YORKIE DAY AT THE SHOW It had been a long time since I cuddled up with a Yorkie. Many years ago, while living and dancing with the Joffrey Ballet in New York City, I had a faithful Yorkie companion. On one occasion his fierce growls scared away an intruder who was attempting to break into my small apartment while I was at work. He won my heart and made me a big fan of the breed. Sydney is a long, long way from New York, but today I was going to get reacquainted with Yorkies. The 2002 Sydney Royal Easter Show was under way and Yorkshire Terriers would be on display. I awoke early and alert, even without my morning cup of coffee. The first warming rays of the sun announced the start of an exciting day. I was off to meet my good friend, Pat, at the train station for the journey to Homebush. The route was a familiar one. I had done it a number of times with my family during the spectacular Sydney Olympic Games. The train was still packed and I almost expected to hear an echo of ‘Aussie, Aussie Aussie…’ Some weeks earlier my son and I had been surfing the net for dog breeders. We came across a welcoming web site (this one) for Yetholme Yorkies and one of the leading breeders in Australia, Jan Clarke. Numerous phone calls and e-mails later, I was going to ‘The Show’ with a video camera tucked under my arm to film the event on behalf of Jan. Unfortunately, she was in Europe (on secret Yorkie business) so I was a stand in camera operator for Yetholme Yorkies. Pat and I walked across Murray Rose Avenue (named after the former Olympic swimmer who now my husband!) to enter the Showground and make our way to the official dog holding area. We were greeted with a flurry of last minute preparations and a few nervous barks. Two of Jan’s friends and doggy colleagues, Di Murray and Phil Davis, were putting the finishing touches on the Yetholme Yorkie entrants. These were Sal, Makka. Tas, Pinkie, and Dusty. I immediately fell in love with each and every one of them and had to hold myself back from petting their carefully groomed little bodies. Finally the elegant stars were ready to strut their stuff for the judges. I checked the camera and blinked a tear from my eye to focus on the proceedings. Each in turn trotted around the judging area with their magnificent coats flowing along behind them. Looking through the lens I could swear they were grinning with pride and satisfaction. It was a successful day and I knew Jan would be happy. It was Di and Phil who proudly handled the dogs so beautifully. The final results were: Best of Breed was Sal (Ch Yetholme Loves Salvation) Challenge Certificate and Runner Up Best of Breed was Makka (Grand Champion Yetholme Make Mine Mink) First in Intermediate Bitch Class was Tas (Ch Yetholme Loves a Fantasy). Second in Intermediate Bitch Class was Pinkie, (Ch Yetholme Tickled Pink) . First in Puppy Bitch Class and PUPPY OF THE DAY was Dusty, (Yetholme Dusky Surrender) My amateur film also turned out all right. Once the judging was over we all relaxed in the holding area and congratulated the prize doggies on a job well done. They seemed quite pleased with themselves in a typically unassuming sort of way. Several other breeds took up a chorus of relieved barking, but no one in Janís clan made a peep. It was as if they knew the proper etiquette of the moment. Yes, I did get to cuddle the Yorkies when the judging was done and I am looking forward to many more. Jan Clarke brings a great devotion and integrity to her work. I am grateful to be on her waiting list for my first Australian born Yorkie. Meantime, I have a treasured photo sitting on my desk of some beautiful new friends - Sal, Makka, Tas, Pinkie and Dusty…the champion Yetholme Yorkies. |
