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Post by Morgan on Jan 20, 2020 20:22:03 GMT -6
Morgan had been working with Nico for a good few months now, though it felt much longer. When news broke that Houluh had been found to be not only capable of growing to adult, but also breedable, Morgan knew that Nico's time had come. The pair stepped through the doors of the waiting room at the Houluh Hall, both quite confident. Nico stepped, light on his toes, across the floor at Morgan's heel with his claws clicking. The human pushed their glasses further up their nose, and jerked their head slightly to one side to move their bangs out from in front of their eyes as they moved up to the registration desk. At the same time, they gave Nico the signal to sit and stay. "I'm Morgan Right, owner of Wiltholm Estate Kennel, and this is Nico. We're here for his debutante show." Morgan said, rubbing the back of their neck with their left hand. This felt a tad awkward.
After being given the forms, Morgan quickly jotted down the information required. Nico wagged his tail loosely, his ears pricked as if he was hearing something from far off. Morgan was done filling out the forms soon enough, and turned them in, sitting the pen back down on the table as they did. Morgan was admittedly quite a bit more nervous than the rather princely houluh pup. After the assistant finished up with the paperwork, Morgan gave the houluh the at-ease signal and then called him to heel again.
It was now or never, Morgan knew. Time to go back to the Show Floor!
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Post by Morgan on Jan 20, 2020 21:18:09 GMT -6
Nico followed at a perfect heel, his body loose as they made their way to the Debutante Show Floor. In complete contrast, Morgan's body was held with all of the muscles tight, it looked painful. Undoubtedly Morgan would get more comfortable with this process as time went on. For now, they didn't like not knowing what was going to happen exactly. They knew the gist, take Nico in, have him do a couple of tricks, and then get him checked over for anything that might not make him good breeding stock (Morgan knew he was fine so that wasn't worrying). However, they didn't know what to expect otherwise...
The room already had a few people in it, standing and speaking as their houluh juvies sat at their heels or sniffed one another. Nico looked over them boredly, his posture loose but arrogant. He was uninterested in them after he took a glance at how many were there. Morgan took stock of the surroundings as well. At this, Morgan stepped down into the ring, with the houluh following obediently as well. The assistant had left, but it was obvious that Morgan was supposed to have Nico act for the individual standing near the center step.
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Post by Morgan on Jan 20, 2020 21:26:16 GMT -6
The whole world fell away for the pair at that point, more easily for Nico at that point than for Morgan. Morgan knew that words didn't really mean anything at this point, and instead stepped back and raised the whistle to their lips. There weren't any props for them this time, they hadn't really thought about that, so they'd have to run through some of the basic obedience instead of anything super fancy. "Nico!" Morgan called out, throat a bit dry. Nico looked at Morgan immediately, his deep chocolate eyes watching with rapt attention. Everything that Morgan had thought about about a minute ago were out the window now.
Without thinking, Morgan ran through a few of the commands with the houluh out of practice. The signals for Come, Sit, and Stay were given, with the houluh immediately moving toward Morgan, and sitting in front of them. At that, Morgan gave the signal for beg, lay down, and then combat crawl all in rapid succession. The houluh had time to sit up with both paws up, then immediately fall into a laying position before scooting forward, crawling on his belly. Morgan had a chance to let go of that breath they were holding.
[Nico knows his name, uses come, sit, stay, beg, lay down, and combat crawl.]
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Post by Morgan on Jan 20, 2020 21:32:11 GMT -6
It was easier, from then on out. Morgan was finally in the zone, partially because the houluh's own personality and emotions were flowing over the emotional link with such a powerful force that it pressed the anxiety from Morgan's psyche. Nico responded to every single command with a fluid grace that made Morgan incredibly proud; he was Morgan's most favorite companion and all of the work that was put into Morgan's relationship with this beloved companion was beginning to take vibrant shape. Leap, Leap over Me, Leap into Arms... The houluh was practically flying without wings, as far as grace was concerned. He finally landed in Morgan's arms, and Morgan held him close as they stopped and moved up to the step. They put the houluh down carefully, and called him into a stack.
The houluh immediately stood in a relaxed but thoroughly practiced manner, his legs in perfect alignment, head held high, and back at an excellent slope. Morgan knew that his tolerance would allow him to be checked over without difficulty. The houluh was relaxed an not nervous as he was checked for soundness.
[Nico uses Leap, Leap over Me, LEap into Arms, and Stack- he also shows off his Tolerance.]
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Post by Morgan on Jan 20, 2020 21:36:20 GMT -6
Morgan watches with a bit of... What was this? Jealousy? Protectiveness? As the expert ran their hands over Nico's body. Morgan knew that this was part of the process but it made them uncomfortable due to the emotional link to have someone that they didn't know (that wasn't a vet) touching their most close companion animal. However, Nico wasn't nervous. He swivels his pupils to affix Morgan in a gentle attention that told Morgan that it was okay, and to be calm, as one would a youngster. Morgan loosened up at that. Perhaps it wasn't just Nico that had underwent training, but Morgan just as much? Morgan wasn't thinking about that, though.
Soon enough, it was over. The individual backed up, and let Nico alone. Morgan called him to heel, and then to follow. Now it was just waiting; would he be considered good enough to get the stamp of breeding soundness? Morgan was sure that he was fine, and he was relaxed... Morgan never liked doing new things for the first time.
[Nico uses Heel and Follow. Done?]
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Post by Renathan on Jan 20, 2020 22:03:33 GMT -6
Your Houluh has passed inspections! The Adult form will be sent via Message. Your Houluh has been awarded the Patronne di Marq for their exceptional Breeding Stock potential! Since this is your first grown houluh, here is your Official Breeder's License. Happy Breeding!
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Post by Morgan on Jan 27, 2020 22:32:07 GMT -6
Morgan was nervous the first time they had done this, with Nico, because it was the first time they had done it, and they weren't sure how it was going to go. Morgan was nervous with Cozette because Cozette was a high-strung and sensitive houluh, and Morgan had not really been able to remedy that. Morgan knew that they would have to pay more attention to her if she did well, since she was a turbulent little lady. However, Morgan was sure that if she did make it, that they had the ability to more than make up for her inadequacies.
Morgan stepped right up to the registration table, and filled out the form. Cozette walked behind Morgan on the leash, she wasn't exactly nervous, but she was watchful. When Morgan was done, heading back to the Debutante Show Floor, Cozette didn't make any eye contact with anyone they passed along the hallway at all, like a little ghost.
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Post by Morgan on Jan 27, 2020 22:41:32 GMT -6
The Debutante Show Floor was such a quick transition that Cozette hardly noticed since she was paying a little bit more attention to other houluh across the way than she probably should have been that the sounds of her shortish nails clicking against the floor scared her a little bit into goosing it. Morgan tried not to look to nervous as they trotted; as if to try to save theirself 'we meant to do that, yup'. The time was now for showing off her ability to follow the 'laws of man' anyway (nonsense, in Morgan's mind but okay). The first was her name. Morgan lead her into a stop, and then unclipped the leash. "Cozette!" Morgan said. The houluh looked up; for once giving Morgan her entire attention span.
"Good girl, Cozette. Sit." Morgan said, and immediately Cozette sat. Morgan held up their hand for the stay command.
[Cozette knows her name, and uses sit and stay.]
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Post by Morgan on Jan 27, 2020 22:49:55 GMT -6
Luckily for Morgan, it would seem that Cozette remembered all of the commands they had worked on. They'd been worried about that; if only because Cozette was anxious most of the time, and Morgan wasn't sure if that was something that would translate well when it came to training. The human walked over to where the judge was standing, and called for Cozette to come using the command, and she only moved when Morgan gave her the command for come. At this, Morgan put a small treat on her nose and then gave the stay hand signal. Whenever she tried to nip at it, Morgan said a low, "No." The houluh stood with it on her nose until Morgan picked the treat up and actually handed it to her. Oh thank goodness, Morgan thought, almost done.
The human put the houluh on the top of the table, to be checked. She hadn't been taught tolerance, but she was more shakey-nervous than bitey-nervous, thankfully.
[Cozette comes on command, and obeys a 'No'.]
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Post by Morgan on Jan 27, 2020 22:57:47 GMT -6
The houluh was a little wiggly, but it would seem that the judge had a lot of experience with that. The houluh did, after all, just have to be trained; it didn't specify which things had to be trained. The judge managed to get her to calm down with lots of gentle petting, and then moved to do the usual; check the ears, check the soundness of the legs and chest, check the under the jowl and make sure that she was sound of tail and beneath that. After her checking, Morgan was given the nod to take the houluh down from the table, and they did. Cozette was always more trusting of Morgan than of others.
At exactly this moment, one of the individuals on the other side of the floor that had been waiting tossed a toy that ricocheted in a funny way (one of those flying ball things) that suggested it was busted. It was going straight for Cozette, but she managed to dodge it without even looking; Morgan hadn't even been looking in that direction! Morgan was quite surprised; but that was it, it showed that she'd learned her danger sense well enough- the fastest of any creature Morgan had worked with previously.
"Good girl, Cozette!" Morgan praised her, as they went out to the waiting area.
[Nico displays Danger Sense, done?]
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Post by Renathan on Jan 27, 2020 23:01:00 GMT -6
Your Houluh has passed inspections! The Adult form will be sent via Message. Your Houluh has been awarded the Matronne di Marq for their exceptional Breeding Stock potential!
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Post by Morgan on Feb 19, 2020 15:12:12 GMT -6
Morgan had been nervous whenever it was time to take Cozette to her Debutante Show because she was a nervous and turbulent hound. They had been a little bit nervous with Nico because they had never done this before at all. However, Selene was confident and focused, and Morgan was more relaxed in their skin now. The houluh walked on the leash with ease, she hadn't been taught to heel yet but she was doing very well, keeping a lot of slack in the leash itself. The houluh held her head high as Morgan stepped across the floor (boots clacking their metal toes on the tile) and they reached out for the forms, knowing what they had to do. "I am Morgan Right of Wiltholm Estate Kennel, and this is Selene. We're here for her debutante show." Morgan said, before reaching for the pen and writing quickly but in neat but slanted, looping scrawl. The houluh stuck her tongue out, excitedly.
As soon as Morgan was done, they knew it was time to go to the show floor!
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Post by Morgan on Feb 19, 2020 15:18:11 GMT -6
Selene followed Morgan as they slipped back to go to the Debutante Floor. Morgan was pretty quiet, and Selene was more focused on going wherever they needed to go and doing whatever she was required to do. There was something especially focused about this houluh, it wasn't a common thing to see a houluh so happy to work. However, Morgan was pleased with her, she had great breeding stock and it showed. As soon as they made it to the ring around the Debutante show floor, Morgan unclipped the leash from her collar. Selene waited for Morgan to step onto the ring before following, and then Morgan stood halfway between the middle of the ring and the edge of the ring. Morgan raised the whistle to their lips, and called after Selene before sticking it in their mouth- "Selene!" Immediately the houluh turned to look at Morgan expectantly, and then Morgan whistled the command for 'Come'.
The houluh comes trotting at the command, closer to Morgan.
[Selene responds to her name, and then comes on command.]
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Post by Morgan on Feb 19, 2020 15:23:39 GMT -6
Selene was completely shifted into working mode at this point, Morgan could see it in her body and eyes. She strolled forward to Morgan, and awaited the next command. Morgan immediately gave the command for sit and then the signal for stay, and moved in a semi-circle away from the houluh. Immediately upon being ordered, the black houluh sat down, almost regally, and stayed as Morgan moved across the room. Morgan then gave the whistled command for 'follow' and the houluh hopped up, following Morgan in another semi-circle before being commanded to 'dash'. The houluh rushed to Morgan at that, a little dodging motion in her steps. Morgan then called for her to come again, and picked her up, sitting her on the pedestal in the center of the room for the judge to check her. Morgan gave her the command to 'stack'. She displayed excellent tolerance as the judge checked her, not moving out of her stack at all.
"Good gal, S-Selene!" Morgan said, putting her down on the tile afterward so that they could go to the waiting room. That didn't feel too difficult at all.
[Selene uses Sit, Stay, Follow, and Dash on command. Then Selene stacks and displays her tolerance.] [Done?]
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Post by Renathan on Feb 19, 2020 15:46:32 GMT -6
Your Houluh has passed inspections! The Adult form will be sent via Message. Your Houluh has been awarded the Matronne di Marq for their exceptional Breeding Stock potential!
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