You might think that being at a Dog Show is like being ring-side at a series of dog fights! But not at all. It is strangely reminiscent of a visit to the vet, when almost invariably, there is marginal interest in other animals and no aggression whatsoever. (At least between the animals!)
The only time I have seen a “little local difficulty” was when a dog had continued to grow in size and continued and continued….but his brain never made the appropriate recalculations. This meant that navigating his way between two tables was an activity fraught with alarming possibilities…..
If you’ve never been to a Scruffs before, you’ll be amazed at the ambience. I’m not saying it’s akin to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party (seen them on TV), it’s not so stilted and you don’t need a new frock! But it always turns out to be a day you enjoy looking back on with pleasure, happy in the knowledge that “there’ll be another along next year”
Just as you ponder on the lives of astronauts and wonder “where they do it” – the Scruffs Dog Show always has its own Poo Corner? (even thought it’s hardly ever needed).
We have had a range of Judges through the years – Vets, Retired Dog Judges (no –let’s put that another way – Retired Judges of Dogs?, Kennel Owners and the ordinary “Señor de la Calle”. Owners of pedigree dogs tend to be experts themselves and so we need to have knowledgeable people as judges. But then, it’s not necessarily canine experience we’re after when judging the Best Six Legs…
Of course, you don’t have to own a dog to come along. (Although how anyone manages to live in Spain longer than 6 and a half weeks without be claimed by a dog, is beyond me! Our local vets must think they’ve died and gone to Heaven….)
Then the Flogging and Folding Brigade swings into action!! Hundreds of Raffle Tickets are sold; all are folded and placed in a stylish Raffle Ticket Retention Unit (bucket) ready to be drawn out so that delighted winners can take away a dazzling array of prizes which really are worth winning – not a set of bath salts to be seen!!
Talking of delights – our Costa Animal Society Home-mades stall is just about the favourite venue. Scones, cakes of all description, biscuits, savouries, jams and pickles. Heaven!
Talking of Heaven (sense a link here?) Jackie Todd, author of Spanish Pointers will be there to sell and sign copies of her book. It is proving immensely successful – not surprisingly. It’s a lovely, humorous story of life in our area. Every centimo comes to CAS. A major, Málaga bookseller has just made a large bulk order and I have bought, then subsequently loaned several copies – which haven’t been returned – a sure sign of success!! And, hey – she’s a smashing lady too!
In fact, the whole event is not to be missed – 1pm for registration, 2pm for judging and 6pm for tearing yourself away to go, smiling, homeward.
