CRUFTS 2009
A KENNEL ASSISTANT’S DIARY
4.30am and the alarm clock fires me into action! Four of my
own to let out, plus an extra one as Mum is staying to dog sit for the day!
Out/in and fed ..cuppa in hand, quick shower, food ready for day (why did I
say I would do the catering for us all? But only the flask of coffee to
make. Must watch the time got to be at the kennels by 5.20am or else!!
YES...made it!
Dogs sorted with four in one car with Tim and Julie’s friend Clare, plus the
food for us…gosh I hope they don’t drop the bags since I had strict
instructions to pack a few wee drams!! Julie and I are off in the second
car with the last two of the six Winuwuk entries.
We’ve arrived at the N.E.C and its only just gone 6.30. My god Ju can put
her foot down! But we have long hike from the West Car Park so off we
go?since they were headed for privileged parking Tim and Clare should have
the benches sorted. WRONG! We arrived before they did!!
Anyway…all ensconced and ready for Crufts 2009 and the food bags were
intact!! “Sal?shouts Ju “I think the dogs need to go out?nbsp; “No prob?says
I. Well the older lads are fine but the young lads need grass and as for
Dilys I WANT GRASS! Well I walked and walked and walked all day to the
degree that I didn’t even have to show the pass since the people on the door
knew me!
The atmosphere was electric and I can only say the Boxer clan are one on
their own who always make me feel part of their team!
The show progressed. Enzo was pulled out in a lovely puppy class but didn’t
get placed, however Dilys started the ball rolling and wow a red card!…We
were on a high!..Then Frank took a 2nd and Leo a 3rd.
Wow, this is just a fab day out!!! Then Jack went in for Ann and although
he doesn’t live at the kennels, he is special and YES a 1st.
Oh my God, Max is due in the ring. Will I have any nails left? It’s so bad
I’m worried that I won’t have any fingers left either! But before that..
“Sal?shouts Ju, they need to go out?“No prob!!!?nbsp; Another few miles to
walk!! ANYWAY, all sorted for the umpteenth time. Don’t you just love being
a kennel assistant?
Tell you what, the people on the door are my new best friends but my cigs
are getting low and Ju hasn’t even had one yet!!! Thank God I brought
extra!!!
Max is in the ring and I can’t bear to watch……Oh my God he’s won……..that’s
me in pieces, a total wreck, but we still have more to go. Well, as you all
know, he came out tops in the breed. Well, if you didn’t know, where have
you been the last few weeks?
Kennel assistant here is totally overcome with emotion. To be honest, just
ecstatic. Chaos then erupts. Four dogs need to go to the car. “Make sure
they have a wee etc?shouts Ju as she’s escorted off with our BEST OF
BREED ... MAX!! Bags packed and loaded onto the trolley which we are
using for the first time but only in use as Tim is totally incapacitated
with his back…makes a change..could have been alcohol! Anyway thank God
Clare was there to help and get four dogs and all the gear back to the car.
Thank god Ju didn’t see us as she would have said “CONTROL those dogs!!?nbsp;
But she would, I hope, have been proud of the two of us getting them
securely back and snuggled down! Then it was off to the Working Group
final?.
We eventually managed to negotiate our way to Hall 1?hoping Tim had got the
drinks lined up. WRONG! “Did you get Ann’s cage??says Ju “No, I thought
Ann was getting it??br>
No problem, I will just go back >>>>>>> Hall 1 to Hall 5…ahhhhhhh, but
that’s a kennel assistant’s life, basically a gofor! But, what the heck,
I’m only 10 years younger than them. Finish the old ones off first!
Eventually arrive in a very empty Hall 5 (God, it’s a long way round that
NEC!) Thank God the cage is still there! Eventually dismantled it. My God
it’s heavy in its special bag! No problem! Now I have to carry it all the
way back from Hall 5 to Hall 1. How fast can I walk when I’ve got a Group to
watch? Mega, that’s for sure……HELP!! Can I find the right hall?
EUREKA! I’ve arrived at last with said cage, shoulder is aching BUT Tim to
the rescue with a well deserved drink…thanks boss!!
Quick, take your seats?MAX IS IN THE FINAL OF THE
WORKING GROUP!!
The atmosphere is electric. I still can’t believe
we are sat here watching this happening.
GO MAX, GO BOY, COME ON YOU ARE THE BEST…We shout, we scream, we jump up and
down. Well, Tim shouts loudest, but can’t jump up and down!!!
OH MY GOD?.MAX HAS WON THE GROUP!!
This is just the most unbelievable day ever!! We leave the arena to
celebrate. “Sal?says Ju (Gofor here!) “Can you make sure Enzo is OK??nbsp;
“No prob, on my way?br>
Enzo fine, loving the attention he has been getting and now curled up fast
asleep, bless him. It has been a very long day for a 10 month old who has
never endured Crufts dog show before. What a well behaved lad! I wish my
two Collies and two Labradors were as good as him!
BACK TO HOSPITALITY!!
Oh, this is surreal, huge trophy, Max so laid back, all of us chattering on
and me trying to get any freebies that happen to be there!! Food, drinks
and I’m on another planet...this is the CRUFTS
FINAL 2009
I’ve phoned everyone on my mobile and my credit is
nearly nil! Why did the BBC pull out of televising Crufts this year of all
years!
“I think Max needs to go out?said I. “OK?says Ju?great, I can have a
ciggie!!!! Escorted to the door..Max a very laid back happy chap said “Wow
Sal, I needed that wee but hang on, don’t rush me, there’s more!!!?nbsp; Ju’s at
the door “Get back, we’re nearly on!??. “Sorry?says Max and me “We have
more to do here!?br>
Time to take our seats…this is CRUFTS 2009 FINAL
AND MAX IS IN IT!!
Ju comes out with Max and he looks just fab, show
man to the end. I can’t honestly believe this is happening. Please would
someone pinch me and tell me I’m not dreaming! I don’t think we will be
able to speak soon, we’ve shouted and screamed so much!
WELL DONE MAX.
How that Sealyham could top you, I really don’t know!!!
CRUFTS 2009 IS OVER
The N.E.C empties, dogs to the car and drive home all very, very tired…but
we are all on a high!!! The most magnificent day of my life!!
BUT?.A KENNEL ASSISTANT’S JOB IS NEVER DONE!
It’s 11.15pm and we are home at WINUWUK KENNELS…six to feed and the rest to
sort…….AND tomorrow is another day>>>>>>>>
THANK YOU BOSSES (JU/TIM) FOR GIVING ME THE JOB AS KENNEL ASSSISTANT!!!
PS - When do I get a pay rise?
Sally Shapland
Winuwuk Boxers?first team coach