Arf Arf!

One of the things I committed to memory in my youth was a poem from the late, great John Lennon's first volume of poetry "In His Own Write". It was a poem about Nigel. Here it is.

Good Dog Nigel

Arf, Arf, he goes, a merry sight
Our little hairy friend
Arf, Arf, upon the lampost bright
Arfing round the bend.
Nice dog! Goo boy,
Waggie tail and beg,
Clever Nigel, jump for joy
Because we are putting you to sleep at three of the clock, Nigel.

This poem caused much laughter in my childhood, and at the same time, a poignant sense of loss. I bring it up today because tonight will find me ensconced in the big comfy chair, AKC Book of Breeds in my lap, watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, live from Madison Square Garden.

Much to my amazement, other bloggers are writing about the show. I thought I was the only dog geek, but apparently I am not alone.

The Blight also talks about agility trials. As much as I love them, I can't watch them. You see, not so long ago, the Good Dog Nails and I attempted to do agility. We were kicked out of training. It wasn't that Nails peed in the ring (he didn't) or tried to fight or hump the other dogs (he did, but I keep him on a short leash). It was because, said the trainer, he didn't have enough of a desire to please me. Well, he's a Jack Russell, what would your point be? (And he's a JRTCA Jack Russell, not an AKC Jack, thank you so much.)*



She told me I couldn't pet him or praise him unless he did something right in the ring. And that meant ever pet him, praise him, or give him treats. I wasn't willing to do that, and that meant he wasn't driven enough.

On the other hand, it also means that tonight I'll get to watch the show with my growly friend on the couch beside me, squeaky toy at hand. I'll throw, he'll chase and retrieve, and it'll be fun for both of us. When he's done playing, he'll let me know by herding me over to where I keep the treats, and he'll bark until I open the cabinet and give him one.

And that trainer said he wasn't driven. Ha! He's trained me quite well.

* The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America was against admission to the AKC on the grounds that the Jack is a working breed, and needs to be kept a working, not a showing breed. I concur.