(IN) Blatant bribery at Dog Show screams The Hindu

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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/mp/2009/09/02/stories/2009090250130100.htm)

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Here a bow, there a bow

The Blue Cross Well Dog Show was a contest with a difference and had its

memorable moments

 

PHOTO: M. KARUNAKARAN

 

PUPPY LOVE One of the contestants at the show

 

Heady intrigue. Blatant bribery.

Bold revolt. The recent Blue

Cross Well Dog Show was rife

with high-wattage drama and

suspense. And between it all an occasional

doggie moonwalk.

Organised to showcase mongrels, ,

the show - held at C.P. Arts Centre -

brought together 75 rambunctious

non-pedigree dogs, along with about

200 of their human friends. To add to

the colour there were huge cages filled

with wriggly puppies.

This was certainly not a conventional

show. That was evident right at the

entrance, where contestants sneaked

under the registration table to systematically

lick volunteers' toes.

However, it was when they were

called up to the judge's table to strut

their stuff that they really came into

their element. There were the showoffs,

like Devi, who did the moonwalk

with her owner Bryan. The rock stars,

who defiantly mooned the panel while

waggling furry eyebrows at their delighted

audience. And then there were

the busybodies who pawed the table

and stuck their nosy snouts into the

paperwork (and occasionally into an

amused judge's water glass.) There was

even one dog - who shall remain

nameless to protect her reputation -

who slunk behind the table to butter

up Letika Saran, Additional Director-

General of Police (Administration) in a

brazen attempt to win the crown.

Since this was a dog show with a

difference, none of the participants

were forced to perform. The bottom

line here was to organise a stress-free

show and demonstrate how affectionate,

colourful and interesting a nonpedigree

dog can be. Compere Krisha

Iyer proved to be an excellent choice,

since she along with judges Sivasankari

(writer and activist) and Varalakshmi

Sarathkumar (dancer and actor)

really did understand the animals, welcoming

their quirks rather than expecting

automated good behaviour.

Although there were plenty of fun

titles, such as Naughtiest Dog, Curliest

Tail and even Dog Who Looks Most

Like Owner, fortunately the event's

serious underlying message was also

conveyed with titles such as Best Rescue

and Survivor. Prizes for Best Coat,

Rarest Spots and Rarest Colour drew

attention to the fact that this is a show

that can, and should, be taken seriously,

not just a spoof for the underdog.

After all, there's glamour, character

and beauty in the world of mixedbreeds.

Add to that the element of

surprise. After all, when you rescue a

street dog you get a medley of delightfully

unexpected characteristics.

Judging by the stories, Chennai has

a heartening number of rescuers.

Lucky, for instance was rescued after

what her owner Tina calls a

" maiming. " Anuradha nursed Tommy

through a serious illness and now says

he " talks and smiles. " Anjali brought

in Dusty, who's blind in one eye with a

misaligned jaw caused by an accident. .

About 26 puppies were adopted

over the three hours that the show ran.

Looking around at the dogs, many sitting

adoringly on their owners' laps,

Dr. Chinny Krishnan, Chairman of

The Blue Cross, said the show aims to

inculcate pride in local dogs. " They are

more resistant to illness and comfortable

in these weather conditions,

unlike the purebreds who have all

sorts of problems, " he said, adding

that these dogs are also fiercely loyal,

immensely intelligent and unfailingly

hardy.

Take placid Tripod, who has just

three legs because of a road accident

and the patience of a saint. Or wonder

dog, Dusky, who amazed owner Kumar

when he jumped off the balcony

while chasing a squirrel and emerged

with just one small scratch on his

nose! Which could explain his constant

swagger. And then there's petit

Bambi, who Poongkothai found covered

in sores. Today Bambi's a total

" Doggie Diva, who loves posing and

hanging out on the beach with friends

over crepes and chewies. "

 

 

SHONALI MUTHALALY

 

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