Westminster Dreams!  − 3 January, 2008

So Zorro and I have the incredible luck of getting in to Westminster Kennel Club dog show – the one held in New York City’s Madison Square Garden – for 2008. The show is held in February, so we are already preparing ourselves.For those of you following my blog we were invited to Eukanuba’s National Championship – Westminster is a little different. Westminster does invite the Top 5 in each breed (which I don’t have a shot at breaking in to, as I do not “campaign” him), but the rest of the entries are sort of “luck of the draw.” If you are an AKC Champion, you can send an entry in for Westminster. Once all the entries are received by a certain date, they are draw for acceptance in lottery-fashion, so some get in and some don’t.We were lucky enough to get selected in the entry lottery, so we are going to NYC to show at the Garden!It’s pretty exciting for me, as it has always been a dream of mine. I used to go as a spectator when I lived up in New Jersey (in fact that’s where I had originally met Zorro’s breeders years ago) and always wished and hoped to have a dog nice enough to compete there.In our show-ring past, we have beaten several of the dogs who have achieved high honors at Westminster, so Zorro is more than just a “nice” dog… perhaps we have a chance at high honors, too. Just being able to show there is an honor, really. As a Jersey Girl, it’s my old stomping grounds and I already have a bunch of people promising to come up to support us. I can’t wait. Home the Conquering Heroes Come!Local girl does good… it just makes me so proud that my Malinois has helped me achieve such a dream. As my Service Dog, he has helped me with so many other things, and I have raised him since he was 12 weeks old, so to see my sweet baby boy competing against the best of the best is such a thrill.My biggest concerns are, of course, the travel and stress. Zorro is a very stable, easy-going Malinois, but Westminster is a very stressful event. It is a “benched” show, which means ALL the competitors must stay in an assigned “benching” area for all hours of both show days, so that the public can ooh and ahh over them. Or gawk, gaze and stick their fingers in dangerous places, as I like to joke… it’s not really funny, though, it’s true and it adds to the stress of a dog trapped in his/her crate at the mercy of loud, obnoxious people who poke and prod and try to elicit a response… sometimes the “response” is aggression, and I want to make darned sure Zorro is protected from idiot people.There are “breaks” the dog is allowed – to relieve itself – for instance, but if the “officials” go to your benching area and you are not there, you can be fined.  Of course, as my Service Dog, I am likely to get “caught” – if I have to go to the bathroom for instance, Zorro will accompany me for my safety. I don’t think they can fine me for something that falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act. I also, luckily, know other people showing there and have requested to be benched near them so we can cover for each other and watch each others’ dogs.The travel will likely not be too much worse than when we went to California. The flight is about half the duration – I think the worst will be me trying to struggle with all the stuff I have to bring… In any event, I suppose it is a small price to pay for the opportunity to show at Westminster.So, wish us luck, break a leg and all that… Will let you all know how we do – hopefully it will be a HUGE brag! :)

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