OMG-PBGVS!!
Well, the Westminster show turned out better than I expected after the first night. I always feel somehow cheated out of a dog or two when the poodles win in multiple groups, and Monday night the miniature won in the toy group and the standard in the non-sporting group. And they were both white, so it was like, a double denial.
But then last night the surprises! The upsets! The drama!
It was great.
The RLA, the doggies and I were settled in for the viewing, but The Noble Dog Nails wasn’t too keen, because the Jack Russell hadn’t even placed in the terrier group. And besides, we’re JRT purists around these parts, and voted against joining the AKC. In fact, the JRT Club of America voted as a group against standardizing the breed and registering with the AKC, which is why the AKC has Parson Russell Terriers and there is still the separate breed of the Jack Russell Terrier.*
But first the sporting group delivered up their top dog, the English Springer Spaniel. That was followed by the upset in the Hound Group, as a little PBGV girl took top honors, beating out the favorites (and surprising me, because I was sure the judge was in love with the Viszla, and rightly so, because that was a magnificent pup). JoJo and I danced around the living room, and gave each other high-fives.**
Finally, the working dogs took center ring. There was a wonderful pair of Corgis, and a handsome German Shepherd, and the big, bouncy, goofy Bouvier des Flandres, another (ahem) underdog who ended up with the ribbon and the chance at Best in Show. This caused almost as much excitement here in the Casa Des Zapatas, because JoJo’s bestest doggie friend is (or was, until they moved to Texas) P-Roo’s goofy, bouncy, big ole Bouv, the lovely Myka.***
All in all, a terrific show for the home breeds.****
The tension in the Garden was palpable as the seven doggies took turns in the spotlight, each taking once-around on the green carpet. Then, even though the Dandy Dinmont was favored to win, and the Akita was truly magnificent, and the crowd favorite was my beloved PBGV, the surprise winner of the purple and gold was the English Springer. Which is fine, I suppose, because he is a handsome fellow, and selfishly for me*****, a therapy dog. But still, a Springer. Ho-hum. Could it have been more cliche than that? I suppose a pointer could have won. Or one of those stupid poodles.
*Splitters!
** Or high fours, since she only has four toes. In any event, except for shedding, eating and pooping, high fives are JoJo’s only trick. And stealing TND Nails’ food.
***Myka is a licensed assistance dog, and can go anywhere.
**** I used to have a Viszla. And we have a doggie friend who is a Corgi. Barks to Oliver!!!!
***** I convinced my boss to buy advertising on the Animal Planet reruns of the Westminster Show. We’ll be running our Pet Therapy ad exclusively in our Florida markets. Serendipity is good.