Going to a dog show is entertaining, educational

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

To play it safe, always ask before you pet a dog

Angela Obery - Columnist / The Statesman Journal

When people ask if we have a family pet, I often reply that I'm working hard to just keep myself, my husband and my children all fed and clean.

I can't imagine adding another life to the mix.

In fact, six months after the birth of my second child I went to the store and bought new house plants to replace the half-dozen dried up stalks that dotted my home.

During his infancy, I was solely focused on those who could talk (or cry, as the case may be). All other life forms were left to fend for themselves.

The truth is I like dogs. I like cats. I even like the occasional fish or lizard. However, what I like most of all is enjoying these beautiful animals while letting someone else do the hard work of raising them.

I admire those who care for animals with such skill and patience.

Recently, the opportunity to attend a local dog show was brought to my attention and I was eager to take my sons. My 4-year-old son is a bit fearful of dogs, no doubt because of their absence from his daily routine.

My 1-year-old displays outright enthusiasm for dogs, also no doubt because of their absence from his daily routine.

I decided that a dog show could be fun and educational for us all.

Arriving at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on the appointed day, my family entered the Jackman Long Building to find dogs of every color, size and shape. I've never seen so many dogs in one location.

In fact, more than 140 breeds were represented in the show; including Great Danes, Basset hounds, pugs and Yorkshire terriers, just to name a few.

Making our way through the crowd, my family passed dogs in kennels, dogs sitting next to their owners, dogs on grooming tables, dogs being held by handlers and, of course, dog after dog on leashes.

Some dogs were so small in size they looked almost like a toy. They could easily fit in a purse or small bag.

Others dogs were taller than my 4-year-old and likely weighed twice as much. These big dogs seemed the most interesting and the most alarming to my sons.

I carried my 1-year-old as we walked and my husband transferred our 4-year-old up to his shoulders.

Since we arrived at the end of the lunch break, my family headed first to the grooming area in the next building.

We hoped to watch as dogs were prepped and readied for the afternoon competitions.

Entering that building, we were greeted by the sight of a hundred or more grooming tables. Owners were brushing, clipping and brushing dogs in a flurry of excitement.

The high-pitched whine of several hair dryers could be heard from across the room.

Ready to sit and watch a competition, we then made our way to the obedience trials.

There we watched as one class of dogs was individually put through a series of commands and drills by the handlers.

The dogs had to retrieve a dumbbell on command, follow at the handler's side and leap over jumps.

My husband and I commented on how each dog seemed so in tune with its handler and so willing to complete the given task.

Watching a Border collie closely follow its handler in a figure-eight around two adults, my 4-year-old turned to me and commented, "I think that dog has done this before."

I had to agree.

At one point in the obedience competition, all the dogs and handlers walked into the ring together. I assumed this was the end of the competition and winners would be announced.

However, handlers took the leashes off the animals and, then commanding the dog to stay, walked out of the ring and then out of the building.

Completely confused, I turned to the family next to me and asked more than a dozen questions. The family was gracious enough to fill me in on all the details, which I then relayed to my own family: Dogs in some obedience competitions must stay in the seated position for 3 minutes with their handlers out of sight.

The crowd watched silently as all 11 dogs in the class sat motionless in the ring. It was as if every spectator was holding its breath in anticipation, willing the dogs not to move.

After 2 minutes, a beautiful golden retriever laid down, his head resting on his front paws.

The family next to us turned and whispered, "disqualified."

Then the handlers returned to the ring and again I thought the winners would be announced. Instead, handlers commanded the dogs to lie down and left the room again. This time their absence would be 5 minutes.

Every dog stayed perfectly in place. However, at the 3-minute mark my 1-year-old wiggled off my lap and began to explore the area around us.

Getting my husband's attention, I nodded toward our young son and whispered, "disqualified."

Quietly getting up from our seats, I scooped up my toddler and my family walked to see the next event.

Back in the Jackman Long Building, we were just in time to see the group judging in the center ring.

Handlers were lined up positioning their dog's legs, tail and ears. Fur was smoothed and treats were offered as the judge watched each animal stand, then run, and then walk back to its place. Finally the dogs were lined up as first, second, third and fourth place were awarded to applause from the crowd.

It was easy to think about the rewards of having a dog when surrounded by such beautiful, well-groomed and well-behaved animals.

"What kind of dog would we want if we did get one?" I asked my family.

Looking around the arena each of us noted several that looked appealing. My son mentioned the handsome golden retriever from the obedience competition.

My husband motioned toward a dog that looked just like the family pet from his own childhood.

I turned and pointed at a Great Pyrenees that I had seen affectionately licking the faces of several children earlier in the day. Easily more than a hundred pounds, with a coat of long white hair, this dog's large size yet gentle nature certainly made an impression on me.

Of course realistically, I'm not sure exactly how we'd manage in our small home with such a large dog. Perhaps for now, we'll just stick to houseplants.