ASTC
National Report
Day 1
Our annual pilgrimage
to the American Shih Tzu National is a highlight
of our year and attendance at the National is a
must for any dedicated breeder. It affords one an
opportunity to not only see some of the top Shih
Tzu in the country in one place but to fraternize
with fellow breeders and enjoy sharing their knowledge
and camaraderie.
We left Sudbury at
6:00 am on Sunday morning for the lengthy non stop
drive to Oklahoma City with a mini van load of dogs.
The drive was uneventful, except for the occasional
spotting of deer on the side of the road, mostly
alive but unfortunately some dead...a constant reminder
that disaster lurked around every bend. We arrived
at the hotel 24 hours later after driving 2350 km
(1437 miles) with only frequent stops to exercise
the dogs and pit stops to fuel our tired bodies.
Stopping would have meant unloading all the dogs
into the room, which seemed more difficult than
pressing on.
We were able to check
in early and select rooms in the wing of the hotel
adjacent to the ball room. The only hitch was that
the hotel was having computer challenges and could
not code the digital keys for the rooms. We were
fortunate to get keys for our rooms while others
were allowed to check in and have security unlock
their rooms every time they wanted to enter...this
problem would be rectified when the repair man came
during the day.
Once we had the dogs
settled in our room and unpacked we enjoyed a quick
breakfast in the hotel dining room and back to our
room for a well deserved nap. Later in the afternoon,
when we awoke Wendy did topknots and brushed out
dogs and Richard schmoozed with the arriving guests
and watched Dan Haley and his crew transform the
ball room into a dog show exhibition hall. Sandy
Martin and Tracy Murray from Canada dropped by to
say hi before they went out to do some power shopping.
