A Small Brag & A Huge Emotion:
Part II - Terenelf!
by the ghostly Joseph Novak
Saturday -- bright & early
-- the Maggster & I went to a Shangri-La that
describes Terenelf. Resplendently
nestled in rolling green hills is the -- as
Pam Murabito sez -- "Mecca of
Corgi learning."
The great Gitchie Manitou was
there. His appearance noted by an enormous
flock of birds undulating through
the autumn cloaked trees. Hopscotching
about the tree tops in a gaggly
flock of discordant cacophony. Grackles
numbering many hundreds, singing
their welcome to Terenelf. Like a thousand
rusty gates swinging in the
wind. Yes! The great Manitou was pleased and
rewarded us with a day that
was clear, crisp & autumny.
The Maggster & I had a super
time in the land of Toughkennamon. Grilled
"Kunzler" brand hot dogs, Bear's
Chicken & Corn soup, (it is worth the trip
for Bear's soup alone!!) an
assortment of foods brought by guests, made for a
memorable lunch. Bear's Cheese
cake was the "Icing on the Cake" so to speak!
Such was the attendance that
bear sectioned off the pasture on the "lower
forty" as a parking area. Hundreds
of people and Corgwyn came from lands far
& near. Can you imagine
the size of the "assorted Food" table? Enough to put
a grin on a Corgi's snout. My
own grin spread from ear to ear.
A "Mecca of Learning" is an apt
phrase. The bear, & Lois in conjunction with
Frank Wolaniuk, Martha Ihrman
& obedience judge -- Lisa Gilbert -- were most
liberal in sharing their knowledge.
My "show handling" learning curve
exponentiated explosively! All
due to Frank's instructions -- he is a very
good instructor.
How to hold the leash! Sounds
simple -- but what a difference the proper
placement in the palm of one's
hand makes! Pay attention to the DOG!!! At ALL
times. The dog is the reason
for the event -- not YOU -- not the judge. Be
cognizant of where the judge
is -- with brief glances at him / her. But
communicate continuously with
your dog.
Speak to your dog. Go easy and
at your dog's pace. Don't rush. Get the dog's
attention before you start out
so she / he knows what is expected.
How to stand in conjunction with
the judge's position. At the side -- after
stacking the dog on the show
table stroking the dog's back to calm her as the
judge approaches from the front.
Realizing that this "stranger" is invading
the dog's "SPACE." Stroking
the dog calms her. Letting her know that
everything is OK. You are there.
Remove your hand when the judge begins her
evaluation. When the judge moves
to the side of the dog, move to the front of
the animal -- cupping the dog's
chin in the palm of your hand, gently. Again
-- a calming effect plus the
dog won't move to one side or another as you
hold her. This enables the judge
to evaluate a calm dog efficiently.
A gaggle of tiny things that
make for a huge difference in the attitude of
your dog. And what a huge difference
these little things made in Maggie. She
was attentive, alert, ears perked
up in attention. Oh! Yes! The difference
between finishing and not finishing.
Yes! It's not the dog --- it IS the
handler!! A HUGE revelation
to me.
And Frank sez that he hasn't
even scratched the surface of dog handling!
Within moments of Frank's class,
I had the opportunity to use my new found
knowledge as Maggie & I
competed in the Open Bitches Conformation event. My
Maggie took first place! More,
she took Best Adult in Match!!!! WOW! I was
overcome! yes, it was a fun
event but still, she did compete with other great
Corgis and WITH a certified
judge. We are so very proud of her. Gawd -- when
the judge, Martha Ihrman, approached
me in the BOS event and said:
"Congratulations" handing me
the first place prize, my heart filled so with
pride for the Maggster that
I couldn't speak. I just picked the Maggster up
and hugged her.
If I am filled with emotion at
a fun event -- what in the world will I do a a
certified event should Maggie
win a BOB or BOS? Jeezeopete! I hope that I can
keep my composure. You
ask, "What did Marie have to say about the Maggster's win?"
I could not wait until I got
home to tell her -- rather, as I was driving off
Terenelf, I phoned her in our
car phone to tell her. SHE WAS THRILLED!!!!
Oh! Yes! A small brag with a
huge emotional finish. Thank you Frank, Martha
and Lisa. Most of all -- thank
you Bear, thank you Lois. Thanks for the
memories.
Maggie ^..^
& me ;~)> |
