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HOUND: Beagle, Ch. K-Run’s Park Me In
First. “Uno” Breeders: Kathy
Weichert, Leah Bertagnolli. Owners:
Caroline Dowell, Eddie Dziuk, Jon
Woodring, Kathy Weichert. Handler: Aaron
Wilkerson. |
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NON-SPORTING: Standard Poodle, Ch.
Brighton Minimoto. “Remy” Breeder:
L'Dyne Brennan. Owner: Cindy Coggin, Don
Rochaw & Zuleika Borges Torrealba.
Handler: Christian “Chris” Manelopoulos. |
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SPORTING: Weimaraner, Ch. Colsidex
Seabreeze Perfect Fit. “Marge” Breeder:
Judy Colan, Marge Davis, Debra McCray.
Owner: Ellen M Charles, Judy Colan and
Owner/Handler: Alessandra Folz |
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TERRIER: Sealyham, Ch. Efbe’s Hidalgo At
Goodspice. “Charmin" Breeder: France
Bergeron. Owner: Richard Good, Sandra
Middlebrooks. Owner/Handler: Margery
Good. |
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HERDING: Australian Shepherd, Ch
Vinelake Collinswood Yablon OA OAJ.
“Duece” Breeder: Sandra Landry, Owner:
Terri K Collins, Handler: Jessica
Plourde. |
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TOY: Toy Poodle, Ch. Smash JP Win A
Victory. “Vikki” Breeder: Yukiko Omura.
Owner: Ron Scott. Handler: Kaz Hosaka. |
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WORKING: Akita, Ch. Redwitch Reason To
Believe. “Macey” Breeder: Mr. D & Mrs. J
Killilea, Mrs. A Clure. Owner: Roger
Rechler. Handler: Laurie L Jordan-Fenner. |
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PRESS ROOM Private Interview and photos
with “Uno” who made it very clear why he
was the winner. Uno is shown with his
professional handler Aaron Wilkerson and
Best In Show Judge Dr. J. Donald Jones. |
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America’s Dog Show Is Something Else!
Dogs, Dogs Everywhere!!! Inside, outside, at the
hotels, in taxis and limos.
Entering New York City’s Madison Square Garden,
everyone is wondering the same thing, where do we
go, where are our seats?
Finally you are seated and there are the
grassy-green rings just like on TV. From your
vantage point, they look like little pieces of yard
with white picket fences.
You note the huge ring signs identifying the breed
and the Judge.
You open the program (they call it a catalog) and
it’s full of information but the dogs are what grabs
your attention. You watch them “gait” around the
rings, trying to pick a favorite, wondering who the
judge will pick.
Everyone is dressed up, even the dogs, how
magnificent! When a dog wins, there are hugs and
handshakes from all the other handlers and then…
next, new breeds of dogs are brought in and the
process starts all over again.
You decide it’s time to walk around a bit and you
can go right to “backstage” where there are dogs on
tables getting their beauty treatments. You can
actually talk to the handlers and owners. It’s a
wonderful learning experience until they whisk the
dog from the grooming table and hurry to the arena
for ring call.
So you go to the benching area where the noise is
deafening, the air is hot and it’s hard to breathe.
You don’t really walk, it’s more like shuffling,
moving with a wave of people through rows of yellow
wooden benches.
Each row has the names of the breeds benched there.
It’s like going to a grocery store but instead of
the cereal aisle it’s the Great Dane aisle.
You can see the dogs face to face, even pet some if
the owners are there but you always ask first.
Adults are as thrilled as the kids when meeting a
breed they’ve never even seen before. And the
knowledge these dog folks share with the public is
truly inspiring.
Everyone is looking their best, the dogs don’t have
a hair out of place, the lights go down, the lights
come up and the roar from the crowd is electrifying.
It gives you goose bumps.
The Hounds, Terriers, Non-Sporting, and Herding
breeds are judged on Monday and then on Tuesday, the
Sporting, Working and Toys are judged.
The Groups are televised live each night. That’s
when the four best dogs are chosen from the seven
groups. The arena fills with anticipation. It has
the feel of a grand pageant.
When the group winners have been picked, it’s time
to choose the “Best In Show” dog. You can feel the
handlers’ tension.
The judge is meticulous, the dogs are perfect, the
handlers are fixing, adjusting, never still until
the judge’s eyes rest on their dog. Then they freeze
in perfect pose.
Then they circle the ring, showing perfection in
every stride. The judge takes one last look and then
goes to the table to record his choice for Best In
Show.
A hush falls over the crowd. No one knows which dog
has won until, with the club officials, Dr. J.
Donald Jones walks back to the center of the ring
and congratulates Aaron Wilkerson, the Beagle’s
handler.
The crowd roars with excitement! The Judge from
Georgia, a college Dean, has thoroughly tested those
dogs. “Uno” barks for the crowd which in turn howls
with approval.
Wow, what an exciting, breathtaking, exhausting two
days!!!
After the picture-taking on the main floor, the
happy little dog and his handler are escorted to the
Press Room for still more photos and press
opportunities.
My
crew and I would like to thank David Frei, Director
Of Communications for making everyone so comfortable
in the Press Room. We also appreciate the
consideration shown to us by Linda Duane and Ranny
Green who assisted all the press and photographers.
- D.Flynn,
Multimedia Mgr.
Media@TheDogPress.com
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WESTMINSTER 2008
