07/21/2025
Hello Dog Show Peeps! I know you may have thought you were going to get by this show without a how to guide/lecture/warning (all of the above), but you are not!! I may be behind, but I have not forgotten you all. First, as always, please know how much everyone here in Flagstaff appreciates you all coming. We know we are lucky to have you hardy, tough, rugged souls come to be with us every year. This year we are about 200 dogs up and so grateful for that in today’s showing climate as well. This year, we are very fortunate to have some great judges from New Zealand joining us, so, as US dog show competitors, remember to put your best foot forward (as my grandmother used to say, I used to wonder which foot was ACTUALLY the best one).
Many of you are returning friends and so you are already aware of the Xtreme Dog Show conditions that we can have up here in the “Great North” of Arizona. But for those who may have amnesia (either accidental or on purpose) and those who are new to our area, here is the rundown. To make all of this very short, you should live by the Girl Scout motto BE PREPARED- and that means for anything. Seriously!
As the dates have gotten closer, sadly, the predictions of some rain and cooler temperatures have gone by the wayside. Now predictions are 90 ish with sun, sun and more sun. Before all the Phoenicians tell me “Pshaw- that ain’t nothing- a little 90 degrees”, please recall that I live in Flagstaff for a reason, and that is to not ever feel as if I am living in a pizza oven. Also, we are at quite the altitude and that means that the mean ole sun is way closer. UV up here is approaching radiation (I don’t lie). That does make it feel worse and also means you all will burn easier and faster and deeper. So- first byword is- SUNSCREEN! 🧴 Say it together now- SUN….SCREEN! Do not forget it- wear it- reapply it! The heat and sun mean that your shade and cool care for your dogs must be top notch. Bring the pop-ups, umbrellas, fans and misters (the cool water kind- your significant other is your choice). You are absolutely responsible for the care and comfort of your dog- please remember they are there because you want to be.
The heat and sun also mean that you and your dog should be constantly hydrating. So our second byword for the weekend is WATER. Again, all together- WAAA TEEER! Please know that 85% of altitude sickness is caused by dehydration. Bring the water, drink the water, drink more water and then, if you are me, p*e a lot. Also, make sure your dog is drinking regularly as well.
Besides sun, we almost always (okay maybe always at least for some subset of time) have wind. Microbursts are not unheard of at our shows. Please bring all the weights that you will need to hold down a small house so that you will not have the experience of watching your shade take flight. The flight part is bad enough- the descent and landing are downright dangerous. Staking is NOT allowed- repeat NOT- no stakes, don’t do it!
Rain is ever possible as well. Please know that is what I am hoping for it as well as most of Arizona given our level of flammability (is that a word- well who cares, we are off the scale of it, word or not). Rain will be universally welcomed if it comes so I better hear zero complaints no matter how your dog looks when wet. The aforementioned shade you are bringing can double as rain deterrent as well so you are covered there (pun intended) but do throw in at least a bit of rain gear.
For those of you who are from warmer climes (crazy people that you are) please be aware that, for people like me, the evenings/nights are the only pleasant time to be outside. That would be for me- I like it cool, if not cold. You may find it colder than you like (we are hitting 52 to 55 even now), so if that describes you, you should also throw in some longer pants and longer shirts (maybe a jacket) for that time. Those of you joining us for the First Annual Christmas in July Copper State French Bulldog Club specialty on Saturday evening, please know that was our hope when scheduling it that way. Cooler more pleasant weather for me and the Frenchies, and possible long shirtness (definitely not a word) for you.
This season in Flagstaff is always “Road Construction Season” as well as summer. But boy, this year seems especially bad. To change it up just a bit the 40 is more “under construction” than the 17 but in town is really dodgy as well. Watch yourself- Flagstaffians are horrendous drivers. Reminder as always too about the horror of the double roundabouts that are at the entrance to Fort Tuthill. Remember to go around and not over- it may not be faster but it is generally less expensive.
That’s about all I got this year! Again, can’t tell you all how much we appreciate your coming this year. We look forward to it and hope you do too (that would make us all the same amount of crazy which is reassuring). As we go forth and show- I will send all the platitudes. Live long and prosper. May the Force be with you. May the odds be ever in your favor. The one is the most fitting, I think. Please travel safely and see you all soon!
