And the winner is …

One by one the winners of each category paraded the arena at the Crufts 2017 Best in Show competition.

There was Alan, a Lakeland Terrier who won best in his group.Next, a Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, called Frosty, who came from the Netherlands was the best in the Hounds group.The Best in Utility Group title was won by a Miniature Poodle called Frankie.The first Japanese pooch to get to the finals was a Yorkshire Terrier called Kagayaki in the Toy Group. Then came the best in the Gundog Group award that went to American Cocker Spaniel Miami Ink.Merrybear, a Newfoundland won the Working GroupAnd along came Pegasos, an Old English Sheep Dog that won Working & Pastoral. And they announced the winner for Best in Show, Crufts 2017.And I snoozed through all that.

May’s comment: I watched the Crufts Best in Show – out of curiosity while on edge, afraid for the doggies performing if they should make a mistake while being judged.  They all looked immaculately groomed and so well behaved.

Then I looked at my two lying at the end of the bed – they too were just groomed a couple of days ago but by Sunday night, their muzzles were all askew from drinking water and lying on their faces.They looked so “imperfect” and ordinary compared to those “show winners”.

In the early days when Darcy was as cute as a button, I entered her in a local competition for fun, thinking surely she has to win prettiest bitch. I remember the judge stopped and considered her. How could he not. But he reached down to feel her body.  I didn’t know why he was doing that.  He picked three winners and it wasn’t us. I felt shunned.  Only later I realised that the judge was feeling if that cute little puppy was overweight – and she was. I didn’t know that was a criteria.

Years later when I became more informed, I entered her, this time all lean and mean and groomed for another competition.  But it was a bit of a joke.  B-list celebs were judging and if you had the MOST sad story of all, you would be the winner.  Well, we were never going to be any of that as Darcy was just a normally loved dog with no traumatic experiences. That was against her.

But George had a sad story.  He was on death row!  Maybe he might get noticed. It was still NOT sad enough. And besides he barked up a storm the one time I entered him for a competition. That was it! No Scrufts for us! He’s too small, he’s a bit unpredictable with other dogs and due to a loose patella he has a funny gait sometimes to top it all off!  Not to mention his crooked jaw with one tooth sticking out! And it remains stained. He’s a tragedy! LOL!

Of course I am biased, but I also realised I didn’t need anyone, especially not someone making a public appearance to tell me if Darcy was the prettiest or best dog in the show.  She doesn’t have to be the best or win competitions to make me proud.  Because she is simply beautiful just lying on my bed even when her muzzle is all messed up!And George is the most darling of dogs and the handsomest when he’s cuddling his toy dog as he sleeps.They have won my heart.

All dogs who are loved are winners! And all who love dogs are winners too!

Crufts is the oldest and biggest dog show in the U.K. and the Best in Show is the final competition at the end of the four day annual event in Birmingham. We’ve been twice before when we were invited to write about it for our blog. It’s a lot harder to attend Crufts with two dogs! Even with one, it was hard work.