moving day

Bye bye Blogger. Hello WordPress. You'll find me over at ClumberKim.com from now on.

If you go soon you'll find my annual (at least on the years I'm not in New York) live blogging of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

the party goes on

It's night two of Westminster and the Sporting group leads things off. It should be VERY interesting! I'm settling in for another night of live blogging. I'll warn you now...I will probably get quiet during the Toy group, except for some commentary about the handlers' outfits.

8:01  Feather boa on a dane? Nice touch.

8:02  Mary Carillo fessed up to this being her first dog show. Pa-thetic. This is the best they could do? She didn't think a little preparation would be in her best interests?

8:04  Real dogs, coming right up!

8:06  Just got a newsflash via IM...I have to pay attention during toys after all. A friend's English toy spaniel won his variety.

8:09  I guess I should have looked at the list of judges. I just got a thank you note from him, for helping with education programs at a show last month! Very nice guy, but I've never shown to him.

8:11  Once again we have a handler with a poor color choice behind her dog. The outline of the pointer might show up a little better if the handler were in a darker outfit. She probably has a dark dog to show later on.  This is a young pointer and they are probably just thrilled to have won BOB.

8:12  Those of you who have watched for years will recognize Val with the German shorthaired pointer as the handler of the famous Megan.

8:14  I love to see a nice curly-coated retriever. It's an overlooked breed but I like them.

8:16  Flat-coated retrievers are not black goldens, but if you're thinking about a golden this is another one to consider.

8:17  A beautiful golden always gives me goosebumps. She's a beauty. Darn that slippery green carpet!

8:18  Can't tell if the lab was side-winding, or if it was just a bad camera angle. My sources tell me side-winding.

8:22  White suit behind a gordon setter. Well done!

8:24  Clumbers are usually first up after the break. My stomach is in a huge knot already!

8:27  That's Grant, the Clumber. He looks great, as usual. Laura King does a wonderful job showing him. And the judge is giving him a nice long look too. Okay, I can breath again, at least until the LBD is up.

8:30  I'll say it again. I will trade the non-sporting group three American cockers for one standard poodle. I hope Linda Pitts isn't wearing that black skirt with her Puli later. I'm a fan of her handling, and her Puli.

8:32  The English cocker is another story. I love this breed.  Please shut up, Mary.

8:33  Were you listening when the announcer was talking about the Clumber? We wrote that, my dear friend JT and I.

8:34  I tried to learn a bit about field spaniels last month. I still think they were put together by a committee.

8:36  That's a breeder/owner/handler on the Irish water spaniel. Bonus points!

8:36  Here's the backstory on the Sussex...Stump is 10 years old!!! And he has won the group at this show, quite a few years ago. He's my sentimental favorite, for sure. What can Brown do for you?

8:37  I met this Welsh in January. He's quite something. Another breed that is frequently overlooked.

8:39  Getting close to the end. I can already tell I'm not going to be able to make a pick. It's impossible for me to be objective and get past the Sussex and Clumber. Some of the top dogs have retired too. I don't envy the judge!

8:41  It also doesn't help that this is a huge group. Four ribbons is not enough.

8:43  The knot is back in my stomach. And it's multiplying.

8:45  Since I am feeling worthless, I have brought in reinforcements. My source predicts the cut will be ASCOB and Black cockers, Clumber, Sussex, English springer, English setter, Weimaraner, and I'm going to throw in the Golden just for fun.

8:46 This is going to be a challenge not to barf.

8:48  Two minutes without oxygen is not such a good thing. More backstory...the BIS judge has awarded Stump BIS before. And more personally, the first time I saw Stump he was a goofy puppy. And Sussex know goofy.

8:52  I'm still in shock. And JT is off to call Stump's breeder. Congratulations, Dee!!! Couldn't happen to nicer crowd of folks. (But Grant should have had a piece of that, too.)

8:56  I love these old video clips. The grandfather of a good friend won twice with Boxers, way back when. I hope to see a glimpse.

8:57  Toy dogs next. Good time for me to recover. And breath. And maybe go be sick if these knots don't go away.

9:01  Somebody kill Mary Carillo's mic. And send her back to tennis, where she comes closer to knowing what she is talking about.

9:02  Wake me when the Peke makes it all the way around.

9:03  "Pet peeve"!  David made a funny.

9:07  When I am old and infirm, I will have Cavaliers. (Or maybe English toys.) This one is very pretty.

9:13  I met Dash (and his adorable little daughter) last month. Too darn cute. Still, we have squeaky toys that are bigger. 

9:15  Have acquired red wine and popcorn. It's not champagne and strawberries but it will have to do.

9:17  I'm afraid I would break an Italian greyhound.

9:18  I'll go way out on a limb and predict the Peke and toy poodle place in the group. Maybe the affenpinscer and Brussels griffon too.

9:19  Y'all know these were the flea catchers, right?

9:27  Peke's are pear shaped. If you pick one up, it should be head heavy. It helps to know this when you can't tell which end is which.

9:30  I think I met that Pug when I was stewarding last year. Cute cute cute. Almost a real dog.

He'll get some of the action.

9:40  I am clueless about toys. There. I said it.

9:44  Something in white for the Working group, perhaps?

9:47  Since you aren't hearing it from the announcer, here's a little PSA:  None of the dogs you see tonight or last night were purchased from a pet shop. Research the breeds you are interested in, contact the parent clubs, and find a reputable breeder. It's a long process and more than worth it in the end.

9:51  Big dogs!!! And one of my favorite judges too. She's a pointer breeder, and appreciates a nice bitch.

9:53  I love the combination of evening wear and slobbery big dogs.

9:56  The favorite is probably the Giant Schnauzer.

9:59  Norma, do something with that hair!!! Still love Bullmastiffs.

10:00  Is that Turner? Or Hooch? I forget.

10:02  If I wore heels I would want Paula's shoes.

10:03  Wow. That Giant Schnauzer is a stunner. And Taffe is once again in boots. For a California girl she sure dresses well for the east coast in winter.

10:04  The Dane does not appear to want to be there.  He's very young too.

10:07  I was scarred for life by a very well-endowed male Swissie once. Can't even look at them anymore.

10:12  When it's cold I would like to curl up with a Newf. Or six. Would need a bigger bed.

10:13  I think the Portuguese water dog would be perfect for the White House. Honest. Great dogs.

10:15  Still haven't seen anything I like better than the Giant Schnauzer.

10:17  No need to string up the Siberian. Give him some lead, for goodness sakes!

10:20  I just remembered BIS is next. The knots? They are back. Gooooooo Stump!!!

10:22  Loving the malamute too. 

10:23  Judge is enjoying herself.  Major bonus points for her.

10:24  Good choice!!! And the bonus for having the working dog? You only have to groom once. 

10:26  I'm pulling for the Sussex, of course, but winning this show is a blessing AND a curse for a breed, especially one as rare as the Clumber or Sussex. It means breeders have to step up their diligence.

10:28  If only there were a fantasy league for dog shows. I'd be all over that.

10:32  It's disappointing that Mary Carillo is dragging David Frei down, instead of him lifting her up (or shutting her up, preferably).

10:34  If it can't be Stump the Sussex, it should be the Giant Schnauzer or the Puli. Sari likes Sussex. Cross yer paws!

10:38  Goosebumps. Going dark until the end, unless somebody poops.

10:40  Ha!! Linda Pitts changed skirts!

10:50  The knots are taking over. Stump doesn't look 10. Wine did not work its magic.

10:54  OMG...I am speechless!

10:56  Ok, breathing again. Huge congratulations to ALL involved in this spectacular dog.

they had a party, without me

We're not watching the President tonight. It will be analyzed to death on CNN later on. I won't miss a thing. No, we're watching Westminster tonight. Not just watching, but for the second year in a row, live blogging my favorite Garden Party. It's painful to miss it for the second year in a row. That hasn't happened since I started attending. So, hang out with me, make fun of the handlers' outfits, and watch some great dogs strutting their stuff on the green carpet.

8:01 133rd Westminster coverage is getting underway. Only the Kentucky Derby has been running longer. Goosebumps? Present and accounted for!

8:03  I'm lacking my traditional beverage. What to do?

8:06  Release the hounds!

8:07  Pat Trotter, bless her heart, arranges the dog by size for their trip around the ring. She spoke at the Clumber spaniel national specialty last year. She's been where all those handlers are now and I suspect she will put them all at ease.

8:10  That's the top winning Basset bitch of all time. Darn cute too.

8:12  Listen to the commentary they are hearing at Madison Square Garden. The blurbs come from the breed clubs who know the breeds best. You might hear some words I wrote tomorrow night.

8:13  I probably wouldn't wear black if I were showing a black and tan coonhound, unless I was trying to hide something, or I was showing a white dog later on that had a better chance. The handler is supposed to be the frame of the picture, or maybe the matte. The really good handlers disappear entirely, but the black outfit makes the dog disappear too.

8:16  The 8 year old Borzoi may be an older dog for this group, but stay tuned for tomorrow night! I predict you'll see a lovely dog that's a bit older.

8:17  The smooth dachshund is from the UK! Having brought a dog to Crufts a few years ago, I'd give 'em bonus points for making the trip.

8:18  I guess this isn't the year Carlos Puig gets a new jacket. Retire that blue thing already!

8:20  Linda Clark looks great, as always. And calm! 

8:21  The English foxhound definitely looks like she could work with a pack. First half of the group done and I don't have a pick yet. It's going to be a lot tougher this year. I haven't been to a lot of shows and haven't been following results and advertising like usual.

8:23  I don't envy the Norwegian elkhound handler. Pat Trotter is the goddess of elkhounds, and judges traditionally have high expectations for their own breed.

8:24  Taffe looks fab in her traditional boots. I want that pink jacket!

8:25  Okay, now I have a pick. The Harrier is stunning!

8: 26  Bunny's daughter looks great. I was eager to see her after spotting her name (Ch Luxor's Playmate of the Year, former Westminster group winner) in the results.

8:27  No comment on that hat. She usually shows Danes. Outside? Fine. No need for it at the Garden.

8:45  Though I'm tired of Pedigree, the ads are out-pacing the Super Bowl ads so far. But ask me again in an hour or two.

8:28  I love Otterhounds!  (especially Louie, a former breed winner)  Never ever want to live with one, but they will always have a softspot for me.

8:30  The PBGV is always a crowd favorite. And for very good reason. Someday I hope the AKC recognizes the Grande version.

8:31  The Pharaoh hound shows just how slippery that damn carpet is.

8:32  Lovely Rhodesian ridgeback. He could get a piece of the group. I'm still going with the Harrier though.

8:34  The saluki is a "pupscicle", the product of frozen semen. Boys can have a lot of impact on a breed for a very long time.

8:35  Couldn't wait to see the whippet. Breeders who always have good ones, and a handler whose writing about the dog show world I have followed for years. Neither disappointed.  I would love to have a whippet someday.

8:37  My top pics are the harrier, Basset, whippet, ridgeback, and maybe the basenji or Ibizian. Not necessarily in that order, though I think the Harrier will take it.

8:38  How did I miss the bloodhound? She's beautiful!!!

8:41  Shows how much I know.... Terriers up next. And I still don't have a beverage.

8:48  CD is snoring!

8:51  It will be a miracle if I get through the Angel on a Leash presentation without turning into a blubbering mess. We're hoping our next Clumber can be part of the group of dogs who visits Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.

8:53  Terriers are next. They have tended to dominate Westminster, and there are some strong contenders like the Sealyham.

8:56  Just about time to move over to CNBC. USA should grow a pair and show the whole thing. Bollocks.

9:00 Terriers!

9:01  Mr Terrier indeed. Peter Green, one of my all-time favorite people in dogs, is judging. And about damn time too.

9:03  The conflict is that Ernesto worked for and was mentored by Peter for many years. I have never seen that happen, but it was an exceedingly classy move. It will probably be controversial though. 

9:05  No jokes about the Bedlington trim, please.

9:06  Peter Green could read me the phone book.

9:07  Love border terriers. They make great family pets, if the family is up to the challenge of a terrier to begin with.

9:08  The colored bull terrier bitch is showing very, very well.

9:10  Holy moly...Peter has excused another one due to conflict of interest. It was done so calmly that every must have known what was going on in advance.

9:11  My tolerance must be going up. I haven't spotted any truly hideous outfits yet.

9:13  Don't panic about Peter pulling on the dog's tail. David Frei's explanation was spot on.

9:14  Peter may have missed his calling as a Donald Duck impersonator. I'm glad he's stuck with dogs though.

9:16  No No No, Crufts is not second best, nor is it the British version of Westminster. It's a bit like comparing Apples and Oranges. Yes, you have to qualify for Crufts, but it's more than that.

9:20  Scott Sommer handling the Lakeland for the Dowds. They have supported Clumbers and Sussex, among others. Pretty Lakeland.

9:22  Mini bulls are too cute for their own good. Go Laura!!!

9:24  Not loving the miniature schnauzer. Watch Peter go and give it a piece of the group. Still quacking....

9:25  My apologies. I usually have much more to say about the terriers. I blame the lack of beverages.

9:26  Little trick for keeping the Norfolk and Norwich terriers straight. Pointy ears on the Norwich (nor-ich), like a witch's hat.

9:28  Like herding dogs, terriers need jobs. If you don't give them one, they will make something up. You won't like it.

9:29  Most of the terriers think they are superior to their owners. And no freaking out about the tail grabbing. It's the only way to get 'em out of a hole sometimes.

9:30  These two, the scotty and the sealyham, should both get a piece of the group. My money is on the Sealy. His owner/handler is another of the good people in dogs. She helped me out by judging a puppy match when I was having a crisis a few years back.

9:31  I don't think that Skye is twice as long as he is tall, but it's tough to tell from my couch. Clumbers are another breed where it's tough to find one in the proper proportion. Huge treat when you find one though.

9:33  I like the Wheaten. Too bad I don't know squat about the breed.

9:34  Still feeling good about the Sealyham and the Scotty. Also like the Lakeland and Welsh. One of the bull terriers might also get a piece. 

9:37  Hoping my picks will be better than the last group. I'll be worthless during the non-functional non-sporting group.

9:39  So far, so good on the cut.

9:41  Quack Quack

9:42  Got the first two, and did I say that would happen with the schnauzer? Oy.

9:43  Must.Get.Sustenance

9:49  Empire State Building in purple and gold. Is there a better color combination? I think not. (My alma mater might have something to do with it.)

9:51  The only time I take more of a powder is during the Toy group. My dogs have squeaky toys bigger than most of the toy dogs.

9:53  This is the group of leftovers. I will still trade the standard poodle into the sporting group and send the three American cockers to this group.

9:54  Penguin just woke up. She can't see much but never liked watching dog shows. Piper was my dog who liked to watch. Penguin has been there, and done that! I have since learned the joys of going to Westminster without a dog.

9:57  I'll go out on a limb and say one of the poodles will place, if not both.

9:58  Wondering about the bulldog bitch. The male who won BOS is a dog I have seen but I'm not familiar with this one.

10:01  Chow Chow handler used to show my favorite Otterhound, Louie. He always has a nice chow too.

10:02  Love this dalmation's dam. He's kind of nice too.

10:03  No poop on the rug yet. 2 and a half groups down.

10:07  I hope Dorothy knows none of the dogs is going to break into a spin. Well, not tonight anyway. Maybe tomorrow.

10:08  Looking forward to the Tibetan terrier. It's not a terrier any more than the Tibetan spaniel is a spaniel. 

10:09  Another dog with a famous parent, the mini poodle.

10:11  Don't get me started on the canine topiary. Standard poodles still make great family pets.

10:13  Here's the TT. So much fluff, but lots of dog under there.

10:15  I admit it. I have no earthly idea who is going to win this group. Standard poodle is the safe choice.

10:17  Yeah! She cut the TT.

10:18 I'd like to claim I'm building momentum in my picks but I could have called the poodle win from Mars. The planet.

10:21  Herding is up next. I always root for the Beardie. Always.

10:22  My fingers are starting to hurt. I am so out of blogging shape. Also answering questions on Plurk and tweeting just a bit. Eyes are going buggy.

10:27  It would be more fun if they brought a few sheep or geese out for these dogs to herd.

10:28  Mary Carillo should stick to tennis, where I could avoid her.

10:30  I'll say it again...these are all dogs who need jobs. I love asking people who are getting border collies in the city where they plan to keep the sheep.

10:31  Aussie looks very nice. Love to see breeder/owner/handlers too.

10:32  Beardies always make me go weak in the knees. Beardie bounce!

10:33  There are really four of the Belgian herding dogs. When will we see a Lakenois?

10:35  The Tervuren is nice, also with a breeder/owner/handler. I'll make it an early pick to get a piece. 

10:37  The Bouv handler is yet another of the really good people in dogs. I'll never forget how he chatted with me ringside right before my Animal Planet interview a few years ago. I'm sure he has no idea but it kept me calm and really meant a lot.

10:39  Is that the first ever Canaan not handled by Andy Linton?

10:40 Half a group left. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. Battery is starting to die...may have to plug in.

10:42  Could another Scottish dog be heading to best in show? Rough collie is pretty. Not showing their best though.

10:45  Another breeder/owner/handler on the Old English. She's won the group before but it's been a while.

10:46  No David, that's Jere Marder.

10:48  The Pembroke is cute. Would love to know if that was an upset. I expected to see the BOS Pembroke tonight.

10:49  Bonus points for the Puli bounce too. They will get a piece of the group, I think.

10:51  Time for picks and my eyes have glazed over. I know who I like. I suspect the judge will not agree. I like the Terv, the Puli, and the Old English.  And the Beardie.

10:55  I guess he didn't really forget the Puli. Excellent choice.

10:57  See y'all tomorrow night. Sporting group leads off. Watch for a surprise or two. I will have beverages, dammit. Rosa Regale, where are you?

first of the season

The first daylily is open!

Mobile post sent by clumberkim using Utterz.  Replies.

live blogging Westminster, part 2

8:07pm Kids are in bed and dinner for the grownups is in the oven. Here we go again, and here come the real Sporting, dogs.

8:08pm They all look mah-velous so far. I have a few friends in the ring, both canine and human, so this will be a really tough one to call. Lots of bitches too. Go girls!

8:10pm Nice move on the part of the judge to congratulate the handlers on their win. You will probably hear him say it to each handler. Brittany used his ears very nicely on his free stack.

8:11pm Pretty pointer bitch. I have heard about Holly but not seen her before. Great head on her.

8:16pm Listen to those breed descriptions! A few years back David Frei contacted the AKC parent clubs to get updated language for these blurbs. What Mike Lafave says about the Clumber was written by my friend JT and me.

8:17pm Love that golden bitch. Not the way overdone coat that is sometimes seen. She's gorgeous.

8:21pm Elliot looks like he spent some time in the tanning booth. I don't think it's the lighting. The setters are all so pretty. A great example of a type of dog I love to look at but probably couldn't live with.

8:24pm Take a good look at that American Water Spaniel bitch. She's a good one, and it's a breed you don't see very often.

8:25pm Carleton the Clumber will be first up in the second half of the group. His handler also won English Cockers with Copper, who seems to have come out of retirement. Not sure who is showing him.

8:28pm Carleton looked great. He's a young dog with a bright future ahead of him. His first time out as a special he was Best in Show.

8:30pm The ASCOB cocker is a strong contender to win the group. As much as I don't like the American cockers, this is a really nice one. All that hair would not serve him well in the field, however.

8:32pm I thought Copper was retired already.... He's still beautiful and would certainly get a long look from me if I were judging. Which I am not.

8:35pm Someday I'll try to understand field spaniels. They seem like a dog put together by committee to me.

8:37pm Love the Welshie bitch. I have seen her before and she gets better as she matures.

8:39pm Not the viszla I was expecting to see. That's the first surprise for me. I'll have to go back and look at the breed judging video.

8:40pm No surprises with the Weimaraner bitch. She's done a ton of winning in the last year.

8:42pm Weim? English Springer? I dunno. Not gonna make a pick for this group tonight. I'll just sit back and be surprised. And raise my glass to Chet Collier.

8:45pm Expected at least one setter to make the cut but none of them showed as well as they could have. I think he likes the engie.

8:48pm Weimaraner, pointer, ascob, and engie. Can't argue any of those choices. Bitches at the head of the line. Nicely done, Mr Weiss.

8:54pm The next two groups could not be more different. Toys and Working. I don't like toys much, as you probably could have guessed. Blogging will be light.

9:05pm There are few toy dogs I could live with. I might break it. Cavaliers are cute though. When I am old and infirm....

9:09pm The b&pc english toy spaniel is owned by some gentlemen from Pittsburgh, one of whom is the son of Steeler's defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

9:11pm Okay, I'm bored. Wake me when the toys are over.

9:22pm Once again, the poodle is a safe choice.

9:30pm Almost done with the toys. Mercifully.

9:31pm Based on who made the cut, it's gotta be the poodle.

9:33pm No surprises. There will be two white poodles competing for BIS. I liked the pug too. Nice to see him in the ribbons.

9:47pm At last, some more big dogs with jobs!

9:48pm Oh dear...haven't seen Connie Barton in a good long time. Handlers will be well-advised to listen to Mrs Barton's instructions carefully. 

9:50pm I'll go out on a limb and say the Akita is going to repeat.

9:55pm Berners are way too much fun. My neighbors have one that I would really like to meet. Love the boxer too.

9:59pm Damn, that's a pretty doberman. It's not a breed I really like but for that one, I could get over it.

10:02pm Great Dane looks a little sad.

10:04pm I love the great pyrenees, and the description that they should look like an "animated snowdrift". 

10:07pm Swissies are probably lovely dogs but I saw one once in 1999 that made me want to cover up its genitalia with a diaper. I think I may have been scarred for life. 

10:12pm I've been eager to see the Newfoundland since I saw the breed results. They just said he's 5 1/2 but the catalog says he's almost 7. That's nearly ancient for a dog of this size. He looks great.

10:18pm Pretty Samoyed. She could get a piece of the group.

10:19pm Hey, it's Tommy O and the siberian!!! Another Pittsburgher! Well done!

10:23pm I'm sticking with the Akita as my pick to win the group.

10:27pm Akita, Dobe, some other big dogs. I'm tired. Probably should have skipped the second glass of champagne. On to BIS!

10:32pm My picks are the sealy and the akita, though that could change after I see them show. A dog can have a bad day, or a spectacular day. At least the Pedigree ads will be over.

10:39pm I hope none of the dogs is spooked by the lights when they are introduced. There's no way to practice that.

10:43pm I don't think I have ever seen this many bitches competing for BIS at the garden. Five bitches and two males! Wow.

10:45pm This judge talks to the dogs. I like that. My show dogs have always responded well to judges who cootchie-coo at them. I wish they could show a split screen with that standard poodle and the one from the movie Best in Show. The difference would be abundantly obvious.

10:46pm Marge is ON!

10:48pm The aussie is in great coat for having puppies a few months ago. I never would have guessed that.

10:49pm Crowd loves the beagle, understandably. He's adorable.

10:50pm I still love the sealy. I'm sticking with him but I'm not entirely confident this judge feels similarly.

10:53pm This part is excruciating, and really really fun.

10:56pm It's the beagle!!!! I'm more than a little surprised. I didn't think he showed as well as last night. But that's dog shows....you never know!

10:59pm And that's Eleanor crying. Great timing, little girl. She didn't make a sound during the entire show.

live blogging Westminster

8:06pm  Release the hounds!! I always hope Mr Lafave will say that to introduce the hounds but he never does. Someday when I am stewarding the groups I will do it. I have threatened before but have wimped out every time.

So far, I haven't spotted a scary outfit on any handlers. Only a matter of time.

8:11pm Mike Stone says the basset can pull a sled with his mals. Yeah. Okay.

8:13pm The big beagle is really cute. With my favorite Otterhound out of the competition, losing this morning in the breed ring, he's got a great shot at the group win.

8:15pm Pretty bloodhound bitch. And a borzoi groomed within an inch of its life. Makes for pretty tv though.

8:17pm Not exactly a Glamour don't but I am really tired of the bright blue jacket on Carlos. More pretty tv.

8:20pm Another repeat on the wardrobe. When's the last time we saw the American foxhound handler without a red riding jacket at the garden? Entirely appropriate to the breed though. Can't fault her on it.

I know I referred to the "big beagle" before. I suppose the foxhounds are really, really big beagles.

8:22pm Ugh, not more from Pedigree and their alleged support for homeless dogs. I'm going to be really tired of them by the end of tomorrow night.

8:24pm Commercial break means more champagne. I'm drowning my sorrows in the usual fashion.

8:27pm Very nice harrier, owned by folks who breed very nice boxers.  And hey, that's Kassie with the Ibizian hound! I know her! She shows Clumbers, among other breeds.

8:29pm Nice threads on Peter Kubacz with the Irish Wolfhound. He's always well-dressed, and I've seen him since he was a junior, though usually there's plaid.

8:30pm I'm going to have to watch the breed judging video for Otterhounds to see what happened to Louie. Very sad that he's not in the ring tonight.

8:35pm Just saw the first good slide on the Saluki. The carpet is very slick. It's amazing it doesn't happen more frequently, to dogs AND handlers.

8:37pm Love love love the whippet. The family this one comes from always has gorgeous whippets and Trent is no exception. He's my pick, but I have a feeling the judge has other ideas.

8:40pm Hey, he pulled the whippet! I think it's the big beagle or the harrier though.

8:43pm No surprises...the big beagle wins the group. Nice to see the harrier place, too.

8:47pm Eleanor started howling just before the judge made his cut. I was hoping she would stop by the time he finished the group. She did!

8:50pm Now they have to fill a bunch of time due to the incredibly stupid network change at 

8:53pm. They can't do the change in the middle of a group. Angels on a Leash is really cool though. I need to find out what it would take to bring the program to Pittsburgh. I should email David Frei.

8:54pm Where do I sign up to rub David Duchovny's belly?

9:00pm Terriers in the ring. I'm pulling for the Sealyham all the way. His owner-handler is one of the really good people in the dog show world.

9:03pm I love airedales. That's a terrier I might be able to live with.

9:06pm The blue jacket is back. Ugh.

9:09pm Nice white bull terrier, co-owned by a doctor from Pittsburgh. They mentioned a few surgeries on her, due to digestive indiscretions. We had one of those at our house tonight. Penguin snagged a sock from Eleanor. I made her give it back (along with her dinner). Ewwww.

9:15pm Irish terrier will probably go 2nd. But I am usually wrong after #1.

9:16pm I like the kerry blue. This is another breed I like, but know I could never live with.

9:19pm The go 'rounds are always a mess at Westminster because the dogs are arranged alphabetically, rather than by size and speed.

9:23pm Great outfit on the miniature schnauzer handler, though it makes her dog look slightly purple.

9:27pm Hard not to smile at that sealyham. 

9:29pm The wheaten handler also handles Clumbers, among other breeds.

9:32pm Very accurate descriptions of terrier attitude. It's their world, we're just visiting.

9:34pm My picks are sealyham and irish terrier. Beyond that it's anybody's guess.

9:35pm Nice to see the kerry blue make the cut. I think the scottie could also do well.

9:37pm Once again I picked number 1, but fell apart the rest of the way. Way to go, Margery and Charmin!

9:49pm May we have the non-functionals into the ring, please!

9:51pm The judge is one I have never heard of. This scares me. I have been away from showing too long. 

9:52pm Bitchin' Frizzy looks like a q-tip. On purpose.

9:54pm Listen carefully to what Mike Lafave says about each breed. You could learn something, especially tomorrow night when he introduces the Clumber spaniel.

9:56pm I always like the dalmation, probably because they look like they could do a day's work, unlike some others in this group.

9:58pm Scratch that. The frenchie is very cute, and probably gave his handler a coronary when he put on the brakes. As a handler, you have to laugh at that.

10:03pm Very nice mini poodle, daughter of a former BIS winner. She's not cooperating on the free stack though. Still gorgeous on the move.

10:05pm My annual rant about standard poodles.... They belong in the sporting group. I would gladly trade the american cockers to the non-sporting group for the standard poodle. Now THAT would spice things up a bit.

10:09pm Eleanor howling again.... Will wait and see if she's still screaming when the group is done.

10:11pm I really don't have a clue but a poodle is always a safe bet. Love the Chow Chow though. It's easier to guess when I know something about the judge.

10:13pm I am three for three in choosing group winners. It's one of my few skills. Too bad there's no OTB for this. And Eleanor went back to sleep.

10:24pm Herding now in the ring, the last group of the night. If you're thinking about a border collie, or any of these dogs, and you live in a city, where are you going to keep the sheep? These dogs need jobs and if you don't give them one, they will make stuff up. You won't what they come up with.

10:26pm The australian cattle dog handler used to show Chewy. He's finally bought a new tie. He's wearing the same tie in every show photo I have ever seen of him with Chewy.

Kind of like that australian shepherd, but I have never read the standard.

10:28pm I love beardies! Someday there could be a beardie bounce in my life. I have a good friend who is a breeder and would send me one in a heartbeat. Maybe when the kids are older. So many breeds, so little time.

10:39pm Nothing is grabbing me in this group. At least no one has pooped in the ring yet.

10:43pm Smokin', the old english sheepdog was pacing on the down part of the down and back. Yikes!

10:45pm I like the puli best, followed by the australian shepherd. The GSD will probably win though.

10:51pm Not surprisingly, the OES didn't make the cut. Nice dog, but not showing his best tonight.

10:53pm No guts, no glory. I should have gone out on a limb and called it for the aussie but I was trying to play it safe...always my downfall. I'll have to settle for three out of four.

Same time tomorrow....

let the games begin

 The silence was deafening but I'm live blogging Westminster anyway. I already like having my champagne in a glass instead of a plastic cup. For not much more than I usually pay for the cup I got an entire bottle. Should be okay for tomorrow too if I get the vacu-vin stopper in place. I failed to procure the traditional ice cream bar, however.