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Haatch — Shake On It

Published: 2014-07-03 14:54:44 +0000 UTC; Views: 1514; Favourites: 23; Downloads: 0
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Description     The morning of the show had been a crazy one. In the midst of high nerves, lack of sleep, and little time, the handlers from Orchard Valley were completely out of sorts. To start off the morning, Teague had forgotten Tess's show lead in the hotel room, realizing it about halfway through the two-hour drive to the show. After retrieving that important equipment, it turned out the car keys had been locked in the hotel room along with the room card. When that issue was solved and the team was again on their way, the rental car ended up with a flat tire about fifteen minutes from the destination. There were no smiles until the tow-truck had dropped them off at the front doors of the show grounds after graciously letting Tess and Farah ride along, despite a 'no dogs' rule. The team quickly signed in and ran to claim a grooming table.
    After wrestling with a very uncooperative Farah during bath time, Garret, Kaia, and Teague were all thoroughly soaked and short-tempered by the time it was Tess's turn. Sensing this, the Jaro tried her best to behave, as to avoid raising any more frustrations. She stood quietly for her bath, not flinching with water fell into her eyes or when the nail dremel came uncomfortably close to her quick. She didn't protest when the brush caught a bit of tangled fur which pulled sharply at her skin. Tess simply clamped her jaw shut, kept her head down, and avoided eye contact while her handlers cooled off. Thankfully, after finishing up grooming, the handlers were able to chat with other trainers and breeders, which relaxed tempers and moods. Tess was relieved. Tense handlers made for tense dogs. 
    The class was about to begin. Tess stood close to Garrett and observed the other Jaros about her. Each one was well-groomed and regal, though it was very apparent a few did not want to be there. Tess didn't mind shows. Sure, hunting events were more fun, but it seemed conformation shows were something every dog had to put up with. Might as well take it with a positive attitude. 
    Finally, after watching a few short classes involving a handful of short, fluffy dogs, the Jaros were called into the ring. Tess followed Garrett, glancing around with a silent awe. This was nothing like the last show she had been to. Warm, bright lights beamed from overhead. The scents of hundreds of dogs filled her sensitive nose. Countless spectators stood beyond fences to observe. Tess could feel the energy. Excitement buzzed in Tess's bones, making the normally-calm dog a bit on the jittery side.
    Tess came to halt in the middle of a line of other Jaros. Garrett leaned down and readjusted the dog's feet so they were more in frame. Next, he ran his fingers through her scruff, smoothing out a few stray hairs. Tess licked her lips and let her eyes drift around. All of the dogs were receiving the same treatment. Stand straight. Hold your head high. Don't bite the judge. Tess noticed a human pacing in the middle of the ring, watching the line of dogs with an observant, searching eye. It was likely that human was the judge...or someone who was lost, but that seemed unlikely. Before she could wonder about the strange human more, the scent of peppermint filled Tess's nose, snapping her attention immediately back to Garrett. Directly in front of her and just above eye-level, he held a peppermint in hand. 'Oooooh, candy.' Tess focused on the treat with desire. 'Is that for me? I like peppermint. Can I have it now? Please? Okay, maybe not now. Later? Soon? How can I earn that treat?' She could feel the judge's eyes sweep across her, tempting her to throw a look at the specter...but nah, the peppermint was too beautiful to take eyes off of. After a while of what seemed like a statue impersonating contest, Garrett broke off a piece of the mint and fed it to Tess. SCORE! She thought excitedly, nomming the treat with enthusiasm. When out of her peppermint-enduced trance, Tess caught a movement from the corner of her eye. The judge was approaching her.
    A shiver of anticipation ran down the Jaro's spine. Garrett moved a hand under her head, using the other to keep the show lead high. Before she knew it, the judge was walking in slow circles around Tess and Garrett. Occasionally, the judge would run a hand down the Jaro's back or side. Despite it tickling, Tess tried her hardest to remain still. Excuse me, human. I think we should have a proper introduction before you start petting me. You know? You sniff me, I sniff you. Not that it matters too much, I suppose. It's just a common curtesy. You smell like a lot of other dogs...and blueberries.' Tess informed the judge, who didn't glance her way. Humans were all the same. Tess was convinced they were all clinically stupid. Not one was able to understand a word any dog ever said. They couldn't hunt for themselves, and they encompassed themselves with colorful fabrics, obviously trying to mimic birds. The judge knelt down in front of Tess, flipping up her lip to see her teeth. Next, the judge reached for her paw, feeling the structure of her foot and flexing her toes. Tess, caught slightly off balance in surprise, raised a back foot to steady herself. She tried to replace it where it was, but ended up being corrected by Garrett, who positioned her leg back into place. 'Hey, that human practically tried to flip me over.' Tess argued in defense. With one final look over, the judge stood up and whisked away to the next dog. They seemed like they were in a hurry. I don't know why anyone would– Oooooh, candy! Tess happily nommed again at a chunk of peppermint. Garrett stood up and Tess's attention followed. The line of dogs in front of her had begun to run. Rolling her eyes, Tess followed Garrett and began trotting. 'Dog shows were the weirdest thing...'

Word count: 1024

Breed: Northern Jaro
Group: 5
Name of dog: OVK Near and Deer
Working titles: JM CTE OTCH MHE SD
Ref: fav.me/d7f9noi
Color:King Agouti + Nyala stripe and white irish
Age: 3 1/2 years
Gender: Female
Country: Canada
Owner: Orchard Valley Kennel
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Comments: 9

fierfairy42 [2014-07-04 16:19:27 +0000 UTC]

wow amazing work

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Haatch In reply to fierfairy42 [2014-07-05 22:56:16 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

FrostedCanid [2014-07-03 23:30:38 +0000 UTC]

Haha, so cute! I think I may know who the next winner will be!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Haatch In reply to FrostedCanid [2014-07-05 22:56:42 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! Oh my gosh, I hope so

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FrostedCanid In reply to Haatch [2014-07-06 05:58:24 +0000 UTC]

I would love that for you! I have no chance, both of my dogs don't have enough titles, and I think that's the real motive behind who wins or not from what I noticed. Most if not all of the previous winners have either been honored or something further... almost I guess.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Haatch In reply to FrostedCanid [2014-07-07 01:39:37 +0000 UTC]

I noticed that too :I 
It seems a newly imported dog is never going to win BIS, even if the entry's amazing. I could be wrong though. Maybe that entry has yet to come around. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

FrostedCanid In reply to Haatch [2014-07-07 17:35:41 +0000 UTC]

I dunno, I wish it would be the person who puts the most work into their picture wins!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Obiettivo-Kennel [2014-07-03 15:13:52 +0000 UTC]

...just...stop. Stop. Your work is amazing, I feel like we have a winner in our midst. c:

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Haatch In reply to Obiettivo-Kennel [2014-07-05 22:57:01 +0000 UTC]

Aw, thanks! 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0