I still remember

When I was younger, I used to be taken out of school, programs and other things to help my adoptive dad prep, pack and leave for dog shows. most show days we will leave early in the morning.

so early that it was still dark out as we left the house or the hotel we are staying at.

showing dogs was a huge part of my childhood. sometimes if I Close my eyes. I can see the old beat blue van and the dogs and the dogs in the crates and the gear packed nicely alongside our bags. I can smell the powder, the hair spray, the dogs make up.

I can feel the gritty lined training mats with my fingers as if I Was still tracing them in boredom.

I can feel the rubber band and thin piece of paper on my arm with my showing number on it.

I can feel the dog's leash in my hands, and I can feel the smooth fur of the collies me and my adoptive dad would show.

most of my summers were spent like this. In dog show arenas with thousands of people and dogs watching my every move but not as much as the judge does. I was trained by my dad at early age how to groom, commend and lead the dogs we showed.

but there is one particular showing event I will never forget. I had to be around 9 0r 10. It was summer day and it what must have been July or June. my grandma had sewed me a small treat bag that wrapped around my waist with a ribbon. which brought much attention by older female dog showers. they were obsessed with the pouch.

I was wearing a red dress with pokies dots and a bow. my hair was down with light curls present. I had glasses on. and I walked nervously. This would have been a big event for me.

I remember getting into the arena with one of our collies by my side. It was so long ago that I have forgotten the dog's name. but I do remember they were one of our best-behaved dogs. their fur is what I would have called a common-colored fur. white fur around the collar and tannish brown fur down the back and around the head.

I believe the dog was a female which is one I had been nervous because opposite sexes work best. I was also one of the youngest dog showers in the arena that day.

when it was all said and done. my dad had praised me highly for what a great job I had done and the dog I had was so well behaved but it was clear it knew we had done good. we had done so well that we had a picture taken of us. it had taken quite long time to take the picture because so many eyes were on us. my dad kept telling me to smile and not look at the dog. but I couldn't help myself.

Then suddenly someone had asked what names are were and then my dad said them. and the whole area we were in was filled with joy and cheer of our names.

once the picture was taken the day went by fast and as a reward, I got a malt from one of the best places in the town that we were in.

this picture used to hang in two different houses I lived in. the last house it was it was in the hallway. one day the frame fell off the wall and shattered. I remembered crying about it. because I didn't know than that the frame could just be replaced. I cried because we no longer had that dog. that dog was the best dog I ever showed. they were my "training dog" to show me how to show because they listened best to me.

I miss that dog, I Miss the adventures of showing and the joy and crowds that it brought. I know one day I will go back to showing. because it was a big part of who I was growing up. and with my adoptive Dad's health deteriorating most days and getting better the next. Showing dogs with him growing up is how I wish to remember him and how I one day hope to keep his love for me alive.

I know that m0st people would be writing about playing, tricks and games that have we have their dogs.

But A dog's Love is bond that lasts for their entire life and training and grooming a dog to be the best that they can be is a bond that one can never forget. It is a bond that once broken, lost. is the worse feeling in the world.

it's like losing a family member which is true.

Dog showing is such a great bonding experience for you and the dog. you will never forget it.