Countdown to the Show Ring

It has been over 10 years since I last took a PBGV into the ring.  It had ended quite unexpectedly when "Jak" lost all his coat due to a medical condition.  After winning Best of Winners at the National Specialty in New Mexico, multiple Best Puppy in Shows and Hound Groups wins, plus being #2 PBGV in Canada for several years we had to pull him from competition.  A very difficult time as he was in his prime but with a devastating illness.  Now with "Bolli" on the edge of his show career it is time to celebrate and get ready for his first steps into the ring.

I'm feeling very rusty, can't find all the grooming paraphernalia that had been toted around many years ago, the CKC show rules have changed to require more points, a Grand Championship is now there to strive for, entry fees have gone way up, and many new breeds have been added.  Dug through all the boxes I could locate in storage but no PBGV sized show collars or leads to be found.  No local pet supply places carry them and there hasn't been a vendor at any of the local shows to get them from.  There will be vendors at his first show but that is a little too late.  Hate leaving things at the last minute.  This problem might require a trip "down south" to the Seattle shows to see what I can purchase there...a 2.5 hour drive.  Then there is the matter of a grooming table to take to the event.  My current table is an extra large one for the Great Pyrenees...a bit ridiculous for a PB.  LOVE the GroomRight ones but no local supplier and they are quite pricey.  With all the upcoming show expenses - entry fees, hotel, flights - it will just have to wait until later.  I'll figure something out.

"Bolli" too needs some preparing.  Took him to his first handling class to get him comfortable in the building, around other dogs and crowds of people. The experience was a good one for him.  Can't say as much about the instruction though.  Poorly organized, little actual hands on time and not much gaiting.  The instructor was all over the map.  Can't see how anyone who had never been in a ring could get anything of value out of that session.  We will HAVE to find another option and I did.  The new building is small but the training intense, gentle on the dogs, and valuable to the handler!  Thirty years of showing have given me some bad habits and it is now time to correct them.  I have learned something new at each session and Bolli just keeps getting better and better.  His first class put him in front of an aggressive English Bulldog (wow was I ever surprised, every one I've ever met has had the sweetest temperament).  Bolli's reaction was outstanding for such a young pup.  He took it all in stride and never let it bother him.  The Bulldog was moved ahead of us so Bolli was not distracted about what might be happening behind him and we kept a safe distance back.  I was so proud of him!  Two more sessions to go before I have to figure out what we both need to work on before his first show.  Our flight is booked, the hotel has been confirmed, AKC papers have arrived, and the entries are in!!!  It is the anticipation that is killing me :)