21 August 2015 – Dog World

Up with the lark and Bournemouth here we come. I always look for the positive and there is a bonus to setting off at 3.30am, the traffic was at minimum level all the way to the Pikes Farm at Poole. We decided to stay over so at not to have to endure the return journey on the same day, which by the end of a long day we realised was a sensible decision. My daughter Tanya and her boyfriend were camping at Poole so we enjoyed a lovely meal together that evening, it couldn’t have worked out better to have a dog show and to get time to spend with the family. Leaving the next morning at around 10am it was pouring out of the heavens and continued in this vain all the way past Birmingham, the motorways had evolved into free pay car parks and we trundled along at a snails pace. Eventually after a few service station breaks to curtail the boredom we continued in the rain until about thirty miles from home where it was glorious blue skies and sunshine, finally reaching home at 6.15pm. In Cheshire there had been fabulous sunshine all day, so we Northerners can beat the Southerners on rare occasions for Mr Sunshine!

Toy day weather wise was good dog showing conditions, plenty of grooming space adjacent to the outside ring and a super social atmosphere with exhibitors in and out of the breed. Many exhibitors had brought their caravans and motor homes making a holiday of the weekend to mingle with the dog showing experience. So everyone looked happy bunnies.

Today was a special occasion for our judge Mrs Margaret Bunce who was awarding Challenge Certificates in Papillons for the first time. I am lead to believe that Mrs Bunce’s forte was primarily Gundogs and the KC site said she had judged Toy Breeds at cc level; Poms, Chinese Crested and Pugs in previous years.

Mrs Bunce arrived looking smart and summery ready for her day ahead, she went over the dogs in a gentle, kindly manner on the table. The ring was a good size giving each exhibitor the opportunity to put their charges through their paces in the best possible light. The day went smoothly along with the help of the proficient stewards.

The principal winners were as follows; BCC and BOB Irene & Glenn Robb’s Ch Gleniren Kiss Me Kate Sunshoo. Kate then put her best paws forward and received in a very strong Toy Group TGP3 under Mr Espin Engh from Norway. Our lovely boy Ch Gleniren Shootin Starmaker Sunshoo
took the DCC but had to give way to his sister on this occasion for BOB. This is their seventh double cc award they have received, each time Travis taking BOB, so it was a girlie day today for Kate and me. RDCC was a delighted Sue & Jon Caton with Coffee Ice Cream Forussi at Henrix (Imp) and for the RBCC an absolutely thrilled Karen Diprose with Powdermill Look Here At Lilacrose. A truly magical day for her as her husband Brian was present at the show. A lovely day for Margaret and Susie Orchard taking BP with Ringland Yoko’s Solo At Panspayon and BV Christine and Aiden Foynes’s Lafay Wota Star who looked likes was enjoying every minute of the day. 

So Bournemouth has gone for another year. Guess what, another unique moment in the showing calendar, we used the sun umbrella for the first time, once I had worked out how the thing was put together. Let’s hope it isn’t too long before it shakes its feather again.

The next show on the agenda is Welsh Kennel at The Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells, sickness tablets at the ready! Show information for those that are present is that judging commences at 10am on Fri, 21st Aug, Papillons are on the upper area in ring 25 and breed specialist Mr Ted Whitehill (Amicae) will be our judge for the day.

Hopefully there will be plenty of sunshine to enjoy with your four paws. Look forward to spending time with you reading the DOG WORD breed notes.

IRENE ROBB