SHOWTRIP TO ESTONIA 2005
Text & photos: Heidi Ollila
In the spring of 2005 it was time for Estonian winnershow 2005 and we
decided to pack our bags and visit the show. Our travelling cast consisted of;
Hanna, Mrs. Northgate´s and pharaohhounds Wendy & Funky, not forgetting the little whirlwind italiangreyhound Olivia and me with
Weera. From Helsinki to our cast joined Anne with 2 greyhounds and off we went... 
On Saturday there was a small groupshow for groups 10
and 5 and of course we had entered our dogs there. The ph ring had only 3 dogs entered; Wendy, Weera and Funky.
Weera BOB with a certification, which meant that she became Estonian champion that day. After spending the long
day in the show we finally got to our hotel and spend the evening sleeping our tireness off. After all we had driven
600 kilometres first to get to Helsinki and then the boattrip to Tallinn and the whole day in the show.
ESTONIAN WINNERSHOW
On Sunday it was time for the Estonian winnershow.
We got to the show early in the morning and had time to check out other rings before our own. It was a really warm
and sunny day and I spend most of time sleeping in our tent! The warm weather made me really tired, so I chose to
sleep before the ring... and so did Weera.
Pharaohhounds were judged by Saija Juutilainen from
Finland and there was 4 pharaohhounds entered for her. First went Funky to the ring - and he got excellent with
the title Estonian junior winner. Then it was Wendy´s turn and she performed with her usual carisma gaining
excellent also.
After that it was Weera and me. After a few turns in the ring and a pose to the judge I got the wanted pink ribbon
to my hand, which meant that Weera also got an excellent. And to the best bitch ring we went...in the best bitch ring
there was 3 bitches competing; Wendy - Northgate´s Northern Lights, Farao Anubis Nemesis and Weera, my Little One.
Weera won the bitches and I knew at that point that the title would be ours! I entered to the best of breed ring
with a smile on my face;) The smile got even bigger after the judge handed me the Best of breed price....
GROUPFINALS
In the afternoon it was time for groupfinals. And what
did we, me and Weera, do before the finals?! We slept of course! Although dogshows can be a lot of fun, it is really
tiring to wait those groupfinals to begin if your own ring has been in the morning. Still I´m really happy, that we
waited since Weera went BIG-2 in the groupfinals. Wow, what a great ending to the day. After the finals we went off
to the harbour and started our journey back home and without difficulties it didn't go.
GETTING INTO THE BOAT CAN BE THE HARD PART....
Yes, it really can be the hard part - getting into the boat.
After waiting a few hours in the harbour for the boat to arrive we noticed that one must climb narrow stairs to the ship.
Well, normally it wouldn´t cause us any grey hair, but this time we had 3 pharaohhounds in our hands, a large crate full
of our luggage and on top of that little Olivia in her own crate. Not forgetting our other luggage. So it wasn´t
possible for us to get into the boat by stairs. The problem was solved by the only friendly person of the ships staff
- the man who guides cars in to the ship. He offered his helping hand and guided us on to the line of cars and told
us not worry we can get into the ship after all. So there were we - 3 dogs and 2 women with their luggage in the
line of cars! Everything ended happily after all and we arrived to Helsinki at midnight and started our 600 kilometres
drive up to north back home. And guess what I did with Weera when we got back home?! Slept for a day!
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