The closer it gets to the AKC Eukanuba Classic, the scarier things are getting. In previous years, if you entered, you got a ticket to get in to both the day time breed and obedience competition, as well as to get into the Group Competition in the evening. In Long Beach they even moved the Group Competition from another venue to the smaller more intimate setting of the arena adjoining the daytime show grounds. Even for Best In Show this was never completely full. THIS YEAR THOUGH>>>we get one ticket per entry for the day time, but if you want to go to group that will cost you an extra $20 per day, and they have been sold out for a while now. I hate to even imagine how small this arena is. How many thousands of dollars have we all spent showing our dogs? How much time and money is it going to cost us to get to Orlando and show our dogs for this show?
A large portion of us drive to the show. Yes, our dogs are clean when we leave the house, but we need to groom when we get there. With 3 days of all breed shows, followed by the BIG SHOW, I would imagine that over 90% of the dogs will need a bath before the weekend. They don't want us bathing or grooming in the hotel rooms but what do they provide for us? Daytime bathing only! This is causing flashbacks to Philadelphia, where for a winter 4-day show, which we drove 1,900 miles to get to, no bathing facilities were provided, we were told that they should have been clean when we left the house!
Electric costs us $120 but we have never received a confirmation that we have a reservation for it. If we had booked it later the cost would have been $263!!! They will reset the electric ONCE! Last year the only thing we had plugged in to one outlet was a handheld dryer and a fan. Neither were turned on yet flames started shooting out of our power strip. By the time AKC and the building people got there nothing had caught fire but it could have been a total disaster.
One more thing...Not all of us are fortunate enough to be able to travel with a partner, friend, or assistant. Some of us travel alone. In big bold letters, we have been reminded that someone MUST remain with the vehicle during unloading and loading. Do we need to rent one of those blow-up dolls like they use in the HOV lanes?
With the thousands of dollars that this show is costing exhibitors, I would think a little more consideration is warranted, after all we are paying for the 'privilege' of helping the AKC promote themselves. I think that too many of those in charge have forgotten what it is like to be one of the 'little people.' Without us, you wouldn't have a job!
