Αρχικά, δε θέλω να "αναφερθώ" εγώ πουθενά...
Ζητάω απόψεις και γνώμες, ακόμα και από ανθρώπους που δεν έχουν γνώσεις κτηνιατρικής ή ανατομίας και φυσιολογίας. Δες το σύνολο, μη ψάξεις το "συγκεκριμένο"...Δες από ρύγχος ( βλέπεις ρύγχος; ), κρανίο, άκρα, σπονδυλική στήλη...
Το κείμενο του άρθρου (δε προλαβαίνω να το μεταφράσω):
The X-ray above shows what almost everybody who has seen a Pekingese wants to know: what is underneath all the hair. In this case it is a particularly superb structure of bones. This dog us a 5-year-old Pekingese from Atlanta, International Champion Chik T’Sun of Caversham. In a few days at New York City’s almighty Westminster dog show, a judge will probe Chik’s profuse coat trying to tell by feel instead of X-ray just how close his skeletal make-up comes to Pekingese perfection.
The judge’s skilled fingers will search the short, bowed forelegs, the massive skull, the broad “lionlike” chest to see if they measure up to official Pekingese standards. After this digital diagnosis the judge will investigate Chik for some of the more visible Peke requirements–a quaint and courageous expression, large lustrous eyes, a long, soft coat. If, when it is all over, Chik should be singled out from the 2,500 other prize dogs, the judge who does it will have plenty of precedent going for him. For over the past three years, Chik T’Sun has won “best in show” 126 different times, breaking the old record held by the great boxter, Bang Away.
The relentless pursuit of blue ribbons has not been easy for Chik. He has had to travel–75,000 miles on the grueling show circuit. He has submitted to interminable brushings by his handler and forced feedings to keep up his weight. Because of the danger to his protruding eyes he cannot play with children or other dogs. He is never permitted to take a walk on bare ground–a twig might catch in his coat and tear it. He cannot even take a bath–his hair would mat.
After Westminster life will change abruptly for Champion Chik. Win or lose, he will be retired to stud by his owners, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Venable. Only then, for the first time in his life, will Chik be allowed to carry out what the American Kennel Club considers the life purpose of a Pekingese–”to give understanding, companionship, and loyalty to his owner.”
