MAD AS HELL

I normally eschew the political (outside of the dog game, that is), however, yesterday’s events require that every citizen get angry. Anyone my age can remember the great black comedy NETWORK, written by the brilliant Paddy Chayefsky, and starring Peter Finch in a Oscar winning turn. The 1976 movie skewers the news industry for pandering to a gullible public. The most memorable scene in the movie occurs when the crazy as a loon anchorman, Howard Beale (Finch), on air incites viewers to go to their windows, throw open the sash, and scream, “I’m as mad as Hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”



Well this is me, Old Dog New Tricks, encouraging you to do the same. However, I want you to use every 21st century mode of communication (e-mail, You Tube, text message, Facebook, etc) you can to let your elected/appointed officials and the oil company robber barons they serve that we are ALL as mad as Hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore. Yesterday, all over this country, gas stations, emboldened by their suppliers and cheered on by every sleazy news outlet in the US, raised gas prices by $1.00 a gallon and higher, in the space of a couple of hours, on the unfounded rumors that refineries would be destroyed by hurricane Ike.
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CNN recently promoted a Chicken Little disaster movie masquerading as news analysis, about our vulnerability to foreign oil. In that mockumentary, they morbidly and gleefully predicted that a hurricane would destroy offshore drilling, disable Houston refineries, and leave us at the mercy of Mideastern oil supplies vulnerable to terrorist attack. This disaster scenario continued with terrorist attacks on Saudi oil fields, followed by a worldwide collapse of economies.

Well, it ain’t gonna happen, because I and citizens like me aren’t going to be the bit players in this farce. We Americans, by selective breeding, are a rebellious type. If any elected official wishes to hold onto their pitiful jobs or collect one damn more cent in taxes from us, they better put a stop to this and quickly. As a former journalism student, I have mourned the lack of any integrity in modern news reporting. I am aghast at the rampant doomsday cheerleading practiced by these entertainment outlets who pretend to be news sources. I’m not sure I can even trust PBS, much less the networks, or their bastard cable children. If ever there was a time for Americans to take back their country it is now.


To bring it back to topic, I am not giving up traveling to dog shows because some oil company CEO, network exec, or hand out politician, wants to milk me for my last dollar. The goose that laid the golden egg is fighting back!

THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

The Pocono Mountains are a popular newlywed destination, but it's been no honeymoon for the number one dog, the Pointer, Ch Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, or the number five dog, the Sealyham Terrier, Ch Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice. Thursday the little known Rottweiler, Ch Blackrocks Kazanova, true to his namesake, loved them and left them without the BIS rosette at the Pocono Mountains KC show in Gilbert, PA. The two year old “Ace” and handler Michelle Ostermiller Scott surprised the two favorites on the first day of a four day weekend.

Ch Blackrocks Kazanova

The Pointer, Holly, and the Sealie, Charmin, have played the cluster shows to their benefit, each picking up several bests in the past two weekends, to close the gap between them and the other top contenders. However, we will have to wait for the rest of the weekend to see if the gamble pays off.

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

We tend to focus on the Best In Show ring here at DOG SHOW POOP, but the truth of the matter is most spectators and exhibitors go to a show to see a specific breed. These days, the cost of gas and shrinking disposable income have conspired to reduce the number of entries at shows. It’s always a disappointment to drive several miles to a show only to find that you favorite breed isn’t even present. So when a very large entry materializes in a major metropolitan area, we are in dog show paradise.

Beginning September 18, the “Georgia Classic” Cluster kicks off on Thursday at the Atlanta Expo with a trio of specialty/limited breed shows. The Atlanta Terrier Club and the Greater Atlanta Toy Dog Association will host their respective groups while Prestige Specialty Clubs of Atlanta includes eleven more sporting, hound, working, and herding breeds. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the Douglasville, Atlanta, and Newnan Kennel Clubs host all breed shows. Visit Jack Onofrio Dog Shows at http://www.onofrio.com/shwpubs.html for details. Expect the all breed counts to exceed 2500 dogs at these shows, which will place these shows among the largest this year. And just to be PC, there are 59 Bulldogs entered on Saturday. Go Dawgs!


Because of the size of these shows, expect to see some of those top ten dogs that normally compete only on the west and east coasts to take advantage of Atlanta’s status as the country’s number one airline hub. For you folks in the south, if you are only going to attend one dog show this year, this one promises to be a peach!

MRS. IRENE BIVIN

I am sad to report the passing yesterday of AKC Judge Irene Bivin. Those of you who attend dog shows regularly know her as a gracious lady and respected professional. More casual dog show observers may remember her as the judge who awarded Best In Show to the Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch Torums Scarf Michael at the 2003 Westminster Kennel Club Show. Irene is the wife of Ed Embry Bivin, one of AKC most distinguished judges and a frequent commentator on televised dog events. Our condolences to Ed and daughters, Jesanne and Teresa.

DAVID BEATS GOLIATH AGAIN...AND AGAIN AND AGAIN

We have most of the weekend’s results in and there are some surprises. Chief among these was the David and Goliath face off between the number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the number six dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. The tiny Taser shocked (this is the gift that keeps on giving) the crowd and his larger opponents taking BIS on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday in Eugene, OR. Lyn Topinka from the Yahoo Group Show Dogs reports that Spirit did return to form on Saturday, going best over his pint size competition. I’m sure there were some exhibitors left dazed and confused after these four shows.

Further south, the number ten dog, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija galloped to two Bests in Petaluma, CA. The number seven dog, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot could only manage one Group two on Sunday at the Redwood Empire KC’s double header. The number three dog, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, must be feeling light headed after taking two BIS at Saturday and Sunday shows in the mile high altitude of the Denver suburb of Greeley, CO. The number eight dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, stayed closer to the ground, with just a Group two on Sunday at the same two shows hosted by Evergreen Colorado KC.

The rest of the top ten spent most of the weekend in New Jersey. On Thursday, there were limited breed shows for sporting and hound breeds, and our number two and nine dogs each picked up a Group one in exchange for the trouble of starting the weekend early. As we reported yesterday, the Pointer, CH Seasydes Hollyberry went BIS on Friday over the Brussels Griffon, the Sealyhm Terrier, and the Harrier. Ditto Saturday, as Holly garnered yet another best while the other three watched.

Ch. Dabney's Phenomenon

Sunday, the Pointer headed for North Conway, NH, but had to settle for a Group win as the 2007 number one Doberman Pinscher, Ch. Dabney's Phenomenon, muscled his way to the top of the Carroll County KC pack. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade opted to cross the Hudson to attend the toney Westchester County KC event on the grounds of Lyndhurst Castle in Tarrytown, NY. Westchester was no kinder to the two than had been New Jersey as a Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch Perrisblu Paris from neighboring Sherman, CT, went BIS, while the Harrier, Coda, and the BG, Lincoln, had to settle for a Group one and two, respectively.

Ch Perrisblu Paris

When I lived in New York in the 1970s, I showed my dogs every year at the Westchester show on the grounds of the former home of the 19th century railroad baron, Jay Gould. Long the suburban retreat of the wealthiest of New Yorkers, Westchester County can be intimidating. I’m sure they are more welcoming now than they were in my day. To paraphrase Auntie Mame, I won’t say it’s restricted, but get a blood test before you visit.

Lyndhurst Castle

SIGHTHOUND SOPHISTICATION

Jean Harlow

In my inaugural post, I wrote about my first dog show experience at which an Afghan Hound went best in show. Since that time I have been intrigued by the sight hounds. I readily admit that ever since seeing a photograph of Jean Harlow in a white, satin gown being pulled along by two white Borzois, I have equated sight hounds with glamour.

Borzoi at Full Gallop

Unfortunately, for the majority of the American public, sight hounds are an acquired taste like single malt scotch or Beluga caviar. Just like those two decadent treats, once you cultivate an appreciation for sight hounds, your life will forever be richer.

CH Jaraluv Ouija

We do have a sighthound in our top ten dogs. It is the Scottish Deerhound bitch, CH Jaraluv Ouija. She was bred by Ray & Jana Brinlee of Walla Walla, WA, and is owned by Ray & Jana Brinlee and Steve & Eileen Biles of Acampo, CA. Her most recent BIS were at the Redwood Empire KC’s NORCAL show in Petaluma, CA on September 6 and 7.

Afghan Hound at Stride

At a conformation dog show one only gets a hint of the beauty of these elegant animals. I’ve been to way too many shows where cramped rings leave the dogs mournfully shuffling around the hall. To fully appreciate these dogs you have to see them in the open field. It was for this reason that the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) was created. The AFSA created this wonderful video as an introduction to Lure Coursing.



Unlike the more familiar oval track Greyhound racing, lure coursing allows the dogs to chase a lure that moves more like a deer or rabbit, without endangering the dogs or politically correct sensibilities. This sport has been gaining popularity since the 1970s with more than 120 local clubs staging events. Visit the AFSA web site at http://www.asfa.org/index.htm for more information.

Saluki Turning on a Dime

The Cascade Coursing Club will host the 2008 AKC National Lure Coursing Championship this coming weekend (September 13-14)at Meadowbrook Farm, Snoqualmie, Washington.