As always, we enjoy our visits to the Greek mainland, the hospitality, the warmth and the genuine appreciation of the Greek clubs sees us return, show after show. We feel there is a genuine understanding of how difficult it is moving LARGE breeds in and around Europe, not only with our own Danes, but with many of the other large breeds that travel to shows far and wide. The disadvantage of living on a beautiful island such as Cyprus is that EVERYWHERE is by flying, other such country’s have the luxury of jumping on a pre-arranged coach or in to their cars and making the journey, albeit longer in time, at a more relaxed pace. What can we do ????? if you have dogs and you want to show them, then this is the price you have to pay. For living, Cyprus is one of the most beautiful islands that I could ever think of wanting to spend my life, for showing dogs, it has improved tremendously over the years and now boasts one of the better show programmes in Europe, one which I would recommend if you have not visited then you really must give it a try, for visiting other country’s, then to be honest we may just as well reside on Alcatraz, because once you are here with your show dogs you really are limited as to where you can travel at a budget affordable to the average pocket. So most Cypriot breeders content themselves with the shows on offer on the island, who’s standards are good, who’s entrants are high and who’s quality of dogs are improving year on year. To travel overseas is a luxury many dream of and to bring back prizes is something most only read about in the papers. So!!!!!!! to travel as we do is not something we just take for granted. We feel very privileged to be able to finance such trips, we feel honoured to be accepted by other kennel clubs and we are truly grateful to be awarded titles in country’s where the competition with local bred dogs is tough and very difficult to compete with. To be given a place on the winners podium consistently as we are is something we know is a recognition to be VERY proud of and our special thanks to all the kennel club members, the Judges and the entrants who cheer us and support us. It makes us very proud to be a part of your individual organisations, for the day or for the weekend and the extended hospitality as is shown is something we are happy to share with our colleagues in the hope that they too will visit your shows and share the experience.

Travel time to Larnaca has now been refined to around 1hour 30 minutes door to door. Our routine has also been refined to ensure quick and smooth check in for us and our Danes. This particular weekend I have to report being better than any we have experienced. I just hit lucky with the correct administrative girls at check in, the dogs were processed, our luggage whisked through and it was smiles all around as I walked outside to inform Craig we were now free to enjoy a leisurely drink and something to eat in he executive lounge before take off.

As I walked across the departure lounge to the outside car park a familiar face to the show world here in Cyprus appeared in the crowded hall. Demitri, our strong competition with the Bichon Frise was standing in the line up waiting to check in. The first time he had actually checked in one of his dogs to the aircraft hold so he was understandably a little nervous. After much reassurance that all would be fine, he waved goodbye to his 2 adult Bichon and put the other 2 puppies he was taking to rendezvous with their new owners on his shoulder in their very luxurious carry on bag and for the moment we parted company. Demitri spent time with an old school friend he had bumped in to and we went off in to the direction of the exec lounge for a peaceful meal before we departed. Remember at this point that we are still in the middle of the busy tourist season and the airports are filled to capacity, so our exec lounge indulgence is more a way of maintaining sanity over the maddening crowds now building up in the departure lounge.

Now happily relaxed and reflecting on how smooth everything had gone we were conscious of an announcement over the tannoy system.
“Ladies and gentlemen, could we please have your attention. Would all Cyprus Airways passengers please report to the main reception desk”
Both Craig and I walked over to what was now a sea of people fighting to speak to the reception girl. We handed her our boarding cards, she looked at us and said in a most apologetic tone.
“Sir, I am sorry to have to tell you, Cyprus Airways Pilots have just called a walk out strike for the next 7 hours, this will mean a build up of flight traffic, there is no guarantee you flight will take off at all today. If you wish you can re-book for another day, you can cancel, or you can take a chance and see what happens later”
“Thank you I said, but we have a number of livestock on the flight and I would like to know what your provisions are for them during this time”
Horror drained through her face as she realised the announcement she had just made was for us not going to be as simple as the options given. We had by now been joined by our friend Demetris and collectively decided to continue with our journey, providing we could be re-united with our dogs as soon as possible.
We were taken back through the passport control in reverse, we had to pass through a security check going the return direction and we eventually were taken back in to the departures hall which was now FULL of angry passengers. Fortunately we had each other for support and left immediately the departure hall to return to our cars. Our own Zac climbed in to the 4×4 and immediately fell to sleep stretched out full length of the car, Odette climbed in to the back of the van and did the same, Demitri took his Bichon and swapped them over in to our very large travel crates and his puppies did the same. For all the dogs this was complete heaven, luxury beyond belief. For us, well we took three chairs from the local cafe bar, set them up in the car park by our vehicles and spent the next 7 hours talking about shows, future, past and present.
Eventually the time came for us to gather our things once again and go through the whole ordeal of boarding our dogs, getting them settled and hopefully this time the flight staff were over their walk out and ready to fly us to our destination.

We arrived now very late. What should have been a 1700hrs arrival was now a midnight arrival and we still had the journey to the hotel to make, another 30 minutes on top. Fortunately a phone call ahead made sure our room was still available, the dogs were walked and fed and like us just crashed fast asleep. For what seemed like only minutes the Nokia phone was now ringing in our ears telling us that we had now had our complete allocation of beauty sleep and it was time to get both dogs ready for the show.

The hotel Stefanakis, room 113 or 112 are perfect for our dogs. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and fantastic sized balcony for each dog ensured that both Odette and Zac had a good nights sleep without the need for them sleeping in their crates. It is not the most luxurious of hotels, but when you travel with dogs you are grateful for a bed for the night, never mind creature comforts. The most important thing for us is that we are accepted with our dogs and we are not having to worry about the concerns of the management, as in this case I feel they appreciate we are all quite respectful and know that any accidents which may happen are immediately resolved, either financially or otherwise.

Both dogs walked and our own breakfast taken we waited for our Pet Taxi Nicos and his additional driver being his mum. The journey to the Markopoulos stadium takes about 30 minutes and you will see from the photographs it has actually got better in time as an Olympic venue, unlike some whose beauty has faded over the years. The weather was at it’s best and the sun shone down as the exhibitors registered their dogs and took up their places. Having been here last year we knew the procedure, we knew which way the sun was going to shine and we knew just where to go to make sure we were in the shade all of the day. Old friends we are always happy to see greeted us and welcomed us once again to the Greek mainland and a quick walk around to familiarise ourselves with the rings saw yet more familiar faces.

Our crates in place, our ring times sorted and our dogs ready for presentation we prepared ourselves for the day ahead. We had early show times so for us this was good. At least our dogs were well rested, they were not to hot from the mid-day sun and they had not become bored at all the hanging around. Show started prompt at 0900hrs and by 0915 we were in the ring with Zac who was just raring to go. We stood at ring side watching the other Danes in class go through their stuff and then it was the turn of Zac. Now I have to say at this point we had struggled keeping his attention as 16 days earlier both Odette and Heidie had chosen with precise and accurate timing, right in the middle of show season to come in to season. Yes here we are just as we embark on our 7 months of extensive travelling with 2 bitches re-enacting the sequel to “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” They don’t do delicate and feminine seasons, no, not our Heidie and Odette, what they do is bleed by the bucket full until they decide they have had enough, which in some cases can extend in to three weeks of constant blood loss. We had watched eagerly awaiting the blood flow to stop so we could decide if it was safe to take her and if all would be OK at the show. By the time the show came all seemed safe, the blood flow had dried up and both bitches had returned to slight normality, nothing that a good strong bitch spray, some Vics vapour rub and a bit of good supervision wouldn’t resolve. Our normal travelling routine had to be slightly altered to make sure Zac stayed well away from Odette and under the circumstances we coped very well. That was until on day 2, Odette with possible reaction to the flying decided to switch on the blood flow again just after she had done her class. I tell you, I could have donated to a battle field and still had more left over. Fortunately our red doggie blankets hid most of our embarrassment and she had at least finished showing for the weekend, but never the less, this still meant that Zac, super stud, thought his services were required and at every given moment tried to mount anything in site, fortunately this did not include the judge.

So day one we came home with a Champion class win for Zac and then Best Dog win with CAC & CACIB and an Excellent critique which read;

BEAUTIFUL HARLEQUIN DOG, SOUND AND ELEGANT WITH GOOD REACH OF NECK, EXCELLENT HEAD AND EXPRESSION, CLEAN EYES, GOOD FRONT, FORE CHEST AND DEPTH OF CHEST, GOOD SET OF TAIL AND CROOP, CORRECT HIND ANGULATION, MOVES WELL AND PRESENTED VERY WELL.

For Odette we took Champion class win and Best Bitch. Understandably in her condition she was a little giddy and in the head to head Zac won over with BEST OF BREED. Odette took CAC 7 CACIB with an excellent critique which read;

EXCELLENT SHOW CONDITION BITCH, EXCELLENT MARKINGS, FEMININE HEAD, EXCELLENT FRONT AND BACK, EXCELLENT TOP LINE, GOOD MOVER AND EXCELLENT TEMPERAMENT. WELL PRESENTED.

Paolo Dondina was the Judge, very nice, knew his stuff and got on with the job in hand. He was very precise about his requirements and expectations of your role as handler and his comments on the critique I felt were exactly what he was being presented with by way of our dogs.

So for us, part one of our goal had been achieved, Zac had taken B.O.B and had qualified for a second Greek Champion title but more importantly, Odette had now completed her 12 month campaign and had qualified as GREEK CHAMPION. She now stands at CYPRUS MULTI CHAMPION, RUSSIAN CHAMPION, GREEK CHAMPION AND EUROPEAN DEUTCHE DOGGE CHAMPION and is still only just starting out, now aged 29months.

We had the rest of the day now at leisure until groups later in the afternoon, time to walk the dogs, enjoy the friends who had still yet to show, take lunch and then watch the show jumping of which Athena Onassis was in attendance showing off her amazing skills in the stadium next door.

The afternoon judging commenced around 1530hrs and it was not long before Groups were up and ready to show. I always like to get in to the ring first as Zac needs his space to show off his movement. It still surprises me how many ring stewards still let smaller dogs in first, for example the good old English Bulldog who looks so majestic when walking at his own pace around a ring suited to his size. How on earth can a Great Dane or a Newfoundland be expected to show at it’s best behind the English Bulldog going at his own pace. Come on ring stewards, wake up to the fact that you are there to do a job and order of entry has to be top of your priority list. So many times we have fallen victim to the small snappy dog bouncing off the heels of the larger breeds wanting to run his course. get the big boys in first and then let the little ones follow and take their place and then if they need only to walk at a slow pace, or if they need to complete only half the ring circuit, then at least they can do so without interference to others who have the ability to stride it out and go the course.

The group judge was that of our class, Mr Paolo Dondina. He asked to see the dogs he had not already judged move and he asked to see stacked those that he had already judged. Zac I have to say consistently shows well. Show after show after show he stacks to perfection and presents himself in such a way that you just can not help but want to place him. On occasions he can be a little sluggish with his movement, it all depends on the temperatures and the size of the ring, oh yes and if he just happens to have one of his girls in season.

Presentation now over and the judge made his way to the steward to offer his results. In third place was the only announcement I focussed on which was the Harlequin Great Dane. So we had done it again, we had made our place to the winners podium and we were more than happy with the result. It is the judges choice and today the judge had seen other qualities in other dogs he placed 2nd & 1st over Zac, but in terms of our goals, we had done what we set out to do and come away with more.

It is always a mad scramble once your place in the groups has been decided and for us it was time to pack our things, call the taxi and return to the hotel nice and early to shower, feed the dogs and wander down to the local restaurant for dinner. A whole day sitting in the fresh air is sufficient to draw you to your bed for an early night and by 2100hrs we were all tucked up, Zac snoring on one side, Craig on the other and Odette banished to the outside terrace so she could continue in peace with her season.

Sunday another hot and sunny day, Nicos outside waiting in the taxi and all the crates packed in advance. The morning sun coming up over the Markopoulo Olympic stadium is a sight not to be missed, truly awesome and one of those moments when you reflect on the fortunate position you find yourselves in at certain times in your life.

Registration is always an easy affair, one that many other shows could well learn some lessons from. Ring side information is in Greek and in English, great for visiting exhibitors and there are sufficient programmes to go round to each dog entered.
Our show time was the same as the day before, nice and early and before the heat of the day kicked in, however this time our judge was Zvi Kupferberg from Israel.

Once again we watched as the other Dane exhibitors entered the ring, always making sure that we were ready for the ring steward as he called our numbers. Today’s biggest change to plan was that Craig was handler for the day, a little competition rivalry, so he was really out to do a better result than my own the day before. He first entered with Zac and true to form he showed magnificently, that was Zac and not Craig by the way, although I have to say, for someone who four years ago would not be seen in the ring, he is really making up for things. Zac once again won his Champion class, going on to take Best Dog and coming away with a critique which read;

CORRECT SIZE WITH BEAUTIFUL HEAD, EXCELLENT BONE, CORRECT TOP LINE, CORRECT FRONT AND ANGULATION, EXCELLENT STRONG DEEP CHEST, CORRECT COLOUR, EXCELLENT MOVEMENT.
he took CAC & CACIB (excellent).

A quick change over and now the turn of Odette in her very own Champion class. She trots happily around as if to kick sand in the faces of all around her. She stacks to perfection and presents herself well as the judge writes;

CORRECT SIZE WITH BEAUTIFUL HEAD, EXCELLENT TOP LINE, CORRECT FRONT AND ANGULATION, CORRECT BITE, LOOSE ELBOWS, CORRECT CHEST, EXCELLENT MOVEMENT, she took CAC & CACIB(excellent)

Winning her class and then Best Bitch she came head to head with Zac for Best Of Breed. The sun was now starting to burn through, I was handling Zac who I had rushed in from his ring side crate and the judge pondered as he asked us to move our dogs once more around the ring. Now at this point Zac had managed to get the beautiful sweet smell of Odette in season, Odette was happily flirting her way around the ring, throwing her head back as she trotted along teasing all the way. Zac was now pulling his way like an old English Shire horse, desperate to make actual contact with her. For sure the pace was a good one and fortunately we both knew how to use the situation to our advantage. We halted at the judges request, stacked our dogs once more and presented them to him for final inspection. By now our friends from Cyprus had all gathered at ring side to watch the event and the judge turned and said;

BOTH DOGS ARE BEAUTIFUL, THE BITCH IN PARTICULAR HAS A STUNNING HEAD, ONE VERY SELDOM SEEN SO BEAUTIFUL IN BITCHES, SHE IS QUITE REMARKABLE, BUT ONLY FOR THE FACT THAT SHE STILL HAS A LITTLE MATURING TO DO AND IS STILL A LITTLE LOOSE I AM AWARDING BEST OF BREED TO THE DOG. He than said, WATCH OUT FOR THE BITCH TAKING BEST OF BREED VERY VERY SOON, SHE IS GOING TO MATURE VERY, VERY WELL.

So another great result, points for Zac as we had hoped, recognition for Odette and a place in the group line up once again.
The rest of the day was spent supporting our friends, Giannis from Thessaloniki who travelled without his dear wife Erine and for who we promised to cheer from the ring side to make him feel more relaxed. Demetris from Cyprus with his Champion Bichon and his friend who took B.O.B from him on day one. Stella & Pheytos who’s beautiful Akita bred by Julie & Carl Nicholls from the UK and who did so well on day 2, but again lost out on the group win to our friend Giannis with his impressive Siberian Husky. Stella Mimis, Secretary, Athens Canine Society who I have to say that the makeover has taken years off her and she looked fantastic. It is like an old school reunion when we visit Greece and so nice to see Elena & Elias from Crete and Sissi Adramitli with her beautiful Bulldogs and who always makes us welcome to the Greek shows and has great admiration for our Danes. Mind you I have to say, I think Craig has been working his magic as he too loves the British Bulldog and I think secretly has withdrawal symptoms when he is in their company.

The group 2 now being called and Craig looking like a movie star from the film “The Blues Brothers” moves to prime position to enable him to show Zac to full potential. He is first in with no scuffles at the entry point from any of the small dogs trying to get in the ring first. Consistently he moves like a true professional, the applause rings out and the whistles are evidence that Zac is a real favourite with the crowd. He stacks well and he takes note of what is behind in order to plan his next move. The judge once again moved the dogs not seen by him in the class and an almost instant decision was made and the result handed to the ring steward. Where would Zac be placed in this group, or would he be placed at all. The places are being announced in reverse order, the cameras are flashing and the cheering starts to whip the spectators in to real enjoyment. In second place we hear being announced, in second place, the harlequin Great Dane !!!!!!! A great finish to a great weekend and once again a place on the winners podium for Group 2 line up.

As far as our results were concerned, we came for a possible Greek Champion title being completed with Odette and we got it and we came hoping for B.O.B on both the Saturday and the Sunday and we got it. The 2 group places on the winners podium were over and above our expectations and we are delighted with the final achievement. It was just now time to pack our things once more and take the taxi back to the hotel for a celebratory drink.

Monday we ambled down to the water front, took in the scenery and reflected on our wonderful weekend in Greece. By 1330hrs we were sitting at the airport ready to board our flight and once again we have to compliment Cyprus Airways in Athens for their excellent service and compassion towards our dogs. Arrival in Larnaca in time for sun down and home just in time for dinner prepared by our dear housekeepers Lalyn & Connie.

To see the full selection of photographs from the Athens show, left double click on any of the photographs and this will take you to our photo album selection with over 5500 photographs broken down in to various sets for you to view. You then click on Athens or click on the full selection of Apollodane photos.

In conclusion and it goes without saying, a huge thank you to the Kennel Club for making us feel so welcome, thank you to the administrators for keeping us up to date with show news and thank you to the judges who are never taken for granted and whos service, knowledge and support is very much appreciated.

Things really are now becoming a bit of a haze !!!!! which dogs, which country. Our European adventure continues and our next stop on this whirl wind tour is Athens once again. We chose Athens because although we had been very fortunate to have Zac already made up to Greek Champion under their existing rules of 3 C.A.C under different judges, we had also managed to qualify Heidie on a previous visit to 1 C.A.C. It seemed such a pity not to at least try our hand at completing the title and although 2 C.A.C over one weekend would be a tall order, we took the attitude, if you don’t enter you don’t win.

Now regular faces at Larnaca Airport, the check in staff process the paperwork with ease, we pay our excess funds and we go upstairs to the outside café area and enjoy the late afternoon sunshine, watch the people as they arrive and just relax in readiness for our flight. Zac always on show for the passing photographer, he poses this way and that way like a true supermodel. Heidie on the other hand is more interested in the three cats that have found their way via the roof in to the café area. One smell of cats and Heidie goes in to overdrive. Sometimes I think rather than bait them in the ring with tit-bits of meat, maybe I should put a small kitten in my pocket, that really would do the trick, as well as cause chaos to my rivals. In no time we have been called, our dogs collected and taken to the aircraft and we sit back on board ready for our journey. It’s a busy flight, commuters going home for the weekend, Christmas shoppers going to pick up that something special and the odd scattering of romantics going away for what one can best describe as “an old fashioned lovers weekend” Us, well we were on our own, no other dog show entrants on that flight, although we did see a few spectators who were going along to see any new competition that may have hit the show circuit recently.

In no time we are ready for touchdown in Athens, the usual mad scramble to the passport control and then the unenviable wait for the luggage. With our past experience in Frankfurt (see Zagreb Show News) we have now become nervous that all airports are the same. I have to say, in the case of Athens Airport that could not be further from the truth. If all airports took a leaf out of the book of airport staff in Athens, traveling would be a much nicer experience. Porters on hand to assist you as soon as you enter the baggage re-claim hall, friendly staff wanting to help you and even the customs officials smile and greet you in a way that fills you with confidence. They along with all other airports we have visited need to just concentrate their efforts on the passport control staff, who considering this is your first point of contact with that particular country seem to have all come out of the same training school. I don’t think I have ever once met a passport control officer who has wished me a pleasant stay in their country. Dogs collected safe and sound, luggage all nicely stacked on the trolley with the Porter and straight through to our awaiting pet taxi Nick and his mother. It is so nice to just sit back and enjoy the journey, taking in the window shopping and observing the surrounding areas. About 30 minutes and we were at the London Hotel in the centre of Glyfada. Checked in we went up to see the room, only to discover that if we had toy poodles the room would have been great, but with 2 Great Danes unfortunately this was not my idea of a good nights sleep for either the dogs or for us. It had laminate wooden flooring which immediately flagged up problems. Eight heavy hoofed paws pattering up and down all night would be like torture whilst trying to get to sleep and the lack of space would make life impossible. We decided to try our luck with some other hotels before we settled in to the hotel London just in case we managed to find anything with a little more space. Sadly we came upon what seems to be an ever growing problem, that of the fact that hotels view people with dogs as a no go area. As a Travel Agency Proprietor I have to say this really gets on my nerves. You are either in the business of letting rooms or your not and turning away good business at a time of year when hotels are operating on 40% occupancy and less, my thoughts are this is business they can ill afford to turn away. As we know, the majority of people who travel with their show dogs are more respectful of the circumstances than the average traveler, they care for their surroundings and they are appreciative of noise which may occur from time to time.

In the London Hotel at the time of our stay we had the unfortunate situation to share the hotel with four water polo teams of school children who seemed to think it wholly appropriate and acceptable to run up and down the corridors past midnight screaming and shouting. When the tutors were eventually found the noise was then transferred to the rooms of the school children who gathered 12 in a room. The poor people who were showing dogs the next day of which there were quite a few had absolutely NO SLEEP, despite numerous complaints to the hotel and despite numerous protests to the children and their tutors. Why is it that Kennel Clubs in their recommendations for accommodation in general think that dog owners are worthy of nothing less than sub standard accommodation. I for one like my creature comforts, I am not a snob and I do not put myself on a pedestal, but when it comes to a good nights sleep, decent accommodation is paramount in my opinion. In Nicosia I stayed with Craig and my parents in what can only be described as a hotel frequented by ladies of the night. Rooms rented out by the hour, doors banging all night and the sound of satisfied customers of a sexual nature ringing through the walls. We all slept fully clothed and on top of our towels what little sleep we did get. Our hotel in Zagreb was very much the same until we absconded and found sanctuary in the four star Zagreb Astoria. Here we are again going through the same performance, lack of care when suggesting these hotels, people traveling many, many kilometers, sometimes spending days on the road, finally having to make do with accommodation normally they would not give a second glance at. I am beginning to get very angry at various levels. First towards the hoteliers who see us as little more than a problem. They are so short sighted they can not see beyond their noses. The hotel in Zagreb that eventually saw us as adding to their weekly target figures saw us spend money in their restaurant each evening on food, they saw us have room service when we were peckish and they saw us enjoy a bottle of champagne to celebrate our Champion wins. So you see, quite a bit of business being turned away, not only from us, but from all those other people who travel with their dogs. What I would like to do is start a data base of accommodation around the world at various levels, places where we the dog owners know that rooms offered are big enough for the dogs we are transporting. To add to that I would like to add to it names and contact numbers of any facilitators, or facilities where transport can be arranged without the need to stress over driving in strange cities to venues not known. We surely as dog owners must have come across hotels and taxi firms who actually pleasure in our business and we must have all stayed in hotels that we are happy to share with our doggie partners around the world. So if you can start me off with any of your recommendations, for hotels, hire transport companies, taxi companies, facilitators, that is people locally who are happy to arrange all these things for you or anything else you feel may assist in future travellers at future shows, send an e-mail to info@apollodane.com and let us see what we can collate between us. We had no option to stay at the Hotel London and the Saturday, tired through lack of sleep we set off on our journey to the Glyfada Old Airport Arrivals Hall. It was a strange feeling driving up to it as you imagined it as it was supposed to be and not as an International Exhibition Centre. Inside was as you can imagine HUGE, set out in rings and with lots of space to set up your crates and prepare your dogs.

We got set up right next to our ring which on the first day was ring number 8. It was a great position and had lots of space for practising with the dogs and for me changing in to my show suites without the need to be running as we often do, backwards and forwards to the toilet. Horrible places some of those toilets to get changed in, but get changed we must if the judge is to take us seriously and how I have seen particularly in local Cypriot shows how dress sense has improved in the ring. It might be said that my suites are a little on the loud side, but to be honest, that’s my personality and I have now become a little superstitious were they are concerned so continue with them I will. Zac was first in his class, Champion Class and showing like a dream. He was a bit lazy when he first went in, but he soon knows its time to perform and quickly steps it up. He wins his class and is chosen Best Dog, now it’s the turn of Heidie. Heidie is getting a little hormonal and I worried this would stop her from doing her bit. She is more concerned about the possibilities of coming in to season than showing in the ring and just wants to be loved, not good when you are trying to convince the judge she is a prize winning bitch. She pulled it off, showed very well and we came away with winning Open Class, taking Best Bitch and getting one more C.A.C & C.A.C.I.B towards her Greek Champion title. B.O.B was taken by Zsacharias, a real professional we are now beginning to see. That all important wait for groups took us through to around 4pm and with a stroke of luck, they actually started the afternoon session with the groups first. Group 1 in, shown and decided, group 2 standing nervously on the side awaiting introduction. Once again we are at the front, once again we show to perfection and once again we are pipped to the post for a local dog the miniature schnauzer. A lovely dog, but we are large breed lovers so struggle to see the same qualities in them as we do in our own. The same schnauzer went on to take Best In Show, so to lose out the Best In Show winner was quite acceptable. Saturday night was yet another night without sleep due to screaming children. Some dear friends who were staying in the same hotel, non drinkers I have to add came to breakfast quite hung over.

“What ever is the matter” we asked. “Oh we couldn’t get to sleep so we decided to drink some red wine to knock us out after we complained and it never got any quieter”

Now any kennel club responsible for recommending accommodation not befitting it’s clients should take heed. They are driving perfectly respectable non drinkers to the bottle. So please, please, please, do not think you are doing your members any favours by just offering the first thing that comes to hand. Plead with the hotels, tell them we are respectable citizens and that we respect other peoples possessions and if they need to charge a deposit in case of damage I am sure many would be happy to leave it on the understanding that it is refunded upon departure if everything is left as it was found.

Sunday saw us move to ring 3 a day when we really needed to take Heidie and show her to her best. A lovely Steward made sure we had a call in time to prepare and the Argentinian / English judge the nicest person you could wish to meet. He took time not only to go over your dogs, but to set you aside and cover points which in his opinion were of value to you and your future shows. Interesting points he made as he was deciding Best Of Breed once again between Heidie & Zac. He looked closely and kept going back to go over Heidie. We moved round the ring, we went up and down and then round once more and the winner Best Of Breed was Zsacharias, but only just he tells me as there were many qualities he said he preferred in Heidie over Zac. Personal choice of course at the end of the day, but always nice to hear different judges opinions and always good to take them on board. We have had one judge give a critique stating Heidie didn’t have a full set of teeth and then we got one the following week to say Heidie had a good full set of teeth. So as personal opinion count quite highly in the marking, some may say that it is not always a true reflection of what they are seeing, but at the end of the day it is the judges decision that is final and we respect that no matter what. So Heidie had lost Best Of Breed to Zac, but what she didn’t lose was her entitlement to be awarded Greek Champion title. With an excellent critique and her C.A.C & C.A.C.I.B. Zac went on to groups, a line up of 41 we were told as I couldn’t see the end of the line up as it was so far away. Short listed to 12 and then down to 6 and we were still there. 3rd , 2nd & 1st place announced and we were still left standing, but hey, we had done well to get where we had and after all, we did get Heidie to Greek Champion, Zac was already Greek Champion and we got 2 more Best Of Breed, so who was complaining, not us. So Heidie now showing signs of spotting, her rear end quite swollen, we took her sign to inform us that her season was imminent and completely out of timing. Mind you Heidie has always been one of those daughters from hell who would be 2 months late, have you rushing to the chemist for testing kits, only to discover she was in fact just IRREGULAR. Her last season produced a phantom pregnancy so we feel it appropriate to listen to her body and draw to a close our European adventure for the time being. We were due in Helsinki next week and St Petersburg the week after and really looking forward to going and competing with Danes we had not competed against. The body clock the way it is we decided to take the opportunity to cover Heidie with Zsacharias and give them both a rest until in to the New Year when we will bring Zac out again accompanied by his new showgirl Hildydane Odette. By then Heidie will be settled with her little brood, fingers crossed and she can enjoy a well earned rest. So in 4 countries over 6 weeks we have collected an impressive number of titles we are very proud of for both our current showing Danes. For Heidie we have taken:

• International Champion
• Bulgarian Grand Champion
• Bulgarian Champion
• Balkan Champion
• Croatian Champion
• Greek Champion
• Aphrodite Winner
• Zagreb Winner
• Crufts Qualifier

To add to her already achieved:

• Cyprus Champion
• Reserve Best In Show
• Best Great Dane Cyprus

For Zac we are proud to announce in 4 countries over 6 weeks we collected for him:

• Bulgarian Grand Champion
• Cyprus Champion
• Bulgarian Champion
• Balkan Champion
• Croatian Champion
• Greek Champion
• Aphrodite Winner
• Zagreb Winner
• 10 Best Of Breed
• 2 Group Wins
• 1 Best In Show
• To add to his already achieved
• Australian Champion
• 4 Australian Best In Show

All this would not have been possible without the careful selection of the judges who we would like to thank for having the faith in our Danes to take the titles achieved. They do a very hard job, sometimes extremely chaotic and very disorganised, but they come through at the end of the day and for that we are truly grateful. We have visited some lovely countries and our thanks to the kennel clubs of those countries for hosting such events and making it all possible. We have travelled with some fantastic airlines and to those mentioned on previous show news we would like to thank you for your continued efforts in assisting us, making our journey hassle free and for taking the stress out of flying. Thanks also to our dear friend Susan Charalambous who I have to say with her colleague Gerdi have taken on a new dimension in the Travel Agency here in Paphos. They are now fully trained and highly qualified in the transporting of dogs throughout the world, mind you they should be the hassle we have put them through. Thanks to all those people we have met on route, who have shared our success and us theirs, to the companions we have sat with ring side and for those offering us assistance with shows past, present and future. For the time being we will take a break, we will share the joys of motherhood with Heidie if she and Zac manage to get it together and we shall resume our showing in the New Year.

In the meantime, a quick reminder to those of you who can and will assist me in compiling a database of accommodation at various levels around the world, please send me your information and experiences so I can start to put a list together on my site. Any additional information regarding dog friendly taxis, dog friendly car hire companies, dog crate hire companies, people who are just happy to lend a hand, then send it all via my e-mail at info@apollodane.com For the time being that is show news update completed until 2007, which after all is not that far away. Keep checking in to see how we get on with the romance between Heidie & Zsacharias and watch how Odette performs in her run up to becoming our next multi champion. She is already showing great movement in the ring, has taken a number of coveted titles in Australia before we brought her to Europe and we feel she will equal that of her companions Heidie & Zsacharias. Thank you for sharing our show news with us, we hope you continue to enjoy our diary notes and our pictures, come back again soon.

N.B I would like to make it known that the incident at the London Hotel was in no way connected to any recommendation made by the OKA (Athens Canine Society) All arrangements with them by way of information, prior to and during the show was of first class standard and can be fully supported and endorsed by us. The comedy of errors at the London Hotel was wholly the responsibility of the hotel and it's management team.