We getting the team ready to go to Crufts. We're ordering our smart new Press Pack jackets and sorting out the work rota. We hope to have two tickets for dogs for each day so we are working out who is available and when.
My cousin Coire is going down to take part in the Good Citizen competition; Logan is talking part in the obedience for the Irish team; Tallulah who we met at Discover Dogs is taking part in her Young Kennel Club heelwork to music competition and Jethro the Bloodhound, who we also met at Discover Dogs, is going to be demonstrating hunting the clean boot!
Mirk will be going down for all four days but I have decided to stay at home - I'm not ready to work at crufts yet - probably next year when I am a bit older.
3 years ago
2 comments:
Hi Scout--
I sent you a post on your Cruft's blog, but in case you didn't yet see it I am cross-posting it here, too. I've got lots of news from the US...some politics, some dog show gossip and the usual observations.
I tagged you in my blog today and i hope some of my friends around the world check you out.
Thanks VERY much for posting my inauguration photo and blogspot. It was quite a day and President B.O. has me feeling hopeful. Trust me, the news around the world is SO bleak on so many fronts (economy, human rights, Iraq, wars, terrorism, AIDS, poverty and hunger) that I must have some hope. I think Obama is a good man, a fair and compassionate man, and I hope that things aren't too far gone for him to fix them. But, now it's politics as usual, and some Republican scoundrels are trying to thwart and undermine his efforts. Oh, well. So it goes....
We are in such a tizzy with excitement over the upcoming Westminster Dog Show. It's the most prestigious show in the US by far. We know it doesn't have the cachet of Crufts, but we yanks try. haha. My friend Airlie (Ch. Borderfame Signature) is going for a repeat Best of Breed win and my friend Reggie Moorehead is the handler. Reggie waltzed me around the ring a few times and really taught me something about stacking naturally. He is a true dog whisperer...just has that sense about how to communicate with us. He is a very nice handler and loves Airlie dearly.
Here is a link to a YouTube video that shows Reggie (in the blue shirt) taking me around the ring while I was still a fractious puppy. Then, you'll see the lovely Airle (The Signature) take Best of Breed. He's the #1 border collie in the US and we hope he stays that way with the border collies are in the ring on Monday, Feb. 9, at the Westminster show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjNq3qaSpFY
One of the most fascinating things about hanging around such a prized show border collie was watching his grooming regimen. Including his handler, I've seen three people working on him. His fur is blown out and then gone over with a flat iron, tuft by tuft. Each paw and ankle is carefully brushed out with a toothbrush to fluff the fur. It enhances the size of his paws and the amount of bone. Cornstarch is brushed through his legs and paws to make them gleam. Airlie is very docile during this whole procedure and anticipates what they want him to do and how to stand. He is a total pro and so relaxed during the backstage grooming frenzy. Maybe a lot of that has to do with how professional, confident and relaxed Reggie is. Airlie is very lucky to have him as his handler.
I've seen some handlers carelessly blow cigarette smoke in a dog's face while grooming them. And some are gruff or laugh and insult their dogs. Last weekend, at a show, I even saw a nice little Boston Terrier get his facial fur darkened with a black magic marker. That's not good for your skin!!!
That's all for now. Please check my blog and see how I've tagged you as a friend! Your pal across the pond,
Your Pal,
Fenway
Hi Fenway thanks for your news. I'll have a look at the video. I'm really impressed - makes my news hound work pale into insignificance - its pure fun sniffing out stories. Thats dedication - getting serious grooming. When I'm off duty I'm a real down in the mud, roll around and race into the house before you shake, type of dog. Even tho I have all my papers and I've champion working dog blood and I know I'm good looking and as you can tell as bright as they come - I'm not likely to turn a judges head. But I'd be interested to see how Lilly got on. She's a real looker - everyone falls for her but once again she prob doesnt match the breed standard - too leggy probably. But then it takes all types as they say. I think it would be fun to do some ring craft with Lilly just to see how she got on and try her out in some shows just for the experience - She hopes to be a pets as therapy dog when she's a bit older - she just looks at people with such love they all fall for her and she makes people feel really happy and loved.
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