Kate loves Crufts??

Let me talk to you for a moment about Kate and dogs.

She doesn't seem to like them. I mean, I think she likes dogs in theory, but the reality of them freaks her out.

Aunt Cathy and Uncle Ditto bought her some dogs for her birthday. Two large, soft ones that make noise (Jeff is ever so grateful) and some Pocket Puppies that are beagles. They were a BIG hit. She plays with the big ones, but the little fiddley ones are VERY much played with.

There are a few stuffed animal dogs in the house which she is very kind and loving to. Her Grammy gave her a gorgeous Webkinz beagle that she just adores. Grammy also gave her some West Highland terriers for her Sylvania Familes (small) collection. They are also well played with.

We recently bought the new 101 Dalmations DVD (with the small stuffed puppy - is anyone else struck by the irony?) and she watches it CONSTANTLY.

But live dogs? Forget it!

She sees them on the street and immediately shies away from them. Now in theory, that might not be a bad thing. Strange dogs are an unknown and I'd rather she be cautious and safe rather than just running up to random dogs and risk getting her face chewed off.

She is better (is it wishful thinking on my part) with the family pets. It's always been strange that she has always preferred Gretchen's Holly to her dearly departed Maggie. Then again, maybe not so strange. Holly is definately not at face level and size wise is much less intimidating. Holly also LOVES to play ball and Kate is more than happy to throw the ball.

Ditto and Cathy's beagles, Lily and Barney have always been tolerated by Kate. (And they seem to tolerate her rather well.) Again, there is a fetch aspect to Lily that Kate loves, the dogs are smaller (though Barney LOVES to lick), and they are for the most part quieter.

However, even when she's not interacting with a family dog and the dog is not interacting with her, she always seems to have one eye on the dog in an ever vigilant attitude.

Of course, it didn't help that one day at the market, we were walking along (it was a nice day for once) and this gangly, all paws, tongue lolling black Labrador puppy was approaching us. He was a happy go lucky chap with a clownish face and enthusiasm written all over his shining ebony coat. When Kate saw him, her face lit up and she sighed. "Oh, Mummy. Look at the pretty puppy."

And then he spotted Ellie.

Ellie is Kate's well loved elephant companion. She goes pretty much everywhere with Kate (though lately other animals have been taking a turn, she always goes back to her Ellie) school, gymnastics, shopping, to Gran's. If Kate's been there, Ellie's been there.

Well, the cute Lab puppy immediately registered the little elephant as "toy" and lunged for her. He didn't get it. I watched the canine's thought process and stepped between him and Kate at the last moment. I'm not even sure that the person walking him really noticed what was happening. He wasn't being aggressive, he just wanted to play with Ellie. Of course, Kate shrieked and clutched Ellie and my leg simultaneously and didn't let go until the pup was well past us.

It wasn't a huge deal, but Kate always watches warily for dogs when she has Ellie out and about.

So, anyway. My kid doesn't like dogs. (Which as a person who loves pretty much anything that has fur, I'm trying not to take it too personally. I blame her dad.)

Today, the Cruft's Dog Show was on tv. (Officially recognised as the WORLD'S BIGGEST DOG SHOW by the Guinness Book of World Records.) I knew I would enjoy it, but the rest of the family would just hate it. But.... Jeff was working on the rabbit hutch and Kate was playing... maybe?

So, I flicked it on. They had the obedience and agility finals on and I figured I could watch a few runs before being harrassed by the non-dog members of the family. Well, I guess real dogs on tv fall into that "dogs as a concept" category. Kate was transfixed. We had a lot of conversation about the dogs and what they were doing and when the BBC took their hour break for the news, she was definately disappointed. So, I promised her that if she quick ate her dinner and took her bath, she could come back downstairs and watch more dogs.

She did so quite happily.

When the dog show came back, there was a little more of the agility and obedience, but then went to the regular showing and though I find it interesting, I can see how it could be a bit boring for a 4 yr old. She went to bed before the end, but I was rather surprised at how much she really seemed to enjoy the dogs.

She has said on occasion, "Mummy, I wish we could have a puppy." Then again, she also told me last week that she wants a snake.

Like I said, dogs as a concept not a reality. She better outgrow it or I will die of shame.

As for the show, I'm not sure that I'm happy with the Giant Schnauzer winning. Throughout the competition, the announcers were making a big deal that this was the dog's third time in the finals and this should be his year. Like just because he has been there for so long he is entitled to it? And then he won.

I thought the Oscar was the only award that if you are nominated enough times, you will eventually win. At least before you die. In some cases, after you die.

I'd like to say that the Beagle was robbed, but he spooked in the ring and I'm sure that counted against him somewhat. Hopefully, we'll see him back in the final ring again. If I remember correctly, Max was one of the younger dogs in the ring (not as young as that 18 month old Chihuahua!) and definately had that ideal "pleading look" that is sought after in the Beagle breed. Much ado was made about "Uno" (15 inch Beagle) winning the West Minster Dog Show in February and there was speculation that 2008 would be the "Year of the Beagle." No matter. Max did a great job and there was much cheering for him on my couch. (Even Jeff managed to muster a bit of enthusiasm for him.)

Just a few random observations:

I got a great kick out of listening to the commentators point out again and again that the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier had his coat groomed to the "American Standard."

When Harriet's Hungarian Vizsla won the "Friend's for Life" award, I couldn't help but get teary eyed for the poor kid. (Pass the tissues, please.) I don't remember Aunt Judy and Uncle Merrill's Vizsla having that moustache and beard look.....

Jeff's opinion of people who are into dog shows: "And people call computer people geeks? These dog people are much worse." He was having severe difficulties with the naming of the dogs and then referring to the dogs by a nickname. He's lucky I didn't bap him on the head. (I will admit that I thought I understood the groupings and the CC's, but I seem to be rather mistaken (though to be fair, there is a difference between the AKC and the KC standards and rules.)

I don't like the short listing of dogs for the Group divisions. I want to see the dogs!

Afghan breeders who think that their dogs are smart? Don't they know they are the blondes of the dog world? (Beautiful, but dumber than rocks in my experience.) Okay, I've never before seen the giant box that is really a doggie hairdryer. For a moment, I thought she put the poor thing in a large microwave.

Jack Russell terrier that barks its way through the agility course was hysterical!

Native vulnerable breeds had a little costume show. (These are dog breeds of England and Ireland whose numbers are dwindling and are in danger of being extinct.) Some of the dogs on the list are: Lakeland Terrier, Glan of Imaal Terrier, Clumber Spaniel, Smooth Fox Terriers, Sussex Spaniels, Deerhounds, and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. (The Queen evidently likes the Pembroke Welsh Corgis... she has something like 16 of them.) A little further research indicates that the Greyhound is also on that list? (Sounds suspect to me.) To get on the list, there has to be less than 300 dogs registered through the Kennel Club in a single year.

Well, that's it for me!

Yap! Yap!