Since returning to Hawaii, Art has been able to re-establish contact with a lot of his classmates from Honokaa which is on the Big Island. In fact, several of his friends live right in our neighborhood and they go out to lunch or breakfast coffee regularly. One of his closest childhood friends was Delphine. (Delphine is the one on the right. Notice Art does not have a mustache?) It was fun for me to learn that Delphine's brother is Poncie Ponce who used to act on Hawaiian Eye. I wonder how many people would remember that TV show. However, over the 40 years they were apart, Art and Del lost contact with each other. I think we've only seen Del once when we bumped into him at the airport about 20 years ago.
Well, Art discovered that Del actually lives close by, too. In fact, he now lives in my old hometown. Del called the night before and invited us to see a Dog Show at Thomas Square in Honolulu.
I can't remember ever being to a dog show before. I know we've watched the National Dog Show once or twice on Thanksgiving. I think it was Thanksgiving.
Thomas Square has a huge banyan tree.
Del's stepdaughter was the handler for their Golden Retriever.
I've never seen so many Golden Retrievers in one place before. They had brought over a judge for the show from the mainland.
All the dogs were put through their paces. To be honest I couldn't tell them apart. They all looked beautiful.
I did learn something interesting that I didn't know before. Dogs sweat through their paws. The handlers were all misting their dog's paws and I couldn't figure out why. They said it was one of the ways to keep their dogs cool and comfortable.
Meeting again for the second time after 40 years of living their own lives in different parts of the country, there was a LOT to catch up on. They each had happy as well as sad news to tell each other.
Del and his wife's dog received the Select ribbon (I'm not sure what that means).
We could see that competing in dog shows is very serious. They had a tent with lots of equipment to help their dogs show off his best qualities. Del says he might be handling a dog soon, too.Hmmmm... we'll have to go and see that.
Believe me, dog-handling in the show ring is not as simple as it seems. There are all sorts of 'tricks' to showing your dog at its best advantage, even to selecting 'favourable' lumps and bumps in the ground. It's not something I'll do again . . .
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a dogshow either although my hubby before I met him used to show huskys.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to meet up with old friends, and to have a brand new experience. Cats do the same, sweat through their paws, especially when they're stressed. When I take my cat to the vet (which I'm about to do this afternoon) she leaves sweaty paw prints all over the vet's examination table; as well as large amounts of fur which she seems to shed even more when she's anxious.
ReplyDeleteIs that really Art?? I would never have recognized him in the old photo.
ReplyDeleteI think Art was very handsome when he was young and had no mustache. I'm so happy for Art to have reconnected with an old friend.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember (just faintly) Poncie Ponce on Hawaiian Eye.
But all those Golden Retrievers! And you probably couldn't hug any of them because they're show dogs and can't get their feathers ruffled. (Did you know Goldens have feathers? Those are the long hairs on the backs of their legs.) Del's family's dog is beautiful. I'm afraid Lindy will never be a show dog, LOL.
Hi to Art, and best wishes to your mom.
Luv, K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
I've been to dog shows a few times but have to say I was turned off by it all. I always vision the dog as the slave and the owner as the slave owner. Never could work up much excitment about it all but do agree the dogs are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI remember Hawaiian Eye. Connie was the highlight, especially when she was singing.
ReplyDeleteYou should enlarge the photo of Art's head in that photo and attach it to your fridge. That might encourage him to shave off his mustache. I think guys look younger without it. (Art probably hates me by now. lol)
that's so interesting that dogs sweat through their paws. thanks for sharing your experience at the dog show.
ReplyDeleteDog shows are very serious. My aunt used to show her dogs...but stopped after realizing that she wasn't that serious.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that was Art, either.
Very handsome then as he is now!!!
Old friends meeting again always makes for a nice story. I think it was really thoughtful of you both to venture out to meet with this friend and attend a dog show.
ReplyDeleteYes, the owners do take these shows very seriously, but I guess they should with all the hours of training they must put in.
What a nice reunion for Art!
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought the dog show was great! All those beautiful doggies that look like 'my' D.O.G. who lives across the street! LOL
I think this is so neat for Art & Del, old friendships are the best, all those memories. A fun day out in the sun too.
ReplyDeleteAll the dog show stuff sort of fascinates me. It is very serious.
ReplyDeleteVery dool story about Art reconnecting with his old friend.
That should be very "cool" story. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to meet an old friend but it's bit funny to me to know the guy having the name, Delphine because I have a French woman named Delphine!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing an old photo of him and young and handsome Art.
Have a wonderful day.
Yoshi
I think it's great that you two ventured out to a new experience as a way to meet up with an old friend. The dog are beautiful, but plant lover that I am, it's the trees that I love!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad both of you are linking up with friends. Yes, I confess....I've never been to a dog show before either.
ReplyDeleteIt is always to get together with old friends. I always watch the dog competition on TV on the animal planet, some of the dogs are really pretty.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that about dogs never having owned one...I am glad that Art has been able to reconnect...
ReplyDelete