[PyrNet-L] Re: CHAT: Don't miss the Specialty!

[Shirley McGreal <spm@awod.com>]

Right now I am trying to decide whether to attend the National Specialty in
Sacramento instead of going to the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which will
be held in Nairobi around the same time. It's a close call! The CITES
meeting is always really cantankerous and the meeting is crawling with
lobbyists for international big game hunters, animal dealers, ivory
carvers. CITES is becoming like a world animal supermarket - the idealism
that inspired the treaty seems to hang on in a few conservation groups and
a very few governments. 

In contrast I always found attending the National Specialty a delight. The
dogs are just splendid. On the last day seeing 80 or more beautiful
animals, all preened, parading into the ring together, is so thrilling.
It's heart-stopping. 

On top of that visits to the grooming hall are another treat. Watching
someone else work is always fun, anyway. And do these groomers work! The
dogs stand on their benches and take everything in stride. 

The Pyr people are in general really friendly. I travel alone (my husband
and I never leave together as a gibbon will always get sick) and I always
have a great time. Many people are busy with their dogs, of course, but
I've had great chats with so many of my fellow list members and others. The
banquet is really fun. You can sign up for a table and be with people
you've always admired (I always try to get on Catherine's table and last
year really enjoyed Fran Princehouse and her clan).

There's always a lot of great stuff on sale from Our Dog Bleu and others.
Every time you round a corner in your hotel, you'll run into a gorgeous
fluffball. 

The reason I'm putting out this post is that I know some people may not
have decided whether to attend the Specialty or not. I just want to be sure
nobody stays home thinking they would not get a friendly reception from the
humans - and of course the dogs will be thrilled to meet you.  

Shirley McGreal