Rick's Roadshow in New York concludes with the height of excitement in the second day of judging and finale of The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Having spent the past few days with the top breeders, handlers and show dog owners I now had the inside scoop on the odds-on favorites. I was also up to speed with the politics of a dog show of this magnitude, and felt a connection to some of the top dogs I had personally met. I had my favorites and was pulling for a few in particular. I kept track of the scoring with the official Westminster Kennel Club 2008 show book (see left). At first I had no idea what I was doing, but the wife of a former top judge schooled me on how to keep up with the proceedings. I was quite fortunate to have great seats. This evening I was a guest of Purina Pro Plan brand dog food, I was sitting right behind the judges, on the floor of the judging ring. I had a birdseye view of it all, and was on TV a few times when the cameras panned the judges table.
above left: the line up of Bernese Mountain Dogs and Black Russian Terriers. above right: Anatolian Shepherd Dogs, Bernese and Black Russians.
above left: From the Toy group: Pugs, Toy Poodle, & Pomeranians. above right: Toy dogs: Toy Fox Terrier, Silky Terrier, Shih Tzu
above left: The Pug awaits a decision by the judge, but she would eventually be passed over. above right, the judges confer for the Best in Show decision.
above: "Uno" the Beagle, who won "Best In Show". He was smiling and happy as can be as he sat next to his trophy. It was the first time in 100 years that a Beagle has won the competition.
above left: The board at Madison Square Garden announces the Beagle as Best In Show, which was a popular favorite. above right: the handler places Uno into the sterling silver bowl with all the ribbons and trophies.
above left: the handler shows photographers the key traits of a perfect Beagle. above right: Uno takes a moment to enjoy his time in the spotlight. It was a great evening to celebrate the sport of dogs and appreciate the beauty of mans best friend. I had a great time in New York but am ready to head home to California. If nothing else, but to escape the snow and cold temperatures!
note: "Wisdom Wednesday" featuring Dr Sidney Wang will return next week.
-Rick Rockhill
20 comments:
...and what a sweet looking dog he is...
I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE ELLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEENNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!! HOW AWESOME!!!
I was watching some snippets of the snow last night and caught one where this puggle (sorry not sure what breed the pup was) stopped short in her walk, and tipped snout over...
I bet you're ready to return, cold makes anyone cranky...
Safe trip home!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
My sons will be happy that the beagle won. They both love the breed.
Escape the snow and cold temperatures??!!! :-( "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
It was nice to see the beagle win and not a dog, such as a poodle, that been given a shave and a haircut even we would be embarassed by. :-)
Yeah Uno! I was pulling for him.
Watching the reruns... Hey, I think I saw you on TV...
You're famous!
Can I have your autograph?
Aw, cute li'l UNO won. That's too awesome and he's certainly made headlines for being the first SNOOPY to win too.
Congrats to him and all the puppies!
It is so refreshing to see a sport that is absolutely free of performance-enhancing substances.
Unless Purina T-Bonz count as a performance enhancing substance...
Here's hoping that Uno toasts the "little people" that got him to the Garden before he chugs his celebratory iced-toilet-bowl-water-with-a-lime-wedge, and then humps the leg of one of his many grateful groupies in celebration!
Four of my grandchildren have a beagle named Bojangles. They were extremely happy to see that a beagle won the show!
I think it's wonderful you had a personal connection wiht some of the dogs in the show. Face-licking has a tendency to do that.
I'm delighted a bagel was awarded best in show for the first time in history. I've been growing bored with baguettes and sour dough anyway. The perfect bagel should be lightly toasted, so it crunches when you bite it. Smear on some low-fat cream cheese and I can't think of anything better.
Congratulations to UNO!
& Happy Valentine's Day to you & Yours
Awwwww Uno the beagle is so cute...
And NY has snow and cold??? wowwww who'd have thought?? LMAO.
Sorry Canadian being a smarta** here...I'll behave..lmao.
Uno is something else hey?!
Lovely post great pics Rick.
Happy Valentines mate.
Uno is beyond cute!
OMG, if I knew you were there, I would have had you kidnap Uno for me...
I do so LOVE the beagles and he is the END ALL BE ALL of beagles. Lovers him. So completely.
And he would make a fine boyfriend for my little Eem-er.
So lucky....
I saw Uno in the Today show yesterday; he was also very outspoken hehe ;o) What a priviledge you had to be a part of this famous show.
Greetings!
I saw Uno on The View today. A real champ, Snoopy can feel proud.
I saw UNO'S Win...And was just thrilled that he was THE BEST IN SHOW! He is such a people's Dog! LOVE HIM!!! What fun to be there Rick and see it all right on the front line, so to speak!
My mom raises bagels. I was glad to see Uno win. May he now be a household name!
I wish I had known ahead of time you would be at the dog show; I would have looked for you. I watched the finals while I was in the hospital, and I agree with the talking heads - beagles are an "everyman's dog." Great choice.
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