Ruby's first leg on her Rally Novice title at the Greyhound National Specialty in New York.   It was the first time I'd ever been to a National Specialty and I have to say that I enjoyed myself.  No pressure, nobody expected much from us and thankfully the training Ruby and I did before she came in season paid off.  We got 2nd place (of the three qualifying dogs) with a score of 84.  The first place dog got an 85,  so we really did pretty well I think. 

The conformation part of the specialty went off just the way I expected, Ruby was about as opposite from what the judge likes as you can get so we hardly even got a look.  But that's what I expected so I wasn't upset or surprised.  I did, however, get plenty of complements on her ringside from other Greyhound people. 

A big thanks go out to Connie & Gene Faldzinski for putting me up at their home for 4 days!  If I'd had to pay for a hotel those 4 days I couldn't have attended the specialty.   Connie and I had a great time visiting anyway.

~~Joanne