My first show at the White Shepherd Club of Canada National Specialty was memorable, all because of a new little imp named Royal Grace of Willow Wood that had been in my life for a mere 10 days!  My first idea was to take her along for socialization because I wasn't sure she was old enough to go into the ring! Then when we got there I thought, hey, I'll pay the entry fee, just for the practice in the ring. What I have learned about my Gracie since then is that I should have discussed this with her first!

If you were to talk with Jean Reeves [breeder of the Imp Gracie] you would get an entirely different story, but my version is this:

"I like to do what I want to do.
I will not walk in the ring with you.
I want to sleep and yawn and stretch;
Not run and stack you silly wretch."

The crowd they laugh and think it's funny!
Gracie lies down cause the ring is too sunny!
Come on Grace, get up and walk;
She will not budge; just sits and balks.

The crowd is laughing right out loud;
And giving advice, though they're not allowed!
I'm old and exhausted from carrying this pup
Who's too lazy or smart to get up off her butt.

I look around and see Michelle,
I know with her my Grace will excel.
Michelle says, "Sure, I'll show your pup
And while I'm at it, I'll show you up."

Michelle runs to get all her treats.
She pulls out the stops and even gets meat.
She talks sweet to Gracie, she talks very calm;
An excellent handler with a magic wand.

For a minute or so Grace walks nicely on lead
And I'm confident Michelle will accomplish this deed.
Then without warning, Grace comes to a stop,
Looks for the shade, and her body goes plop!

No sweet talk or urging or budging will do,
Grace will not walk. What will Michelle do?
You guessed it; she did what she had to do.
Carry the pup and look like a fool, too!

We all had a laugh, but we got no first place,
She went one better and won the Charley Award, our Grace!
At the end of the show, Jacki gave her a bone
But Gracie just flopped and said, "I wanna go home!"

For those who don't know about the Charley Award, it is given at the WSCC National Specialty for the most entertaining dog.

Royal Grace of Willow Wood is owned and loved by Jacki Wheeler and her sister Royal Dinah.