Kaibab Bernese Mountain Dogs

It was so wonderful to be able to spend a few days at a dog show with friends. Seriously wonderful. Just what I needed.

I rented a trailer through RVShare. Who knew you could rent RVs?!

The owners delivered the trailer, set it all up, and then picked it up when the show was over. No hassles. It was easy.

I brought all the things I normally took when I traveled with my RV — like my own linens, coffee supplies, and too many clothes and shoes. It made for a packed van but it was worth it.

There was plenty of space for the dogs.

The trailer was super cozy and convenient. My first experience with RVShare was a definite success.

I struggle to travel these days because I cannot take all of the dogs. I have PTSD-like symptoms (not kidding) from trusting someone I didn’t know I should not trust (aka Husband) and having that go so badly. Perhaps you recall that one time I was driving the RV to Boise for a show and he lost Harper while entertaining his Affair Partner at my house — but we thought the real reason was because he had early dementia?!

And so it takes someone very special for me to trust with the dogs (and cats) who stay behind, and that means importing one of the Utah folks, which is a lot to ask given the distance (426 miles — one way).

But they understand why I need to go sometimes and how hard it is for me to trust — and so Uncle Joe came and stayed. I got regular proof-of-happiness photos — everything was just fine at home.

Someday this will be easier, I know. But it is okay that it isn’t right now. All the things that happened were so traumatic, and it takes time to be whole again after such a shattering.

The Helena show is well-worth putting on your calendar. The show committee is awesome and cheerful. The site is lovely with lots of grass and space to walk dogs. The show building is beautiful. Helena is a small town but has a Costco and several Starbucks (very important). Good people come to Helena. A+ show ⭐️

In addition to four days of conformation, there is a laid-back two-day draft test. They do a late start to the draft tests and an early ring time for conformation, and so there is no stress in doing both events on the same days.

Claire passed Open draft on both days, and Sundance/Claire passed Novice Brace once — we had a small 💩 mishap on the freight haul the second day (ahem — Claire). Oh well. It happens.

The main reason for being in Helena was the large entry of Berners, which meant there would be majors (a win worth 3, 4 or 5 points based on entry). Capella had all the points needed for her championship — but not the majors.

I knew there would be beautiful Berners at the show, and I was not wrong — it was a large and lovely entry.

I had prepared for the show with intention — Capella was well-conditioned and I had spent weeks line-combing her coat for about 90 minutes per day. Not kidding — line-combing is a big time commitment but it sure makes a difference. Also, I listened to a great book as I line combed her there on the deck — you can read about that HERE.

Capella took a five-point major on Day One — here is the photo from that day.

Capella was Reserve (second best girl in the eyes of the judge that day) on Day Two. She got the second major on Day Three with compliments from a judge I respect and who knows the breed well (she has judged our National Specialty). What a thrill to finish Capella’s championship under such a quality judge.