Westminster Kennel Club

I had chemo yesterday and my mom came along and we were talking about my favorite sporting event of the year, The Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Gardens, and my mother said, Boy I have weird kids! Well, all I know is that I watch it ALL. Not just my breeds: I have a terrier, a Westie, and I have a non-sporting or companion dog, a Keeshond. I even watch the toy breeds, which I mostly think are WAY overbred.

I just Love the terriers but here is what the American Kennel Club says about my breed, the Westie:Possessed with no small amount of self-esteem, the West Highland White Terrier is an all-white, compact, sturdy package of frolicsome energy. His ears stand up naturally and his tail is short by nature's design. The breed was developed in the Highlands of Scotland for the hard and dangerous work of destroying vermin. Though independent in nature, they enjoy participating in Conformation, Agility, Obedience and Tracking, but their favorite activity is Earthdog Tests -- designed to test his natural instincts. Life with one of the 'little white dogs' is never dull and can be a challenge to the unsuspecting first-time owner.

And that is how we got Eddie: This family with three very young children had Eddie flown here from down south somewhere and he is registered and has a very good pedigree but this was their first dog and he mostly spent all his time in his kennel cuz they simply didn't know how to handle a dog with that much energy. Well, he fits in here beautifully but you have to be top dog with him and NOT let him rule (all the the time).

We were just given our Keeshond as well. A friend of Brian's had recused her from an abusive home but both parents worked full time and she was spending all day in the garage. Brian was in middle school at the time and his friend asked him if he would like the dog. Brian said yes without ever mentioning it to us! Well later that week they brought the dog and her dishes and leash and grooming combs over and, well, we had another dog! And let me tell you the Keeshond NEEDS grooming. They do a complete coat drop twice a year and shed alot the rest of the time, but what a personality, gentle and loving and silly, wonderful watch dog and she loves to ride in Joe's car (heated seats).

This is what the AKC says about keeshonden:The Keeshond is a handsome, medium-sized dog with a luxurious silver-gray and black coat, dramatic markings, elegant carriage, and a richly plumed tail carried over its back. Descended from the same prehistoric ancestry as the other Nordic Spitz Breeds, it is believed that Keeshonden were brought into Holland by the Vikings during the 9th Century. Alert, active and energetic, the Keeshond is a free-spirited multi-purpose dog, a devoted family companion that excels in agility and as a watch dog. Keeshonden are highly regarded for their keen intelligence, love of life, outstanding temperament and sensitivity to people, and also make excellent therapy dogs.

How lucky we are in our dog family! What pleasure they bring to a household. Pedigree dog foods is running a program to help adopt dogs. It breaks my heart everytime is see the ads as I can't really add another dog to this tiny house but there are some other things you can do to help them. Check it out on their website http://www.dogsrule.com/default.aspx.

Here are my dogs, not that I am proud of them or anything:

Talk to you soon,

Lynda

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

Ann Landers (1918 - 2002)