Dortmund in Autumn

Every year in the Autumn time a large dog event is held in the Westfalenhall in Dortmund/GE. The Bundessieger and National Show. A three day event with about 10,000 dogs and connected to this a enormous Horse Show. From Shetland to Shirehorse. Although I could control myself this time, I have gone thru the stress in the past and showed for 2 days, but this was already more than heavy. On Wednesday grooming and washing stood on the program, for the OES bitch “Doro”, dried her and brushed her white coat. Also “Texas” had to undergo his 3 week treatment. Thursday, it was “King’s”, the large OES males, turn to be washed and almost finished his grooming. That where some 9 hours. At 00.30 I went to bed. Friday at 06.00 the alarm clock went off, because the veterinarian was waiting for me at 07.45 and after that I went together with the ladies club to Düsseldorf for some shopping. How I ever made this appointment is still a question mark to me. It was nice and tiring to go shopping for 7 hours, but my feet where killing me. Back home, King had to be made ready with brushing and also Doro’s grey coat had to be done. 01.00 I went to bed. Saturday it was our Beardie “Lasse” who had to undergo the washing, drying and grooming. In the meantime I had a Beardie visit and at 21.30 everything was done. That is was raining cats and dogs in the past three days is just to be mentioned and that with freshly groomed and brushed dogs. At 22.00 I went to bed and couldn’t get to sleep. As the alarm went off at 03.00, I looked outside first to see if it was dry. The day started good. It was dry and the 3 show dogs could take their time for the morning toilet. Driving started at 05.00, as I had to pick up Eef Martens, because handling 3 dogs is a little too much. We arrived at the hall at 06.30 and had to wait for half an hour as the doors where not opened before 07.00. The judging of the Beardes started at nine and after that the OES where judged in the same ring but with a different judge. Mrs. Susanne Langhorst-de Haan (Scottsdale Bearded Collies) had to judge 41 Beardes. It had been a long time ago that I had shown under her. It was exciting. Marja Ojevaar made the opening with her “Clan of Storks Kaliber” and became 2nd, a decision I was not completely happy with. Also Mrs. Hellwig had shown up with her beautiful dogs and she was not satisfied either. BUT….. we have nothing to complain about. This is the way Lasse had to go: 1st in the Intrermediate Class, Best Male CC, Best of Breed and Bundessieger. What more does a person want? Some of the competitors made compliments to me about Lasse’s beautiful movement. That made my day.

Here our Lasse (Lärkängens at Firsticebears), 17 months and Bundessieger together with the Best Bitch Papaw Tailwind Gonna Getcha Good, who came all the way from Sweden and the judge, Mrs. Langhorst.

The cream on top that day came at 16.45 in the Big Ring. Mr. Dux, who judged Group 1 gave our Lasse, at this important Show, the 3rd place. I was over the moon. At 18.00 we departed, grabbed something to eat, brought Eef home and finally at 22oo hrs everyone was back home. Until midnight I worked on the pictures for Facebook, went to bed and fell asleep quickly.

Here our Lasse in the Big Ring

Friday, the Family van Bossche with their “Tobi” (Firstprizebears King cole), where at the National Show. Mrs. H. Müller-Heinz judged the Beardies. For the third time in row, Tobi won the Youth class and is now a German Youth Champion.