I was looking through some older photos recently and thought it would be fun to post these images from Crufts, taken in 2004. Serendipity !! I happened to look at the Crufts website last night and discovered the event begins today in Birmingham at the NEC, running until Sunday. It's a huge event, so if you abhor wading through crowds of people, then stay away from this event - it's jam-packed, chaotic and smells like dog pee. On the other hand, if you enjoy chockablock public events - dive in right in and embrace it !! Just be careful where you step.
I love puppy dogs - but am divided about this event as to whether it's a good thing for pooches. Whilst some dogs seem to enjoy being centre stage and relish performing in the limelight - I couldn't help but sense some misery as I walked around taking pictures. Lots of bored looks and heavy sighs. I'm not a dog whisperer, but I translated the canine sighs and vacant looks to mean - "Mommy - Daddy, can I go home now?" It is the opinion of some veterinarians - that dragging a dog to this event to perform, is sadistic.
The above photo - was the performance event for Australian Shepherds. It's incredible how well these lovely creatures heed commands. Unfortunately, I happened to sit in front of some very irritating American women who were up and down and up and down in their seats. Every time they got up or down, they would knock me in the back of the head with the huge handbags they were carrying. Not only that ! They spent the entire time talking on their mobiles to their husbands - who were golfing - and talking to each other. Very loud, bossy types. I begin to sigh like those unhappy little dogs and wished at that moment that I was home. Those American women were sadists. I wanted to tell them off but they were a lot bigger than me and I decided I would get the doggy doo knocked out of me - so I just sighed a lot instead.
If you can't be there in person, you can catch it on Crufts very first ever, live broadcast via the internet. How nice is that ?! No pushing through crowds, stepping in pee and doggy doo or getting knocked in the head by handbags. I can sit back comfortably with a bottle(s) of pear cider, a bag of crisps and cheer for my favourite canine. Woof, woof !!