Yeah, yeah, yeah, a bunch of snooty pure-breds prance around for a bunch of snootier (is that a word?) dog aficionados. Think I'm joking? From Yahoo/Reuters:
Plenty of the grooming was legitimate, said a handler snipping the whiskers off a Doberman pinscher. Nearby a woman rubbed petroleum jelly on her mastiff's toenails to make them shine, and another sheared the fuzz off the ears of her lamb-like Bedlington terrier.Breeder Ken Wall sounded impatient as he tried to stop onlookers from petting his long-haired Japanese Chin, who stood soaking wet as he awaited the day's blow-drying session.
"The show is horrible," Wall grumbled. "People are so rude. This morning someone ran over a dog with a baby stroller."
Holding onto his Welsh terrier, breeder R.C. Carusi agreed. "Dogs good, people bad," he declared.
Not all dogs were good. One Chihuahua barked so much he sounded hoarse and in danger of losing his voice altogether.
"Let's hope he does," muttered a handler working nearby.
Dogs are God's blessings to mankind. He included a few extra-special ingredients when creating them. He sprinkled in some loyalty, some devotion, some protection, some empathy, some desire of cold pizza, and a whole lot of LOVE for us. I have said before and I'll say it now: Humankind is better, and nicer, and smarter, and more loving because we have dogs in our lives. Using a Reuters' image from the dog show let me make the point perfectly clear:
This isn't a dog.
It's some mutant.
So let me ask you an honest question: Would you really, really like to hug that fru-fru poodle? That weird thing from a sci-fi movie?
Or would you rather spend a sunny afternoon romping through the fields tossing a wet, drooly tennis ball or a chewed-up stick with Puff?
And who do you think will more appreciate that extra burger you just grilled? And who would look at you like you're nuts if you came at him with a blow-dryer?
Look, let's put it on the line:
Who would you really rather have at your side to greet strangers at your door?
I rest my case!
Jeff, I'm really touched by that. And so is Puff!
Anyway, you said it all: "some loyalty, some devotion, some protection, some empathy, some desire of cold pizza, and a whole lot of LOVE for us."
I'm a huge Puff fan. I read Eric's blog hoping for a Puff entry. Naturally I've followed the link. That other thing is a toilet brush. He should bite her, and then commit suicide, poor thing!
Posted by: Rue at February 16, 2005 01:23 AMThose pictures of Puff are excellent.
Posted by: Steven Malcolm Anderson at February 16, 2005 02:23 PMIn defense of the show people, the vast majority of them do it out of love for dogs. Ethical breeding isn't profitable, it's a huge financial drain- a very expensive hobby undertaken out of love for a particular breed. When that little toy poodle isn't at a show, he's probably Mummy's lapdog and best friend. (Which is what more or less all the toy breeds were created for.) The shows basically exist to examine and improve breeding stock, which is why neutered animals can't be shown in conformation. They also help maintain temperament; unstable dogs can't handle the stresses of a show.
*shrug* I came to respect most breeders when I was working for a vet. They give their dogs excellent care, they're frequently involved in rescue and animal therapy programs, and their dogs don't bite the techs.
Posted by: LabRat at February 16, 2005 04:02 PMJeff, Jeff, Jeff! Where do I begin? First, go to a cat show and get back to me. Methinks you are too critical of the dog folks and all the work they do (just as the cat folks) in getting ready for an important show. Really. Go to a cat show. Soon.
And yes,I'd take Puff in an instant, to complete my cat AND DOG menagerie.
Posted by: Indigo at February 16, 2005 10:21 PMOh, okay. I was being snarky. I know the show dogs are just good dogs and their owners love them. There's just something weird about that poodle...
Posted by: Jeff Soyer at February 17, 2005 08:12 AMTell me about it. My husband puts up with me watching dog shows like I put up with him watching NASCAR. That poodle is actually rather famous; we've seen him in several shows now. Tom hates him with a passion; says he wants to show up to the next one with a falcon and wait for the right moment at breed judging.
Posted by: LabRat at February 17, 2005 02:00 PMPoodles aren't bad-looking dogs, in their natural state. Why they have to be gussied up to look like something that came out of the old Mattel Thingmaker is a puzzle.
I saw someone prepping a poodle for show by using a black magic marker to black out some brown spots on what should have been an entirely black nose. That surely doesn't improve any breed. It helps Magic Marker sales, though.
Posted by: big dirigible at February 17, 2005 04:21 PMI'm with you on that poodle, Jeff.
VERY WEIRD. Poor thing.
I'd take Puff in a heart beat, since we have a couple like him around, also. They're excellent companions and pals. And the best at meeting strangers at the door with protective overtures.
Posted by: Deborah Sullivan at February 23, 2005 10:47 AM