Hotel Pennsylvania hosts Westminster show dogs

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| Print | By | February 9, 2008 9:15 PM

Day 2 – Hotel Pennsylvania – New York City

Contributed by James McManus
Photos courtesy Laura McManus

Against the backdrop of America’s largest and busiest city, the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog show arrivals continue to stream into the Hotel Pennsylvania. In just two days these dogs will cross the busy midtown street and enter Madison Square Garden to compete with each other...

but today is for arriving, catching up with old friends and relaxing.

As we enter the bustling hotel lobby, no one is more relaxed than Buell, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd.

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Buell, Australian Shephard

He waits for his room assignment by sprawling out on a lobby bench. This morning he flew in from California and appears to be sleeping off a bit of jet lag.

Others relax by exercising. This is Cobe’s first time in New York City, and the 4-year-old Bouvier des Flanders is working out on the Jog a Dog – a treadmill made specifically for our canine friends. We caught him during a 30 minute workout in the basement of the hotel.

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Cobe, Bouvier des Flaunders

Back home he lives on 14 acres and gets his exercise by traversing the grounds, but in New York City where space is at a premium, all 100 pounds of Cobe stays fit and sharp without traveling a yard.

Near the Jog a Dog is another area specifically designed to make these dogs feel relaxed and at home – an area affectionately named the “Canine Loo”. Also known as the Pee Station, the area is 36 feet by 24 feet replete with red plastic fire hydrants and four plant stands in the middle.

PeeArea[1].small.jpg

The ground is covered with bags upon bags of pine and spruce tree shavings while the walls are covered with paintings and photos of dogs. In each corner of the “Pee Station” is a garbage can against which leans a pooper scooper. We met Riley leaving the “Canine Loo” and he posed for a few pictures.

Riley pose[1].2.small.jpg
Riley, Glen of Imaal

Riley is a 2 ½ year old Glen of Imaal. (If you’re not familiar with that breed, neither were we. So we asked his owner, Andy Henschel, who told us that the Glen of Imaal is an old Irish breed of dog that is not a dog of royalty. They were owned primarily by peasant farmers in order to ward off vermin).

But Riley has ascended to royalty. Last year, at only 18 months old, he won Best in Breed. At home, Riley is simply the family pet and he is easily spooked by the vacuum cleaner, but on the Westminster carpet he has singleness of purpose amid the noise of the crowd and the flashing camera bulbs. It won’t be until age 4 that Riley reaches maturity for his breed, but as a show dog he is already mature beyond his years.

Back upstairs near the l-o-n-g hotel check-in line, we find a dog and his owner staking out a bit of marble floor to rest up after a 20-hour car ride from Little Rock, Arkansas. Bram is a 4-year-old Norwegian Elk Hound, and his owner, Ray Vaturro, says he’s a good traveler but is a little weary. This is his second WKC show and last year he won an Award of Merit.

Bram[1].small.jpg
Bram, Norwegian Elk Hound

The Norwegian Elk Hound is the National Dog of Norway and he’s bred to hunt Elk and big game. But on a Saturday afternoon in New York City after 20 hours on the road, he looks content to take it easy.

And, you may ask if there are any strategy sessions among all of this relaxing?

Here is one of this year’s newly recognized breeds, a Plott named Jeff, getting secrets from last year’s Best in Show, the English Springer Spaniel, James.

Getting Secrets[1].James.Jeff.small.jpg

Jeff was so happy with the information he received that he decided to relax by stretching out on the carpet of the 18th floor press room.

Jeff Stretching[1].small.jpg

Tomorrow, more behind the scenes from the 2008 Westminter Kennel Club Dog Show!

If you're visiting the show or just want to talk about it, go to our chat boards at my.petside.com

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cariekiz November 18, 2009 2:49 PM

I have a joke for you =) If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims.
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denitabon November 20, 2009 6:27 PM

I have a nice fresh joke for you people) What did God say when Joan of Arc showed up at the Pearly Gates? Well done.
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