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Saturday & Sunday AUGUST 7TH & 8TH
Sand Point Magnuson Park; Hanger 30
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Sirius About Dogs Fun Match Story
This wonderful tale of ‘heartbreak’ & ‘dreams really do come true’ starts back in September when 501(c)3 Sirius decided to hold one of its’ 3 annual fundraisers at Paws Ability on Saturday, January 2nd. Regina Osborne was chosen as the Match Chairman and coordinator for this ‘Fun’ Match or in reality Training Match for all the puppies & unruly adults who are entered in the AKC Puyallup Cluster of Dog Shows.
Everything was going along smoothly (as usual) until the end of December when we discovered that there were no First Place in the Group Rosettes AND the ribbon company was closed for the holidays. But Sirius is a tough group of individuals and are not daunted easily. Tony Galliano, lovingly called Mr. Pres by his friends, volunteered to do the Best In Match Rosette and Regina volunteered to take care of the Group Rosettes.
Then disaster almost drove the match into the ground. Regina was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and she was the only one who knew all the details. All the information was on her laptop and husband, Randy wasn’t sure how to turn it on. With a great effort on Regina’s part she called me from her hospital bed and bravely tried to pretend she was ‘fine’ and not to worry. She asked me to pick up a few things to round out the match which was easily accomplished.
On December 27th I received a lovely email from a lovely young girl, Debbie Egge who had a Samoyed puppy that she thought she’d like to show but was new to the dog shows. I told Debbie to arrive between 8:30 & 9:00 and we’d try to help her out a bit.
Debbie’s email triggered an idea – why not offer one on one handling lessons from all the experience from within Sirius? So with my normal gusto I attempted to coordinate? this in the unused rings while registration was going on.
Debbie arrived in fine style at 8:30. I knew it was her by the Samoyed Puppy at the end of the lead as she went flying by the registration table. Ten minutes later she was back attempting to make the wiggling master hold still. Mr. Pres took Debbie into the efficiently coordinated rings and gave her a 20 minute intensive while relaxed handling lesson.
The handling lesson was so popular that we had to get Lee Kornielison and Randy Gemmel (a real AKC Professional Handler) into the act. And when it came time for the match class, our three instructors stood outside the ring and cheered their protégés on.
Due to Regina’s efficiency and those of the Obedience Judges, Dee Carlson & Mary ???, when they arrived they asked where the obedience rings were, went to their rings & ‘made it happen’. It was an extremely fine bunch of obedience entrants. No one complained at the lack of Ring Stewards, they just professionally stood like posts, and generally helped each other out. The Conformation group could take a camaraderie lesson from them.
Our Junior Showmanship Judge, Faye Strauss had a lovely entry of very professional juniors. I thought all the girls should have won. I would be proud to have any of them show my dogs for me. They were spectacular. Faye’s decision of the day went to the real sweetheart showing the Japanese Chin. I hope to see all of them in August at our Canine Festival.
Not to be outdone, our Conformation Judges, Penny King, Jeanette Dorsey, Nancy Warfield, & Naimi Gunther with the help of ring stewards, Carol Wolf & Lee K. ran a very professional ring atmosphere while giving plenty of practice to each & every dog. Nancy chose a Golden Retriever puppy for the winner from the Sporting Group and the Manchester Terrier from the Terrier Group. Naimi’s winner from the very large Toy entry was the Papillon. Jeanette chose the Borzoi from the Hound Group and the Standard Poodle from the Non-Sporting Group. Penny King chose the Australian Shepherd Puppy from the Herding Group and the Samoyed Puppy who was finally settling down from the Working Group.
All 4 of our Conformation Judges jointly chose our newcomer to showing, (and a Sirius About Dogs new Protégé) Debbie Egge and her Samoyed Puppy for BEST IN MATCH at their very, very first show. I know lots of people at the match will be watching Debbie at the Puyallup Cluster in a few weeks.
Regina is now home from the hospital and recovering. Sirius members are home recovering from a very hectic but really fun day.
Cecilia Barnett
Sirius About Dogs Gopher
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