The mountains of Hidalgo, Mexico, were filled with surprises. Club Canofilo De Pachuca La Bella A.C. was an experience of a lifetime. There were beautiful dogs (of course), food worthy of the Dog People Can Cook Facebook group (Admin., Virginia Murray), the Museo de los Duendes in Huasca de Ocampo (Museum of Elves, Fairies, and Trolls), and fun takeaways for Dog Show Mentor. We also had a treasure hunt in the mountains after dark, followed by marshmallows in a bonfire! Maybe the biggest surprise is how Mexico helps you as an owner handler.
As you read this story, remember that Bruce Schwartz, Linda Clark, and I are not new to traveling and are used to varied cultural norms and accommodations. Sr. Armando Rosas Brand and Dr. Andres Vilalobos from Mexico joined us. I have been to Mexico many times, both east and west, but I have never been to the mountains of Mexico. It was an amazing, spiritual, tree-hugging experience.
Our host and Show Chair, Sr. Israel Salcedo, picked us up from the Mexico City airport and drove us for three hours on a twisting, winding road that would pre-tell the tale of the weekend; experiences as varied as the road itself. Imagine five of us, some unknown to each other, and our luggage, using Google Translate to simultaneously communicate even the most basic concepts. As we rose from a sea level elevation to eight thousand feet, so did the full moon. I felt like it was accompanying us up the mountain as we drove.
Sr. Israel and the entire show committee took great care of us and shared a small part of their world with us during our non-judging moments. They introduced us to local fare and foods new to us, such as red mole, green mole, Pastes “El Portal,” and much more. There was guacamole at least once every day that was luscious with ripe avocado flavor. We all shared mealtime, chatting as much as possible with and without Google Translate.
Huasco de Campo and the nearby town of Mineral Del Monte (commonly called Real del Monte) were filled with shops, and the streets were cobblestoned and mainly appeared original from the 1800s. Both towns were above 8,000 feet, with the latter being 8,858. The streets were narrow and winding. I was warned that cars do not stop for pedestrians.
With outdoor temperatures at 39 degrees Fahrenheit, the lighted fires in the indoor fireplace kept our rooms cozy in the evening, even without a heating system. Our hot-to-cold showers created the yin and yang of the two extremes. It was like a Swedish sauna and a cold plunge pool! We spent much time laughing about what time of day was best for a shower!
Judging began at 10 a.m., so the cool night temperatures had warmed with the sun the first two days. We were outdoors, on good grass, with tenting. It was very much like the US, with vans and small trailers. The dog show had over 200 dogs, and there were some dogs of excellent breed type to choose from. Handlers ran back and forth from ring to ring to show their dogs. Many of the dogs were trained better than in the US, though one or two needed more experience to be in the ring. Purina ProPlan sponsored the show, so the prizes were good for the dogs.
The Mexican Kennel Club (The Canófila Federation Mexicana, AC (FCM) uses the FCI system that includes Group and Best Puppy, Junior, Mexican Bred, and Adult Champion for all the breeds judged. Each judge is assigned all the breeds in a Group, and the Groups are judged right after the breeds.
Owner handlers benefit from the experience that judges glean from judging in Mexico, especially those exhibitors of rare breeds. Judges are exposed to and learn the FCI Standards for breeds coming into AKC, but they haven’t been fully accepted yet. Miscellaneous and FSS Breed Standards often correspond to the FCI Standards, plus hands-on experience is tremendously valuable in the judging community in AKC. This is an excellent opportunity to learn hands-on before they come into AKC. Many of the rare breeds are brought into AKC by breeder/owners rather than professional handlers. Judges who have judged in Mexico (or other FCI Countries) will recognize the quality of your dog once the breed comes into AKC.
In addition, seeing the breeding stock that gave birth to your import or current breeding program is a way for judges to set their eye to quality in any breed. Especially for experienced dog people, seeing a good one will be important later when judging the next assignment, whether in Mexico, abroad, or in the US. Each assignment informs the next one. We remember in our mind’s eye the exceptional one we saw ten years earlier and can apply that knowledge accordingly.
When we checked into our hotel in Huasco De Campo, we were told a museum was on site. At first, we didn’t understand what “Los Duendes” were, and the translation was a little bumpy. Still, we soon understood that they are unseen creatures, from Tinkerbell to Old Trolls! They come out at night and accompany people through the forest. Thus, we had to walk in the night through the woods and be introduced to the little creatures. We were told to hunt for these little treasures, thus the title of Treasure Hunt. We were led by an older man dressed in what looked like a hooded monk’s garb, using a rod to walk up the mountain. He and a young woman made lengthy explanations of “los Duendes” in Spanish, leading up an enormous tree that was dead but alive with energy. We were encouraged to hug the tree and drink in its light energy. I hugged the tree and felt a warm glow emanating from it. Some laughed, but I believe in the power of the earth to heal us. Later, a basket of candy was passed around, and we were encouraged to take a piece which we later placed at the foot of the tree in another basket.
After a meditation of sorts, we traveled along the path for a while to another large tree. We received a somewhat different explanation of the energy of this tree, and a different basket was passed around with small stones in it. Again, everyone was encouraged to take one, but we were supposed to keep it this time. An energetic reading of the stone was available for the asking from the Old Man with the rod who led us.
From this point, we walked back down the mountain and were offered Mexican Cinnamon Coffee and the warmth of a bonfire. We sat around the bonfires chatting away, exhibitors mingling with judges and other townsfolk, everyone enjoying the time outdoors at night and the spirit of the Los Duendes carried with us. The hospitality we were given is something I will never forget. I am extremely grateful for the positive energy I received, not only from the earth and sky, but also the warmth of everyone I met on this amazing trip.
P.S. Here is the best part. The sky was deep, midnight blue as we reached the hugging tree. Along with the full moon, nearly every constellation was visible on top of that mountain, away from the city lights. The stars were brilliant, and I thought that every owner handler could wish upon hundreds of those stars and have all their dreams come true. How about you?
