Are We Having Fun Yet?

July, 2012

by Gay Dunlap

Perhaps there are those who consider dog shows fun. For most of us, however, the word “fun” does not slide easily from ones tongue when asked to describe these events that consume a large portion of our lives…indeed just about every weekend! Some of us, if we are honest, might concede that dog shows are addictive; exciting when we win, depressing when we lose, frustrating when our dog does not show as well as we might want or, conversely, when it shows like a million bucks and is overlooked, beaten by what we deem to be a “pet.” Sometimes it’s enough to make us want to chew a Greyhound comb in half! But “fun,” as I said before, is certainly not the first word that springs to mind.

Those events that incorporate pre-show parties, usually privately held, often make for an overall fun experience but the actual event itself still cannot necessarily be deemed as fun. Parties that lead up to New York’s Westminster Kennel Club show, however delightful, do not make getting to New York with dogs, fighting the throngs in order to get to a ring, pushing ones way through the crowds to the vendor’s booths or trying to hail a cab in the rain, “fun!” Nonetheless, we are drawn there like moths to a flame, year-in and year-out.

In recent years, though, certain clubs have become quite creative and as a result have succeeded in making their event a joyous occasion. On the east coast, we are treated every five years to Morris and Essex, the creation of long-time dog fancier Wayne Ferguson. Wayne became enchanted with the bygone years from 1927 to 1957 when grand dam, Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, ruled the show, held on her four-acre estate, Giralda Farms. In those days, the show was a highlight not only of the dog show world but the New York social scene as well. Everyone in attendance was dressed to the nines; it was the place to be seen. Wayne has done his best to recreate the opulence of the occasion where hospitality and gentility reign. An elegant gourmet luncheon is prepared for the judges, tables set with white linen, china, silverware and glorious floral centerpieces, with box lunches available for the exhibitors. Attendees are encouraged to come in vintage attire and most do so. Lady judges don hats reminiscent of that bygone era and the men sport bowlers. We are treated to such as a classic car display featuring magnificent examples of automobiles from the ‘30s and an art show featuring dog art, juried by William Secord of the world-renowned William Secord Gallery in New York. Elegance pervades, and it is not at all difficult to feel transported back in time to the 1930s. This year, Morris and Essex won the “Show of The Year” and Wayne was inducted into dogdom’s Hall Of Fame as its “Man of the Year.”

Hopping across the country to the west coast we find two show weekends doing their best to put smiles on our faces and add a spring to our step. Santa Barbara, just north of metropolitan Los Angeles, has been called the “Riviera of the West” because of its temperate climate and lush natural environment. The Santa Barbara Kennel Club, once credited for being one of the oldest and most prestigious of dog shows, dates back to 1919, and was for years considered one of the most picturesque as well as being one of largest shows in the country. It sort of fell by the wayside following the deaths of Tom and Ann Stevenson, the club’s guiding force for many years. In recent years it has been brought back to life by a formidable list of “who’s who in dogdom” from all corners of the US and through the indefatigable efforts of Desi Murphy. Santa Barbara is proud of the fact that it serves an elegant “Dinner at the Dog Show” on the verdant lawn for close to a thousand people on Saturday evening during their unique “Breeder’s Showcase” competition. This showcase honors breeders and their respective breeding programs and is supported by Purina ProPlan with over $15,000 in prize money. Though the venue has moved from place to place over time, there have never been grounds that weren’t replete with spacious lawns, towering palms and an abundance of flowering shrubbery. This year, in addition to the Breeder’s Showcase, Santa Barbara is offering what they are calling a “Bullyganza” with competition to take place just prior to the start of the groups and offering cash prizes. It is open to Bullmastiffs, Am Staffs, Staffords, both varieties of Bull Terriers, Mini Bulls, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Frenchies. An interesting and imaginative concept here and surely designed to increase entries in many of these bully breeds, some of which are often, at best, meager. Santa Barbara teams up with Simi Valley Kennel Club (Friday) and Canejo Kennel Club (Monday) to form a four-show cluster from August 24 to August 27. Not necessarily to its detriment, Santa Barbara, in order to afford this rather extravagant event and its generous prize money, relies rather heavily on donations from the more affluent members of the fancy. It is a delightful weekend, relaxing and fun and should be on every fancier’s must-attend list!

But topping the inventory of fun-providing dog shows is, hands-down, the “Woofstock” cluster. Held in Vallejo, California, considered part of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, it is in short a BLAST and an event where you must, at the very least, “be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!” Woofstock is the brain-child of Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna, herself a “flower-child” from the late ‘60s-early ‘70s “hippie generation.” Initially, when presented with the idea, some of her fellow club members resisted but as she continued to plant her seeds for the weekend’s activities, more and more of them came around to her thinking that this would make for a crazy, fun event. There would be lots of Woodstock-era music every day, there would be lava lamps everywhere and judges and exhibitors alike would be encouraged to look the part; i.e., tie-dye and beads, ripped jeans and long skirts, headbands and peace symbols, dreadlocks and Afros, and flowers, flowers, flowers. If any one thing really sets the stage for the weekend, it is the music. Initially, when local music man Bob Birdwell heard about the theme for the weekend, he asked if he could play his guitar during lunch. As a result, his background in music came to light and he was quickly thrust into the picture as Woofstock’s “Music Guy.” Bob sees that speakers are strung everywhere, inside and out, and also selects and downloads every bit of music that is played. Fresh ideas are often brought into play; for example, Bob emails all the group and BIS judges about a month before the event in order to determine appropriate songs to play during each one’s assignment. He asks such questions as “where were you born?”… “Any unusual hobbies or occupations,” “attended any unusual events,” and the like. For me he played a jazzed up version of “My Old Kentucky Home” and “Buffalo Girl,” honoring my birthplace and the fact that I once owned a small herd of Bison on my ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

There is no doubt that “dressing up” and coming in costume gives us permission to lose some of our inhibitions and thus plays a major role in the fun. This year many of the judges went all-out and some were amusingly unrecognizable. The same held true for some handlers and exhibitors. I enjoyed Wood Wornall in a gigantic flower-festooned Afro wig with a sign on his back that read, “Make beautiful puppies not war!” Bill McFadden looked so like John Lennon that I did not know it was him. Judge Joe Purkhiser and his wife, Murrel, were totally unrecognizable. For judges unable to find appropriate clothing for the occasion, Woofstock gifts the men with tie-dye neckwear and the ladies with tie-dye scarves. On Saturday at group time, costume contests are held with everyone ringside cheering for their favorite and laughing uproariously. Contestants are encouraged to “release their inner-hippie.” Honestly, it is impossible to imagine more fun being had. Children, as well, join the celebration, re-living this special era although most were not even a glimmer in their parent’s eyes during the hippie era. That evening, everyone is treated to barbecue-on-the-lawn while a Rock and Blues band plays live dance music.

The effort involved in simply putting on a dog show weekend, as we all know, is monumental in and of itself. The work involved in putting this show weekend together is probably quadrupled and plans begin for the following year as soon as this year’s event is put to bed, with Phil Freilich and Ken and Eva Berg joining Kim to plot and plan. Words of advice…do not miss it next year; it should definitely be close to the top of your Bucket-List!

It is important to note here that these fun-providing clubs are more than kind with their proceeds, donating generously to many of our most worthy canine causes including Take The Lead, CHF, various veterinary schools, rescue/shelter organizations and scholarship funds. Kudos to all!

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