02 April 2010 - Dog World
Carrying on with news from Crufts. Some exciting news for one fourteen year old. Emily High with her two year old Papillon Anton (Herumen Mountain Imp) certainly were busy competing in not one but four YKC finals. That is quite an achievement in itself.
Then it just got better and better as she received placing in all four. Freestyle 1st, Heelwork to Music 4th, Obedience 6th and Agility 6th. That is incredible and I bet Emily’s family and friends are just bursting with pride. Very well done.
On another subject we all appreciate the work, effort, determination let alone the cost it takes exhibitors to attempt to take and be awarded one of the top annual awards sponsored by well known brands. These awards are picked up at Crufts by the exhibitor and in previous years one accolade must be given to Pedigree as they always gave the award with the acclaim they deserved.
A beautiful crystal glass or vase was engraved with Top ‘whatever’ so the exhibitors had something to treasure and remember with pride at home. The winner came away inwardly feeling a sense of pride for a job well done.
All credit to Royal Canin as Top Sire did receive such an award this year, so well done to them.
However soap box at the ready. This year was different. You went proudly along to the respective stand to pick your ‘Top Dog’ in your breed award. No mean feat you would think something that is special.
So you get to the stand, are directed to a regular public desk point proudly handing in your special piece of paper.
You are duly handed a green and white rosette, a standard judging type bag with wording Best of Breed Winner and in small print Top Dog Competition 2009. And sent on your way.
Now I know what you clever people are all thinking, the treasured memory for 2009 is in the bag, butterfly excitement is building within as the bag is opened. Now wait for this you’ll be impressed a small bag of the company’s dog food, see I knew you would be impressed.
As you stare at the bag you find avenues to explore, perhaps each piece of kibble has written Top Dog so the winning dog can feel special at meal times, maybe hidden in the kibble is the golden voucher for that special prize. Afraid not this is for real.
So as I trundle back to the stand, place my wares on the desk top and politely say “I think maybe I forgot something” yes you’ve guessed right, wrong again.
So then I say, “I have a toy breed do you think the company could give me a kibble small enough for the dog to be able to eat”.
Now this is the first positive point. “Of course”, was the answer “We have a new mini kibble just out would you like to swap it for that”. So with mini kibble in hand I trundle back to the Papillon ring.
You will all be pleased to know the Mini Kibble is prettily filling the 2008 Top Dog crystal glass awaiting a glass that will be engraved purchased by the show team.
So putting a conclusive and constructive summary on the above. Surely when the well known branded names take on the sponsorship of a Top Award should they consider doing it for the right reasons and not just merely to promote their products for the year.
The saying goes what you put in you get out of life, in this instance not quite the story.
I have written this in hope to make companies realise the importance of the task undertaken and responsibility they have taken on board and hopefully the companies will put their best foot forward.
Let’s hope next year at Crufts the winner comes away with a sense of pride.
Well that is it for this week. Don’t eat too many chocolate bunnies over Easter, share with a friend it will make you feel better or maybe the waistline.
Irene Robb
Submitted: 02 Jun, 2010 (Edited 23 Jul, 2010)
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