Beginning Thursday, June 30th, five days of American Kennel Club (AKC) Dog Shows will be held at the Charles County Fairgrounds at Bel Alton, MD. By the end of the weekend over 1300 purebred dogs and 900 owners and exhibitors will have spent some time at in our county, and it’s in our own backyard.
The Blue Crab Cluster, as the group of dog shows are known, begins with the Potomac Hound Show, which is a specialty show for all types of hounds. This show opens the 5 day event with a Blessing of the Hounds prior to judging. This show will include all dogs from the hound group of the AKC standards, from the small dachshunds and beagles to salukis and coonhounds.
The Cluster will be celebrating the 4th in patriotic style. In addition to the usual dog show activities, “Eli” the last known living Therapy Dog from 9/11 in New York will be at the show. In addition to a presence of Eli at the presentation of the Best in Breed (the show’s best dog), Eli and his Handler will also be available all weekend (Thursday thru Monday the 4th). There will be a professional photographer that will take your picture for $5 with Eli, and he will be available to be greeted and seem by all. We owe this dog, and his fellow canine working dogs gratitude for the job that they do, quietly and selflessly, only asking what they can do to help us. A video of Eli is available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6dCUu9JGZU and there is more information at Eli’s home page http://members.verizon.net/~fuzzybadge38/id6.html
Southern Maryland Kennel Club (SMKC) and Melwood have created an art contest in conjunction with the 2011 Blue Crab Cluster and its annual Meet the Breed Event. Participants in Melwood’s CampAccomplish have created art depicting Dogs from Around the World. Their art is on display and available for purchase at the on-site “Thrift Store” on the Charles County Fairgrounds main concourse. Proceeds from the sale of art shall benefit both the incredible efforts of Melwood’s CampAccomplish and canine rescue efforts through
