I still haven't told you anything about the background of this unforgettable Crufts. I do it today, since like everyone else, we are forced into the house and have a lot of free time.

The preparation for this unparalleled event in the world began several months earlier, as did the "unexpected events", which are what have characterized it from the very beginning.

The first concerns its qualification; in my "mental" program I would have enrolled Koby in San Marino for the qualification. Except that, when I am about to register, I realize that registrations are closed! Oh my God ... it was already September, a plan B was needed, immediate. There were no more qualifying races in Europe, and panic had taken over me. It occurs to me that he lacks a cacib to get the title of international champion, with which he could have qualified. I enter it in Slovenia and Koby wins it. We were a bit tight with the times and on the day of the victory I sent all the documents necessary for the homologation of the title. Approval does not arrive within the assumed times. I call the samples office to request, they reply that nothing will be known until January: I'll make it short ...

I spend all the Christmas holidays with the nightmare of not being able to homologate the title for its qualification in good time! Fortunately, however, the homologation arrives, just a few days before the registration deadline!

First hitch overcome, on a razor's edge.

We book our trip to Birmingham, providing the usual stops that allow us not to feel too much the weight of an interminable journey. Meanwhile, news of this virus is beginning to be heard in China.

As the departure date approaches, the coronavirus panic begins in Italy and some municipalities in Lombardy are declared a red zone. Every day things seem to get out of hand more and more and the hypothesis of closing borders or even preventing free movement in Italy is beginning to be aired. In order not to take risks, we decide to bring expatriation a few days earlier. In fact, we immediately realize that there is no control on any border and even, in almost a week of stay in France, we only read a third page paragraph about the coronavirus. Nothing at all, the most absolute tranquility and normality.

Second obstacle overcome, with great anxiety.

At one point, however, the kennel club sent us an email stating that the northern Italians could not participate in the event. Virtually all of the red zone, up to Rimini. In those days in the Marche there was still no case reported, but obviously the situation was in progress and we spent the following days with the concern that they would prevent us from participating as well. Furthermore, it was beginning to be assumed that the demonstration would be postponed. Instead there has been a reversal of the trend; Cobra (the emergency committee) met in the UK and Boris Johnson declared that the demonstration would take place regularly and that anyone could participate, respecting the regulations of the country of origin. So we spend the last days in England, in a wonderful location on the north sea, truly a paradise for those who love dogs.

Third inconvenience overcome.

Koby feels a bit my anxiety dictated by all these uncertainties. He is not as carefree as usual, he also eats a little less. However, many manifestations of affection arrive from Italy; the #iotifoperkoby #iotifoperkoby chain, started by, always close to me, Danydelmiocuor, Daniela Cirillo
she is too nice! It is a virtual hug that gives me a lot of courage and I find my usual decision and resolve. Thank you very much my friends! And so we arrive at the crufts and… End of part one. L.M.

March 13, 2020