"Brazil"

We arrived in San Paulo on September 30, after an overnight flight from Toronto. We were feeling quite refreshed as we had been able to upgrade to Business Class and had spent the flight in their new fully reclining seats. We then caught our small local plane to the city of Uberlandia where the dog show hosted by the Kennel Clube do Triangulo would be held. We were met at the airport by two local breeders, Jorge Felippe Abud and Emmerson Carlos Francode Farias and our translator, Queila, as the local language of Brazil is Portuguese and this would make things much easier.

We would be staying at the show accommodations for the weekend but Jorge had invited us to stay the night at his grandmother's 'hacienda' located an hour away in the town of Uberaba. This turned into quite a wonderful surprise as it was extremely beautiful there. "Chacara Dona Amelia" was built by his grandparents and was still actively used by the large family for gatherings and social events. The main house contained the kitchen and entertaining areas and a house to the side contained the bedrooms. A live in chef and groundskeeper kept everything in order and had started the outdoor ceramic oven for a traditional Brazilian BBQ. We thoroughly enjoyed the variety of food presented and had been joined by Jorge's lovely wife, Flavia, another breeder Emelio Alexandre Schefer Streng and his mother Elaine Augusta Souza Schefer.

We awoke the next morning and spent a lazy day poolside. We had another wonderful meal with everyone including Brazilian dish 'barolo' a stew-like meal with meat and sausage. It was delicious. The manicured estate was home to wild parrots in the trees and hummingbirds in the flowers, it was amazing.

Uberaba

Chacara Dona Amelia

Uberlandia

Kennel Clube do Triangulo.

We returned to Uberlandia where we met and joined the rest of the judges and club President Beatriz Vahusade de Souza Rufo Ribas at a wonderful Italian Restaurant with a sumptuous salad bar and your meal of pasta was prepared by an individual chef in front of you, made to order.....yummy....it was becoming apparent that any thought of maintaining our weight was futile.

The next morning we left for the show with the other judges, Juan Antonio Rivera from Uruguay and Fernando Guimares Calda Souza and Anael Araujo dos Santos from Brazil. The show site was set up for three shows running simultaneously, the International Show, which I would be judging and two Panamerican Shows. The show had a large entry of over 200 dogs and was very efficient and well run. I saw several quality dogs and generally found the Terrier Group to be very competitive. Best in Show was given to an elegant Boxer "Gr.Ch. Redfield & Gama Grass He's Not Kidding", owned by Luis Nasche Oferecimento Bellaboxer and handled by Marcos Santos. I later found out he went back to Canadian breeder Eleanor Foley and was currently the #1 Dog All Breeds. Juan from Uruaguay also selected the impressive Boxer and Fernando from Brazil selected a beautiful Whippet Bitch, BIS Dart's Repouso De Brookie Suellen, owned by Fabio Melo/Aloisio Jr and Miguel Gondim and handled by Miguel.

The shows ran quite late till 8:00 pm with Group judging for Puppies, Juniors and Best of Breeds, in all 10 FCI Groups and 1 Brazilian Group, followed by Best in Show for each show.

After photos we all left for a quick shower at the hotel and then off to share camaraderie with the exhibitors, Club officials and friends at a local restaurant. We enjoyed several shots of the local drink "Cachaca-Aguardente" which was a lot like tequila and just as potent. More Brazilian dishes appeared at our table and after Brazilian dance lessons from Bea, we concluded a fabulous day.

The following day we spent a leisurely morning relaxing by the pool at the hotel and then Bea and her husband picked us up and judge Juan from Uruguary and off we went for yet another culinary experience of delicious Brazilian food. We dropped Juan off at the airport and headed for Uberaba to do a seminar.

Seminar

As many of the breeders and exhibitors in the area had been involved in Shih Tzu for less than 5 years we decided to do a Shih Tzu breeding and grooming seminar. We had a great attendance of all the local breeders and spent the next 5 hours with Wendy completely bathing, drying and trimming a Shih Tzu. The before and after was impressive and everyone seemed to have learned quite a bit. The grooming presentation was complemented with Richard presenting the Power Point Breeder Education during the different stages.

It was late as we all headed out for supper. We shared good laughs and got caught up on all their news despite that we had already said our farewells to our interpreter, Queila.

The next morning,we headed to the airport with Jorge and Emmerson where we met Bea and said our farewells. We thanked them for their hospitality and the lavishing of many local food, delicacies and jewelry as gifts, they had been wonderful hosts. Wendy was especially impressed with the two Brazilian necklaces and shelled bracelet from local artists.

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