I should know better

Yet another unusual show for me - judging a Chinese Crested one.

Now, at one time I was very active in the breed, but that was......well.... just a few years ago, so when I came into the hall the reception was a little strange. The exhibitors were divided into those who had never heard of me, and those had, and who gave me the same look of very wary awe you would give a large dinosaur you had just found munching the petunias in your border. (And a few old friends of my age...not so many of those, alas.)

It was lovely to be involved with so many Cresteds again. They are not at all like Papillons. They are gentle, happy, trusting little souls, very attached to their owner and often to other Cresteds, not too keen on public events, and much given to spontaneous song*. I can remember when I used to let my lot run outside, they would come and chorus outside the window of the room they supposed I was in. If I looked out of another window, the song would die, and they would give each other dirty looks - "That was you! You said she was in there! You`ve made us look silly!"

And on cold or wet days, when I opened the door, they would look at the weather, then at me - "Why have you made it rain?"

They were wonderful mothers. I can remember sitting beside a mother with a Crested litter, holding a little Papillon puppy whose mother had no milk, and wondering if she would foster. While I was still pondering on this, she suddenly reached out with her long neck, took the puppy from me, and put it in with hers. She then favoured me with a hard look - what was I thinking of, just sitting there, when puppy obviously needed milk?

Anyway, despite a heavy cold I had a good time, with a good entry of quality dogs. And I really enjoyed myself.

* not one of mine, but this clip really captures the spirit of the happy, musical Chinese Crested.
Crested song