Three years ago today I picked Brodie up from his breeder in Kemerton. He was a very gangly puppy and not the most attractive boy i've ever seen but in three years he has certainly done me proud, winning many prizes and being placed at pretty much every show he's attended.....and now he's a very handsome prince! It's not been the easiest three years what with losing my job, working for a year at a complete and utter hell hole then being unemployed again - not to mention losing Bailey and Harvey and Brodie not always seeing eye to eye (probably because they are such different in character). Brodie, however is a sweet, well behaved dog with a very sound temperament - just as mad as a box of frogs!!!

GSA Championship Show

This is my favourite show. I love the location, the committee and its so good to see all my friends in a more relaxed atmosphere than Crufts!

We did pretty well and after Harvey having a good day out and coming home with a couple of rossettes I have decided to take him to a few more shows - funds willing!

A half century and still going!!

Not the best birthday in the world, firstly I'm age-o-phobe then I spend each day on my own - that includes my birthday but the plusses were the sun shone at nearly 19 degrees and the dogs behaved themselves!!

Reserve Best of Breed!

Went to a small Open show at Ardingly and was very proud to be awarded Reserve Best of Breed. The first for my boy and I hope this is the way forward. After a truly disastrous Crufts, I think I have now realised that showing Brodie is going to be a total rethink and I need to completely change the way I show him compared with all my other dogs. This realisation and todays award have made me feel a little more positive about Brodie's future.

He's not a bad dog, has a wonderful character, good temperament and good looking BUT he's very strong willed and physically strong - so back to the drawing board and today is day one of the new regime!

One year on - and no hint of change!

I have been unemployed now for a year. Not since I left school have I been unemployed for this long. It's very depressing, soul destroying and confidence shaking....

Crufts 2012

Personally for me, the worst Crufts I have ever been to as I felt ill, nearly passed out in the ring and subsequently Brodie took the right royal piss out of me in my weakened state!!

It was also a Crufts that will always be remembered as the KC bowing to the AR groups and putting un-informed vets in place to check for fitness which they totally misconstrued and as such eight breeds were not allowed to go through to the group ring!!

...and just to add insult to an otherwise crap day, the Steward had her handbag stolen from under the judges table.....

I'm not even sure I want to qualify for next years show....

BIS was a very sweet Lhasa bred, handled and owned by Margaret Anderson - well done!

ding ding - round three!

boys will be boys as they say and tonight I got caught in the crossfire of two entire male dogs taking a pop at each other! I ended up in A&E with a bite all the way through my hand. The physical scars will heal but I'm not sure about the mental scars.......ARGH!!!! 2012 really isnt going to be my year....along with 2010 and 2009!

I must remember this day - the day that justice was done!

Today I find out that the nemesistic, woman hating, control freak of a boss who has made my life hell for the last four years and made me redundant to prove he was great has now been fired!!

What goes around comes around......and you can fool some of the people some of the time come to mind but most of all he is at last feeling some of the pain that I have had to put up with for the last few years!

I think I need a drink!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

One of the best books I've read in years about one of my favourite subjects - segregation in the US in the 60's!

Time to say goodbye - to Bailey!

A very sad day at Billingham. Today I said goodbye to Bailey, father and grandfather of champions as well as a true gentleman in every way. I dont want to remember him in his final days as he wasnt well, I want to remember him as the proud, handsome, calm Gordon Setter.....RIP Bailey, I will never forget you....