The Perfect World vs. The Real World

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132 – March, 2024

By Sandy Weaver

Dog shows, in a perfect world, would be so awesome. The weather would always be perfect, the judges would always be courteous and studious, and their rings would run right on time. The members of the show committee would be smiling, helpful and kind, and everything in the vendors’ booths would be on sale.

Alas, we live in the real world–not a perfect world. Sometimes it storms. Sometimes judges don’t feel well. Sometimes stuff happens that the show committee has to scramble to fix, and sometimes that perfect thing you just have to have is right there in that booth, and it costs far more money than you can easily afford.

Managing your expectations can be the difference between having a great day and a really bad one, and it won’t have anything to do with whether or not you win.

Scenario One: The Parking Space

It’s about 45 minutes before the show starts, you’re running a little bit late and are going to have to work out of the car, so you need a good parking space near the ring. You see one and head for it, only to realize that it’s marked “reserved for show committee.” You figure, “what will it hurt if I use it for a little while,” so you park there and unload the table, tack box and towels. As you’re grooming your dog at the car, the grounds person tells you that you have to move because you’re in someone else’s spot.

How do you respond?

Scenario Two: Ringside

You get to the ring while the breed before yours is still in the ring being judged. People are standing around, blocking the aisle with their dogs, chairs, and trolleys so you can’t get through to get your armband. You finally manage to find a way through only to find the ring steward having a lively and clearly personal conversation with someone–and you can’t get their attention. Best of Breed has just been awarded and yours is the first class dog in your breed.

How do you respond?

Scenario Three: Wrong Ribbon

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132 – March, 2024

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