#sf2k23

Moments from Pip's win:

Being pulled out of the lineup and hoping we were in the running for an Award of Merit. Being sent to the far corner to stack up and wait. The judge finally gesturing to us and saying, "Best of Breed, take your class around." (I didn't know we were supposed to stop at the judges table and just kept running--we got to the far corner before I understood what happened and started crying)

A cheer coming up from the audience after our selection and so many people coming up to hug us, some in tears themselves.

Someone later telling me they told the judge Pip's story after the win, and he said, "That explains why she was crying."

A friend muttering, "Well no one can say shit about that" after Pip's selection.

The judge's comments after I asked him if he wouldn't mind sharing what he saw in Lil Pip: "She's the whole package. Balanced front and rear. Good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm. Two strong columns of support in the front. Nice croup. I could pick her apart but really, she's just the whole package."

A cheer for us during the banquet, which almost made me cry again, including friends starting a chant of PIP PIP HOORAY. The judge praising our community as the most supportive he had judged in all the 25 specialties he has attended.

During Obedience, the judge kept telling us we were AMAZING after each exercise, and cooed over how sweet and lovely she is during her SPOT test. She also complimented my handling during OB (198/200!!)

Other Things:

I handled a dog for Pip's breeder who had never been in the ring before and has a quirk of refusing to walk on the left. While we didn't place, he did awesome in a very large Open class. No one had ever really noticed him before, but she said three people asked about him afterward.

Someone referring to the wild turkeys in the distance as the "dumbest fucking animals."

Pip's breeder majorly going to bat for me after someone made some unkind remarks to me about our win.

Two breeders with extremely successful programs asking if I will breed Pip anyway. The answer is still a heartbreaking No, but I appreciated their interest.

Two people with dogs I admire offering me a puppy.