Dog show through a dog's eyes

Day 3 – Hotel Pennsylvania – New York City Contributed by James McManus Photos courtesy Laura McManus My name is Riley Fitzgerald and I’m a 16 lb Schnauzer - Poodle, a Schnoodle some call me. The last two days my daddy has been leaving me at home to visit OTHER dogs in Manhattan and write a blog for petside.com... and I don’t like it. So, in order for daddy to get all of his socks back in one piece he has decided to allow me to write today’s blog. As we walk toward the hotel, I notice that finally people are getting their priorities in the right place. That banner lining all the streets surrounding Madison Square Garden pretty much says it all. Dogs DO rule! Enough said. I don’t know about these doors entering the hotel. Why do they spin? Forward….oops….whoa….back up….this time….quick...quick…quick….spin…spin…spin….whew….finally inside! Hey! A lot of my friends are staying here. Here is a French Bulldog named Ziti. Mmm, pasta. It’s his 1st time in New York City and he likes the energy. I told him I’d show him around later, but right now I’m on petside.com assignment. Look at all these people and their stuff! Big boots and shoes…I need to be careful around here. Hey, where are they taking her and why is she in a cage? Someone didn’t read the sign out front. Hey Mister, we rule! I’ve got to get out of this hustle and bustle. Here we go. Lap dogs, just like me. Rossi is the one with the sweater on and Tom is behind him. They are both from Sarasota, Florida and it’s their 3rd time in New York City. Rossi is a Boston Terrier and Tom is a Parson Russell Terrier. I say they’re both pretty smart because they found laps to sit on. That’s what I like to do when I’m home. Maybe I need a short nap. Let’s see what’s in the gift shop. Woof! Woof! Why aren’t you barking back?! Uh-oh, I better quit barking or I’ll lose my press crendentials. I’m heading downstairs to take care of a little business. But before I head down…Ooh-la-la! I didn’t get her name, but I’d like to. Ahh, here’s something I recognize. Excuse me for just a moment. Ok. Boy, there’s all sorts of stuff down here. There’s a massage lady, another lady selling pictures and photos of dogs. Wow, dog books! Hey if you need a writer, I write a blog! And here’s a 6-year-old Basset Hound named Sweet Tea and she’s listening to a dog psychic tell her how she’ll perform in the show. These show dogs get everything. But here’s one Show Dog perk that I don’t like at all. It’s a room with four bathtubs. I got up on my hind legs to take a peek inside, but they’re not getting me in there. No way, no how! Maybe the life of a show dog is not quite the bonanza I think it is. I don’t take a bath unless I extort treats before, during and after. And then I shake all the water on Mommy so she doesn’t try that again. I may not be a show dog, but I’m pretty smart. I’m getting out of here before I…well, H-E-L-L-O! What’s your name? Nani. That’s a pretty name. It’s Hawaiian meaning, beautiful one. You sure are! Well, mine’s Riley Fitzgerald meaning, um, I don’t know. Tell me more about YOU. You’re a Silky Terrier from San Francisco. You flew out in the cabin of a plane? Wow, a travelling girl! I like to travel. Would you like to be part of a story I’m writing? You would? You’re free now. That’s great because, well…so am I!!! Woof. More from the dog show tomorrow. Maybe. Woof! If you're visiting the show or just want to talk about it, go to our chat boards at my.petside.com