@Roux - CONGRATS! That is great... way to go!
Thanks everyone!!
@Roux Congratulations! I remember my first show last year. I was very nervous, but everyone there, including @tanza (especially @tanza), made me very welcome. Great encouragement and coaching. One funny memory was standing around with all the Basenji people and I asked, "Are any of you trimming tails this weekend?" Jeff, Pat and a few others started talking about it and decided as a group... Nope. I'd purchased special clippers and never took them out of my kit bag. There are competitive people, but I was able to find a great group of friendly people to spend the event with.
Oh, and I'll ALWAYS remember Logan and my first ribbon. It means more to me than the 5-point Major. We'd done it... together. Be proud and savor the win you achieved as a team with your doggie! 
@JENGOSMonkey I feel like B people are a tribe! We were next to the poodle people and honestly they seemed so snooty and competitive with all their fancy cuts LOL
And yes! Roux's first ribbon will forever be displayed! I think I'm addicted to the B life 
Michelle Chiang
www.instagram.com/coconutroux
@JENGOSMonkey - Just a FYI, when we trim tails to remove the long hairs, we use thinning scissors.... never a clipper...
@tanza yep. I learned that from Stella and had purchased a pair prior to that show...
@tanza They actually open the building the day before for people to bring and store their gear and practice, so I went for recon. The first B person I met was like, "You didn't trim her tail, want me to help you?" and whipped out his tool kit! And indeed, he taught me with a lovely job of straight and curved trimming scissors with a smidge of thinning shears! I've got the same kit on order now LOL
Michelle Chiang
www.instagram.com/coconutroux
@Roux I hate trimmed tails! Beautiful bushy natural Basenji tails are so much nicer and when I judge, if two dogs are totally similar, and one has a trimmed tail, the bushy one will win
@Zande Oh I agree, so that's why I left it untrimmed! I loved her tail when it was bushy; it looked like a cinnamon roll! Apparently they say the judges prefer the Bs cleaned up here, so donuts over cinnamon buns I guess?
Michelle Chiang
www.instagram.com/coconutroux
@Roux I have to live with the dogs 24/7. The judge sees them for maybe 3 minutes. My preference tops his/hers !
