At the dog show

"I'm ready for my close-up now"

Dolly and I had fun at the Seattle Kennel Club dog show yesterday watching Amy Trotter perform in the obedience class demonstration.  Lori coaxed her out of the crate and let me pet her (bristly) head before the show.  She was sparkling clean from her bath the night before. Pictures don't quite do her justice; she is a rather winsome creature in person.

But the most amazing thing was how she works right alongside dogs, who don't pay her the slightest attention and vice versa.  She is a much larger piggy than last year of course, so not quite as agile at weaving and such. She wasn't sure about going over the narrow banging teeter-totter thing. Who can blame her? She is very smart and will not do anything without a good reason.  Like treats.

Lori said hopefully she has stopped growing, but Amy will always have to watch her weight. We can all relate to that.

"Dog shows are exhausting"

On to the dogs. I've always liked greyhounds-- they just have two switches, "on and off."  These guys are getting some heavy rest in the section where the different breed clubs put their dogs on display for petting, fawning and general adoration.  (Hint: Never wear black pants to a dog show.)  

From baskets of teeny-tiny English toy spaniels, who suck up to people like little love sponges...

To rather terrifying, jaw-dropping giant Mastiffs like this one, just about all the breeds were represented. 

And one of the most fun demonstrations was watching the herding dog pups hone their skills on rounding up ducks.  It was a good time!