Post by daniela on Aug 27, 2006 18:05:41 GMT 1
Well, I have some news! Eden and I have just returned from a very enjoyable and successful time on the Munster Circuit. This was our second trip to the Emerald Isle – which plays host to a cluster of championship dog shows held in Southern Ireland.
Having never flown with a dog before, and it being her first time flying, to say I was a little anxious, was an understatement. Eden is a very laid backed dog but I do have an over active imagination at the best of times, so all sorts were going through my mind about how the whole journey would come together.
We arrived at Gatwick airport last Friday, just a few days after the terrorist plots were foiled. All passengers were advised to arrive early because of the stringent security checks so the queues were out the door, and I mean out the door! I had never seen an airport so busy - I could barely see the floor for people and luggage.
I walked into the airport with Eden on a lead not knowing whether our flight would have been cancelled, delayed or indeed, whether they would let me fly with a dog at all, which would have been completely understandable under the circumstances.
Eden was great and so calm – the sight of so many people didn’t faze her in the slightest. She schmoozed the queues and lapped up the attention. I think she was a welcome distraction for many of the travellers, who were anxious at this time of heightened security.
Seeing that I was with a dog, a member of British Airways staff (with whom we were travelling), whisked us up and took us to the front of the queue (if you want to get ahead, get a dog!), checked us in and advised that I stay with Eden right up until the last minute, where they would collect her from the departure gates.
The man who came to collect her, checked over her crate, and was very reassuring, explaining to me where she would go and how she would travel in the aircraft.
Once aboard the flight, as per Leslie’s suggestion (thanks Leslie!), I asked the cabin crew whether they could confirm with the captain whether she was on the plane (all the while plotting my escape if she wasn’t!) but alas, the porter came over and confirmed she was on the flight along with two other small breeds. In fact, his words were: “There are three dogs on the flight so she’s having a party down there”. He even took me to the front of the plane to show me where she was located underneath in the hold.
We arrived in Dublin just over an hour and half later and as I waited in the baggage area, I waited anxiously wondering where Eden would emerge. “Would she come out on the carousel? “Surely they couldn’t put that large crate on the carousel?” All these things were going through my head, and as my luggage came through, I turned around to see her crate sitting beside the help desk. There she was sitting as bright as a button watching the world go by. All that worrying for nothing!
We had visited the Munster Circuit last year on holiday and had a fabulous time, notching up a string of Green Stars (Ireland’s National CC) so this year we went back for another holiday but also with the hope that we would gain those last few points for her title and I am proud to report, that subject to IKC confirmation, Eden’s is now an Irish Show Champion!
Here are her results from this year’s circuit:
Killarney
Green Star and Best of Breed (Judge: Paul Scanlon, Ireland)
Group 1 (Judge: Ann Long-Doyle, Ireland)
Best in Show 5 (Judge: David Lawlor, Ireland)
Tralee
Green Star and Best of Breed (Judge: Mr S Warry, Australia)
Shortlisted in the Group (Judge: Mr L Pichard, Switzerland)
We flew back this morning, and made excellent time. Again, a completely hassle free journey, and whilst we may now have out feet on terra firma (or in Eden’s case – my bed), my head is still in the clouds.
Irish Show Champion Stormdancer Apple Turnover to Castanho (subject to IKC confirmation)
S: Am & Aust Ch Nani N Greydove Milenium Bug (Imp)
D: Gunalt Flirt with Stormdancer
Hopefully, I will get some pictures of our Group win. I didn’t want to risk taking my camera, as we were limited to what we could carry in our hand luggage.
Having never flown with a dog before, and it being her first time flying, to say I was a little anxious, was an understatement. Eden is a very laid backed dog but I do have an over active imagination at the best of times, so all sorts were going through my mind about how the whole journey would come together.
We arrived at Gatwick airport last Friday, just a few days after the terrorist plots were foiled. All passengers were advised to arrive early because of the stringent security checks so the queues were out the door, and I mean out the door! I had never seen an airport so busy - I could barely see the floor for people and luggage.
I walked into the airport with Eden on a lead not knowing whether our flight would have been cancelled, delayed or indeed, whether they would let me fly with a dog at all, which would have been completely understandable under the circumstances.
Eden was great and so calm – the sight of so many people didn’t faze her in the slightest. She schmoozed the queues and lapped up the attention. I think she was a welcome distraction for many of the travellers, who were anxious at this time of heightened security.
Seeing that I was with a dog, a member of British Airways staff (with whom we were travelling), whisked us up and took us to the front of the queue (if you want to get ahead, get a dog!), checked us in and advised that I stay with Eden right up until the last minute, where they would collect her from the departure gates.
The man who came to collect her, checked over her crate, and was very reassuring, explaining to me where she would go and how she would travel in the aircraft.
Once aboard the flight, as per Leslie’s suggestion (thanks Leslie!), I asked the cabin crew whether they could confirm with the captain whether she was on the plane (all the while plotting my escape if she wasn’t!) but alas, the porter came over and confirmed she was on the flight along with two other small breeds. In fact, his words were: “There are three dogs on the flight so she’s having a party down there”. He even took me to the front of the plane to show me where she was located underneath in the hold.
We arrived in Dublin just over an hour and half later and as I waited in the baggage area, I waited anxiously wondering where Eden would emerge. “Would she come out on the carousel? “Surely they couldn’t put that large crate on the carousel?” All these things were going through my head, and as my luggage came through, I turned around to see her crate sitting beside the help desk. There she was sitting as bright as a button watching the world go by. All that worrying for nothing!
We had visited the Munster Circuit last year on holiday and had a fabulous time, notching up a string of Green Stars (Ireland’s National CC) so this year we went back for another holiday but also with the hope that we would gain those last few points for her title and I am proud to report, that subject to IKC confirmation, Eden’s is now an Irish Show Champion!
Here are her results from this year’s circuit:
Killarney
Green Star and Best of Breed (Judge: Paul Scanlon, Ireland)
Group 1 (Judge: Ann Long-Doyle, Ireland)
Best in Show 5 (Judge: David Lawlor, Ireland)
Tralee
Green Star and Best of Breed (Judge: Mr S Warry, Australia)
Shortlisted in the Group (Judge: Mr L Pichard, Switzerland)
We flew back this morning, and made excellent time. Again, a completely hassle free journey, and whilst we may now have out feet on terra firma (or in Eden’s case – my bed), my head is still in the clouds.
Irish Show Champion Stormdancer Apple Turnover to Castanho (subject to IKC confirmation)
S: Am & Aust Ch Nani N Greydove Milenium Bug (Imp)
D: Gunalt Flirt with Stormdancer
Hopefully, I will get some pictures of our Group win. I didn’t want to risk taking my camera, as we were limited to what we could carry in our hand luggage.
