A Challenging day!

Gosh, what a day!

My friend Helle and I + our dogs were entertaining at a big pet/animal fair today. We were there last year too (see yesterdays blip) and it was so well organized, so we were really excited about going back.

It was totally different this year! We arrived 1½ hour before our first performance and found there was no sound system on the stage we were meant to dance on... Dog Dancing without music???? We had also asked for a headset mike and a DJ to start our music. No mike, no DJ, no nothing...

They managed to sort the sound system problem by moving some speakers from another stage to the one we were performing on, but still no DJ, so I went to one of the exhibitors and asked if he would help us. He was very nice and helped us out. Our performance ended up being about 45 mins. delayed!

Our dogs were fantastic and danced their hearts out for us - they really are amazing!

After our first show, we went to the Show Office and asked to have our problems sorted. They promised all would be ok for our 2 pm performance. Great!

At 1.30 there was still no sound system and no DJ! We went to the Show Office... Oh yes, no problem... all would be sorted!

At 1.50 the sound system arrived. At 2.15 we gave up on waiting for the DJ and planned how we would help each other by being both DJs and performers... It was horrid! We already had to change costume, put one dog back in its crate and get the next dog ready in about 4 mins between performances - now we had to do all that AND stop/start the music in the same time. It was so confusing for our dogs and really very unfair as we had no time to reward and warm up.

We went back to the Show Office, who promised us it will be better tomorrow. Mmmm, right!

We went home and then the Show Organizers rang... and told us they can't find a DJ for tomorrow and we should have asked for it in advance! EXCUSE ME!!!!! I found the e-mail in which we asked for a sound system, a headset, a DJ and everything else and read it to her... Whoops! She once again promised it will be better tomorrow... Mmmm we'll see!

BUT! Our dogs have been amazing and worked so well for us under very difficult conditions and with very stressed and frustrated handlers. Well done boys!

Todays picture is of Biscuit and me. We opened our 2nd performance by demonstrating how we train the dogs and explain to the audience what Heelwork To Music and Canine Freestyle is all about. After that we performed our routine... then Helle and Doggie performed, Hero and I and finally Helle and Jazz... Phew! 25 hectic and busy minutes!