February 20, 2012 Uncategorized

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2012

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2012

In the exhibit area at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, The Animal Medical Center joins Angels on a Leash, Take the Lead, the ASPCA and others to answer medical questions from show attendees and provide them with AMC goodie bags. Old friends often stop by to thank us for care we have given to a beloved pet.

One dog lover told the story of her Afghan Hound that fell off a ledge a the Brooklyn Public Library, puncturing a lung and fracturing both front legs. She reported the ER staff at AMC repaired both legs with metal rods and fixed the puncture, restoring the dog to full health. Another visitor to the booth was a veterinary colleague from out of town. On the way into the show ring, her Labrador Retriever was bitten on the ear by a dog on the way out of the show ring dashing the dog’s chances of a ribbon. We called The AMC and arranged for her dog to have the ear repaired. The ill-behaved dog has since been banished from competition.

Line for the restroom

The Westminster Show is the one of the oldest continuous sporting events held in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby. Like many big sporting events it is held in a huge sporting area, Madison Square Garden. Like many big sporting events, there are lines. In the case of the Westminster Show, the line to use the doggy restroom is a bit unconventional since the restroom is unisex– it has chain link walls and is filled with sawdust chips! The photograph to the right shows the restroom line late on Tuesday afternoon which resembles the seventh inning stretch at Yankee Stadium.

Benched!

In most sporting events, hearing your coach say the words, “you’re benched” might be devastating to an athlete. Not so at the Westminster Show, since this is considered a “bench show.” The benching area, just off the ring in the basement of Madison Square Garden, has endeared the show to attendees who come by the thousands. The benched dogs spend all day with their handlers meeting the adoring public and getting petted so much, it seems their meticulously groomed coats could be rubbed off. For a photo album of the great dogs I got to meet in the benching area, visit The AMC’s Facebook page.

What’s in a name?

While in the benching area I struck up a conversation with CH Darby Canyon Gracie's Fellini, a Spinone Italiano. I inquired about his name, which was listed on his crate as Rico. The woman sitting with Rico said her name was Grace and all her dogs have Grace in their names. Because he is of Italian descent, the Fellini part of Rico’s name comes from the famous Italian director Frederico Fellini and Frederico has been truncated to Rico which is the call name of this handsome creature.

And the winner is….

A member of The AMC family! CH Palacegarden Malachy, the winning Pekingese and now Best in Show is co-owned by Professor Iris C. Love, an avid dog lover and member of The AMC’s’ Board of Trustees.

Malachy’s physical attributes make great copy. The LA Times called him a bobbing pompom; MSNBC described him as the love child of Chewbacca and an Ewok; and meanwhile Malachy made appearances on the morning news shows sitting on a blue tuffet like Miss Muffett!

Watch a composite video of Malachy and his winning performances at the Garden:

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This may also be found in the Tales from the Pet Clinic blog on WebMD.com.

For over a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts. Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Tags: animal medical center, ann hohenhaus, best in show, dogs, iris love, madison square garden, malachy, pekingese, pet health, pets, spinone italiano, veterinarian, westminster, westminster dog show, WKC,

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