Today Liquorice, in the company of her family, attended the Championship Show of the Newfoundland Club of New South Wales held at Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs, Erskine Park just west of Sydney here in Australia. And it seemed an “international” affair with visitors from New Zealand and a Judge from Sweden! Now this was the first dog show that Liquorice has attended, and my first show also! My parents were dog breeders from before World War Two and Dad was also an “all breeds” judge during the 1940’s and 50’s before they drifted into other interests. So for them this was a sentimental journey back in time. The late Bill Spilstead and my father even went through judging classes together. Ma and Pa have been looking forward to this show for weeks and were not disappointed. For Liquorice and her Dad it was an opportunity for socialization with others of our respective species.
The day provided intermittent sunshine, cloud and blustery winds.
The four of us made our way towards a vacant spot at the end of the ring a bit away from the actual judging but a pleasant sunny spot for my parents. Liquorice looked at each relaxed Newfie we passed with the air of one among friends, until we came to one crate covered to protect against the wind and containing a “veteran”. Liquorice must have surprised this gentleman as she walked past prompting him to give several loud woofs! This startled my little darling! She too was not expecting company just then. Liquorice looked at him in his crate then went over to apologize and probably to ask why he was in jail! Liquorice does not have a crate. They were soon nuzzling each other through the “bars” while her humans chatted with his proud owner, who also had another veteran Landseer there together with two beautiful Golden Retrievers. We were chatting a little too long, as we then had to rush to get settled before the parade of carts. Four magnificent carts paraded around the ring. First in was a simple cart loaded with fishing nets, etc and complete with a weatherworn fisherman leading his Newfoundland. Next was one laden with fur skins and a sweltering “Eskimo” lady also in fur skins! An ornate cart in more of a “Spanish” style then followed. The last into the ring was a delightful young “milk-maid” with her milk churns being hauled in her cart. Liquorice just looked on at this parade not really knowing what was to happen. The simplicity and construction of the fisherman’s cart appealed to the Judge who awarded it First Prize. As one of the carts passed by Liquorice on its return she looked long and hard at the Newf and the cart. The expression on her face as it turned toward me meant only one thing. No way!!!!
I would find a place in the shade for Liquorice to lay down each time the sun came out and we would return the short few yards to Ma and Pa as the clouds came over. On the far side of the ring to us lay a Bronze Newfoundland. Whenever I looked across he always appeared so comfortable lying there with his people under a large umbrella. Even among Newfs, his was an extraordinary talent for snoozing. Other Newfs strutting their stuff in the ring or showing their excitement while waiting their “turn” did not disturb him. The gusts of wind just caressed his rust colored coat. Even the gust that turned the umbrella inside out above him failed to disturb his slumbers. For a while his mistress held the umbrella with the edge touching the ground to protect him from the weather until a sudden change in direction sent it wheeling over the top of him and across the paddock, still leaving him undisturbed. That fellow could even give Liquorice sleeping lessons! But he was enjoying the sunshine on his aged body just as Liquorice’s oldies enjoyed the sun on theirs. Liquorice at times watched the beauty parade of Newfoundlands with great interest, at other times she lay with her back to the ring watching other Newfs waiting their turn or being groomed in preparation. There seemed to something to interest her where ever she looked. A fluffy young puppy that had won its class yapped each time that his owners left with another dog for the ring. Liquorice gazed at her noisy neighbor with understanding and sympathy at his temporary loss. One Newfoundland pulled the stake from the ground he was tied to and raced across the ring toward his mistress. The Judge caught him, commenting on his impatience to be shown! After the males had been done I asked my father, as an ex-judge, his opinion of this Swedish judge. My father grinned as he commented, “He must be an excellent judge! He has put up my pick each time!”
Liquorice left me amazed with her calm acceptance of every detail in the strange goings on that happened around her. No dashes to exchange greetings with other Newfs. No excited hellos to people stopping to talk. She was just my little darling. She watched with interest as her fellow Newfs paraded their humans around for that judge’s approval. And particular interest whenever Francis Wilson, the lady who bred Liquorice, was trotted near our place at the ringside. My little darling must have wondered which kind Fate had brought them near again so far from home. Fran’s times in the ring had Liquorice watching with noticeably greater interest. After the show Fran found time to see Liquorice, and rule that I was still feeding my little darling too generously! Liquorice had no interest in discussions of her food supply being reduced and only wanted to “breathe in” her Auntie Francis. That special bond from early puppyhood exists still, and Liquorice loved it.
The local Newfie club is only small however as I sat with my little darling, peacefully enjoying the proceedings, I had time to see that this club was truly blessed with some tireless workers. These selfless people went ceaselessly about their duties to ensure everything came together in perfect fashion for the enjoyment of others. Their dedication is to be applauded!
As a “non-show” person, the part of the show I liked best was the parade of veterans. Their career highlights were read out for all to hear of their past glories as each did a lap of honor around the ring before receiving a large rosette. Long histories and aging bodies meant each one’s lap was leisurely. The years seemed to fall away from their happy faces as they paraded, seeming once more to relive the pride they shared with their humans, then, as now. And each received a special round of warm applause.
The steward of the show, who has been doing that job for the Newfie Club for the last twenty-five years, came to ask why Liquorice was not shown. We explained that Liquorice was our “pet”, not a showgirl, and was there for the outing, as were we. Besides she had been de-sexed. The passing years have meant that the “old hands” showing dogs these days only started since Ma and Pa finished. Few remember the people from my parents time, only some of the names. In conversation it was revealed that the steward had long experience with showing prior to his commitment to the Newfie Club. They knew many of the same people and swapped stories of friends from a bygone era. He provided Ma and Pa with updated details of mutual friends and acquaintances while they relived those same people’s distant past exploits. Sadly many are no longer with us. Liquorice quietly lay at our feet listening and sharing their emotions at the amusing, happy and sad times being remembered.
The day brought back many happy long forgotten memories for my parents and created new memories for Liquorice and her Dad. A day that made my parents young once more. The four of us had a marvelous relaxing day among the company of wonderful friendly people. People who reflected all the best qualities of our beloved and magnificent Newfoundlands.
And Liquorice slept all the way home, her head resting on my father’s thigh.
Arthur Witten
Liquorice – Hey Dad, you would look good between the shafts hauling me in one of those carts!