There hasn't been going on much in The Leg Trio's life so therefore no updates. Karkki has started show training and has actually proven to be a rather talented little girl. Kumma is evidently convinced that she won't survive the winter unless she has a fat layer of at least 5 cms on her ribs. And as it's now time for all kinds of Christmas goodies, has Kinttu barricaded herself around the litter cupboard 24/7. Whenever somebody forgets to lock the door, you know where to find her ...

Lots of new links as well. Karkki's brother Bifrost aka Noah has a photogallery here. Karkki's speedy show competitor Anemone Nemorosa aka Sippan has also a photogallery of her own. Take also a look at Anna Blum's cute Dorinda & Dino here. Shame on me, almost forgot Vappu's new website!
 

Last but not least, I want to wish you all a lovely Christmastime, now it's just to wait for the new year to come! ;o)

24 Italian Greyhounds were shown for the Whippet breeder Jarmo Vuorinen at Seinäjoki INT. Kinttu was placed 2nd in both champion class and competition for best bitch. Therefore Kinttu received her last CACIB that qualifies her INT CH-title at an amazing age of only 2,5 years! An early retirement, I have to admit, but now Kinttu will focus merely being our beloved company and chasing the unlucky squirrels, which she loves more than anything in the world!
 

Karkki has already turned 6 months so it's time to tell something about her! Karkki has adapted into our pack extremely well and she's actually an ideal dog to be kept in a pack: she's supereasy, benevolent and kind. Karkki has already brought speed into the Leg Duo's life, for she can pull the right strings in order to get them moving. Especially in the evenings the speed is simply sky-high and I feel really sorry for the poor neighbours living below us...

Karkki's greatest idol is Kinttu, whom Karkki imitates at everything she does. Kinttu has accepted her position as Karkki's personal trainer and nowadays opening the litter cupboard is a piece of cake for Karkki. She's also found her passion for squirrels - Kinttu takes her daily walks aka "squirrelhunts" very seriously and so will Karkki. I don't really think that Karkki understands why exactly she chases them, but seeing the others do it ... Karkki also miaows like Kinttu when she's happy or wants to have something.

Everybody should have a Karkki of their own!

Karkki was BOB-puppy in Siikajoki, judge Tuula Pratt, Finland. Thanks to Anna-Kaisa for the photo! :o)

Dark Legend's Blowin' in the Wind, "Karkki" arrived to Oulu from Germany! Karkki - also known as Maitis and Vaahtis - is a creme coloured bitch out of Dark Legend's Ulvsbane and Ch Elektra ein Goldkind. We weren't actually supposed to take another puppy, but, sometimes you just can't say no ... Heartful of thanks to her breeders - for everything. :o)

At Ylivieska Int Rommi was BM-2 with CAC and res-CACIB. The judge was George Schogol, Georgia.

Kinttu's improving her hunting skills. Yesterday on our daily walk she froze and before I could do anything, she jumped right into the bushes surprising an unsuspecting squirrel. Kinttu herself was rather surprised by this stroke of luck (despite the numerous tries she has never succeeded in getting prey before), since the squirrel managed to escape up to the tree. Kinttu came from the bushes looking rather pleased with a tuft of squirrelhair sticking out of her mouth.

Somewhere deep down in my computer I found photos from last Christmas in Germany. Take a look at them in the gallery!

Added a new page for Kinttu's show critiques. Kumma's are also on the way.

New photos of Kumma's puppy Berylline Insomnia almost 5 months.

Yet another championtitle for Kinttu! In Estonia at Pärnu Int on 28.6.2008 she was 2nd best bitch with both CAC and CACIB. Therefore she's now a new Estonian champion. 1st best bitch was a lovely blue junior bitch Dragonhunter Sironas Sky. Judge was Harto Stockmari, Finland. Kinttu has now been shown 10 times with 10 excellents, 7 CAC's, 6 CACIB's and 4 ch-titles so now it's her time to take it easy for a few months, that's a promise I've made her. ;-)

At Rovaniemi Int on 22.6.2008 Kinttu was BOB and received a CACIB. The judge was Marina Ostrovskaya from Russia.

We travelled to Piteå Int in Sweden on 31.5.2008 and Kinttu surprised us all by being BOB. She received a CAC and a CACIB and became a Swedish champion. Later on the judge Annemarie Thomassen from Sweden placed Kinttu 3rd in group. She didn't have anything else to say about Kinttu but: She's simply fantastic, has a fantastic type and a fantastic movement.

Summer is coming so it's time for something new when it comes to the site look. The old one has had its share ... In case of any problems using the website, feedback can be sent via the contact form.

Anna-Kaisa's homepage got also a new look a couple of weeks ago, in exchange for the several show trips that we have done together. ;-) At the same time the homepage got a new address http://www.italiaano.net/saluki/. Check it out!

Kumma's favourite Whippetfriend Hilla had her puppies, 3 boys and 4 girls, a few weeks ago. More information about the litter can be found in kennel Hookoplan's blog. In addition, I have been taking photos of those small hairy caterpillars, check them out in the gallery. The rumour tells there are still some puppies available ... ;-)

I added some photos from Vaasa Int a few days ago into the gallery, take a look at them here. Sorry but I only managed to get photos of the males!

As the Sun has generously been shining for a couple of days already, we decided to take some outdoor photos of both Rommi and Kinttu. Check them out in their own galleries!

Kinttu was shown at an international dog show in Vaasa, Finland. She finished being BOS and receiving a CAC and a CACIB, once again! This is her last certificate so she finishes her Finnish championtitle and furthermore becomes a Norwegian champion! Who would've thought, 3 days after her 2nd birthday! The judge was Valeria Rodaro from Italy.

Kinttu BOS, BOB Tarumetsän Sydänyön Ritari

Today is a very special day, since Kinttu turns 2 years! Feels just like yesterday when she stepped into our lives as a wild hurricane, but so does the time pass by ... We send our warmest greetings to Kinttu's siblings Sly, Schnatz, Sid and Sonne!

Kinttu 8 weeks with Vesta-mum

We travelled to an international dog show in Harstad, northern Norway during the weekend with Kinttu. The trip was long and now we're just lying around and trying to get back to reality ... But the journey wasn't a total loss: Kinttu was BOS, received a CAC and a CACIB! The judge was Nils Molin from Sweden. The scenery in Norway was simply awesome but since I had forgot my camera at home there's not much proof to be seen.

BOB Keylee Beautiful Baghera, BOS Kinttu

Superman aka Roihu moved to his new home in Kajaani, eastern Finland. We wish his new owners good luck for the future!

© Elisa H.

Time goes quickly and soon Superman will hopefully move to his new family to enrich their lives. Kumma has also found her inner child again and runs around and plays like a young dog! Kinttu has taken her role as an aunt with an extreme seriousness and she's usually the one keeping situations calm.

We went to a health check today, the vet was Kaisa Wickström at Akuutti veterinary station. Kinttu's eyes were checked and they showed no signs of any eye diseases. In addition to that her heart was also officially checked and healthy! Rommi's knees were also officially checked and they were ok.

We spent yesterday at a Specialty for sighthounds in Boden, northern Sweden. There were 10 Italians entered and the judge was Mr. Eugene Blake from the US. Kinttu received a CQ and later on went BB-2. The day was nice although the Sun didn't shine this time. Thanks to our brave travelcompanions whippets Honda & Salttu!

Since I had some spare time during the show, I took some photos, of both Italian Greyhounds and other breeds. Photos can be, as usual, taken a look at in the gallery.

But that's not the only useful thing that we've managed to do lately. Rommi came for a visit a couple of days ago and we took some newer photos of him. Take a look at the Black Knight in his own gallery! ;-)

Our French import Rommi is 1 year today! He's become a masculine and strong built male, who isn't afraid of small frost or rain. He's quite an unusual Italian, since he doesn't know how to bark and loves snow. And The Leg Duo keeps staring at him shocked...

Many thanks to Rommi's fosterpeople Jani and Tiina for taking such a good care of him and of course multiple thanks to his actual breeder Fabienne to the warm France! Hopefully we'll get to try life inside the showring this year.

Kumma's puppy Berylline Insomnia aka Superman is feeling chubby and is soon 3 weeks old. His photos can be seen in the gallery.