Westminster Elation!

(continued from previous day's blog)

Monday February 13^th was the first official day of the 136th Westminster Kennel Club dog show and 10:15AM saw me ringside watching the big, fluffy, teddy bear-like Chow Chows go on. Having heard that Martha Stewart’s Chow was entered, I was super-interested to see how her dog would fare against the others. As it so happened, the winning Best Of Breed Chow was Martha’s dog and I was delighted I could grab a few candid snapshots of this exciting moment. When I asked Martha to describe (in one word) how she felt about her win, she quickly replied, “Elation!”.

Smiles Abound! Martha and her handler, Jan Kolnik pose with Chow Chow, Ghenghis Khan, who just won Best of Breed :

Ghenghis Khan appears calm and unfazed by all the media attention: 

Ticket holders are allowed access to the crazily crowded benching area where the dogs are coifed, combed, blow-dried and brushed: 

Portugese Water Dogs line up for judging:

A French Bulldog gazes lovingly at his handler:

The Dachshunds have their turn in the ring (my Penny is a Wirehaired Dachshund, so I had a special interest in this judging)

Bichon Frise's patiently awaiting their turn in the show ring:

Here's Mr. Dorsey a Wirehaired Dachshund who just won a Merit title (he's a spunky lad who barked up a storm during the judging)

A Toy Poodle with his show cut awaits his chance to wow the crowd: