Euro-Dog Show 2002 Paříž Les Bourget from the point of view of an exhibitor

After seeing the World Dog Show in Amsterdam we decided to take part in a similar summit event as exhibitors. We were lucky because the Euro Dog Show had been posponed from April to November. The aim of our exhibition activities was clear.

We found the registration for the show quite easy but as everybody knows: nothing is as easy as it seems to be. The registration via the net was smooth – easy forms, the possibility to correct possible fault details during several weeks etc. But the problem appeared very soon, because the French organiation who was arranging the show, did not tell the account number. It was possible to pay by Eurocheques or, as we thought the best, to send money by post to the address of the organization. But I did not suppose that two post offices would refuse to do it; I was accepted at the third one. I need to admit that I delayed the run of the post office for an hour and was threatened to be trapled to death by other impatioent customers. But the money was at last transferred well in advance (at least we thought so) and we could start getting ready to the show.

We experienced another problem at the day of balancing when two months after our payment it was still „unpaid“ on the net. I do not know how good you are at French but our languageskills are quite poor. I did not receive any answer to my e-mail, I could not make a phone call. The phone number they present, is correct, but using it is similar to calling our Telecom and be answered by a machine – in this case in French, of course. Finally, I got an idea to send a fax, and this time I was answered by a very kind lady, Madame Rosalyn, who left us in a catalogue and allowed us to pay at the show ... For the second time ...

Note: We made a reclamation with the result: the money had come to the place of destination, had been collected by someone else and would not be given back. Well ... We have lost more in our life... But it was perhaps the only „organization shadow“ which we met.

Eventually the D day – Friday, November 8, had come, and we set off to fight Europe. Two cars, six people (the Nemečeks, the Růžičkas, friend Pavla – the main navigator and Jarka – the interpreter), three Irish Wolf Hounds (Amanda, Andy, Essex). The journey was OK except for some bad details (breaking the speed limit in Germany – we are still waiting for a time). The dogs were great and again we appreciated their worthless nature, they did not even surse even if they were not very happy about the trip: „Where the hell are you dragging us?“

About 12 hours later we were in Paris. It is necessary to praise my husband´s driving skills and Pavla´s navigation ability because the words in the guide book were fully confirmed: Paris needs a completely skillful driver, a perfect orientatiion in a map, readiness, quick consideration atc. I personally would reel there till today.

The arrival at the hotel was a great fun, too. You can reach the hotel quite easily but from the other side. Just you can walk through a narrow gate but not your car. And the road is a one way street, and it is not possible to find another way. After inquiring at the reception how to get to the hotel car park we got a brief answer: turn at Garonor East. I have never driven 10 km to go 100 metres from place to place. We used unreal turns and nearly finished in a certain factory.

As it is usual in life and especially on a trip nothing ever goes easily. You have paid for your accommodation via a travel agency but the receptionist gives you a bill to pay, with a smile. In vain we persuaded him that we had paid in the Czech Republic ... A lively telephone conversationfollows (of course from our telephone – Eurotel will not bankrupt) between the recptionist and the travel agency ... At last everything is sorted out but one pays to the agency so as not to have any problems abroad ... The rooms were quite small, so we spent an evening in the hall on the floo but in a good mood with our home-made refreshment and drinks. We were too weak to go anywhere else... Especially when the weather did not „disappoint“ us and raind and rained...

Next morning the sun did not appear but gradually the sky was clearing up and it looked it would be better. The next trial was to find the exhibition grounds because we wanted to pay the exhibition fee so as to be free on Sunday. But again... bad luck ... We had not received detailed information about the place of show before, so we spent all day looking for it. (Comparing to Paris Prague is a modest, well marked and arranged village). Eventually we found the way and after paying a show fee we had a quick look at the place we were to fight the following day. Then we went to see historical Paris which we had been looking forward to a lot. Our dogs managed to travel by public transport (RER), and the truth is that we bore it better than our Parisien co-travellers – especially those of African origin (and we are not racists at all) who expressed their disgust that we allowed to take dogs into a carriage. Andy and Amanda were especially excellent, they experienced such a story for the first time because they are 8 months old (Essex is an experienced old dog). They let us drag them from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower without any resistence. Of course they were not enjpying themselves as we were but I hope they liked the admiration of French and other foreign tourists who stopped us at every step. Especially huge Essex was a celebrity for Japanese tourists who were accompanying us for a long time before they asked for a photo with the dog.

Paris itself was beautiful, wide avenues, everything clean (perhaps because on Monday, 11 November the parade on Champs Elysées took place to celebrate the end of the 1 World War), flags on the buildings and a nice time... We just were not successful on the way back. As good foreigner we jumped on the first train which was passing by (we were surprised that at a rush hour the carriage was empty but...) and finished at the airport of Charles de Gaulle. So back again and at that time by the right train and to the hotel at last. The dogs got full bowls and fell asleep and were sleeping. We set off to the nearest grill bar for a real French dinner. Then something to drink and sleep.

On Sunday morning, eager to fight, we reached the right exhibition grounds and even if we had had good experience with the easy entrance from Amsterdam we came earlier but even that precaution seemed to be unsufficient. There was a long line of cars in front of the show halls and the time was passing quickly. As Essex was to start in the ring at 9 o´clock we got nervous at half past eight so Dana and Essex went on foot ... As usual it was raining... Before we could get a better orientation in the hall there was an unknown man who started to welcome us very cordially, showed us where to take giant cages for our dogs (we refused with thanks – I can guess how our pets would face to it) and informed us about the postponed beginning. So we could breathe with relief and make ourselves easy at the rings ... And then we could just take in and excellent atmosphere of the show, take photograps and film afghans, borzois (some were really wonderful) and enjoy the day. As far as our results concerned: Joy and Sadness – as usual. The first in the ring was Essex; after standing about an hour (in the open class there was a real competition) he decided he was fed up and did not want to stand at all. So briefly „Very good“ ... After „Excellent“ in Amsterdam it was a bit of disappointment but the statement of the marvellous judge – Mrs. Kenish Pordham (GB) was simply just ... Another iron in the fire was Andy in the puppy class. Even if it would sound proud – he was the best ... A beautiful handling, a brave nature, and excellent judgement and a title „European Hope“ was ours – in fact Andy´s and Růžička´s.

As Amanda is concerned we were unlucky. A few hours before judging her she was hurt on her hind leg. The wound was bleeding and even if we coped with it the pain remained and Amanda was limping. We entered the ring but with an excuse that we would resign. Madame Pordham was trying to judge her even in her stand and asked Vlada to run with her ... She could not ... and that was why we eventually gave up. After all we were pleased to hear the judge´s words full of praise and we missed the title just because of the bit, in fact her hind leg. But two titles for one breeding station – it would be too much luck ...

We left convinced that these days were ones of the most beautiful „dogs“ days and if it is possible we would go again. At that time Dortmund and for us „understandable“ Bratislava.

Even if I do not like thankful speeches I have to ... Firstly to our interpreter Jarka who even if not a dog-lover managed to survive three days with, about, for dogs and , of course, I would like to thank to all who took part in the trip. Thanks! It was great!