LOTS OF SHOWS

We have shows aplenty this week, in all seven regions, and 14 different locales. First for those weather weary sun seekers there are four day clusters in Puerto Rico and California starting tomorrow. We’ve never done the island dog show thing, but we’ve heard that it will make you forget how many zeroes are in the budget deficit. It all comes courtesy of the Caribe and Ponce Kennel Clubs in Bayamon PR Thursday through Sunday.

Puerto Rico

We have done the California dog show thing, many, many times, and it was always fun and sometimes downright delightful. This weekend it’s the Gold Rush Cluster in Merced where the prizes will more likely be silver and the dogs Golden Retrievers. It’s the Sierra-tuolumne and Yosemite Kennel Clubs hosting.

Yosemite

Because they offer us four shows in one place we will forgive the them for naming it the Cotton Pickin’ Oilpatch Cluster (You see, Texans, are real proud of their oil and cotton…never mind), but we hope the Concho and West Texas Kennel Clubs rethink that name for their Thursday to Sunday offering in Midland TX.

The Salina, Wichita, and Hutchinson Kennel Clubs are offering just three shows, but a much more charming name as the Sunflower Cluster kicks off Friday in Valley Center KS. Meanwhile, the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa Kennel Clubs opted out of silly cluster names altogether and are just extending an invitation for all to visit them Friday through Sunday in Columbiana AL.

Kansas Sunflowers

For those working five day weeks (lucky, you are) there are traditional weekend fare everywhere you turn. In Region One, there’s the Troy and Great Barrington KCs in West Springfield MA. In Region Two take your pick from the Piedmont KC in Charlotte NC or the Greater Orange Park Dog Club in Elkton FL. Region Three folks can visit the Saginaw Valley KC in Birch Run MI. Region Four has both the Kennel Club of Yorkville in De Kalb IL and the Indian Head KC in Eau Claire WI. There’s another Region Five show in Texas, in Crosby, courtesy of the San Jacinto KC. Region Six’s Timberland Valley Dog Fanciers holds their show in Centralia WA. Finally, Region Seven exhibitors can visit the Kachina Kennel Club show in Glendale AZ.

Chevy Suburban

So visit an AKC dog show this weekend. It may be one of your last chances to see a Chevy Suburban.