Konna visits Shrimp Fest 2016

Ms Poppy decided to stay home, so it was Dad and I walking around Shrimp Fest this morning.  Betsy, one of the artist asked about me, so I posed with her at the entrance to her booth.

Betsy has a gallery on Etsy, go there and check out her work, if you can't make it downtown to Shrimp Fest.  She is also on Face Book.

Dad went to Happy Tomato yesterday

Mom is in Las Vegas, helping with new grandson Declan Asher Tollefson, so Dad had to handle Poppy and I on our walk downtown.  When we stopped by to visit Rick at Happy Tomato, Dad told us to "sit & stay" which I promptly did.  Ms Poppy not so much.  So Patrice volunteered to take care of us while Dad ordered.  Thanks Patrice.

PS, if you are missing a hat it is at Happy Tomato.

Wow, met two people who recognized me as a Black Russian Terrier

As we were leaving the pocket park, next to the coffee shop, on Centre St., Katrina wanted to meet me.  She knew I was a BRT and wanted to say hello and learn more about the breed.  She wants to  own a BRT.  She is from Tallahassee, so Dad recommended that she visit Ron Greenman, at Red Square Black Russian Terriers, in Monticello.  As we were leaving, on our way to La Tories to get a treat, we were stopped by a young man who also recognized me. Dad alway comments "if you recognize the BRT you are in 1% of the population."

Are Black Russians Protective

As my blog approaches the 1000 page-view mark, 997 at this writing.  I will provide a glimpse of some cousins doing Schutzhund.

To answer the question, are BRTs protective, view these three videos of Schutzhund, a protection training regime. Schutzhund consist first of obedience then what is know as bite-work.  The obedience training is intense,

                    

The test of obedience is the BH Test, the last video.

The bite work is also impressive, this is part of a trial, were the dog finds and detains a bad guy.

For more info on Schutzen see the wikipedia article

Here is the BH Test (Begleithundprüfung, which translates as "traffic-sure companion dog test"), notice the 2nd dog is in a down stay at the edge of the field, with no eye contact with the handler who is about 50 ft away.  At the end the first dog takes up his position at the edge of the field for the duration of the 2nd dogs test.

Poppy made new friends from Flandres

Poppy, on right, met Kristina & Valere from the Flandres region of Belgium, the native home of the Bouvier des Flandres.

Dad apologizes for the poor photo, the second shot with Kristina & Valere looking at the camera didn't record.

Poppy (CH Obvious Smart Alec) is named in honor of  "In Flanders Field" a poem from WW-I by John McCrae.

From:  http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Inspiration for “In Flanders Fields”

Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery. ⁽¹⁾

During the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2^nd May, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. An exploding German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, the Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae.

As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain had been called away somewhere else on duty that evening. It is believed that later that evening, after the burial, John began the draft for his now famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.

Lunch today at Outback

Mom & Dad went to Outback for lunch, while there Ms. Taylor, our server stopped by to say hello to me.

Bet you can't guess where the food is?

Johny if from Trinidad & Tobago

The other day, Ms. Poppy and I met Johnny, while Mom & Dad were having lunch at 4th St. Deli.  He is from the twin island of Trinidad & Tobago but now live in Geneva Switzerland.  Nice meeting you Johnny, hope you enjoy our  single island.