The Price of Winning

The Price of Winning.

“Hey, Arrow? Are you ready? Shall we go to the show? Aunty Sylvie is going to pick us up soon.”

Arrow stuck his nose into the large jute bag at Carla’s feet.

“Yep. Don’t panic. I packed you plenty of treats. Water too.” Carla surveyed the items she was taking.

It was so much easier when she travelled in her own car. Everything she could need was already packed. Sylvie, though, suggested pooling their vehicles. The fuel savings would be considerable.

Arrow switched his focus from the bag to Carla’s face. She smiled. She could not help herself. Hers was the most awesome dog ever. One ear up, one half-mast, dark brown eyes, and a black, wiry coat gave him a comical look. As her dad said, he was only half the size of a small horse. That was fine with her. She enjoyed doing the obedience shows with him. She did not need a piece of pure-bred finery.

Silvie’s border collie, Diamond, was every bit a show dog, a tri-colour beauty. She had brains as well. She was also, and most importantly, Arrow’s best friend. “You’ll get to see your girlfriend soon.”

That was if Sylvie bothered to turn up. She was already ten minutes late.

As if on cue, Carla’s phone beeped. Finally, a text. “OMW.”

“Another five minutes, mate.”

Arrow responded by jumping up and putting his big front paws on her chest. It was as if he was saying, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, I know you are awesome and everything, but we’re third on. I don’t want to have to rush. And I want to see the course walked first.”

Arrow just wagged his tail.

“Sorry, couldn’t find Diamond’s show lead.” Sylvie explained as they buckled up.

“It’s okay,” Carla replied.

A sideways glance told her Sylvie found the time to apply a load of makeup before leaving home. They were only going to an Obedience show, outdoors, not a formal event at the town hall.

“Just need to stop and grab some petrol,” Sylvie remarked as she indicated to turn at a service station.

“Okay.” Carla was gritting her teeth and fuming.

They were going to be late.

The judge and steward were already in the ring when Carla got there. She tried to watch as the judge walked the course she and Arrow would copy but felt too unsettled to focus properly.

“Oh, I thought you weren’t going to turn up,” A woman who had a golden retriever said. Carla realised the woman should have been straight after her.

“Sorry.” What else could she say?

“Hey, just breathe. Holdups happen.” The woman at the call board reassured her. “Yep. I’ve got the first five ready to go. I can pop you in after number seven, if you like.”

“Oh, thank you so much.” Carla felt relief slither through her like ice cream on a hot day. Now she would be able to watch the first couple of dogs before having to bring Arrow in.

“Oh, God, I’m sorry.” Sylvie seemed shocked. “I didn’t realise you were on so early. I should have got the petrol last night.”

The words that left Carla’s mouth did not match the ones in her head. “It’s okay. We made it.”

The day the schedule was put up on the website, she had told Sylvie. And they both knew Sylvie was the 23rd entrant. Even when Sylvie offered to be the driver, Carla had reminded her that they needed to be early.

“No worries,” Carla continued. “I just need to warm Arrow up.”

“You don’t have much time.”

“We’ll be fine.”

Fortunately, Arrow was in an eager mood. He usually was excited to play this Obedience game with Carla. Just having him walk beside her put her into a more focused, calmer frame of mind. As she practiced with Arrow, Carla forgot the frustrations the morning had brought.

Then it was her turn. Ring nerves tried to bite, but Arrow’s happy gait washed them away.

“Good luck,” Sylvie called.

“Thanks.” Carla smiled to herself. It was skill rather than luck which determined who took home the ribbons. She had been practicing; she hoped it would be enough.

As soon as the steward called “Forward,” Carla slipped into her working mind. All she paid attention to was the man’s voice and Arrow. Even the judge disappeared from her consciousness.

“Right turn. Left turn. Halt. About turn. Halt.” The instructions directed her around the ring.

Suddenly, she and Arrow were doing their final halt and the heelwork part of the test was finished. Only the recall remained. Carla had to be a bit more present for that, but her focus remained on Arrow.

“Not bad,” Sylvie commented as Carla led Arrow out of the ring.

“Thanks. I’m really pleased.”

“I’ve got hours to go,” Sylvie griped.

“Nah. It’s not a long course. You’ll be done by lunch.”

“All those left turns. Diamond struggles with them.” Sylvie paused. “Oh, Carla. Your finish was wide too.”

Arrow had completed that part of the recall perfectly.

Carla walked back to the car to put Arrow away and wondered whether she was missing something. She thought Sylvie enjoyed attending the shows, but, today, she seemed to be very unhappy. That last comment had sounded like nothing but unkindness.

She then banished all thoughts of her friend. It was time to make a fuss of the best dog in the whole world. Arrow had exceeded any expectations. He was amazing. She would have preferred to have kept him beside her all day, but the work was tiring so she left him to rest.

On the way back to the ring she almost bumped into another woman. It was the friendly call steward. They exchanged smiles.

The other woman commented, “Very nice round.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope your stays are solid.”

“Me too.”

The exchange delighted Carla.

The wait for Sylvie’s round felt long. There was only one thing to do, and that was watch the other competitors. Fortunately, the weather was good, so everyone could relax ringside. This was the lowest class at the show, where everyone begun. Some dogs were clearly struggling, unused to the venue, being in the ring, and actually listening to their handler.

Carla felt another spurt of pride for Arrow. They had been competing for six months now and Arrow handled the environment like a pro.

Sylvie and Diamond walked into the ring. They were so obviously a team, Carla was a bit envious. Arrow did not carry his head in that fully focused position. Diamond pranced beside Sylvie. They started together and Diamond held her position until the steward called a left turn. Diamond was slow to respond to Sylvie stepping in front of her. Carla watched in horror as Diamond dropped her head and started to lag. While Sylvie managed to get Diamond back on track, a point had been lost. The same happened on the next left turn, and worse, on the about turn.

“Your recall was perfect!” Carla consoled her friend.

“Pity she stuffed up the rest of it.” Sylvie was holding Diamond on a tight leash and scowling.

“Go, put her in the car. I’ll buy us some lunch,” Carla offered.

“Might as well just head home,” Sylvie muttered.

“We’ve still got our stays to go,” Carla objected.

“Not much point staying for that.”

“Well, I would like to.”

Carla felt panic tightening up her gut and shoulders. What would she do if Sylvie insisted on leaving? It was a 30 kilometre trip home.

“Oh, yeah. Of course. Sorry. I’m just so pissed off. Your round was pretty good. You probably want to see your results.”

Doing the stays was never a hassle with Arow. Carla was sure he grinned at the world while he did his one minute sit. For the two minute down, he usually snoozed.

Carla checked along the line of dogs. It was a good day. None were getting up and disturbing the others. The worst was one dog sitting up and having a scratch. He lay straight down again, after.

As Carla left the ring, she spied the call steward. The other woman gave her a thumbs-up. Nothing like that had happened at previous competitions. A fizz filled Carla’s lungs.

“Yay. They both did that right,” Sylvie said. She finally sounded happy.

“Yep.” Carla was happy too.

“I suppose you want to wait for your results?”

“I really would like to get them. Arrow was so good. And, they shouldn’t take long.”

“As long as there isn’t a pile of run-offs.” Trust Sylvie to dampen the moment.

There were two numbers called to repeat their recalls. Neither was Carla. She was disappointed.

Sylvie already knew she was not going to be called. “Oh, well, not you this time.” She sounded cheerful.

Carla laughed. “There were some good rounds.”

The run-off was soon completed. All the class gathered around as the ribbons and prizes were laid out. There were five placings.

“Wow! Look at those ribbons. They’re gorgeous,” Sylvie hissed.

“They sure are. I wouldn’t mind hanging one of them on my wall,” Carla agreed.

“These people, please get your dogs,” the call steward yelled. “In catalogue order. Number two, three, eighteen, twenty and twenty-two.”

Carla squealed. “Oh my God. We’ve got a ribbon.”

She rushed out to Sylvie’s car for Arrow. She could not stop grinning. It was only as she neared the ring again, that she realised Sylvie had not congratulated her.

“She’s probably surprised and a bit jealous, Carla told Arrow. “It will be her turn soon enough.”

By the time Carla and Arrow joined the group, the other four placegetters were already lined up. There was only one vacant space, at the left. That place was reserved for the winner. The call steward was gesturing for her to step up.

“Oh my God,” Carla could only whisper.

“On 74 out of 75, Carla and Arrow!”

The spectators clapped and Arrow barked. Everyone laughed.

About then, Carla noticed Sylvie’s absence. Sadness filled her although she kept her smile firmly on her face. It seemed her friend was not friend enough to share any delight in her success.

The drive home was uncomfortable. Sylvie explained her disappearance as a sudden need to go to the bathroom. Carla didn’t believe her.

Although she said nothing, Carla had already decided it would be best if, in the future, she took her own car to any shows she wanted to attend.