THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9504280159
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Although she's not a hair stylist, Carol Cooke spends hours shampooing and blowing dry large mops of hair.
She grooms English sheep dogs.
She says it's ``strictly for ribbons'' that she and her husband, Warren, pack four pooches in their travel trailer and take off for weekend dog shows.
After 23 years of trekking to out-of-town shows, it's no wonder she's excited that the American Kennel Club is planning the first dog show ever held in Chesapeake.
She won't have to wait much longer.
The all-breed, two-day show will take place May 6 and 7 on the soccer field at Oscar F. Smith High School.
Two clubs, Tidewater Kennel Club and Chesapeake Virginia Dog Fanciers Association, of which Cooke is president, are putting on two separate competitions.
Judging, which is based on how well a dog compares to the AKC's standard for each breed, will begin at 9 a.m.
``The standard describes the perfect specimen,'' Cooke explained.
That standard includes such things as the shape of the head, coat color (according to the breed), overall appearance, how closely the dog resembles the perfect dog in that breed, overall shape and body length, how the animal moves and whether or not the dog's legs move in a straight line when it is walking toward you or away from you, she said.
``If a dog's bones are properly constructed, the dog will move properly,'' she said.
By the registration deadline, 796 dogs were entered in Saturday's show. Another 848 pooches will be scrutinized by judges on Sunday.
Cooke's entry, an 11-month-old Old English sheep dog named Amiable's Fearless Fred, will be judged on Sunday.
Although her home is filled with ribbons, awards and photographs dating back to her first winner in the 1970s, she's counting on Fred to add to her impressive collection of prizes.
Full name: Carol Cooke
Grew up: In Baltimore, Md.
Fond childhood memories: ``We lived right in the city in a row house with marble steps. I remember Sunday rides in the country. My grandfather lived with us. He immigrated to this country from Germany. The two of us did a lot of things together. He wanted me to learn to speak German, and now I'm sorry that I didn't.''
Spouse: Warren Cooke
Hobbies: ``Dog shows. I'm active in several Old English dog clubs. For seven years, I edited Old English Magazine, which has a readership of 1,200.''
Last book: `` `The Dark Half.' I'm a big Stephen King fan.''
Favorite movie: `` `Schindler's List.' Not the subject matter - that was difficult to deal with and to watch. But the movie was inspiring and well done.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I wish I were more tolerant of other people.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``I hope to have more accomplishments. But through my hobby of dogs and dog clubs, I have tried to educate people about responsible dog care.
``I get a lot of calls from people asking questions about dogs and owning a dog. Sometimes I suggest that the person might not want a dog.''
Favorite TV program: ``I don't have a favorite, but I do watch `20/20,' `CNN Dateline News' and `60 Minutes.' ''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Court House Cafe ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
by CNB