Winning Rescues

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

I used to live with six dogs, and yes, they were a bunch, all sweeties and all rescues. Each had a unique personality, its own way of communicating with pack mates and me, and its own style of hanging out inside in the house. Last spring, I lost Lil’ Bit and Kinny to illnesses. Now, my household count is four dogs, still a bunch and each is special.

Years ago, my first dog, a Doberman named Bally, was my one and only from a breeder. A beautiful mover, light and floating, Bally became my show dog. As a novice handler, despite my beautiful animal, I’d always wind up out-handled. I came to realize breed judgings as pressure-filled events for animals, owners, and handlers alike. Along with other big sports, they’re money-driven and political. Small potatoes have little chance against professional handlers, and I couldn’t afford to hire one. After retiring Bally, and reeling from the stresses of showing, I avoided dog shows. Years later a movie, “Best In Show”, which spoofed formal breed showing, made me laugh, shake my head and mutter, “It’s really like that.”

Yesterday evening, while flipping through channels, I paused on the Hallmark Channel in the middle of a dog show. A judge, appearing serious and wearing a tuxedo, was identifying the “Best Couch Potato”; six dogs were in the running. Each had to approach a couch, jump on and relax, and meanwhile, its owner/handler described the dog’s behavior on its favorite roost at home and treated us to a brief video proving the dog as a genuine couch potato. I decided to stay with the show.

Just like in an American Kennel Club Dog Show, these humans–judges, guests, and announcers–all dressed formally and took their roles seriously. Each unique category had about six contestants (semi-finalists, selected earlier), and all were rescues–purebred and mixed breeds–already adopted to loving homes. The categories were: Best in Talking; Best in Underbite; Best in Special Needs; Best in Couch Potato; Best in Wiggle Butt; Best in Smiling; Best in Snoring; Best in Senior; Best in Belly Rubs; and finally, from among all the finalists, Best in Rescue. I laughed and sometimes shed tears, couldn’t stop watching those cuties, from a tiny four-pound Chihuahua, a diabetic in the special needs category, to an enormous Great Dane, deaf and responding to sign language. All competitors were adorable.

Categorizing my dogs: Louie would be Best in Nuisance; Ranger would be Best in Recliner Potato; Osix would be Best in Pain-In-The-Behind; Miles would be Best in Mud-Puddle Lounging. If they still were alive, Lil’ Bit would be Best in Predatory Instincts and Kinny would be Best in Goofball. The simple reality is that dogs weren’t intended to be beauty contestants. They’re about much more, and mainly, are wonderful beings.

This was Hallmark’s second year to co-sponsor a show of dogs competing in personality, behavioral, and special needs categories, and it plans to carry this contest annually. Here’s a link to learn more about last night’s show and to meet its winners: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/american-rescue-dog-show/2019-american-rescue-dog-show-winners

Dear Readers, enjoy this day and appreciate your dog(s) truest lights. Diana