The Next Norfolk Club Show at Norwich

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

The preparations for the longer journeys were becoming easier. We had to travel about as far as for the HomeRescue show, taking the same route as for the first show at Swaffam, which we would pass at about three quarters distance. I had set the alarm for 6.00am, which was not needed, and we departed an hour later with no fuss.

An uneventful journey saw us arrive about 2 1/2 hours later and, following a car with a dog into the competitors entrance, I went to see a steward as I had no pass; however there was no problem, and I was directed to where the show was taking part. I parked in the shade of a convenient tree, right next to the permanent showring. I had arrived at just the right time, as the parking spots in the shade quickly filled up. It was an exceptionally nice showground and the day was looking very promising; however our run of good luck was about to turn sour.

After finding and saying hello to our recent new friends, I went to the organizers tent to get a schedule. The club secretary gave us an envelope with his rosette from the last show for winning his class. Reading the schedule I saw the classes were the same as usual. The show started and continued at a slower pace than some, however there were plenty of people to talk to, and the obedience was getting set up. I found the ring we were in, as they had 2 in operation and sat waiting our class. Unfortunately it was then DISASTER STRUCK. While I had sat watching I discovered at the end THAT IT WAS OUR CLASS. I don't know how it happened. Their tannoy system was not working, and maybe I was just in the wrong place to hear when the class was called. Different to before, several classes were grouped together, and I am still relatively inexperienced at these shows; however that was that.

I found there was a members class to come, which we could enter as I had joined the club at the last show, and I had time to do an obedience round; the steward assuring me he would personally make sure I knew when it was our turn. I worked Barney with some heelwork to 'waken him up' at the ringside, before walking across to the obedience competition. I was going to enter after the last dog, when another man also entered, so I said I would wait. Walking to the ring a cannon had gone off, something obviously noted by Barney, but he wasn't unduly worried, as it was not repeated. Little did I know what was happening. There must have been some sort of competition ending with a cannon being fired.

I had watched a couple of competitors, making a careful note of what we were required to do. As it was a qualifier for the national show, the obedience was the same as the last time. It quickly came round to our turn. On entering the ring, Barney noticed the lure, running over to it and taking hold of it, so I had to go over and get him. Subconsciously holding his collar I was reminded by the judge I would be lose marks if I physically restrained him. First we had to retrieve 2 dummies thrown over a net fence. While I was waiting to start I had taken him to this fence and practiced a jump; something he did. I threw the dummies and sent him to fetch one. He jumped the fence and picking it up, immediately jumped back. He needed a lot of encouragement to come the last yard, but other than that it was a very good retrieve. I tried to send him again, but he was having none of it, however, it is the first time he has retrieved properly over a fence, so I was very pleased. Next was an out of site stay, an easier one than before. I placed him in the down and went out of site behind a car, as there was no natural cover. About half way through the cannon fired again, causing him to come and find me. There had not been one for about 15 minutes - if only it had been a couple of minutes later.

I placed him back in the down and standing the other side of the lure, commanded him to stay while it was pulled across. He sat up, but stayed. Next was the rabbit in cover, and in the open. I placed the net over the hole (I managed this perfectly this time) and he stayed when told as the rabbit was released into the net. I sent him for the free one, and he retrieved it to me well.

The last task was to retrieve 3 dummies thrown in a fan in front. I had to leave him a few yards behind and he had to fetch the middle one first. He went for the outside one, and when I commanded him to leave he got confused and wouldn't fetch any. However he had retrieved one over a fence, and retrieved the free rabbit as good as any dog I saw, so we must conclude it a success, even though he lost about half the points.

I was walking back to the ring to wait the members' dog when there was a salvo of cannon fire. He had coped with the occasional one, but this was too much. He became stressed and stood shivering. He was still the same when we went in the ring, wanting no part in any activity. There were quite a few dogs, as it was the Clubs own show, and I was amazed to be awarded third place. So his show places have all been when he is looking his worst.

I know you mustn't rely on luck, but it's fair to say ours had been rotten today. The combination of the tannoy failing, being out of earshot at the crucial moment of our class being called, not realizing that the classes were grouped, and not asking while I still had time, when I saw large smooth dogs in the ring were the reasons for my missing his class. The cannon making him break his stay meant we had an under average, rather than above average score in the obedience. Because he didn't look like recovering his nerve for the racing, I reluctantly decided I would leave.

A friend I had met through the Internet, but had yet to meet in person was at the stock car racing at Swaffam (some of you will know this is my other hobby). He had come down from Scotland, and I did want to meet him, as I had missed him when he was down for the racing a few weeks ago. I quickly said goodbye and came back to Swaffam, where I parked in convenient shade and saw the last few races. I found my friend, after first seeing and saying hello to one or two people I met, and I haven't seen since last year. From the first moment of meeting we quickly got on. I had an enjoyable chat, with new friends while watching the remainder of the races, which more than made up for my disappointment at the dog show earlier in the day.

Barney has been awarded a place at every show we have been to this year, and has been in the lineup for Best In Show at two of them.

After the meeting I waited for a short while to let the traffic go. Barney was fine and we had an easy trip home. I only hope I am not teaching him that being at a show is a frightening experience.

A Day at the Seaside

As it was not the best of days at a show, I will finish with a better one we had at the beach a few days before. It was one of the best days I've had there with him. I have only been a few times, but dogs love it; probably because of the space and freedom they can have.

A few years ago, dogs were banned from popular beaches, but in many ways it was a good thing, as there was provision made for dog walkers on a quieter stretch of beach; with a free car park, toilet block and picnic tables.

The beach is covered here at high tide, except for a small piece that has been imported as sea defenses last year, but the tide was about halfway out, leaving plenty to play on. The sand has been washed away in places, leaving mud banks showing, but once around these there are acres of freshly washed sand.

As soon as we got onto the beach, Barney introduced himself to a family, because they were eating. It is not a good habit to let dogs go to strangers, but he is harmless, and it is a good way of introduction. Only occasionally do people take offence. The 3 young girls were soon all over Barney.

I walked down to the sea with them, and showed his heelwork off; something they were very impressed with. Barney loved it, running about, even into the sea. He also fetched a stone that they threw in. Later in the day, he actually went out of his depth when he went up to another dog that was swimming about - I thought his legs were long enough to let him walk to France.

Their parents were a very nice couple who liked a chat, so I stayed talking to them while the girls led Barney down to the sea. It was funny because as soon as they let go of him he came running back. A good game started, with Barney betting more and more tired. They commented how well he put up with them leading him about by his collar. I just wish I had taken my camera; it looked so funny.

We stayed all afternoon and hope to go again if we contact our newfound friends.