"South Africa"

Johannesburg, April 24-27,2009

We reluctantly left Cape Town the following morning but were now looking forward to seeing Johannesburg and meeting our hosts for the upcoming dog shows. We were picked up at the airport bu Jean Peden and Pat Guild and brought to our hotel where we met fellow judges Nellie Abela from Australia, Alex Zee from Taiwan and Mervyn Herholdt from SA.


The next day we did some sightseeing at a local amusement park and then to the casino where Wendy had quite a bit of luck. Starting with the equivalent of $10.00, she finally cashed out at $200.00 in less than 20 minutes! We returned to the hotel and then later met for supper with the show committee.

 

The next day, we arrived at the show site for the Pretoria Kennel Club. Richard would be judging the Utility Group and Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show. He was pleased with the overall quality of the dogs and gave the Utility Group to a Miniature Poodle "Braganza Best Foot Forward of Maresol" owned by Dionne Neto. Best in Show went to the Rottweiler "Ch. Mipret Duuk Second of Vongershan" owned by S. Smit.


The committee chaired by Hugh Tarr did a wonderful job of hospitality and show setup and it was a pleasure to judge there.

 

 

On Sunday, the show was hosted by the Eastern District Kennel Club. The weather cooperated and it was another beautiful day. Richard would be judging the Toy Group and put up an Italian Greyhound "Bo-Bett's Rhapsody in Blue" owned by A. Parkhouse.

 

Judge Alex Zee also chose the Rotweiler "Ch. Mipret Duuk Second of Vongershan" owned by S. Smit. as his Best In Show winner. Once again, the show committee chaired by Jack Peden did an outstanding job with hospitality, the grounds were beautiful and everything was very smoothly run.

 

 

 

On Monday, Richard had been asked to judge a Dalmatian Specialty and we were picked up by Maria Heneke who took us to a lovely private estate owned by Jan Davies where the Specialty would be held. There was a good entry and as the first class entered the ring, Richard was very pleased with the quality. Results: BIS - CH Charizelle Permission To Land At Dallmalli- owned by Immelman and Scheepers, RBIS - Ch. Chalcopyrite Cosmic Dust - owned by R Elliott, Dog CC & Best Junior in show - Chalcopyrite Carpe Diem - owned by R Elliott, Bitch CC and Best Veteran in show - Ch. Chalcopyrite Virtual Reality Piper - owned by R Elliott.

Following judging, the club hosted a lovely meal and comraderie around the table was quite enjoyable with many laughs and good times.



We bid everyone farewell as we were to head for the airport for our return home. Usually by the end of a trip, we are ready to leave but not so this time as the trip had become quite 'special'. We had made many friends, had been welcomed as though we were family by the Aucamps and truely were going to miss them. The clubs in Johannesburg had taken very good care of us and made us feel most welcomed. It had become a memorable time, one we could never forget.

The End

 

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