I have just been informed that I am to be team coach to the first American Retriever Team ever to set foot on these shores. I know it's not like being England Rugby Team manager but it's a start.
Quarantine laws have previously prevented American dogs competing in Britain but with the new pet passport system all that has changed and Team America will arrive in May to compete against the best in Europe.
I attended the interview in the US last December and took my own Labradors which must have impressed someone because I got the job.
Being a bit of a nonconformist I've never represented anyone in my life so it's a real honour to be leading out the Stars and Stripes.
Now that I've told you I think I'll phone all my friends and relations, put on my best American accent and brag like a true Yank.
First I'll tell Mrs B, then the in-laws followed by my cynical journalist pals, in fact by the time I've finished there won't be anyone in Cheshire who doesn't know. (There will be many who don't care but they WILL know).
The only problem is how am I going to tell Blue? He's my oldest, toughest, dyed in the wool, all-British Labrador. He wears his rosettes and campaign ribbons with pride, rules the kennels with a rod of iron and takes no nonsense from any quarter. He doesn't even like Southerners let alone Yanks.
Maybe I'll just send him a text.
- The views expressed on this page are those of Vic Barlow and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Express or Blue.
