Did You Ever Wonder What It's Like To See Westminster From The Inside? My Trip to Westminster with Am Ch Noveau Less is More 2009
I have a dear friend who is a papillon breeder in Texas. As anyone who knows me knows I adore papillons. I always told my friend Marichin if she ever got to show one of her dogs at Westminster, I would be there with her cheering her on. Last February, she accomplished just that. One of her dogs, Am Ch Noveau Less is More, better known as Mouse, was invited to show at Westminster. So off to New York I went.
The public watches Westminster from 8:00 to 11:00 on Monday and Tuesday nights. Little did I know that the papillons are judged at 8:30 in the morning. That means that the papillons have to be bathed, groomed and in place to be judged by 8:30 am. Judging goes on at various times during the day for different breeds. There may be 25 papillons entered at Westminster, but only one will make it into the final show.
It was a very cold day in New York and I came dressed for it - heavy sweater, Uggs, corduroys. They had the heat turned up in the Garden, and I was sweating all day (see photo!) My hair was drenched! Next time I'll know better. Definitely leave the heavy clothes home!
Once inside Madison Square Garden, the dogs are not allowed to leave. People can leave, but not the dogs. They must stay inside all day. This is done for security purposes. We stayed in Mouse's assigned space all day. The dogs are really confined with not much area to move around. Mouse is very small, so it wasn't too bad for him or the other small breeds. I felt badly for the larger dogs, because there wasn't much room for them at all.
Mouse was a trooper the entire day. People are allowed in to speak with the breeders and see the dogs before the evening show (what you see on tv.) This goes on for hours. He was great and is he gorgeous! I know I'm prejudiced, but he really is stunning! Marichin's papillons are gorgeous. It's no wonder he was at Westminster.
Mouse didn't win Westminster last year, but he was a participant, which is still an honor. He may be invited back or one of Marichin's other dogs from her kennel, Marichin Papillons, may be invited at some time in the future. If they are, I will be there again to cheer her on. It was great fun to see it from the inside world of breeders, as I am only an animal lover. A lot of really hard work goes into what appears to be so easy!
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