Working hard in the 100 degree heat in Grass Valley, Hummer takes the BEST OF BREED title on Sunday and tries to earn a Group placement in an impressive line-up of Working Dogs.
How do we choose our dogs? We choose them to be a part of our immediate family with having similar temperaments, coloring, energy levels, sense of humor, degrees of loyalty, and as a protector and alarm system. This dog, a companion, a devoted friend, scout, and sentry, shares our home, our joys and our sadness, and gives us a sense of belonging. A dog provides true unconditional love, something that is quite rare in today's modern society yet something that still holds significance in our lives. A dog provides the softer side of life, the funny side, the sweet and gentle side, as well as the wild side with heightened senses and instincts. In an age of computers, robots, global warming, extinction, pollution, and the terrors of war, what better than to communicate with a dog, something that is as down-to-earth as Apple Pie. My Dog ....... he is the Apple of my Eye!
OK, you're feeling a little guilty.... you haven't had time to groom your Newfy in a while. The way the economy has been lately, you are happy you have work and glad that work has been so demanding lately, and you know you will have time, maybe on Sunday, to get a chance to brush out your Newfoundland. His ears are growing long and you think to yourself that he used to look like he had more neck. He is growing up and he finally looks more..... mature, more.... filled-out.... and maybe he could use a trim, but you just haven't had time. The car needed new tires, the yard needed weeding. You had to pay some bills online, and the laundry was piling up.... but the dog, he could use a bath.... if you could only find the shampoo and scissors, man that coat grows so fast, maybe the dog show supplements are finally working and the dog is not shedding as much as before. Yes, he sleeps a lot, yes, he is patient, the winter has come and gone, the summer has come and gone.... I think it's time to groom the dog now.............. Have you seen my brush?
Hummer cooperates nicely with his handler, Jeff Heim, in the Working Group at the Del Monte Kennel Club show in Carmel Valley. The Working Group showcases many of the more exciting large breeds like the Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, Malamute, Great Pyrennes, Giant Schnauser, Black Russian Terrier, and many others who at one time had many important jobs in society mostly related to guarding property and livestock. Used for police work or guarding large estates, the working group had to be big and impressive. The Newfoundland, St Bernard, and Bernese Mountain Dog were all used as a draft animals to pull carts, and even today the Newfoundland is used in water rescue and is the best swimmer of the group other than the Portuguese Water Dog, primarily because of their webbed-feet and desire to get in the water. The Newfoundland's thick double coat also protects against the elements whether it is cold water or freezing snow conditions. Here in Carmel it was at least 75 degrees and sunny and the Newfoundland is still willing to please and go along with his master and handler. The Newfoundland is noble and not shy-to-task and completes his command willingly and without protest. This is one breed who considers his work as "fun" and will always project a good attitude whether it is in competition, with is master, or amongst his adoring public. Hummer definitely exhibits all the great qualities of the Newfoundland Dog and is worthy of his title of Best of Breed.
Karazan Newfoundlands sweep Saturday's show at the Del Monte Kennel Club in Carmel Valley. After a couple months of rest, Hummer takes the BEST OF BREED title and receives a beautiful medallion offered by the Del Monte Kennel Club and a chance to win a Group Placement. His litter sister, Jolie, was awarded Best Opposite Sex, while Karazan Bruin is Winner's Dog and the young and beautiful Pilot is awarded Reserve Winner's Dog. Looking large and impressive in the Working Group, Hummer moved well with his handler, Jeff Heim, who runs effortlessly and with grace to bring out the best at the end of the leash. Hummer will compete more in the next couple of months to prepare for the Regional Specialty in Dixon in October and then finish out the year to prepare for the Long Beach Eukanuba show in December. Looking stunning in the sunshine on Sunday in Carmel, Hummer went Best Opposite Sex to Jolie who took the Breed with her handler, Bill McFadden. It was a very successful weekend for Ch Karazan H2, Hummer, who enjoyed his stay in the Monterey-Carmel Bay area. After the show on Saturday, he walked along Fisherman's Wharf and had lunch at Dominico's where he dined on Broiled Chicken served with unlimited fresh bowls of water by a very handsome waiter. His walk was interrupted by countless tourists who had to have their photos taken with him. Attracting children and parents and a nice lady visiting from Bejing, China, who enjoyed a slobbery kiss from Hummer while taking a photo, he seemed to have celebrity status in the bustling tourist town. Hummer's Mom, however, was so busy, she did not have time to take her camera for a few proud photos, and will try harder next time to do so. The grooming, care to stay out of the hot sun, making sure the dog is relaxed and warmed up and hydrated, all take many hands and effort in order to properly present the dog in the ring. We are looking forward to many more shows to come! 
Independence Day, 4th of July, a time to celebrate the birthday of our country, the time when the USA "flew the nest" of their Mother Country, England, and the rule of the British Kingdom. A time to make new rules, be free, change a few things, look different, worship Gods of any denomination, choose your own allies, make new friends, pick your own President, make your own homestead, grow your own, have the first cattle ranch in Montana, build a Mission in California, have your own school system, have your own Kennel Club and have an awesome Dog Show in New York, design any company you want and make as much money as you want, discover new Mountain Ranges and Rivers, and GOLD!!! This is America, the Land of the Free, free to do what your imagination dictates, free to make choices, free to retire, paint, grow, design, invent, VOTE! It's a great day to be an American, and great day to appreciate your roots and Ancient Cultures that all mix together to make what is America Today. The Barbeque, the Hamburger, the Shake, the Margarita, the Shot of Whiskey, the Herbal Tea, Diet Coke, the Mint Julep, Taco Bell.... skateboards and kite-surfing, and the Winnebago. Let us celebrate Independence Day with a Cheer of Hope, a Cheer of Appreciation, and a Cheer of Joy for the Land of the Free, the Land of Opportunity.
