my 5 months puppy and 2-year-old male and I'd seen that dogs with powerful frames seemed to be preferred. I was excited to see how Rikke would do - she is in the top part of the scale when it comes to height and weight.

I look at Rikke just before we are going to enter the ring and yes, she is the most beautiful of them all in my eyes - I hope the judge will see what I see. The feeling I have when I show her, feel through the showlead that she keeps her head high, that she is proud. She answers back when I ask her to show herself, stretches her legs and keeps her own pace. I have to other choice than to adjust to her pace. She is a determined lady, I tell you. The judge says a lot of nice things about her, seems to be impressed about her condition. I'm thinking that, "yes, I agree" and I feel even more excited. She wants us to do another lap to get extra attention from the crowd, after all she's 10-years old, she says. Extra applause from the crowd follows. I understand at this point that she really likes Rikke, the question is: "how much?" She recieves her CK and I know that she is in the running for best bitch. I actually don't notice if the judge is looking at Rikke during the two laps, I am too focused on my dog. She places number 1 and 2 and brings another dog up, I presume as nr 3. Then she calls for Rikke and I don't understand at first where she wants me to stand, but then she points to the nr 3 place. Someone next to me asks if the first two dogs are Norwegian champions and they are. At this time my hope rises, will she make it? Is this it? We go another two laps, and Rikke is still at the numer 3 place. I dare not to cheer yet, even if I can hear someone shouting to me that she will become champion. The previous day my male was in the exact same position, but was switched to the nr 4 place the last second. The same thing could happen to Rikke. When the judge points at me and says "number 3" I totally break down. I can't stand upright anymore and I bury my happy tears in Rikke's coat. I almost don't dare to look up, I'm shaking. The judge comes over to me when it dawns to her that she just made a champion of Rikke (I believe that she thought Rikke must have been a champion already) and says: "it's not easy to make me cry, but this...was special".

People come over to Rikke and I, several of them misty-eyed to give their congrats. It means so much, to hear this from well established and experienced breeders to people who had just come to watch a dogshow. Several said that it was well-deserved and that they were so happy for Rikke and me. I remember other things were said, but unfortunately not by whom: "how you have worked with that dog, you really DESERVED this!" and "It is never too late!".

We recieve the champion-ribbon and I understand that this is not a dream. It really belongs to Rikke.

In retrospect I'm left with a lot of impressions and thoughts -only good ones though. As the speech of thanks it may sound like, I want to use the opportunity to say a big thank-you to the ones who have helped me getting the grooming right: Bente Finsås, Anne Harefjord, Hege Greiner, Crystal Kay, Eirin Christensen, Hege Krogh and Barbro Pedersen. If someone feels left-out, I apologize - my head is totally messed up at the moment, but I am grateful - really. Also a big thank you to everyone that has in some way suppoprted me since I started to show Rikke. Thank you.

To the doubt I've had, and the questions I've asked myself: "Yes, I can get this right", "Yes, I belong in this show-ring", "My dogs are gorgeous!". "Yes, I can".