Ready! We enter on that prestigious green carpet, convinced that however it goes, Koby will make a magnificent figure.

In England, unlike all over the world (The British love to do everything different from the rest of the world), exhibitors can be placed anywhere in the ring, there is no entry order given by the catalog number. I position myself where I like to be; in first place!

I am thus the first to be judged, after the judge gave a cursory look at the whole group. It is a large and difficult class; 34 champions from all over the world entered (32 present). Some stars stand out; the bulldog that won the crufts last year, the bulldog that is the top winner in England this year (with an endless series of victories in the motherland, almost undisputed), a rising star of one of the most important kennels in the world, foreign dogs with an endless string of best in shows. But Koby also has his beautiful resume and we do not let ourselves be intimidated by this competition of such high quality and we do our competition. Koby completes a perfect competition. It assumes its usual "mood exposure" and is immobile, proud, bold and confident during judgment and powerful, elegant and harmonious during movement. He does not make a mistake, he does not get distracted, he is concentrated with me. We wait calmly for the continuation of the judgments ... Calmly so to speak, because once ours is finished, I drink a whole liter of water in a single sip, since my throat is so dry that the Sahara desert makes me a chip. Even the vocal cords no longer vibrate due to a total lack of hydration and I can't even speak

Thus we arrive at the end of the judgments of the class and the judge makes a first selection, six dogs remain inside. We are there. It makes us walk once again; I'm happy because Koby's walk is undoubtedly its great strength and added value. He chooses two dogs, Koby and the beautiful winner of last year's crufts, the CH. Redesigned ricatori (bos to the bulldog of the year 2019 in the UK). He studies the two dogs for a few more minutes, compares them, relates them and compares them and then makes us return to our seats, while he goes to take the cockade of the first place. He lifts it up and directs it towards us! We won the champion class in England at Crufts! A blow so big that only Koby's many kisses can soothe. It's amazing how Koby understands the exact moment he can celebrate and play the clown, compared to all the moments of tension and concentration of the race.

But we are only at the beginning. The ring assistant tells us to stay close by, because there will be a play-off for the very prestigious CC and best male title right away. In England, always unique compared to the rest of the world, there are ten classes that play off for the CC (everywhere only two). Therefore, all winners of their respective classes enter for the play-off. There are wonderful dogs, of course, it is the "cream" of all the males competing today. Let's walk again (HURRAY), one by one. Then the judge takes the challenge certificate coupon and without delay gives it to us. WE WON THE CC AND BEST MALE AT THE CRUFTS! If I were able to cry this would be the ideal time, but instead I laugh, laugh, laugh... and I'm on the moon.

While the coronavirus is raging in Italy in the meantime, since the morning I have forced myself not to hug and kiss anyone, out of respect. And so I maIntain an attitude that is not really mine and I do not play the fool as I usually do. We leave the ring, I hardly even kiss my husband, my lovely, patient and I would almost say holy husband.   

Lally Laura Donzelli instead I kiss her and take her hand, which I can no longer leave until the next race. I need that positive exchange of energy between me and her. We look like two moronic teenagers. But she knows I need her and doesn't take her hand out of mine. We are waiting for the next play-off, which will be done with the dog that will have won the title of best female. The judge slows down the pace a little, or maybe that's how it seems to me, because time doesn't pass anymore. A thousand thoughts surface in my head, which is about to burst. Luckily my two snack companions Daniela Cirillo and Manuela Chicco make me a little company from Italy and increase my awareness that if I had the famous corpse to put in the freezer, they would go and buy the custom-made freezer. Of all thoughts, only one is very melancholy; I miss a person with whom I would have liked to share this joy. I am sure, however, that even if the circumstances of life have separated us, he will be rejoicing with me and for me (unlike all the infamous who have frequented my house and who now, I am sure, will only know how to gnaw).

The proclamation of the best female arrives: a rising star of English breeding, presented by a famous Spanish breeder, wins. Koby and her for the best of breed at crufts 2020. My breath and Koby's breath vibrate in unison, we are one: The judge has no hesitation, Koby wins. At this point, all intentions of maintaining self-control go to hell…. and I run to hug and kiss the judge ... nothing, I forgot the good intentions

I am as if under the influence of a drug it seems like a dream (which, however, I have had many times) and I cannot understand if it is all true or not. I wake up early, because they don't even let me take the souvenir photos, which a match official requisitions me. You have to accompany me to the vet check. In fact, in England, also in this case unique in the world, veterinary control is required to validate the BOB and give the possibility to access the grouping. The match official does not abandon you for a moment (are they afraid that you will replace the dog?) Until they "deliver" you to the veterinarian.

Inside the NEC a structure is built in which the best of breed of all breeds must undergo a visit.

But here...

To be continued...

end of third part

March 15, 2020