Dawn on Halloween comes late. We were already headed south down I-30 before the sun came up. Our dogs showed at 9:00 and 10:00, so we were among the first to arrive at the Saline County Fairgrounds. I missed yesterday when it was colder, but the forty-degree morning in an open air arena with dirt floors was austere enough for me.
Betty Ann was going to show her cardigan corgis first then my border collie, Molly. She began grooming the cardis while I stomped around trying to stay warm. Then Molly got on the table, needing little attention beyond red-clay dust removal from her feet.
Betty Ann was golden with the cardis — winners dog, winners bitch, best of breed. She went to get pictures taken with her new favorite judge, and I got Molly out and asked a friend to take her to the ring while I disappeared. Molly sometimes pays more attention to me than her handler, so I stay out of sight when she’s in the ring.
Katie walked Molly ringside. Molly looked frantically around for someone she knew. Then she spotted Betty Ann. The ears went up; the tail wagged. She had found salvation.
In the ring, she was wonderful. Moved well, stacked beautifully, pricked her ears. She won winners bitch and best of opposite sex.
Finding a familiar face was all Molly needed. I know the feeling.
