The Specialty is a dog show on steroids. Everything about it is BIG and INTENSE — the fun, the competition, the people-ness.

Exhausting and exhilarating.

There is too much to do, too many people to see, and not enough hours to do it all.

A Specialty is also a bit of a Personality Test.

I got a bit crabby by Day Five BUT I recognized that was happening before I did too much damage (I hope!). Mostly I was able to achieve my objectives of not complaining, and being kind and grateful.

My big realization — I am not a People Pleaser 💡

I spent some time being a wee bit envious of People Pleasers. Everyone likes them! Also, making decisions seems so much easier for People Pleasers — just do or say whatever makes other people happy 🤯

And then a People Pleaser told me that he wished he was more like me, which to him would mean being more authentic and honest. So interesting.

Capella! ⭐️ She qualified in agility, obedience, and rally and that made her a 2026 Specialty Triathlete. Winning her Versatility class was another highlight — and the High in Trial with such a great score? Wow. Just wow.

Starry G did so well in tracking and the two Farm Dog tests. She got no love in the breed ring but I expected that — she is in a funky stage. I am 100% thrilled with her first Specialty 🩷

On Sunday we headed home with a quick stop in Portland.

I picked up a dozen to drop off at Tommy Topaz’s house, which was on the way home.

So fun to have a Specialty that was less than eight hours away!

And now we start planning for 2027, which will be back at Purina Farm in Missouri and so definitely more than eight hours away. I already have an RV reserved, and I am the Tracking Test Chairperson plus doing the newsletter again.

Did you see the theme and logo?