Archive for February, 2011

Save a Spaniel wins national book award!

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

Congratulations to Cathy Mitchell, whose wonderful book Save a Spaniel was named  best fiction book of 2010 by the Dog Writers Association of America. An engaging tale of rescue written in the dog’s voice, this book is one that makes you stop and wonder, “Is that what my dog is really thinking?”Although fiction, the story is loosely based on the adventures of one of the author’s dogs, a rescued Boykin spaniel. “Star,” the canine narrator of the book, is a purebred Boykin spaniel with a white mark on her chest, an undesirable marking for the breed standard. Star is purchased by a couple as a pet and hunting companion for the husband. Her troubles begin when she proves to be gun-shy. (more…)

Congratulations to Hickory, the Scottish Deerhound

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Congratulations to Hickory, the graceful Scottish Deerhound, on winning Best in Show at Westminster! This was the favorite breed of the writer Sir Walter Scott, who wrote about his grief at the loss of his devoted dog, Maida.

“I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied that it is in compassion for the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?”

I was in New York City this past weekend and caught a few of the dog show festivities. The hotels  surrounding Madison Square Garden are filled with gorgeous dogs, dog vendors, and dog paraphernalia. At night, the Empire State Building is lit in the Westminster colors of purple and gold.  I met several women who were attending Westminster as a “girls’ weekend,” which sounds like great fun. It’s sort of like being in Hollywood for the Oscars.

I attended a benefit party for Angel on a Leash, a pet therapy organization that involves many of the recent Best in Show winners in therapy dog work. Westminster announcer David Frei serves as president of this organization, and in his welcoming remarks he said, “Remember, the real Best in Show dog is the one who greets you at your door.” How true!