| I miss the animal events at county fairs, but as close | | | | It's not easy to groom a mule! Some days old blue |
| as I get to one these days is by watching the | | | | just doesn't want his mane blown dry by a hair dryer! |
| Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on TV. It's not | | | | That's when he kicks and bites. Most mule skinners |
| quite the same, I guess I miss the smells. In today's | | | | will say a goat is easier to train walk show- style than |
| technical world I guess I'll have to be satisfied with | | | | a mule. It's a fact that a mule trains its owner in the |
| electronic dog shows. | | | | steps of a show. |
| The Westminster television show was a masterful | | | | One glaring difference between the Westminster |
| production, timed to perfection with the announcer | | | | Kennel Dog Show and the average county fair of my |
| and play by play guy saying all sorts of exciting things | | | | youth, are the competing aromas of the animal |
| like, "This Great Dane really knows how to connect | | | | exhibits at the fair. The dog shows I've seen on |
| with the crowd, doesn't he Charles?", as this huge | | | | television never show one of those pampered mutts |
| dog gallops like a run-a-way train around the ring, | | | | urinating or worse on the feet of the judges. Not so |
| dragging his handler behind him as the audience | | | | with a cow or horse. I've never really given much |
| erupts in applause. | | | | thought of how to train a cow to use a newspaper |
| As great as this show was, I miss the livestock | | | | at the appropriate time, because they're really free |
| shows at county fairs. It's exciting to watch the | | | | spirits and when nature calls, they go. |
| owner a of a prized cow nervously currying and | | | | The pig event at county fairs is always a big thrill. |
| curling the hair of a beautiful white faced heifer as he | | | | Often today these events are sponsored by local |
| or she nervously await their time with the judges. | | | | 4-H clubs or FFA chapters. There are kids of all ages |
| The straw and manure of the stables always lent a | | | | walking their pigs around the arena just like pooches |
| not unpleasant aroma around the stalls of the | | | | do at the kennel show. The difference is the dogs |
| contestants. This added feature is not allowed at | | | | are usually well behaved and strut around the track |
| most dog shows. | | | | with their handlers. |
| Though the hour was late, most of America that | | | | You don't really train a pig. Swine have their own free |
| was still awake at the time of the final judging for | | | | spirit genes and often you'll see pure chaos in the |
| Best of Show, cheered for the Beagle named Uno! | | | | area with owners chasing their pigs before they can |
| This was the first time the breed had ever won the | | | | escape out the door. My farming cousins also tell me |
| top honor at this glitzy show, making this an historic | | | | that for all their joy of rolling in the mud, pigs really |
| occasion. The crowd was on its feet with a standing | | | | don't like to take a bath. |
| ovation while Uno did his part by howling and barking | | | | Cows on the other hand, seem to appreciate being |
| at the crowd. Great TV! | | | | clipped and manicured. They love to be pampered |
| There are still county and state fairs that show farm | | | | with a shower and good smelling soaps and |
| animals, but they're nothing like the ones I visited in | | | | shampoos. Old Bessie especially loves having her hair |
| younger years. When I was growing up folks took | | | | blown dried and curled for the judges. |
| their county fairs seriously and at a young age began | | | | There's a huge audience for The Westminster Kennel |
| raising, grooming and training their animals in hopes | | | | Club Dog Shoe. Millions watched the little beagle being |
| that someday one would take home the blue ribbon! | | | | crowned king of the show. If county fairs were |
| Farm animals from sheep to mules were are entered | | | | televised, fewer folks would have to clean their |
| into these county wide contests. | | | | shoes before coming into the house! |