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5.00 in the morning, alarm clock ringing and I manage to open one eye. Switch off the alarm and throw one leg out of bed. A pon jumps on the bed and stands looking nose to nose into my face; “Good morning Hoza” I croak and that is the start of the mad day of dog showing. Once showered and dressed we descend the stairs to feed and toilet all the dogs. Maddie the pon puppy is of course taking it all to the extreme – is it that exciting to get up when it’s still dark – I don’t think so. All dogs sorted and coffee in my hand makes me feel more human. Hoza is now quietly crying with all the activity – “No, sorry Hoza today you stay at home and relax”. Packing the van next: in goes the grooming trolley, cage, bags and Maddie. Friends arrive and have their supporter’s heads on. I pack them in the van too. At last off we go, two hours of journey to go and everyone moderately excited and confident that Maddie will qualify for Crufts. I am not so sure; will she get the wind up her bum? Will she jump and bark? Will she dive on the other puppies? Will she have a wee? On arrival, it is cold and raining and looks pretty bleak. Ten minutes of unpacking and organising and then dragging the trolley with Maddie atop, thinking this is all such fun. We eventually get inside, locate our hall and then our bench. So now unpacking and sorting is the order of the day. Quietly, observing other competitors preening, pruning, puffing and titillating makes ones eyes boggle. Brushes, combs, scissors and powder are flashing at double pace. “Oh, you didn’t see that” someone says as they pat their dogs sides and billows of powder puffs into the air and nearly chokes everyone in the range of ten paces, “Of course not” I says, as I gasp for breath. As human nature is some people chat loudly and as fast as possible, some stay well back and just observe, some flit around as busy as little bees and others look like they are still half in bed. Eventually, judging starts and dogs are now in the ring. Maddie still not had a wee and this is four hours after we arrive. To the ring to watch a while. Up and down and round they go. Some flowing and some are not. Competitors standing with baited breath, waiting for the judges choice, some now elated and some disappointed. Maddie still excited but getting tired from being so nosy, working to my advantage for once. In we go and she is a dream, behaving well and moving nicely. We wait in the line to see the choices and eventually we get the place to take us to Crufts. So back to the bench and start to calm down, and then realisation starts to dawn. Oh, good grief, going to Crufts! Better get a nice outfit (where did that thought come from?). End of the day and we pack up to go, trail everything back to the van. By this time my back and legs ache. I am really tired and a two hour journey still afoot. Chatting and laughing all the way home, supporters did a good job. Eventually, we make it home and once more unpack the van, how many times have we lifted and moved this stuff today? Feels like a hundred. Maddie runs outside at last to wee. Hoza screaming hello, hello. “Hello Hoza, baby doll”, gives her a fuss and she’d been good all day, so the dog sitter said – My son. I then let Maddie back inside and what has she done – had a poo and now wearing it down her back legs – oh, god – so in the bath she has to go, blow dried, fed and at last asleep. So with a snack in one hand and Hoza being stroked with the other I look at the clock – goodness me it is 10 o’clock. 17 hours of hustle and bustle. Was it worth it I ask myself…Of course it was. I met new friends, had a good laugh, and a few other emotions too. Was I put off with showing- no, cannot wait for the next one. Always thought I was a bit insane anyway.
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