Saturday, July 19, 2008

The Main Ring at the World Dog Show (Sweden part six)

We had a little time to kill between the Whippet judging, and when Stavros and Lisa would show in the Main Ring, so we went to the vendors' area to shop. There were hundreds vendors from all over! But they wanted the equivalent of many, many, many cups of coffee, so I was only window shopping. Crystal found a delightful interactive dog toy called a Tornado:




And we met the inventor, even!

We shopped a little too long and lost Lisa. She had to lug all her stuff and her dogs by herself to the main ring. I felt terrible.
"No problem!" she gamely said. "I have wheels."

I had finally found her in the staging area behind the Main Ring, being pre-judged. In the Main Ring the entertainment had started, with an exhibition of native Swedish Breeds and folks in native costume, and singing and dancing. Someone needed to stay with Bree, but Lisa wanted photos of Stavros in the Main Ring. Now it was Crystal's and my turn to say "No problem!" Crystal sat with exhibitors on the end of the ring with Bree, and I took Lisa's munga huge camera. A guard stopped me as I entered an area where I could get a better vantage point.

"Press only, please," said the guard.

"Ah! I am Press!" I whipped out my Dog Writers Association of America card, which states on the back, "Please extend all press courtesies" and the guard smiled and showed me the best place to get a view.

This was the largest, most beautiful group of young dogs I had ever seen. If my research is right, the combined Terrier, Sporting, and Sighthound Groups equal approximately ninety-six different breeds, all competing for four placements.

I was worried about Lisa. She was due with her first baby in five weeks. She had gotten up at three am to drive into Stockholm to retrieve us, and then she showed two dogs, going back in for Best Bitch and Best Junior. Now she was in this humongous main ring in front of a huge crowd and TV cameras, and I think by then it was close to six o'clock.

I needn't have worried. The Swedes are tough stock!

THIS LINK will take you to a video of all of the events of the Main Ring that night. Happily, the Juniors competition is first in the video! And yes, you can hear both me and Helene screaming in the background. My guard looked askance at me as I screamed for Lisa and Stavros. "My breed, I can't help myself," I lamely explained.



[Stavros on the Big Screen. The hanging banners are Swedish native breeds]

Stavros had made the final cut of eight! It was surreal!

[Lisa and her puppy awaiting the judge's final decision.]

Yes, they did! Combined World Dog Show Junior Group 3rd!

During the photo session after the judging, Lisa told the judge who was from Norway, that Stavros's daddy was from Norway. "That is why he's so handsome," said the judge!

The drive home from any dog show always goes faster when you've had a great day, and the two hours to Lisa's house flew by. The countryside was gorgeous, and heck it was bright daylight out, and before we knew it we were there.

to be continued...

hug your hounds

10 comments:

  1. Peanut would just chewt that toy and be done with it. I am having a lovely time reading about your adventures in sweden.

    The mom :)

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  2. Congrats to Lisa and Stavros!! he is indeed GORGEOUS!!! Martha and P-doggy

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  3. Wow! How exciting this all is! Huge congratulations to Stavros and Lisa.

    I'm watching the video from the Main Ring right now and it's so dramatic! All the pomp and circumstance with national costumes and even ABBA thru the speakers! (or was that just the video I wonder?) Hmmm, maybe Mark and I should plan our England visit around when the 09 WDS is so I can sneak over to wherever it may be ... (doesn't hurt to dream!)

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with us!

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  4. That dog tornado would cause Tanner to have a nervous breakdown, he'd never figure it out. CONGRATS to STavros, how totally cool. He sure is handsome.

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  5. What great memories! I am glad you had a good time.

    I left you an award on my site if you want to check it out.

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  6. I'm enjoying every episode of your blog & I loved the World Show video, thank you. What an exciting day, I bet you never expected that your Dog Writers card would be SO useful!

    Carol.

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  7. Ahem: This it Teka. I want Swede William to know that he is still the handsomest dog in the world.

    kisses
    Teka T. Daggger

    ps...we are coming to pick you up for the barkday pawty.

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  8. Oh That's wondewful!!!
    Congwatulations to Lisa and Stavwos..I can't imagine how happy you bof wewehe is gowgeous..just like all youw whippet waggle(I still love Sam I am best...ASTA)
    smoochie kisses to all
    love
    ASTA

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  9. We've never been in a Dog Show.
    Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  10. That dog toy looks brilliant! Haven't seen that one, but Bajas have the dog pyramid from the same producer and it's great. (Nimbus never bothered figuring it out, as Bajas did it so well - he just stood by and ate what Bajas got out of it while he worked.. ROFL!)

    Ane

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