blaiseshimmer
Forums Regular
...because blaiseshimmer tends to overthink things and has no clue how to write posts that only have a few sentences and instead tends to write essays...
First, I have to thank everyone with all the advice, suggestions, directions and encouragement from the moment I joined this forum. While I used to breed and show Maine Coon cats, this whole puppy show universe is really different.
This past weekend was Kelby's first (and hopefully not last) show. I got that little bundle of allergic-to-clean joy all nice and poofed, and at the unholy hour of 4am, drove 3.5 hours to his first show (in Texas, 3.5 hours is known as 'nearby'). He was a trooper on the ride, preferring to stand in the front seat (his harness tethered to the seatbelt) rather than, oh, sleep, and was a trooper throughout the day.
Next time (!) I will reserve space inside anyplace that offers air conditioning; the grooming arena was an actual arena, normally used for horses(?) since my boots (there was a cowboy theme and I will admit to loving cowboy boots and hats) sank into the dirt. It was close to 70% humidity. My hair frizzed instantly, and since Kelby's coat is beginning to grow in, right now it's a combination of curls and has a tendency to poodle. I'm still learning how to chalk...oh, who am I kidding; I'm winging it, plus I can't find chalk anywhere (though I did finally find Cholesterol in Sally's). I used to use baby powder when I showed my cats to cut down on static and dry the coat, and so far, it seemed to work.
Anyway, humid. I decided to simply take Kelby into the room where the Beg Pup was being held, though the herding group was the last group to be judged, simply because neither Kelby nor I are fans of saunas. You know that kind of humidity that makes it feel as if you're trying to put on a wet shirt over bare arms? yeah, that. I wanted to see the other puppies and to give Kelby a chance to acclimate to it.
It was as advertised, a nice mix of breeder-exhibitors who knew exactly what they were doing, a few like me who are trying to learn everything while not traumatizing our puppies in the hopes of continuing to show, and a few very proud pet owners who had some really nice puppies. One of my favorites was a lovely lady who took the country western theme to the extreme (loved her white boots and bedazzled hat) and had the tiniest yorkie pup complete with pink bows on her leash. It was so cute watching the little thing try to keep with her owner, then simply plopped down and refuse to continue to roundabout. I guess she was used to being carried around and the whole little show arena was just too much exercise for her.
Shelties were listed last in the herding group, but Kelby was called first in the group. Sadly, while he looked beautiful on the grooming table, I was scrambling to prep him before he was called. There was a trio of cute little girls that absolutely loved Kelby, and were sitting around him feeding him treats<they weren't the problem. But I also know now why some sheltie exhibitors keep their distance when showing. I don't know if it was deliberate or not (since it was just a Beg Pup), but right before he was called, a woman came over, asked me if he was a COLLIE, then not asking and before I could even react, knelt down next to the girls and literally massaged his ruff down, all in the name of loving him.
I pulled him away, but before I could re-poof that ruff, he was called. He did great in his walk, did a fairly decent free stack (I'm still working on those hind legs since he likes to bounce around like Tigger), and didn't fuss at all on the table as the judge handled him. But me, I forgot EVERYTHING once we stopped by the table. Forgot how to lift him without deflating the coat, forgot which hands holds the collar and how, plopped his lead by his feet rather than swing it over my shoulder, forgot to double check the positions of his left side legs, dropped treats on the table so his head was down...
As the only sheltie, Kelby, of course, got a Best of Breed (forgot the exact terminology, I haven't unpacked the crate from the truck yet), and in the Herding Group which consisted of Kelby and three Welsh Pembroke Corgis, Kelby placed in Second Place. The corgi that placed first was PHENOMENAL. I'm not familiar with corgis, but that little corgi was very impressive. Which means that Kelby has potential!!!! Because he still came ahead of two others! Getting my cheers where I can! Not gonna consider that he got it just because he was the only sheltie! Huzzah!
Because I was beaten down by the humidity and having to wake myself up at 3:30am, we left right after the end of the Beg Pup Competition, stopped by Whataburger for a congratulatory meal of Chicken Tenders, and made it home just in time for my first and hopefully last tornado WARNING, which never happens here.
Lessons learned -
Don't let people touch the dog. So far, kids are pretty good about asking first, and then they will not touch the puppy, and were seemingly just happy enough to feed Kelby a tiny treat. Adults, especially those that were sitting nearby and part of a group who were also showing puppies, will be body-checked if they get near my dog again. I don't care if they tower over me. I can take'em.
Invest in several jackets of different materials and go up several sizes. My dress jacket was polyester, but with the humidity, stuck to my skin. I can imagine going through several jackets for a multi-day show. I'm already searching on Ebay for cheapo jackets, all which seem to have been made in 1985.
Same with hair and makeup. Just don't bother. Those 3,256 combs and brushes that I have for one sheltie will come in handy for me as well as the pup.
Need to ask people how to use the towel-cape thing. Kel's tushie is covered in lovely curls as his coat comes in. I know that this could/will be an issue as he gets ready for the 6-9 Month group.
It was fun. No matter if Kel does great or barely coasts along, I'd like to take him to another show. Thing is, living where we are, in the Cameron County area of TX, the next closest shows are both 5-day marathons in San Antonio and Houston, both 6+ hours driving, and FIVE DAYS. Who ever thought those were good ideas? I'm exhausted just thinking about the logistics of travel and hotel and dayboarding my other two dogs that I will need to take with me and will be a nightmare to arrange since my 10-month old shiloh isn't neutered yet.
But, fun. Except for that ruff-flattening woman, everyone else was nice, from the corgi's breeder/owner who congratulated me as I congratulated her, to the show superintendent who pointed out where the parking area was, even the people selling over-priced (and pretty awful) coffee. Kelby was unfazed. He didn't cower or whine and seemed so curious about everything. And as soon as we got home, he bee-lined right into mud. Which he earned.
First, I have to thank everyone with all the advice, suggestions, directions and encouragement from the moment I joined this forum. While I used to breed and show Maine Coon cats, this whole puppy show universe is really different.
This past weekend was Kelby's first (and hopefully not last) show. I got that little bundle of allergic-to-clean joy all nice and poofed, and at the unholy hour of 4am, drove 3.5 hours to his first show (in Texas, 3.5 hours is known as 'nearby'). He was a trooper on the ride, preferring to stand in the front seat (his harness tethered to the seatbelt) rather than, oh, sleep, and was a trooper throughout the day.
Next time (!) I will reserve space inside anyplace that offers air conditioning; the grooming arena was an actual arena, normally used for horses(?) since my boots (there was a cowboy theme and I will admit to loving cowboy boots and hats) sank into the dirt. It was close to 70% humidity. My hair frizzed instantly, and since Kelby's coat is beginning to grow in, right now it's a combination of curls and has a tendency to poodle. I'm still learning how to chalk...oh, who am I kidding; I'm winging it, plus I can't find chalk anywhere (though I did finally find Cholesterol in Sally's). I used to use baby powder when I showed my cats to cut down on static and dry the coat, and so far, it seemed to work.
Anyway, humid. I decided to simply take Kelby into the room where the Beg Pup was being held, though the herding group was the last group to be judged, simply because neither Kelby nor I are fans of saunas. You know that kind of humidity that makes it feel as if you're trying to put on a wet shirt over bare arms? yeah, that. I wanted to see the other puppies and to give Kelby a chance to acclimate to it.
It was as advertised, a nice mix of breeder-exhibitors who knew exactly what they were doing, a few like me who are trying to learn everything while not traumatizing our puppies in the hopes of continuing to show, and a few very proud pet owners who had some really nice puppies. One of my favorites was a lovely lady who took the country western theme to the extreme (loved her white boots and bedazzled hat) and had the tiniest yorkie pup complete with pink bows on her leash. It was so cute watching the little thing try to keep with her owner, then simply plopped down and refuse to continue to roundabout. I guess she was used to being carried around and the whole little show arena was just too much exercise for her.
Shelties were listed last in the herding group, but Kelby was called first in the group. Sadly, while he looked beautiful on the grooming table, I was scrambling to prep him before he was called. There was a trio of cute little girls that absolutely loved Kelby, and were sitting around him feeding him treats<they weren't the problem. But I also know now why some sheltie exhibitors keep their distance when showing. I don't know if it was deliberate or not (since it was just a Beg Pup), but right before he was called, a woman came over, asked me if he was a COLLIE, then not asking and before I could even react, knelt down next to the girls and literally massaged his ruff down, all in the name of loving him.
I pulled him away, but before I could re-poof that ruff, he was called. He did great in his walk, did a fairly decent free stack (I'm still working on those hind legs since he likes to bounce around like Tigger), and didn't fuss at all on the table as the judge handled him. But me, I forgot EVERYTHING once we stopped by the table. Forgot how to lift him without deflating the coat, forgot which hands holds the collar and how, plopped his lead by his feet rather than swing it over my shoulder, forgot to double check the positions of his left side legs, dropped treats on the table so his head was down...
As the only sheltie, Kelby, of course, got a Best of Breed (forgot the exact terminology, I haven't unpacked the crate from the truck yet), and in the Herding Group which consisted of Kelby and three Welsh Pembroke Corgis, Kelby placed in Second Place. The corgi that placed first was PHENOMENAL. I'm not familiar with corgis, but that little corgi was very impressive. Which means that Kelby has potential!!!! Because he still came ahead of two others! Getting my cheers where I can! Not gonna consider that he got it just because he was the only sheltie! Huzzah!
Because I was beaten down by the humidity and having to wake myself up at 3:30am, we left right after the end of the Beg Pup Competition, stopped by Whataburger for a congratulatory meal of Chicken Tenders, and made it home just in time for my first and hopefully last tornado WARNING, which never happens here.
Lessons learned -
Don't let people touch the dog. So far, kids are pretty good about asking first, and then they will not touch the puppy, and were seemingly just happy enough to feed Kelby a tiny treat. Adults, especially those that were sitting nearby and part of a group who were also showing puppies, will be body-checked if they get near my dog again. I don't care if they tower over me. I can take'em.
Invest in several jackets of different materials and go up several sizes. My dress jacket was polyester, but with the humidity, stuck to my skin. I can imagine going through several jackets for a multi-day show. I'm already searching on Ebay for cheapo jackets, all which seem to have been made in 1985.
Same with hair and makeup. Just don't bother. Those 3,256 combs and brushes that I have for one sheltie will come in handy for me as well as the pup.
Need to ask people how to use the towel-cape thing. Kel's tushie is covered in lovely curls as his coat comes in. I know that this could/will be an issue as he gets ready for the 6-9 Month group.
It was fun. No matter if Kel does great or barely coasts along, I'd like to take him to another show. Thing is, living where we are, in the Cameron County area of TX, the next closest shows are both 5-day marathons in San Antonio and Houston, both 6+ hours driving, and FIVE DAYS. Who ever thought those were good ideas? I'm exhausted just thinking about the logistics of travel and hotel and dayboarding my other two dogs that I will need to take with me and will be a nightmare to arrange since my 10-month old shiloh isn't neutered yet.
But, fun. Except for that ruff-flattening woman, everyone else was nice, from the corgi's breeder/owner who congratulated me as I congratulated her, to the show superintendent who pointed out where the parking area was, even the people selling over-priced (and pretty awful) coffee. Kelby was unfazed. He didn't cower or whine and seemed so curious about everything. And as soon as we got home, he bee-lined right into mud. Which he earned.
I loved reading your account of the show...I could picture it. Thanks for such a vivid and colorful report! I especially applaud you for your dedication driving 3.5 hours to and from! Nearby indeed....to think I complain about driving 90 minutes to a show in the Northeast. I'd never survive in Texas. 