ATB: Hemi's Introduction to Dog Shows

Oh, Hemi!  I find that my heart is captured yet once again by a sweet Brittany puppy.  And as it feels the chains of love surround it, this heart knows that there are many, many years to look forward to.  I can look in any direction from where I sit writing and look into the eyes of our Brittany canine crew. From the oldest to the youngest, my heart is embraced with the reality of living a life - all for the love of the dogs, both given and received.  Each stage of development, each new horizon brings an untold joy of discovery.  As certain as I am of so many aspects of our ATB family, it is the affirmation of a confirmation which brings satisfaction.  Confirmation of what was hoped for, materializing in front of my eyes. Affirmation of the original hope and dream and that all knowing which can only be found in the heart.  Bottom line?  FAITH.  For readers who are not familiar with what is perhaps the most illusive definition of all but which also makes perfect sense it is found in the  Bible, Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV).

And what is the inspiration here?  What is the motivation?  Simple.  Being on the end of a leash, showing little britches at his first dog show.  We've been to handling classes together, participated in two matches, and spent the last 6 months bonding with each other on many different levels.  As I try to reflect on this past Thursdays show with Hemi, I feel as though I am once again a 'dog show newbie'.  Apologies to my friend Karen for borrowing the name of her blog to describe this latest ATB adventure!  Speaking of which, it is a great blog and I completely relate to Karen's comment when she says "I was never that great a handler, between lack of coordination and stage fright. My hat's off to anyone who sticks with it."  This past Thursday was no exception for me, but Hemi was very forgiving.

Hemi's 6 month birthday fell on the same day as his introduction to dog shows. I entered him in Day One of a 4 day cluster known as the 'Breeders Circuit' in Fitchburg, MA.  I wanted to keep the experiences from his handling classes with Penny Cary at Finish Forward Studio, the Penobscot Valley Kennel Club Fun Match, and the York County Kennel Club Fun Match fresh and in front of him.  The show entries were minimal with 7 Brittanys to be exhibited, 2 of them would be dogs.  Perfect.  Hemi and I could go about this in a very calm manner.  It was to be all about Hemi. 

At 6 months of age, a puppy is still in the middle of various developmental stages especially in regards to socializing.  Really, the last thing I wanted was to appear over zealous at Hemi's expense by showing him if he was not mature enough.  When I observe pup in the ring that tucks their tail between their legs, back away from the judge, and/or lock up when the handler tries to move them in the ring I know that pup is not ready. The ring is not the place to train a puppy - that's my opinion. You may end up with a judge who is just great to show a very young puppy to.  But you may end up with a judge whose technique with pups leaves a lot to be desired.  Speaking of showing at the pups expense - is it worth it to take the chance if you do not know the judge in question?  Not to me.  Yet Hemi was ready. He was actually more prepared than I!

We are down to one vehicle at the moment.  For me to travel to Fitchburg meant literally leaving John at home.  And it meant that I would load and unload a vehicle I had never used by myself for a dog event. Please don't get me wrong when I say I do not like driving John's truck.  It is great for John! It is great for field events and the dog topper is awesome.  And I appreciated I even had something to drive.  But I like to be very organized when it comes to going to a show. Believe it or not, I do have a routine. 

When a show is coming up I print one of several show checklists.  I have one for day trips, one for weekend trips, one for RV dog show trips.  The list appears on the dining room table the week before the show and I gather things on my list, checking them off as I accumulate the items.  Although I do have tubs, totes, grooming kits etc. always ready to go I still need to go through EVERYTHING to be sure I haven't neglected to put something back in it's place.  Not that I need EVERYTHING at the show but you never know when you MIGHT need something. Most fellow exhibitors are happy to share a spritz of their grooming product or offer the use of their favorite blending shears but it's better to be prepared with your own favorites.  Wednesday night I had everything ready and packed.  Most important of all, I had a beautiful, freshly bathed and groomed little puppy to not only show, but to show off!

Thursday morning! Hemi's 6 month birthday and we were on the road by 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. ring time. Typically I would have driven down and stayed overnight to avoid rush hour traffic but did not have that luxury this time. Not a problem.  That is, until I hit road construction about an hour out from the show site.  Not to mention the early morning commuters who seemed to ALL be having driving difficulties from my point of view.  Coffee. Give me Coffee. ATB runs on Dunkins - especially when it comes to dog shows. Hemi slept comfortably in his crate, right up until the road construction.  Then he was sick.  He puked. Although he had nothing in his tummy, he was sicker than a dog. Sick as a dog. Whatever. He was sick.

I took the wrong exit in the middle of rush hour traffic.  Hemi was sick. Hemi was barking and scratching.  I could not get Mandy to cooperate with GPS signal yet I could see we only had 15 minutes to ring time.  I've seen frustrated exhibitors rushing in at the last minute and soon, I would know what that felt like. For the first time. 

Driving into the already filled up parking lot I frantically looked for a place to unload. There were none.  I pulled the truck off to the side, opened up the tailgate and set up an impromptu grooming station. Right there. Little britches was drooling from being sick and visibly shaken. We both were. I contemplated whether it was worth it to try to show him so after getting him cleaned up we went into the building.  I would let Hemi be my guide, he would tell me and I would know.

I couldn't believe my eyes when the first person I ran into was Nancy Morabito, who co-owns Chevy, Hemi's father.  She was there with Hemi's competition, a handsome Brittany just needing a couple of single points to finish.  Nancy's sister was there too.  I must have looked as frazzled as I was feeling because she and her sister kindly and quickly helped me get my act together. And Hemi? This whole time he's just taking it all in stride and was particularly happy about the cushy royal blue carpet.  I know this because he lay down in the middle of the aisle doing a frog dog.  Nancy did ask me if I planned to take Hemi's coat off before showing. 

There was no time to lose, just as soon as I picked up my exhibitor number it was time to go into the ring.  Mints! I needed mints!  They work wonderfully to conceal the hormone that releases the scent of stress.  I also needed Hemi's treats which was dried partridge from birds John had shot over the adults this fall.  Couldn't find it - too bad - too late - had to go in with dried bits of who knows what.  It didn't matter. None of that mattered.  I was hot, I was roasting, I was sweating - someone turn down the heat! 

Suddenly, the stewards call.  "Number 9, male Brittany puppy, 6-9 months." Oh my goodness.  This is it.  Indeed.  It was.

For I looked down into the face of a wide eyed loving sweet little puppy, a puppy who came into my life 6 months ago and soon became mine.  A puppy stood there looking up at me, with trust and innocence, just as if to ask me what were we going to do next mom?  Where's my treats?  Do you want me to stand this way? Or do you want me stand that way? I'll back up for you if that's what you want?  I'll even wag my tail if it will make you happy!  You know, if you ask me I can speak to you, and sometimes I can make you laugh by sneezing. What do you want mom?  Just tell me? I'll do it for you. 

With new found pride and new found joy we went into the ring as a team that understood each other. Hemi was not aware at all of everything that I felt had gone wrong.  All Hemi knew was that we were together, doing something familiar to both of us yet in a brand new setting. And he liked that royal blue plush carpeting I was walking him out onto. I half wondered if he might just spread out and make himself at home.

The time in front of a judge is very brief but the concept of how long things actually take to happen become quickly skewed and distorted.  No matter how often I visualize what is supposed to take place, my mind often draws a blank when I'm there and it's as if I have never shown a dog before! 

With just one entry in the class, the judge only seemed to glance at Hemi when we went in and I never really had a chance to set him up properly. That's probably just as well, I knew he'd only stand still briefly and I needed some capital to work with!  The judge motioned to me to take him around the ring.  He looked up at me as if to say "I've got this covered" and off we went.

Hemi reminded me of handling his grandmother at the very first show I ever participated in, almost 5 years ago now. Chrissy taught me about a Brittanys movement the first time we gaited around the ring. Translated this means Hemi amazed me.  I quickly began to let the length of his lead out more and more so that by the end of the run he was out in front of me nearly on a loose lead. Wow. This was like power steering. No pressure. No dog in front. No dog in back. But he has moved with many other dogs in matches and in classes. 

So now it was time for the judges exam.  Dear Lord, please let Hemi remain still for this. Little britches gave me my window of opportunity to work with him.  I began to count to him just like I've been doing at home practicing a hard stack.  I've heard that you should be able to set up a dog in 5 seconds or less.  I don't know if that's true for a puppy but we did it!  And the judge was in a hurry to exam Hemi.  I presented him to the best of my ability and he made eye contact with me while I told him he was being a good boy. 

I learned that there are some dogs that like to be able to see you when the judge moves down their body to feel them, after looking into their mouth. By the way, Hemi had no problem with having his bite checked. I do prefer to lift the gums of my own dog and show teeth - it bothers me to think of the judges hands going from mouth to mouth when there are many dogs in a class.  After checking his bite I slowly moved from his side to the front where I could very gently cup his muzzle, praise him softly,and scratch his chin while the judge felt him all over and under. He didn't mind having his cookies examined to be sure there are two. 

Hemi's judge asked us to come into the middle of the ring and instructed us to go down and back.  Well, this was a little different.  Half way down Hemi decided he wanted play and gallop.  Rather than try to correct him I simply stopped and caught his attention.  When I had his focus again we continued on just fine.  Turning around, I walked with my back to the judge, keeping Hemi's attention until I knew he was on track again.  I was basically playing with him.  As Hemi and I approached the judge the 'Go see!' training from Penny paid off.  Hemi focused now on the judges face and seeing she had a friendly face decided to get up close and personal, happily wagging his tail.  Hemi won his first blue ribbon for that!

Then it was time to compete for Winners Dog and for the point. I'm being realistic when I say I had no great expectations for my Magnificent Obsession to defeat a seasoned show dog with all his major points. Nancy had been kind and said earlier well you never know!   I did know.  Not to mention once again I had a good case of nerves because I went back into the ring and headed to the wrong spot with Hemi!   

Even so, I was very proud of Hemi and it was really nice to be able to share his first show with Nancy.  That was an unexpected surprise and blessing.  The dog she was handling won the point. And little britches? Well he won Reserve Winners.  I enjoyed showing him, and he showed himself very well! 

It was great to hook up also with Phil Thayer at the show. He has a lovely year old liver and white girl who should do well.  If you know our dogs, you know there is a lot of Birch Spring Brittanys behind them which is Phil and Sherri's line. I'm glad to see them showing again.  He and Nancy go way back with their dogs. It was especially enjoyable to listen to their recollections and talk of Birch Spring glory days in the ring. 

Last but not least there was time to spend visiting with friends Kim Zuk and daughter Cindy.  Kim's recovering from knee surgery and I really felt bad for all she's going through. My prayers will be with her in hopes of a speedier healing.  Cindy showed their beautiful Beagles. We talked about the pups that Jasmine just had which are out of JackDog.  I said hello to several others, wished Linda and Kristen good luck at the upcoming Nationals and gleaned some grooming tips from Nancy. It was a pleasure to meet her sister who really gave me an extra hand when it was well needed. 

Headed home only to drive in the pouring rain.  The truck was an experience and we did get home safe and sound at the end of the day. Hemi's treat was a big long Bully Stick.  I like to get those for the dogs at the shows because it helps keep them content in the crate where a lot of time is spent out of necessity.  He chewed on it all the way home until he fell asleep. 

Okay Hemikens...little britches... Magnificent Obsession.  I am indeed once again and as so often (always) is the case, I am smitten. But we already knew that didn't we. 

As always, thanks for your interest in All things Brittany. Take care and God bless you and yours!  John, Ann, and our fun loving canine crew.