I should know better

Just recovering from two hectic days in Ireland, showing in Belfast on the Saturday then rushing across the border to a Championship Show in Dublin on Sunday - and no bus!

Instead travelling in style in my cousin`s large van customised for dogs. I could get really used to that... Add to that really smooth crossings, and the dogs were very relaxed and rested. And so was I!
And the people were so friendly! (At mainland dog shows only a small proportion of the bitches have four legs.) And a week or two`s dieting should counter the fact that all the food was fried.

It`s different in Ireland. No benching. No wet weather shelter. Instead everyone brings a tent, and that`s your first job at dawn or thereabouts - erecting the tent. I`m not too good with tents, but possibly better when awake.

I had taken Florian and Julian, and they had to co-exist with Deefor and Teek. I think they hadn`t quite realised that dogs came in such a big size. But Papillons are up for anything. By the end of the weekend Julian was confidently stealing Deefor the Afghan`s dinner. He had also adopted the position of Guard Dog for the expedition and insisted on sleeping across the door of my hotel room

Well, Florian won at both shows, and Julian was well placed, and would also have won in Dublin if I hadn`t been showing off and made him break his gait. The classes were different and eveerything was - well, Irish. The judge awarded the Green Star and held out his hand for the Reserve Green Star. It closed on empty air He glared at the steward.
"Where`s the Green Star, so?"
"Lost."
"Have you lost it then, you old goat!"
"Sure, I`m not the one who loses things here!"
Then the two furious old men turned to the lady patiently waiting and the steward beamed and said:
"You have won the Reserve Green Star, Madam, if only we exactly had one of those."

The star of our little caravan was Teek the Deerhound. Like my Grand Old Lady she is devoted to comfort and food. There is a special soft bed made up in the van for her, and she tried to investigate every white van we passed, sure it was full of Deerhound bedding and food. She is a most accomplished food thief and never missees a chance.

We had a lovely picnic and a highlight of it was strawberries with spiced apple puree and cream. As we gathered up the remains, we looked at the dish of strawberries - plenty for tomorrow.

Suddenly a huge grey hairy paw descended into the dish. Teek pulled it out of the mashed remains of the fruit and inspected it sadly. "Not Deerhound food, then." She wandered mournfully off, deftly snatching a kebab in passing, and leaving pink footprints everywhere, as we gazed aat the ruined remains.

But she made up for it by winning well - 2nd in group.

An exccellent weekend.

We just might try Europe next. Watch this space!