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September 2012
Because of my
brilliant organisation, it would be difficult to find fault with this
year’s show. The weather was perfect, if a little hot, but we canine
helpers could sit in the shade of a little copse next door to the show,
so we could be comfortable if we wished. Unfortunately Faune and our
temporary foster-sister Misty (now due to go to her forever home very
soon) didn’t want to admit to being comfortable and kept up a non-stop
whinge throughout the Show; and Tom Barnaby never stopped shouting and
swearing the whole time, but that was their loss. There was a good
atmosphere around the groan-ups, lots of entries and a healthy profit at
the end of it. Sally-Meg got Best Greyhound Bitch and Reserve Best in
Show; it was good that someone in the family won something significant,
although it has rather gone to her head. We also had an excellent
photographer for once – usually John takes the pictures and runs out of
battery halfway through. My thanks to the judges, groan-up helpers and
everyone else involved for helping to make the lives of the Poor Dogs
Outside that little bit better.
However, there is
never a function of this sort that cannot be improved upon. I have
already made a list of points that need addressing so we can get them
up-and-running before next year’s event.
1.
We will have to leave
Faune at home as she gets all the sympathy and interest, unless
2. There
is a class, or preferably two, one in the Greyhounds and Lurchers
part and one in the Fun Section, for disabled dogs (she’d have to
come with us then, I suppose). We could then go head-to-head as to
which of us suffers most. We should both do quite well in these
classes as I didn’t see any more poor cripples like me (and her)
this year. This could possibly lead to problems, however, as do we
count dogs with invisible disabilities, like Discit, for example,
who has hypothyroidism but looks fighting fit? If we do, how do we
know they really are disabled, unless we ask for a medical
certificate? And how do you judge a Discit, who looks fantastic
most of the time, against a wreck like Faune? I will really have
to give this some thought before next September.
3. Someone
should be designated ‘runner’; he or she should visit the barbecue
at regular intervals and bring back a supply of burgers and
sausages, preferably cooked and in buns. If it is as hot another
time as it was this year, perhaps one of the groan ups could supply
a coolbox to be regularly filled with items from the ice cream van.
4. All
dogs entering classes should get a rosette each and a packet of
Schmackos. Dogs with poorly feet should get a larger rosette and
two packets of Schmackos (dogs with only three feet don’t count for
this, though).
5. We
need more fun classes as these are the ones that attract most
entries and it gives us greyhounds a good laugh seeing what’s
around.
6. Faune
is not allowed in more than one class as she’s always looking for
the sympathy vote and it isn’t fair.
7. How
about organising a public blood donor session to entertain the
visitors? I’m game if Tom Barnaby and Sally-Meg are (and we all
get very large goody bags and toys afterwards).
With a few
modifications of this sort, we should achieve perfection, if not next
year, then surely the year after (providing I continue to run it myself,
of course). See you all next autumn.
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