dogs

I signed Maxi up for all four days of the AKC dog show in Novi, Michigan.  Might as well jump in with both feet. She is 9 months, 1 week now so she was in the puppy class–9 and under 12 months. Given that it is her 2nd show and my 4th I think we’re doing pretty good. Phoebe’s coat did not muster up to the silky ones you need to win so we gave up showing her early on.

Maxi took Winners Reserve both Thursday and Friday beating some proven point-getters so I was very proud of her (and me!).  Today not so good. There is a different judge each day and for some reason the judge today freaked Maxi out–and, truly, he was the friendliest! So, she came away with a second in the reserve category. C’est le vie.

As you may all be aware, dog shows in general are a real trip. I bet most readers have seen them on TV but you don’t get the ‘Full monty’ until you are immersed in one.  I’ll try to remember to get photos tomorrow. There are actually two worlds at dog shows. There are the died-in-the-doghair folks with the vans that range in size from 8 feet to 20. Dog shows are their life (note I did not say livelihood)–socially and recreationally. Some are breeders, some are not…but they mostly show because they love their dogs.

Then there are the professional handlers. Dog shows are their livelihood. Yes, they love dogs–wouldn’t be in it, I am sure, unless they did.

Both groups take these shows seriously. Like everything else, some take it more seriously than others. And, it goes without saying, shows can get very political. In my minimal experience I have already encountered it. Thank goodness I am at a point in my life where I take very little seriously. Life is simply getting too short.

Meanwhile I did my part in supporting the vendors–spent $60 on coat conditioner and finishing spray. Havanese with long coats need TONS of conditioning. At least once a week and now I am learning they should have it more often than that if you want a seriously silky coat. This is probably where I went wrong with Phoebe.

It has been an enjoyable three days and I am looking forward to tomorrow. Politics aside, I have met a  truly great bunch of people.

Gotta stop now and play with the puppies. Oh darn!