I finally found a show that was local! It was up in Maryland so the drive was only about 45 minutes from the house. I conned...I mean talked....Jim into going with me, so we brought Zee as well!
The facility was really really small and super crowded. They let us set up two crates right next to a ring and two Leo's, so we put blankets all around them. The show went really fast both days though, which was nice. We didn't stay for Best in Show either afternoon, so we were heading home by 1pm each day!
SHOW ONE:
The judge was reading his UKC standards book when we came out. He seemed to like both dogs, but Zee won. He didn't say why.
In group, Zee took fifth of five (Newf, ABD, Boxer, Leo, EMD)
I have to admit that, at this point, I was becoming quite frustrated. Jim was bored and was questioning the money that we spent on shows if Zuzu was never going to win. I was getting mad at all judges everywhere, for not recognizing the beauty of MY dog! I’m not good at garage sales either. I can’t stand people picking through my stuff and making lame comments about it not being worth the one dollar I’m asking for it. It offends me! I was starting to feel the same way about judges.
Jim and I both agreed that if the same thing happened in the second show, we might not bring Zu back on Sunday. Or maybe I would come back, just with Zu, to see if she could place in group.
SHOW TWO:
The judge said we had the wrong armbands on. We double checked the names on the back of our bands and they were correct, but he said his paperwork did not match, so he made Jim and I trade armbands.
As we were waiting to go into the ‘Best of Breed’ portion with both dogs, I leaned down and whispered to Zee to be a good Daddy and let his daughter win once. I thought I was being quiet, but some ladies near us turned around and giggled at me. I grinned, sheepishly.
When we went into the ring, I swear Zee had listened to me! As Jim led him around the ring, he was all big, happy, goofy dog. He wiggled every inch of his body, even causing his head to wobble around! It was kind of hilarious!
And....wait for it........ZUZU WON!
I was so excited when the judge pointed to me and said, "I'm giving it to the female," that I said, "WHAT?!" and squealed! And jumped! I think I nearly made him doubt his own judgment.
In group, she got fifth out of five, but the judge did not give me any feedback about why.
(I spoke with the office about the number screw up, and they said that that would make it an invalid entry and the points wouldn't count. They said that I should not have listened to the judge. I got quite "stern" with them, and they switched the numbers properly for me for the Saturday show and redid the forms for Sunday to make sure that everything matched. I told them that there was no problem with the numbers during the Saturday morning show, but I'm thinking now that I probably should have had them double check so that they don't accidentally give Zee's points to Zuzu.)
SHOW THREE:
Yes, we made the trip back to Maryland on Sunday morning. With both dogs. I had one win under my belt and it felt GOOD!!!
This judge loved Zuzu! She barely looked at them again in breed except to have them go around once. She said Zuzu had a much better gait.
In group, Zuzu got crazy because she couldn't find Jim or Zee (the first time she acted up all weekend.) She placed fourth out of four.
SHOW FOUR:
She said that Zuzu showed beautifully, much better than Zee, but that she was crooked (higher in the back than in the front).
I got cranky again. It's hard having your dogs judged when you think your dogs are the coolest, best looking, most awesomest dogs on the entire planet.
I thanked her for her feedback, when what I wanted to say was, "Oh yeah? Well your FACE is crooked. And my dog ROCKS!"
As it turns out, that’s acceptable in the Estrela breed standard and should not have been counted against her. I need to study up a little more before my next show.
The judge told Jim that he needs to think of something that motivates Zee so that he shows better, which is also a little inaccurate. Estrelas are allowed to hang their heads level. Zee’s normal ‘happy face’ is level, especially if he’s approaching anyone for scratches. We call him Eeyore when he does this.
In group, I handled Zee. He wanted to eat the male Newfie behind us. He got fourth of four and the judge said that he was more attentive and energetic with me, but that he actually showed better with Jim. She said he seemed to lack confidence with me, maybe because he's more protective of me. (I think he was just pre-occupied with Newf eating, but maybe he would have ignored the Newf if Jim was handling him.)
So, it was a pretty good weekend! I probably won't get Jim to another show other than PoP, which I won't let him back out of, but only one more win and she'll officially be "CH Ditto by TrailsEnd, Princess Zuzu of the World"!!
.JPG)
