The Rumberos go to shows

The beginning

Havanese debut in Panama

"Charlie and Lola made their debut in Panama this Sunday. I was SO PROUD to see them walking with that Cuban rhythm and attitude they have, showing off like seasoned veterans, even though Lola is only six months old and Charlie, four. I couldn´t believe it when the announcer said "Now is the turn of the Bichón Habanero...", and they were MY little fellows he was calling!  

I feel compelled to share with you the part of the National in Panamá I kind of "forgot" to mention the first time around. Besides, I had to get permission from the parties involved (husband and son) in order to avoid any future retaliation. This precaution may be construed as a backlash from my previous life´s profession -Lawyer- or to the fact that I live too close to the "parties involved".

Well, first with the hubby. As the guy who was training Lola and Charlie had 3 puppies to show in the Puppy Group (Lola, Charlie and a Chow Chow), and he -ever so mistakenly- chose the Chow (who did NOT get anything BTW), and I cannot kneel -2 knee surgeries under the belt-, Mario bravely put on his number and went to the ring with Charlie. He graciously walked like a British lord, looking like a Westminster pro, but with Charlie on the WRONG SIDE the whole time! Then came the stacking thing and my poor baby (the dog, not the husband) just looked at him with a "What on earth are you doing, Daddy, this is NOT what I´ve been practicing" look on his face. As they were puppies -the Havanese and the Husband- the judge was very nice, and notwithstanding the strange style of showing, Charlie got Third place in puppy group.

As to my Junior Handler son... let´s begin by mentioning that he´s a perfectionist who, being the first time for all of us, didn´t have a clue of how seriously all the kids take this competition. So, the innocent 11-year-old went dressed like a normal 11-year-old, to find kids wearing ties, jackets or complete suits! (with this hot & humid climate, that was enough reason to give them a prize). Bad start. Then he gets into the ring with 4 month-old Charlie, the amateur show dog, and the nightmare began...

The first part went OK, at least he did know to which side was Charlie supposed to be, and the stacking thing went pretty well, as practiced. Then the Judge asked him to walk away from her, towards the side of the ring where MAMA was standing. Charlie walked so perfectly, with his tail up, moving like a champ Havanese, happy to see MOM so near... When Daniel tried to turn him around to go back to where the Judge was standing, the poor dog made a 360 degrees flip in the air! 

Everybody thought it was sooo cute and funny, BUT the Junior-Handler-Son. He let go of the leash and got OUT of the ring! Without the dog! Then he went back to pick him up like a sack of potatoes, and went out again, walking towards the place where Mario and I were standing. All of you moms out there must understand perfectly what this mother was going through. I was ready to kill the kid, but could only mutter with clenched teeth and a frozen smile: GO BACK TO THE RING....NOW! To no avail.

The Judge stayed where she was and, with that way they have to give orders without a word, kept on looking at him and showing him his way back to the ring. After what felt like 2 hours, he picked up happy clueless Charlie, went back inside, and FINISHED. What a lesson that was!! OF COURSE he didn´t win anything, but he learned a lot. At the end of the show, he went to the judge, shook her hand, apologized, thank her for the second chance, and told her that he would do a great job at the International Show in November. I´m sure he will.

Candela's first show

At the Show on December, 2002	Lola, I think will fly away any time now...	"Do you think our coats will still look nice?	C'mon Candela, relax,  this is kind of fun!

Having learned a bit, we decided that our best bet would be to show our babies ourselves.  On December 2002, Candela made her debut on the ring, and she got a "Very Promising" (as a puppy) and -judge by mistake as "Young" under another Judge, she got an "Excellent"!  She'll start showing as an Adult (thus getting points) as soon as she turns 18 months, that is at all shows after November 17, 2003! 

And what about Jr Handler son?  Well, he did participate on the next show -again with Charlie - and he got 2nd place!  They make a wonderful team, so I´m sure the next news will be a first place, no doubt about it.

Showing has been yet another thing we have learned along with our Havanese in the last couple of years.  There's so much more we need to learn, but we're having fun along the way.  Besides, it has been a family affair, and that makes it even much more meaningful.

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See the rumberos win their Ch titles