Chocolate For The Soul

They say chicken soup heals what's wrong with you. Me, I prefer chocolate.

We spend a lot of time complaining about what's wrong with our sport. Once in a while, something happens that makes us feel warm and fuzzy. An Irish friend, Coralee Freeney, related the following story about her experience at a dog show:

"As with all forms of competition, there comes a certain amount of ambition, goal grabbing, disappointment, anger, and in extreme cases, even revenge. Some of it is just the nature of competition, the majority of it is just malice. Dog showing is no exception.

"Recently, I had a breath of fresh air. I was stewarding at the Rough Collie Club of Ireland's Championship show. It's a relatively popular breed here in Ireland, with a big entry.

"Just before the Novice class, one of the club officials came into the ring and I overheard her tell the judge about the one entry in the class. I thought it was unusual that there was only one entry in the class, but later found out the reason why.

"I called the class, and in walked a man and his Rough Collie. He's an old man, rough around the edges and, well, his dog is really unkempt, by show standards. He marched proudly into the ring with the dog on a great big, thick, rope lead.

"While the judge was going over the dog, I was filled in on his story. I was told that he lives in an old folks home in Galway, the other side of Ireland. He has no living family left, and no visitors at the old folks home.

"He's been showing this dog for eight years, only on St. Patrick's Day or at the Club show. He'd traveled 150 miles on a bus yesterday morning, which takes about five hours in Ireland. The nurses in his home usually phone the club to tell of his departure, and the club usually phones back when they spot this old man at the show.

"He has only ever shown the dog in Novice, and people over the years never compete against him. The nurses told the club officials that when he wins a rosette at a show, he wears it for weeks at home in the old folks home. The dog lives with him at the home and, is quite a celebrity "show dog" with all the residents, and the pride and joy of this man's life. He spends half the year telling people about the last dog show, and the other half of the year looking forward to the next one!

"The judge was so considerate to this man. And, boy, was he proud to show off his dog! When the judge asked could she look at the dog's teeth, "Oh yes," the man replied and instructed the dog to "Smile." With that, the dog showed off a perfect set of choppers!

"The judge replied, "Aren't you a clever dog?" The man said, "Oh, he is very clever; he'll shake your hand, too, if you like!" I couldn't help smiling when I heard this, and full credit to the judge, she shook hands with the dog!

"The dog won first in the class and every exhibitor at the show, gave this old man and his dog a standing ovation. He was cheered and clapped as he did his own lap around the ring. People came over to the ringside to congratulate and pat the man on the back as he left the ring. Talk about Elvis leaving the building, this man was certainly the king when he won his class. He was just so proud of his accomplishment. He lapped up every minute of it.

"They really made this old man's day. Possibly his year! Heaven help the residents at the old folks home when he returned home last night. Not only did he win a rosette, but he also won a great, big trophy. I'm sure it will take pride of place on the mantlepiece!

"Isn't this what dog showing should be about? Giving people like this old man a day out to enjoy the only family he has, his best pal, his dog. A memory for an old man to hold on to, to brighten his day, something to share with his friends at the old folks home? Something to be proud of, however small the achievement?"

Next time, more chocolate for the soul.

Chris Walkowicz is an award-winning dog writer. Among her many credits is the Cycle® Fido Woman of the Year Award from the Dog Fanciers Club.
You can reach her by e-mail at walkoway@revealed.net
… and visit her web site at http://home.revealed.net/walkoway

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