Tag Archives: World Dog Show Finland

My Personal Stockholm Syndrome

August 9, 2014

The belly of the beast… ( hope they do not forget to close the doors after loading and the ship does not turn into a submarine…)

So, Thursday we took a cruise-ferry to Stockholm, Sweden on the board of the Silja Symphony. I have been wary a a bit about the trip considering the ship’s history. The builder of the boat, the Wartsyla Marine shipyard, went belly up – ok sort of…they went bankrupt during the construction of the ship in 1991.

A very thoughtful sign now I feel really safe…

After she was put in service, she’s had several scary incidents. Once it sucked in a swarm of fish that stopped the engine at open waters. Several years later, she ran into the dock in the harbor of Marienham in a storm that has created some major damage. So here I was, ready to go on my personal Titanic trip to experience “My Personal Stockholm Syndrome.” (it works in reverse than the original Stockholm Syndrome…)

The “Pumericans” ready to embark on an adventure. From democracy to Absolut Monarchy (extra dry please…)

Well, in case you did not know, Sweden is a kingdom. Surprisingly the only absolute monarchy in Europe. By the way, it comes in various flavors, black currant, lemon, orange, etc. (all other monarchies in Europe are constitutional.)

The last Absolut Monarchy in Europe ( in many flavors…)

Of course, I know other things about Sweden too. I’ve also known Ingmar Bergman’s movies, Alfred Nobel, (the guy who invented the dynamite and than they named a peace price after him…) Than there is August Strindberg, (I saw one of his plays the “Creditors” at BAM, Brooklyn NY. )Than there is VOLVO. I call the 1970’s-80′ models “OVLOV” like they would have been Soviet made cars because of their austerity – NO CUP HOLDERS!?!?!? (hey they were safe and simple…)

serious cruise ship fun…

One thing however, that all Americans know about Sweden is, the country’s phenomenal pop music success. Remember ABBA, Ace of Base and the Cardigans? (You call them cheese today, but you’ve kept hitting “rewind” over and over again while driving long distance back in the days.

So the songs started popping up in my head and while I was doodling, I was missing my dogs back in the States and Kaffogo Agyag in Finland. I left Agyag with Marja-Leena Puranen while I was sailing to Sweeden. (By the way, Marja-Leena, thank you sooo much to take care of my baby dog!)

The first Volvo ever by the Vikings. (more like an Ovlov...) It was amphibious.

The first VOLVO ever. Built by the Vikings. (more like an OVLOV…) It was amphibious.

Than I went to bed, and the whole thing just got mixed up and I had a weird dream (here it is…) Video Aug 09, 6 01 20 PM <——CLICK HERE…

Tourist for a Day…

August 6, 2014

Suomennia, the six-island historic fortress network of Helsinki

Suomennlina, the six-island historic fortress network of Helsinki

We took a short boat trip to Suomenlinna, a six-island historic fortress network yesterday. The massive walls and buildings have been the nest of Finnish National independence and the birthplace of Finnish national pride and consciousness. Today, it is a pupular tourist attraction and picnic park.

Of course, I took Agyag along, who was happily trotting off leash among the tourist, wagging her curly tail for a pat or a short cuddling. She is not your typical farm dog. She is my farm dog… and like all my dogs and animals, she is friendly, affectionate and confident wherever she goes.

We also sampled some excellent food and brew when taking some breaks. Agyag tried to hypnotize every bite out of our mouths. Sorry dog not today…

say “yuusto…” I mean “cheese…”

one of the garrison buildings from the past… massive structures to withstand the time of history

Rules are pretty relax around here... do you recall the signs back in the U.S.? "No shirt, no shoes, No service..." I think these people were not even tourists. They probably were the park rangers for the historic site in their summer uniform...

Rules are pretty relaxed around here… do you recall the signs back in the U.S.? “No shirt, No shoes, No service…” by the way, I think these people were not even tourists. They probably were the park rangers for the historic site in their summer uniform…

a wetering hole in sight for some refreshments (cool tables...)

a watering hole in sight for some refreshments (cool tables…)

a WWII submarine built in the 1930’s. This tiny thing would be in trouble running into Spilberg’s great white shark from “Jaws”

The Three Graces and Cyndarella

if we keep eating with the same rate as we do and keep having this much fun as we do, in a few days, I have to post this photo as us "The Three Graces..."

Ok, if we keep eating with the same rate as we do and keep having as much fun as we do, in a few days, I have to post this photo as us, “The Three Graces…” (this is not in Helsinki I posted it for illustration only. The artist is Niki de Saint Phalle of France and the title is “The Three Graces”…)

Agyag controlling traffic at the market. once in a while she gives a dirty loook to extort some food out of people...

Agyag is controlling traffic at the market. Once in a while she gives a dirty look at some people to extort food out of them…

The walls of the fortress from the sea

The modern day Viking raid. Anyone can participate while dining, wining and having a good time (soon we depart to Stockholm Sweden on one of these vessels)

Welcome to the Scandinavian Welfare System. Even the mime is painted gold instead of the usual white or silver. Life is good over here…

After the long day of island hopping we were happy to escape back to our hotel from the heat.

Shop Talk and and Some Fun in the City

August 5, 2014

The famous Helsinki Cathedral, “Tuomiokirkko”(spelling it correctly and pronounce it, should be a prerequisite for the eucharist…) on Senate Squre in the city center. It is an evangelic Lutheran Church. It can accommodate 1300 people. It is the most recognizable landmark of the city.

Say, "cheese..." it does not really work in Finnish "juusto..." (one of my theories why English has become the lingua franca of the world...)

Say, “cheese…” it does not really work in Finnish “juusto…”
(one of my genius theories why English has become the lingua franca of the world…)

This WDS is also a study trip for me to learn about the mysteries, controversies and also trying to answer some of the open ended questions of the Pumi breed. Therefore, it has been an especially lucky coincident that this global doggie summit has been organized by “Pumi powerhouse” countries in two consecutive years.

strolling in the center of Helsinki. Nina took possession of Agyag. The spoiled opportunistic Pumi has enjoyed the extra attention

Look at that delicious dinner plate. Fresh fish provided from the Baltic Sea.

Last year, I had a chance to spend time in Hungary, the home of the Pumi and this year here in Finland. Earlier, I’ve have talked to breeders, most importantly to the Forsti’s from Fifikus kennel at the Kuopio international show. Yesterday, I’ve spent the day with Marja-Leena Puranen here in Helsinki. Marja-Leena also took me to meet Helena Mattila of Karvakorvan kennel outside of the City.

Thank you both for taking your time and meeting me.

After the Pumi protocol, the fun has begun. Finally, I could hook up with the “Pumericans,” Stacy Lehman, her husband Jon, Taru Parvin and her daughter Nina. We also kidnapped Marja-Leena along for a good time. We have shared our experiences, walked around in the center of the city a bit and finished the evening with a great dinner.

Niina, Jon and Stacy the wine in the forground of course is only for prop to enrich the phtograph...

Marja-Leena, Nina, Jon, Stacy and Taru (the wine in the forground of course is only for prop to enrich the photograph…)

Tuomiokirkko from another angle…

Agyag enjoying her Cyndarella time. She will have have a hard time to become “just one of the Pumis” again when the clock will hit midnight at the end of the week and we return to the U.S.

It is all about the Pumi
Marja-Leena, Ildiko, Taru with Kaffogo Agyag and Stacy

Back in the hotel, I called my husband Laszlo to tell him about my day. We talked until my adrenaline level tanked and I fell in bed to recharge my body for the next day.

The Daughter of the Baltic…

August 4, 2014

The Coat of Arms of Helsinki…

Kaffogo Agyag is chilling in the bar yesterday after we've arrived yesterday. Is in't this cool? Ig you've ever wanted to be a dog, Helsinki is the place for it...

Kaffogo Agyag is chilling in the bar after we’ve arrived last night. Is in’t this cool? If you’ve ever wanted to be a dog, Helsinki is the place for it…

…Helsinki aka Helsingfors if you are Swedish…. We have arrived yesterday in the evening and just wanted to chill the rest of the day.

In a nutshell, the history of the city went like this (you can fill in the details by reading about Helsinki’s history on the internet, it is quite interesting): Sweden, Russia Sweden, The great plague, Russia, Sweden The fire of Turku (the capital moves to Helsinki) Russia, Sweeden one last time, The Grand Duchy of Finland, Russia, Finnish Civil war Whites again Reds (the whites won) the German Kaiser. First World War, than WWII (to finish the first one…). After the landmark event of the 1952 Olympics, Helsinki has never looked back and has developed into a world class city…

A SPOT sattelite image of part of the Metropolitan Area of Helsinki.

Did you know that Helsinki is the northernmost capital among all EU states? Also, Helsinki is among the top ten most liveable cities. But the coolest thing above all is that Helsinki was selected the World Design Capital in 2012 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. It is a biannual election and Helsinki’s mandate expires this year, in 2014.

So here I am Helsinki, I have a few days to explore you, especially the design and architectural part of you. (Photos will come later…)

Does anyone know a great Tango Club around here…?

The Savvy Pumi and the SAWO Show

August 3, 2014

Kaffogo Agyag on her daily hunting exbedition on the nerby trails...

Kaffogo Agyag on her daily hunting expedition on the nerby trails…

All good things come to an end – for a short while… We have finished the first leg of our trip up here in Kuopio, Finland. The result of the third day was,

KAFFOGO AGYAG CAC and RES.CACIB – second place overall.

I was excited to discover a field of black currant bushes. I was harvesting from the top while Agyag was eating the low hanging fruits (no pun intended…)

I am proud of my girl. She has impressed all three of the judges with her conformation as well as her outstanding disposition. We move on to Helsinki with three excellent evaluations earned from FCI judges from three different countries. The consistency of of last year’s evaluation of Kaffogo Agyag during the Hungarian World Dog Show week and the current descriptions here in Finland are very reassuring. Of course, the Lion share of our success goes to Anna Varadi of Kaffogo Kennel in Hungary and Helena Matilla of Karvakorvan Kennel in Finland the two breeders where Agyag comes from.

We’ve been having a super time. People are welcoming, open and helpful. The dog show was well organized with plenty of information provided for everyone to easily get around. Last night’s party was a great finishing touch of the Kuopio trip. Special thanks to Marianne, Jyrki, Jukka and Heidi Forsti of Fifikus Kennel and all their friends, making me feel so comfortable. The dinner was a big plate of Paella with fresh Salmon. It was a delicious treat and the wine selection was also outstanding. By the way there was no tango, so I still have to catch it somewhere during the rest of my trip.

Greenhouse Effect…

Today, we are moving down south to Helsinki, where soon I will hook up with Stacy Lehman and Taru Parvin for a cruise trip to Stockholm, Sweden. (The Scandinavian version of Ladies’ Night Out.) before the WDS.

The Adoration of the Magus…

Day one…

Day two…

Day three…

In the same time, Kaffogo Agyag, is inpatiently waiting to check her messages posted on the big city fire hydrants, the “Canine Renal Bulletin.” Who knew that there has been a serious canine social media out there…?

Hyvää Huomenta…(Good Morning)

August 2, 2014

Disclaimer: Folks, I think, I have to control my excitement because my phone data plain is out of control and I am afraid that Verizon might put a lien on Kaffogo Agyag…

The “Fauvist Tent City” at the Kuopio Exhibition Ground. It is just a wild place look at the colors

The tents are only a few feet away from the ring. People live, eat and do their business while the dog show is going on. Everyone is happy and relaxed. Can your dog pass by in the ring while a few feet away there might be a camp stove with some delicious mouth watering morning sausage on the top? Suddenly CGC becomes a different ball game 😉

The photo just speaks for itself. Life and hobby has a slightly different twist over here in Europe.

A bit over dressed… BUT once me, always me (this doesn’t make sense does it…?)

There is no table over here…

the Pumi with the Puli headed woman…( certainly friendlier and nicer than Medusa…)

feedback from the judge…

minor chaos but the judge is in control…

“move up here please…” we were delighted to do that…

friendly gestures…

still going…

Kaffogo Agyag my Prima donna…

We Strike a Poze…

Some of us gathered for a group photo…

Yes, indeed we’ve had a glorious morning and a rewarding day overall. Most importantly, Kaffogo Agyag has had her “Mirror Mirror on the Wall” moment.

The second day of the International SAWO Dog Show, in Kuopio Finland,

Kaffogo Agyag has won CAC, CACIB, BOB.

The weather is great, and the atmosphere is excellent here. People are super nice and the environment is just surreal. The Kuopio Exhibition Ground has turned into a virtual “fauvist tent city” wild colors, movements and an upbeat dog show bohemianism.

My new Pumi friends, and I got lots of them in two days, invited me back to the tent city to party tonight.

Hey, I might get to experience the Finnish Tango after all!

However, for now, back to the cabin to relax and give Ms. Kaffogo Agyag her well earned wild run and chase in the countryside.

Be back tomorrow…