the music/noise, which was worse than a rock concert, where they at least stop between numbers. Periodically, on the right side of the stage, a barefooted man wearing a big hat and in a Caribbean-style outfit hopped onto a small platform and made weird sounds in concert with the music. He never wore himself out and was lucky to have escaped unbitten. In summary, the Group atmosphere was unusual. Groups progressed about like they do here in the States, except each breed was introduced one at a time: CHEEE-- WAW-- WAW, etc. Spotlights followed each introduced dog around the ring. I understand that there was pre-judging of the dogs before they entered the ring. Various programs that delayed the final outcome were injected (e.g., a dancing dog). Best In Show judging is different than it is here. They award BIS1, BIS2, and BIS3. Before entering the BIS ring, the judge had examined the dogs off stage. When the dogs entered the ring, each was briefly examined and moved by the judge. After each dog had been moved, all the dogs went backstage, and various programs were again injected to drag things out (e.g., the FCI President was introduced and gave a speech, the SCC President was introduced and gave a speech, the FCI flag was transferred from France to Austria, etc.). I began to wonder if the program would ever return to the dogs. Finally, the BIS winners were introduced one at a time: BIS3, Fox terrier Wire Hair, afterall Painting The Sky (f. Pertuit/owner. Malzoni Victor and Tony Steel). BIS2, Sealhyam Terrier, Fanfare’s All About Morgan At Misty Waters (f. Prather/ owner. Jimmy Hogan from Ireland) and BIS1. American Staffordshire Terrier, Don King of Rings (f. Dakic /owner. Cirovic Milojevic from Serbia). I was blown away (and haven’t landed yet) when Sky (Ch. AfterAll Painting The Sky), a GINGER Wire bitch bred by me and Betty Seaton was awarded BIS3. She
was shown by Gabriel Rangel and is owned by Victor Malzoni and Torie Steele and co-owned by Diane Ryan and Mary and Scott Olund. She had not been shown for over a year previous to the WDS. Monday was my only day in Paris, my favorite city. I’ve been there many times; each time is excitingly like the first time. I went shopping at the Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps, mainly just looking. I then walked to Le Jardin Tulleries, in front of Le Lourve, which, like other museums that belong to France, is closed on Mondays. My objective was the Musee de l’Orangerie, which belongs to the City of Paris; so, I knew it’d be open. This unassuming building of moderate size, located at one corner of Le Jardin Tulleries on the Place de la Concorde, is a real treasure often missed by tourists because of its proximity to Le Lourve. L’Orangerie harbors works of many French Impressionists: Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, etc.. Most impressive to me is the oval room, where on its walls Monet painted his “Gift to Paris”: Nympheas (his Water Lilies). This in itself is worth a trip to France. The WDS was one of the highlights of my life. I’ll cherish these memories forever because I know that this will never happen again. Hey, next year the Show is in Salzburg, Austria in early May. Are you ready yet? g