Our First Gympie Show
_ I woke up on Sunday morning really excited – today was
Sparkie’s first show! I looked at my watch – 7:09am. I sat up and looked at
Sparkie, who was fast asleep at the end of the bed. The sweet natured border
collie cross kelpie was nearly seven months old. “Sparkie!” I whispered, “Wake
up, Sparkie!” Sparkie raised her head sleepily. “Today is the big day!” I told
her, “come here, girl!” Sparkie yawned and crawled along on her belly until she
was beside me. She licked my ear and wagged her tail. I giggled. “Oh, Sparkie,”
I said, kissing her forehead, “I’m so excited! We’re going to the Gympie show
today!” I yawned too. “Come on, let’s have breakfast,” I sighed. I pushed back
the blankets and climbed out of bed. Sparkie jumped down. I looked at everybody
else in the bus. They were all sleeping. I untied Sparkie from the bed and took
her outside. Then I forced down some food. I wasn’t really hungry because I was
too excited! By 7:30am everybody was awake. I reminded Mummy that we had to be
at the show before 10:00am for the check-in. Mummy made everybody have
breakfast (I gave the excuse “I’m not hungry!” while I took Sparkie for a quick
walk) and then Daddy told us to do our hair. I undid mine from its braid and
brushed it out. By this time it was 9:17am. Mummy gave me some clean clothes to
wear. I hurried and got changed into them. Sparkie got tied by the seat. “Seats
everybody!” said Daddy. I got Sparkie’s show collar ready. “Hurry up, Daddy!” I
said, flopping onto the seat. It was already 9:43am. By the time we got to the
show it was 9:58am. I was so excited, but quite nervous. Sparkie hadn’t had her
run that morning, so she was full of energy. We parked by the entrance and I
urged everybody on – “Hurry, it’s nearly ten!” And “Come on, or we’ll miss
out!” After running around in a panic trying to find the right place, we
finally came around a corner and there was an agility course! My eyes went big – I didn’t know this would be
there. Mummy and me and Sparkie went over to the stand and signed up. Mummy
then helped me practice with Sparkie over the course. Lots of dogs and people
were there. We sat down in the shade as the show began. All the dogs were very
good. I started doubting that Sparkie could win. I fished in my backpack and
put Sparkie’s new green show collar on. At last our turn came. I walked over to
the starting line, my heart pounding. I stopped at the starting line. Sparkie
sat beside me. “Time... starts... now!” said the announcer. I ran forward.
Sparkie ran beside me. Over the jump she flew. “Get through!” Through the boxes
she shot. “Up!” Up and over the pause bale she went. I had to turn her back.
“Sit!” Sparkie sat immediately. 5... 4...
3... 2... 1! “Okay!” Off the bale she sprang. Over the long jump she
soared. “Jump!” Over the final jump and through the finish line marker poles
she dashed. “Easy,” I said. We stopped and left the ring. I came back to Mummy
and Daddy and my sisters. “Good girl!” I praised, hugging Sparkie. Everybody in
the family said we were awesome. I was proud of Sparkie. And when we won first
prize in that, I was stoked, especially as we also won best child handler and
got a consolation prize in shiniest. That day, Sparkie was the best dog in the
world.