Well, we did it. We made it to BC and home again. The trip almost got cancelled about a dozen times (after talking to a non-helpful Westjet "customer service representative", after trying to cram the contents of my van into a single suitcase, after a family member went in the hospital, etc).
But once I was packed and on my way to the airport everything turned around. Mercedes was so good in her Sherpa bag. She hardly made a sound and the check-in personnel didn't worry about her at all. People on the flights didn't even know I had a dog on board until we landed and I let her stick her head out of the bag.
At the Kiwanis all-breed shows Mercedes did me proud by going Best of Opposite Sex each time in the ring. Then on Saturday we had the cocker specialty. Mercedes went in for her sweepstakes class first. She won her competitive class which was a great thrill.
Then we went in for the show we came for... the specialty. Mercedes was tired by this point as it was fairly late in the day but she is a little showing fool and she never let me down in the ring. She made the first cut, then the second cut. By this point we were down to only a few dogs left in the ring and they were all big winners. The judge pulled out a buff bitch for BOB and then a black dog for BOS. Then he walked back and pulled out Mercedes and another black dog in behind her and awarded us the Awards of Merit. And then we weren't done as this specialty awards a trophy to the best Canadian Bred dog so we went back in for that and won :)
I didn't know it at the time but we still weren't done as my fellow exhibitors had organized a surprise birthday party for me complete with cake, cards, and presents. I was so surprised and touched that they went to so much effort for me. Thanks to Kelly for organizing the party and to everyone who was in on it and did all the running around picking up the cake and stuff.
So all in all, it was a great trip. We may even do it again next year. We'll see :)
3 comments:
Congratulations Vicky and Mercedes! It's so sweet for your friends to throw you a surprise birthday party. After your message before when you were wondering why you bother with the dog shows and all the hassles of getting there, it sounds like it was all worth it in the end. Hurray!
Miss 'Cedes looked fabulous Vicky! She earned that Award of Merit, and she earned her kisses too (from her adoring fan club).
And the birthday party was just TOO fun to plan for you ~ I'm glad you could make it, so we could surprise you!
CONGRATS VICKY AND MERCEDES!! Hopefully it was all worth it in the end. Happy late birthday :)
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