In Denmark we luckily don't have the same big problems with dogs changing homes as in the USA. There was a collection for the rescue-dogs on the show-ground. Many different things with OES-motives were sold. Everything was donated by private people, kennels and artists.
Barbara Hamilton-Wagner windchyme2@aol.com had done a great job collecting things for the selling, and everyday she worked hard in the stand together with Pat and her daughter.
Barbara Hamilton-Wagner windchyme2@aol.com had done a great job collecting things for the selling, and everyday she worked hard in the stand together with Pat and her daughter.
Others - and most of them I hope - live just like our dogs at home and go for shows once in a while. Such a dog is Misty, who lives together with Pat on a farm in Ohio. Misty is 7 years of age and is also an obedience-dog. She entered the Veteranæ-class two days and made it as number two both days. The photo left and above shows Misty.
The day before we arrived there had been contests in hearding, agility and obedience. Before and after she shows there was conferences about many different subjects, there were lectures at breakfast, there was a nice Armish-buffet and the show ended with a highquality dinner.
Visitors came from 37 nations - there were five of us from Denmark. Beside Herdis and also Dortemarie, Bendte and Johnny were there to join the centennial celebration.
Visitors came from 37 nations - there were five of us from Denmark. Beside Herdis and also Dortemarie, Bendte and Johnny were there to join the centennial celebration.
The show ground beautifully decorated. There were many stands with really beautifull things as well as less beautifull things - all with the OES as the subject. Right Herdis and Joane Seawell are admiring a stand with OES motives.
It was a tremendous travell through time and space in USA - and we saw lots of contrasts.
The only bad thing was when we got a message from home telling us that our close friend Winnie had died from a coronary.
The only bad thing was when we got a message from home telling us that our close friend Winnie had died from a coronary.
The showresultats can be found on: www.oldenglishsheepdogclubofamerica.org
There is more pictures from the show on: www.rotmaintal.de
The american OES Club celebrated it's 100 years anniversary and Herdis and I - who both pass our milestones this year - decided to give ourselves a trip to The States.
We began with three days in New York. Very impressing. Everything was huge and running in fast gear, but it was nice and clean and everyone we met was kind..
We began with three days in New York. Very impressing. Everything was huge and running in fast gear, but it was nice and clean and everyone we met was kind..
As we got off the train it was like travelling 100 years back in time. But the hotel situated a distance from the town center was very modern.
The dogshow lasted five days and over 200 dogs were shown.
The dogshow lasted five days and over 200 dogs were shown.
On the corner of Central Park we met Chelsea, a 10 year old OES bitch with some pretty dark eyes. Chelsea lives with his family close to the park and comes for walks there two times a day. Here she can run free and meet her friends - among them is a two year old OES-dog. When Chelsea had new hips she went for swimming and massage several times a week. Chelsea's 'mum' told us, that she once met an OES in the corner of the park, but that was all she knew of OES in N.Y.
Most of the dogs had enormous coats with lots of underwool on the right spots, so they looked as if they were cut out of a pattern - and they moved fantastic, most of them. Some of the dogs live their lives as showdogs. Stay with pro handlers and are driven from show to show in large mobile-homes, the size of small houses.
The last day a Rescue-dog parade was arranged. It was very proud owners who showed their dogs. Some of which were dressed up (not to my taste). The audience applauded and some cried a little. It was very impressive, and the dogs had prizes - depending on the distances they came from to show their dogs. We spoke to Chandler's owner, who told that they drove 28 hours to get there - but they didn't get a first prize!
Right is Cramer in the ring.
Lene and Hasse from Norway rented a car and invited us for a small tour in the neighbourhood. We saw old horse-drawn carriages, a man ploughing with five horses pulling, and we saw people dressed in oldfashion clothes.
The sightseeing ended with breakfast the typical american way - in a druckstore where we had scrambled eggs, roasted toasts, thick pancakes, fryed potatoes and loads of coffee!
The sightseeing ended with breakfast the typical american way - in a druckstore where we had scrambled eggs, roasted toasts, thick pancakes, fryed potatoes and loads of coffee!
It was very impressive to see more than 60 well-groomed OES Champs entering the showtring at the same time.
The area around Lancaster is known for the pupulation living the Armish way - that is having no electricity or other modern facilities.