It's a very moving memorial to Newfs loved and missed.
You know you've reached the right place when you spot your first van with a license plate like this one:
The Hyatt Hotel abutts a wonderful golf course. This sign looked like it was put up just for me! 
At 6:30 the Reception started. There was free food and pay as you go bars set up. It was fun to meet so many people whose names have become very familiar over the years. (You might recognize people you know.)
More on Tuesday...
There are people from Austria, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, Japan, Canada, as well as from New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington --oh, yes, and from California--that I've met so far.
Then there are the dogs! Wow! The dogs. I'm only 35 miles away, but I miss my two as I meet all of these.
Last night when I got home, Maddie--who had never seen me dressed as a Landseer--got so excited that she sort of climbed up me to give me a hug. It was very funny.
Here are some pictures of the Top Twenty dogs and ring:
That's my MOM in the ring with Chewie!!!
Lot's of people and dogs are enjoying the National!
Here are some pictures from this morning's Draft Test:
Other areas of importance in any dog show are the bathing and grooming areas. Here's what they are like this year:
Am I wet yet?
More to come, rain or shine. This evening the forecaster reported that the rain should start in the Monterey area and move up the coast towards San Francisco. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday: a little rain, a little sun, and a small earthquake! Here are some pictures from today.
There's a photographic artist amongst us. Her notecards and prints feature her Newf.
The morning began with the veterans. What a delight to watch these beautiful dogs go around the ring.
The Living Legends each received a special bib.
Goliath won the Top Twenty yesterday.
Deacon received 2nd place in his veteran's class.
The Obedience rings were busy all morning!
Some people and dogs know just how to enjoy the National!
The Puppy Sweepstakes came after the Living Legends.
This is my Maddie's half-brother, Parker. He's a nice boy.
Thursday morning started with heavy downpours of rain. However, the showers stopped fairly early and the sky cleared.
Friday dawned cool and cloudy. It soon brightened up, and people started talking about needing sunscreen, umbrellas, and shade.
Saturday, the final day, the day everyone anticipates the most dawned cloudy and cooler than yesterday. The day's events began with the presentation of the Colors by members of the Naval Language Institute. More pictures from the Best of Breed judging. AND THE WINNER IS: CH Cypress Bay See Sea Baby!
Did I say there are some cute puppies here this year? This is Goose; they say he's a silly goose, but he should have his VN very soon. :-)
This cutie pie came all the way from Belgium. I think he's had a long, hard day.
This pup is prancing around after a bath! He knows how to "shake", but I'm not sure if it's on command or not.
Yesterday the Leach family was in San Francisco. Guess who has flowers in her hair?
At Ted's Temptations, author and illustrator, Patricia Reeder Eubank, was autographing copies of her books.
Sometimes you just have to clown around a bit. Here are some folks taking the sign literally. Poor Arayo!
This is one beautiful boy!
Dori and Applejack.
On both Wednesday and Thursday there was a raffle to raise money for the Newfoundland Health Challenge.
On this supposedly rainy day, the rings looked like this:
Recently, before the National started, I've reported that I could see Monterey from my school grounds. Here's a picture I took this evening before returning for the Annual Meeting, from my playground near my classroom.
This year a quorum would have consisted of 207 members, we had closer to 300 in attendance.
Many awards were given during the meeting. Here is Pam showing her new VN.
Here's my Maddie sitting in the shade with Barb.
The beautiful weather, the beautiful dogs, and a wonderful setting make for a memorable National.
Finally there's time for lunch!
And there's time to play with a new duck!
The grooming area was humming with activity.
Dogs are getting ready to go into the ring and are "cooling their heels".
Here are pictures of Ch Egebaek's After Eight before he was named Best Opposite Sex.
This picture shows life imitating art, or is it art imitating life?
The picture above him, isn't very clear, but it shows this dog's legs totally naked and the poor boy looking like he was near death. He is another rescue miracle story.
There were things going on outside the Best of Breed ring too. Here are some pups--perhaps aspiring to become BOB themselves some day.
Puppy, puppy, puppy!
Newfs put effort into draft work, and so do some owners.
The Newf-L stickers on a name tag.
John taking a picture of me taking a picture of him.
Here's Bosco, named by people on Newf-L.
(How long Dad?)
Wow! What an incredible day!