Monday, January 24, 2011

IS SHOWING MY SCENE? mmm...?

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
Hello there everybody!
TOBY here...
YES, YOU READ IT RIGHT!....
TOBY here!...

Maxmom has been so busy in the chatroom recently , so she said I could write today's post.

Well, yesterday was a very fun day.
In the morning Maxmom and the "Boss" packed some things into the car and then asked me to get in the boot.  I wasn't sure what was up because she'd given me a bath the day before and had groomed me endlessly (I love being groomed!).  But we were obviously going on an outing!

They left poor 'Aunt Tam' at home and then took me driving.  I got to stare out the window at all the strange cars going by.  It had been raining, so I discovered what it is like to steam up a window...Initially I thought the whole world had changed and did some barking in the car, but then they turned up the airconditioning and assured me that all would be okay.

Well, when they finally opened up the boot to let me out, there was indeed a whole new world out there.  BOL!...So many dogs...so little time! I was very excited indeed and did a fair bit of barking myself.  But it didn't take me long to realise that I was in for a fun day.

Maxmom told me that this was an OPEN BREED SHOW and that we were here to meet our golden family and to have fun! 

Soon I was in their midst...I was really comfortable with my family. Most of them looked like both me and Maxdog  AND most of them were from
RUFFITWOOD GOLDEN RETRIEVERS. 
(Call it a family meet-up if you like)    
 I got to meet my sister, my dad and also some extended family.
(Above is my sister...Chelsea)

I also got to meet some other doggies who Maxmom told me were NOT my family. 
 But hey, family is family and ALL doggies are my family!  I really enjoyed playing with the little sausages. 

There were a few puppy 'cocktail sausage doggies' around too.  One even came to lie down, on her back, underneath my snout so that I could tell her some lovely comforting stories.  I was really very gentle with her.  I think I love ALL doggies and am very comfortable with every single type.  Maxmom is very pleased with me that way!

Maxmom and the Boss set up an umbrella, put out my water and settled down in comfortable camping chairs while I lay at their feet. Sometimes Maxmom couldn't resist tickling my tummy.

We sat around watching all the doggies for a while and then Maxmom grabbed my leash.
"Your turn, Toby!"
I wasn't sure what she meant, but hey fun is fun!
(In the show ring)

Soon Maxmom and I were parading around the show ring. Sometimes she made me run and sometimes she gave my 'show' command where I have to stand really still.

There was a strange man watching us. He came over to examine my teeth:

I didn't really fancy that, but I did keep my feet on the ground and I did remain standing.  Then he blatantly examined my family jewels...eish!
(Can you believe it?!)

He felt me all over and all the time Maxmom was saying "Good Boy, Toby!"

I got some nice treats during the whole process, so I'm not complaining.



But geesh, it was hot and by the time I got home all I wanted to do was swim and play with Aunt Tam. 

I slept very well last evening.

---xXx---

NOTE FROM MAXMOM:

Toby's first 'open show' went very well.  He was nicely behaved and stood very nicely during his bout in the ring. He enjoyed himself thoroughly too - constantly showing his happy, tail-wagging self.  It was a small show, so don't go getting excited because it wasn't very well attended at all...so his 'Best puppy in Group' status doesn't really mean a lot.  Added to this, there were only two competitors in the ring, Toby and his sister.  LOL!

Anyway I must be honest, 'showing' is most definitely NOT my personal arena of pleasure!  I would prefer to do something where the relationship between dog and owner is given credit.  Either way, we had fun and Toby gained some 'crowd' experience...all good for his overall training.
---xXx---

Sending lotsaluv to you all


20 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Wow Toby, you were GENTLE with one of those cocktail sausage dogs. Perhaps I should introduce you to Daisy Dachshund, my puppy class nemesis!
As for showing, well done and all that for being 'Best Puppy', but of course you didn't have to go to all that bother in the show ring to prove the point, we knew that already!
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

pilgrim said...

Well done!! You truly are an example of what the perfect pet owner should be like! Toby is one lucky young pup!

Have a great week!

Abigail the Yorkie & clan xx
P.S. We love the new chatroom! ;)

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Hi Toby and Maxmom,
I get an email every time you blog.
I loved your post Toby!! Glad you had a good time at the dog show. A best puppy at the show is very good to out on your resume Toby!! Makes no difference how many were there.
When I was 10 to 12 years old, my Dad made me show our dog. I got where I really didn't like showing a dog!! It was not my cup of tea!! I had roses for years and never showed them either!!
I don't need others approval.
My Dad did. To each his own!!
Great post Toby!!
xx, Bambi & Fern

Piappies World said...

Hello Toby!

It sure was s fun day for you. Congratulations for doing such a great job! It is also nice to see your sister. We are hoping that you will get to join more shows for we are sure that you will show everyone what you've got! We love you lots!

Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

Suka said...

hey Toby,

What a busy day! I bet you were pooped when the day was done! How cool that you were able to meet up with family, and extended family! Your sister is a looker! ;->

I am so happy you did so well! And very happy to read that you get along with all doggies, big and small, short and chubby! I think the "sausage" doggies should change their name, because I drool every time I hear "sausage."

Suka

Angus said...

No wonder you slept well. What excitement.

The Life of Riley said...

Hi Toby,

It is great that you are trying new experiences and going to new places. There is a whole wide world out there with lots of dogs and people to meet and interesting things going on – some things you will like more than others, so it is good to try different things and see how you do.

My mum wasn’t really a breed competition type of dog owner either as she already knew she has the best dog for her, just like your Mom and dad knew (without you having to even enter any of the rings) that they were taking home the Best Dog in the whole show on Sunday night.

Woofs,
Riley

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We just knew you would do well in the show ring. And if you continue with it, you will win lots of beautiful ribbons. Showing isn't for everyone. It isn't something our Mom wants to do either, but we have great admiration for the pups who enjoy it so much. Mom would really love to do agility with us, but she is getting to old and fragile for that.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Mrs. JP said...

I bet that was fun. It looked like a big family reunion! It's always good to be home no matter where you've been.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

So, are woo still asleep now?

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

A very long day indeed. No matter if there was only two in the ring you still did very well. How great to meet your sibling.. Hugs GJ xx

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Toby, you look like you had a great time! Getting to meet some of your family too...that had to be fun! We bet you were really ready for some food and bed when you got back home! Lots of love, Holly and mom

Molly the Airedale said...

You are an amazing little guy, Toby! This is a great experience for you!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

sprinkles said...

Sounds like a fun day was had by all!

We used to have a dog walk here to raise funds for the local Humane Society. They don't do it anymore though. At the end of the walk, they also had a kind of dog show. There were categories for things like smallest dog, cutest dog, biggest dog, etc. Other than participating in something like that, I've never shown my dogs.

Anonymous said...

Hey Toby,
That was a GReat adventure. you sure looked comfortable out in the ring. We think that Chelsea's ears are a bit darker than yours.
- TBH&K

Asta said...

Toby
how uttewly fun!!! What does MaxMom mean no big deal?
I think you wewe wondwewful and I bet all those doggies went home dweaming of meeting you. sounds like a wondewful day and maxMom is wight, getting comfowtable in cwowds of hoomans is gweat expewience
smoochie kisses
ASTA

KB said...

I think that Maxmom is playing down your huge VICTORY! Way to go, Toby! You made me laugh out loud about the family jewels.

I'm glad that you had fun. I must say that I'm like your mom in enjoying events that focus on the human-dog relationship. Whatever you decide to do, I can tell that both of you will make sure that it's fun.

I bet that it was a blast meeting your family!

Pepsi the Lazy Bum said...

Bahaha, would you want to call Puddles a sausage dog nose to nose? Hehe.

I'm glad you had fun Toby! Except for the man touching your important parts, y'know. Hoomans are weird huh.

Woofs,
Pepsi

Becky Andrews said...

Congrats Toby. Sounds like a great time. Love from Becky and Cricket in Utah.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Toby- you looked so proud
and you looked like you had fun
and you were so beautiful
and you were a good boy
were all so proud of you!
love
tweedles