Ava

from Dog World - March 2022

by Dogs Queensland

Board Notes

Star of ring and stage

– David Margan

Let me introduce you to, Chakdarra Holly Go Lightly, otherwise known simply as, ‘Ava’.

She’s a six-year-old Afghan Hound and star of the ring as an Australian Champion and an Australian Neuter Champion.

Now she’s also a star of the stage, a bit like her name sake, Ava Gardner, of whom Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM, said; “She can’t sing, she can’t act, she can’t talk, she’s terrific!”

But this Ava is actually named after Audrey Hepburn, as Holly Golightly was her name in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Ava is actually named after Audrey Hepburn, as Holly Golightly was her character name in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Regardless Ava sure can walk, her movement is almost beyond imagining, a bit like the smoothness of Michael Johnson running or Darren Lockyer taking the ball downfield.

And there was no need for costumes as Ava has her own magnificent coat.

A star of stage you say, what! Another canine action hero like Lassie or Rin Tin Tin?

No, our Ava’s star quality was simply pure elegance.

It all began last year when owner Jan Anderson received an email in her role as secretary of the National Afghan Hound Council (Australia).

It was from the Little Red Company seeking some canine assistance in a show they were preparing about dogs and their relationship with humans called, “Let’s Be Friends Furever.”

The idea came from Daniel Evans and Any Ingram from the creative agency, ‘The Good Room’, and was built on the principle of community sourced ideas, in this case inspired in part by the shared experience of a beloved pet’s passing.

Ava did just one audition and the job was hers, as the producers had immediately fallen in love.

The Chinese Crested Powder Puff had no chance.

Okay it may have just been a walk on role, but Ava really did win the show and she knew it.

It involved two sold out weeks at the Powerhouse in Brisbane and four nights at the Hota Arts Centre on the Gold Coast. And also, a starring role at the opening night of the Brisbane Festival.

The show was all about dogs with interactive Q&A’s with the audience, songs, and video.

There was a Belgian Shepherd war dog with its Afghanistan veteran owner, a French Bulldog social media star, a Cocker Spaniel whose boy owner sang a song he’d written about his beloved pooch, puppies galore and a vet.

Everyone had a great time.

Two canine actors, Sir Rollo, a 85 kg Great Dane and a 4.5kg Boston Terrier called Mr Peanut became such good friends they even had their own dressing room.

Apparently, Ava really enjoyed the limelight and having an audience as she glided on stage, climbed a podium and stood proud, grand in the adulation.

All she had to do was look gorgeous and she did, while Jan spoke about the history of the breed, their characteristics and the art of Conformation Shows.

There was only one hiccup.

As we know if an Afghan doesn’t want to do something they don’t do it and almost no manner of persuasion will win them over.

As Jan explained; “they’ll do something once and okay great, I’ll do it a second time but a third time, I really don’t want to do that! It can be the same in Conformation contests, by the third round she can lose interest”,

But Ava performed on que for all the shows but one.

Once Ava got onto the podium that was it, she just lay down and refused to get up and strike the pose! “No way, I am over this!”

And she even refused to leave the stage when she supposed to, she had gone into another place and ignored everyone until the magic potion was applied, food!

For Jan Anderson, it marked the end of a great year despite the pandemic frustrations.

“It was a great experience the crew at the Little Red Company were terrific and treated Ava like the princess she is, she is just a winner.”