Bailie Goes to his First Dog Show

My First Dog Show by Bailie
Sunday, January 26, 2009

Friday morning started out as an ordinary day around my house. Then, sometime in the afternoon things were different. Anyway, my Mom and Dad (John and Judi) were scurrying around, going from one end of the house to the other. I was getting worn out trying to keep-up. They were putting clothes in boxes with handles, and talking about what to wear.
Then, Dad folded up my crate and put it in the living room. I knew something was up. I overheard them say something about a "Dog Show." I thought ,"Great, maybe we are going to see Marley,or maybe Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, or any of those other famous dog movies. Older dogs have told me about these famous dogs. Next, I got a bath (I'm not really into baths). Then, they started with that blow dryer thing. I squirmed and wiggled to get away, but it was no use, they both had me. I settled down and it really wasn't so bad after all. I got brushed, had my picture taken and we all went to bed.

The next morning, we all got up early. I looked and my crate was gone from the living room. I really wasn't sure what was going on so I stayed close to Mom. They put my car harness on and into the car I went. I was happy, I was with my people. Because it was so early, I just curled up and went back to sleep. About an hour later I woke up, move around a little and “poof” I was out of my harness! Mom called me "Houdini." We stopped and she put me back in my harness, but it was a little snugger this time. Soon, we arrived at a place with big fields, big sheds, lots of people and lots of dogs. I thought, “Is this the Dog Show? This is not what the dog next door told me a "Show" was. I wanted to see a movie. Wait till I get back and talk to him! Then, I saw my Aunt Bella, Aunt Ohnee, Aunt Maureen, and Grandma Chantal. My crate was by my Aunt Bella’s so we talked a little, very quietly. I told her what I had been told. Aunt Bella laughed and said,“Those are dog movies, you are at a "Dog Show." This is where people look at you and see if you look better than the other dogs." Right away I knew that I was in the wrong place. I am “a Ranch Dog.” I run in the rain, dig holes, eat grass and chew on sticks. Aunt Bella tells me that my Mommy, Kiwi, and father, Marty are both Show Dogs. And, I thought, “But Mommy Kiwi taught me how to do all of those things, you know, dig holes and play with sticks, how could she be a show dog.” Anyway, Aunt Bella filled me in on a lot of things. She knows the ropes because she is already a “Champion.” I heard the people talking and they were saying that I was there for socialization.... to get use to all the dogs, people and all the hurrying around.

We were in a little group under the shed with six or seven Beardies and their people. There was a lot going on what with dogs barking and yapping, people combing, brushing, and spraying their dogs. I watched from my crate for a long time, then got boarded and took a nap. I was napping when I heard someone call my Mom and they said that it was time to go to the ring. “Wait a minute. I’m here for socializing not to go into the ring,” Mom was taking a PONS into the ring for someone, not me. I thought. Whew that was close! I had to cool it with the Polish jokes. I did not want to offend anyone at my first Show. Now, Mom has never ever been in a Show Ring before, but she finished third. I was proud of her.

Later in the afternoon, Grandma Chantal took me to her house. They put me in a “run”. There I could be inside or outside, as I pleased. I didn't have to bark at anyone to open the door, so that I could go out.

After dark they loaded me up and carried me to a big building where we were going to spend the night. I thought,” What now?” Then, I saw my Mom and knew everything was all right. We went into a big room with lots of people coming and going. They all ask the usual questions. What kind of dog is it? How old is he? Can I pet him? He's so soft. Then, they would say how cute I was. Of course, they were right. I saw some ugly dogs at that Show. I love people!

Next, Mom took me down a hall and the doors open on a closet, we went in, the doors closed and the closet started going up. A bell dinged the door opened and we got out. We were in a different place with lots of doors. I thought, “Not like any closet in my house. They are full of clothes and shoes.” Mom opened one of the doors with a credit card thing and we went into a bedroom. There was my crate. I felt better then. Later in the night, Mom and Dad got into bed with me in the middle. Hmmm? Soon, both my people were asleep and I was still in the middle! I was scared to move because I might wake them and then they would put me in my crate. I liked where I was, because the bed was really soft. I got to sleep in the bed all night long. Maybe this dog show stuff isn't so bad, but I did have a few questions for Aunt Bella.

Sunday Bob, a friend of Grandma’s, said that Mom could take me over to the ring so that I could see what was going on. He knows a lot about dogs, and said that I would learn from watching other dogs. The Beardies would run around in a circle, then run up and back. Some lady would look at them. Look at their teeth. Feel over them, and then tell them to run again. That didn't look too hard to do. Dog Shows could be fun, especially if I get to sleep in bed with my people. By the way, my Aunt Bella won that day and Ohnee finished her Championship. Before I left Oregon, Roux told me that Ohnee was his girl friend. Hey, I’m just a little guy, that kind of stuff doesn't interest me much....yet!

I slept all the way home. Dog Shows are exhausting. By the way, I have decided that the word “Dog Show socialization” really means to learn to pee and poop in strange places around a lot of strange people and dogs.