Excursion – Dog Show Extravaganza at Aberdeen Center

This past Sunday, Holly and I went to the Aberdeen Centre Mall in Richmond, BC to participate in the Dog Show Extravaganza.

Aberdeen Centre is unique in that it caters primarily to the local Asian population.  Visiting this mall is like stepping into another world.  The decor, the stores, the restaurants are all authentically Asian.

We weren’t sure what to expect, we didn’t see any other dogs as we made our way into the parkade, and then entered the mall.  I carried Holly as I’d been instructed to by the nice lady who phoned earlier in the week to confirm our attendance.  When we turned towards the atrium area, we were pleased to see other dogs, many many other dogs of all shapes and sizes.

There was a stage set up with decorative balloon art, a podium, chairs for participants, a sound system and more.  We made our way to the registration table where one volunteer put stickers on my arm to indicate which events we were participating in.  Another volunteer gave me a program and yet another directed me where to sit.  Very organized, I was impressed.

We settled in and met a nice beagle named Oreo who was going to be participating in a sniffing contest, and then another dog who was going to be stiff competition for the costume contest.

There were dogs everywhere!  Several Golden Retrievers waiting to impress in the obedience contest, a big Doberman looking anxious about his turn on the agility course, a German Shepherd, several Jack Russells, a few poodles, some mixed breeds, a Rottweiler and a Dachshund.

Holly was very nervous, not used to being at the mall, or in a contest, or amongst so many eager dogs and overly friendly owners.  Mostly she sat on my lap and looked at all the sights around her.

Finally it came our turn to line up for the parade across the stage.  We knew we were no match for the jellyfish with the costume that lit up, or the mermaid with flowing red hair, or the octopus with the blue balloon legs.  Still Holly was on her best behaviour, as she sat nicely on the podium and looked out at the crowd.  After the costume parade, we watched some of the entertainment and then finally it was our turn to participate in the ‘Merry Go Round’ event.  As we were going up on stage we learned that it was not just a ‘sit’ contest but that it was also a ‘lay down’ contest.  We hadn’t practiced that bit.

We got up on stage and the music started and around we walked.  The music stopped, Holly sat down as instructed.  The judges pointed to us indicating that Holly was the first dog to sit and thus would be moving on to the finals.  We stood to the side while the other rounds finished.  And then it was the finals, we were competing against a fierce looking Pekinese and an astute Pomeranian.  Both of whom knew the ‘down’ command.  Poor Holly didn’t have a chance, the music started, the dogs walked, the music stopped, Holly sat, she looked around, then finally she lay down and rolled on to her back.  Worthy of a chuckle, but not a prize.

Back to our seats we went to watch the rest of the show, the nervous dogs on the agility course, the uber obedient Golden Retrievers and the super fast Jack Russell.  Holly was getting a bit anxious, after spending four hours there we decided it was time to go home, without staying for the awards ceremonies.

All in all it was a good experience, and we think that we’d better start planning next year’s costume if we want to be a contender next year!