What a day! and not necessarily in a good way.
Another judge change in Bichons. So we had everyone ready by 9:45 for a 10:00 ring time. When we got to the ring, there was a hand written note about the last minute change and we were sent to another ring to be at the end of that time slot...an hour delay. Well, not enough time to go back across the road to the grooming building, and not really any place to hang out and keep the dog relaxed, so we stayed at ringside. Evidently there was a female in season somewhere because Movado kept trying to breed everyone, especially our dear friend Carol Haines, who came to the show, and has been a great help to us with both Bichons and Havanese. Movado did all of this from atop the East Coast Crates. That's talent! With the delay, the dogs pretty much fell apart. Mr. Mushnick pretended that he was a puppy again, Nurple was a tornado on a leash about every 10 feet, Archie was too naked for our new judge, and Movado was just too much for her. What a mess.
BICHONS:
Nurple: 1st / Winners Dog / Best Bred By / Bred By Exhibitor Group 2
Judge Polly Smith
Judge Jean Fournier was not well today, and has not been for a while. She struggled with her ring and was overwhelmed by the number of dogs in the Havanese ring (and every breed that she judged this weekend). It was very sad to see a judge with so much experience and expertise struggle with her diminishing faculties. After she retires I hope that people remember her for all of the wonderful things that she has done for dog fanciers and not for these last shows that were such a mess. She is judging the next two days and I hope she gets a better ring steward. She will need someone strong and smart enough to help her manage the ring and keep things on track.
HAVANESE:
Boo - 2nd
Chocobeast - 4th in her class - Mrs. Fournier said that she was 'too fluffy?'
Selena - Select Bitch
Zeus - Select Dog
Judge Jean Fournier
More that we did today:
At 5:30 this morning we checked out of our hotel, loaded up the dogs, and expens, and headed off to the show. Groomed and showed. Had everything ready to leave this show site and move 10 miles down the road to the next show, by about 3:30. Then the question was, do we stay for the BBE Groups with Nurple, or do we drive to the Rosemont show site? If we left then, we would be in Chicago rush hour trafftic. We did that last night and didn't want to do it again, so hung out, and showed in Group. Nurple needs the practice. So he got a Group 2, then we headed off for supper. Dave found a great place called Morgan's Char House. Great food, Awesome Service, beautiful restaurant. We went from there to the Rosemont show sight, only to find out that they didn't open the building to set up at 5:00, but at noon, so it was pretty much full. We were able to drive into the building, and were directed to a location that was available for set up. We had crates, tables, ex-pens, and equipment unloaded when the show chairwoman drove up in a golf cart and informed up that we had to move because the area where we were was for indoor loading/unloading and must be kept open. We had to move about 150 ft to the other side of that section of the building. There were several other people also set up in the 'unloading zone.' The show committee had their people 'relocate' all of those set-ups. Just wait until those people show up in the morning. There is going to be some words that I can't type! But the guy at the door was wrong, and we just have to deal with it. We were just lucky that we were still there when we were moved. After all of that, we checked into our new hotel, across from the new show site, where it will cost us an additional $36 per day to park. But we can go in and out, unlike the public parking which is $13+ per day with no 'ins/outs' (where our vehicle would not have fit anyway. We requested hypo-allergenic bedding, basically that there be no feather pillows or bedding. Guess what? Yep, feathers everywhere. So much for our allergies. So we called the front desk, and they apologized and would send someone. While waiting for housekeeping, it was warm in the room so we tried to adjust the thermostat, at least get the fan on. Guess what? Yep, it didn't work either. So, we called the front desk again, and were informed that, contrary to the fact that we have a multiple control thermostat, we have no control over our individual room temperatures, You heard that right. Since it is winter the entire hotel is set at 70 degrees. Then I tried to get online (for an additional fee, of course) and that didn't work. They had to bring me an ethernet box. I think I'll check for bedbugs before I hit the sack. Which I am going to do now since it is already tomorrow.
and people wonder why I don't enjoy the dog show thing as much anymore...
