Russell Show Therapy!
by
Billie Sumrell
 In
May my son Leland and I traveled 8 hours to Perry GA for the 4 day cluster
show. Since the GA National Fairgrounds was only 30 miles from my brother,
Monte Murphy and his family. They were gracious enough to let Leland and I
and 4 dogs stay in their home.
It was a wonderful
family reunion. I got my Mom and Dad to show and my 2 brothers and
their families coming to cheer us all on.
On Friday my Mom asked
the judge if Nathan, (he's 14 and has Downs Syndrome) might take a dog
around the ring (after the class). I understand that is not normally
allowed, but he consented and Nathan proudly walked the mat in grand style
with Lit'l Man.
When he came out we cheered him and he was overjoyed. He
doesn't talk much, but you could see it in his face.
While we were standing
there, one of the photographers came over and handed Nathan a blue ribbon,
which I thought was a wonderful gesture. Nathan knew exactly what that
ribbon was for!
Nathan had a ball game
on Saturday and couldn't come, but he was there on Sunday dressed in his
Sunday suit.
His mom, LuAnn and I
talked about how wonderful it would be if he actually got to SHOW a dog
before they called our class. I asked Judge Fred C. Bassett if it
would be possible and he said it was OK with him... it was my dog.
I let him take in
Bella. This was her first show and at 7 months she did better if you just
let her trot on a loose lead by your side, I thought this would be a perfect
match for my nephew and the dog.
We could tell Nathan
was a little nervous, but everyone was very patient. I was watching him, the
judge, and trying to watch my dog, Lit'l Man so I was not paying much
attention to anything outside of the ring.
When
the judge lined us up he said he liked the two pups best and Nathan walked
to the front of the line with Ravenhill's Bella Donna and my Dad stepped in
second with Ravenhill's Lit'l Marley Man. They walked out of the ring with a
BOB and BIMISC for Bella and a BOS for Lit'l.
 Nathan and my dad were
grinning from ear to ear.
Until that moment I
was not even aware of anything going on outside of the ring, and when the
cheering and clapping started, I realized there were about 40 people watching
this class.
Two of the handlers actually came up to Nathan to shake his
hand. I just stood there in awe and could have cried I was so happy for him.
What a wonderful thing
to happen.... a moment like that really does make it all worth it.
https://www.thedogplace.org/Breeds/Russell-Terrier/Steals-The-Show_Sumrell-126.asp |
