To anyone that has been to a nationals knows that it really isn’t about the ribbons you bring home and it really isn’t that much about showing to the judge in the middle of the ring.  It is about connections, connections to the past, connections for the future.  Out of the hunderds of dogs entered only a few will be lucky enough to catch the judges eye and get a placement but there are many more important eyes watching that could influence the breed years into the future.  Some eyes are experienced and some are fresh and yes, some are jaded but it is still a chance to see and dream about what could happen next.

Nationals is also a big family reunion, with a lot of your cousins that you only know by name.  I was lucky this year that not only did I get to hang with my best friend in the world Leslie of Keelmtn but I also got to meet up with some “cousins” and get to know some of them too.  Of course in typical Jinnie style I seem to click and meet people who are farthest away from me :-).  I enjoyed getting to know my “cousins” Sharon and Tammy from Alaska, Amy from Florida and Taija and Robert from Finland.  I did get to hang out with Helen a new “cousin” who at least lives in Texas even if it is on the other side from me.  Thanks Helen for all your help over the week, I hope you had a great time at your first Cardi family reunion. There was the fun of doing Rally with Wendi and Sherry D, we Novice folks had fun. Of course I also have my SW “cousins” who are always fun and sporting and never a dull moment to be around.   And it is always a joy to see Marian and spend anytime with her and I was glad PJ and I made her proud.  And how fun was it to hang with Cindi B and cheer our breed winner on to BIS two days in a row right before the nationals started.  What a way to get your “Cardi” on!

There were so many people who made this nationals special, the hard working Bluebonnet club members and CWCCA members,  the CWCCA BOD, all the Breeders, Owners and Handlers who brought dogs so we could fill our eyes with the wonderful Cardigan Welsh Corgi. 

Of course there were faces I missed at our family reunion, Kathy, Cody, Harry, Polly and others.  Then there are faces that we will always miss at our family reunion, they were in our thoughts throughout the week.

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.

A circle is round,
it has no end.
That’s how long,
I will be your friend.

A fire burns bright,
it warms the heart.
We’ve been friends,
from the very start.

You have one hand,
I have the other.
Put them together,
We have each other.

Silver is precious,
Gold is too.
I am precious,
and so are you.

You help me,
and I’ll help you
and together
we will see it through.

The sky is blue
The Earth is green
I can help
to keep it clean

Across the land
Across the sea
Friends forever
We will always be

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