My book, Life with McDuff: Lessons Learned from a Therapy Dog, was nominated for a Special Award by the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) in 2010. I attended the Awards Banquet in New York City. DWAA is closely associated with the Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) and the annual awards banquet is held on the eve of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. A lady sitting at my table was showing her dog at Madison Square Garden the next day and invited me to sit ringside. What an experience!
Like most dog lovers, I’ve never missed watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on television down through the years. But, attending in person, sitting ringside no less, was the thrill of a lifetime. I’ve owned pure bred and mixed breeds and loved them the same. But, I must admit that watching the crème de la crème of every registered breed of dog was exhilarating.
Who knew that the huge Mastiffs have a mound of towels stacked up beside them that wiped off their dripping drool before being judged? For the rare “accident” in the show ring, there are employees who reminded me of the ball girl and boys you see at a professional tennis match. Only they aren’t picking up balls. You don’t see that on TV! If at all possible, dog lovers should put the WKC Dog Show on their bucket list.
This year a fluffy, eleven pounds, four-year old Pekingese named Malachy won Best in Show. Sadie, a Scottish terrier like my McDuff, won it in 2010. I once heard a WKC dog show announcer comment as the Scotties pranced into the ring, “The Scottish terrier is the only breed of dog that knows it is smarter than its master.” At the time I didn’t have a clue. After living nine years with a Scottie that combined off-the-chart intelligence with you-won’t-believe stubbornness to outsmart and frustrate me to tears — I get it.
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