I should know better

Kaiju`s show career has begun.  And quite well, too. 

His first show experience was in a decaying ancient ice rink, with lots of echoing noise, big dogs and loud music.   And he loved it!  The little head went in all directions, trying to see everything at once.  He strutted his stuff, and at 6 months and 2 days, was 2nd in a class of 9, many of which were  11 months.

After the show, we went out into the park.  More excitement.  He spotted 2 boys skateboarding on some precarious ramps and an unimpressive attempt to build a half pipe out of discarded builder`s materials.  His eyes went wide.  That was for him! “ Lets go there!”   Sparkle looked at him sideways.  “Are you quite sure about this?  “  Sparkle is not brave, especially out of his routines, but Kaiju has been really good for  him.  However you could see him resolve never to go on one of those.  Much to his relief, I didn`t let either boy set off on wheels.

Kaiju at his first big show - "No skateboarders, Mum?"

The next show was a big Ch one, on grass.  I wondered if that would throw him.  Many a pup, faced with – how shall I put it? – well-used grass has simply glued his nose to the ground.  Not Kaiju.   He again did it all, only to be second to a puppy so nervous it would not put its tail up.   Kaiju stared at him.   Was he not enjoying this?  Maybe he just needed to be taken out of himself?   Perhaps if he could see some skateboarders…?    (Fortunately there were none.)
It has been a really good start.  Kaiju is a real sweetheart, and such fun to be with.

We shall see how it goes on.  In the present atmosphere of our breed, where winning is largely controlled by one family who judge a lot and their friend who breeds a lot and knows all the important judges, I don`t expect great things.   But Kaiju, bless him, will give 100% and showing him will always be a rewarding and happy experience.

The clearing of the back garden has displaced a lot of wildlife.  In my opinion this is no bad thing.   And the dogs seem to agree.

It is a major difference.   The first time I let the Granny Farm (the old ladies) out in the cleared expanse, they gazed around.   Then old Prudence, not thinking, trotted off to what used to be her very private spot in the bushes to relieve herself.   And it wasn`t there.   Nothing at all.   No discreet leafy cover for an old girl desperate to go.   She stared around in growing panic.  Everyone was going to see her!    The dogs, me, the jeering magpies, the planes overhead!   And she couldn`t hold in much longer.

Eventually nature took its course.   And of course no-one was looking.  The magpies jeer anyway.  And I very much doubt that the pilot of the London shuttle (I live on the glide path for Glasgow airport) looked down at that moment from his instruments and said to the co-pilot, “Look!   There`s Prudence having a pee!  Tell the passengers!”

(Incidentally, never name a potential brood bitch “Prudence”.  Poor Prudence was never able to become physically receptive when in season, and so never became pregnant.  Very prudent of her.  Try something like “Ever Ready” instead… )

Meanwhile, as I said, the wildlife is having to make other arrangements.  Some of them a bit hasty.   Which is probably why I came out to a big commotion the other day, and there stood Daisy, a retired Champion, with a small rabbit dangling from her jaws.  The look on her face clearly said “This is SO much better than showing!”

Daisy (Ch VOLPECULA YOU`RE SO VAIN)  in her pre-rabbit days

But it became all too clear that the others were of a “share and share alike” disposition.   They were already planning which parts they would have.   And equally clear that Daisy, a forceful personality, was not for sharing.   It was her rabbit.   I sized up the growing tumult, stepped in, and removed the rabbit.   Universal dismay.  I`m not sure which they were looking forward to most, the eating of the rabbit, or the fight to get it from Daisy.  As it was, I became the villain of the piece.  Sulky sullen looks.  “She`s going to eat it all herself!” 

But memories are short and soon they were hunting for another one.

Run, rabbit, run!