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133rd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog ShowThe

Sussex Spaniel!

Best in show winner!  It must be very hard to choose a the best of the best especially when they are all different breeds.  Best in Breed seems to be easier and more equitable.  In this case, the long haired hotdog trotted around the ring and won the 133rd show.

I was rooting for the Sussex Spaniel as soon as I saw it.  Something about how it waddled around the ring made me favor it.  I was happy that the strangely shaven Poodle did not win.   

This trip was a surprise for my Partner who while showing St. Bernards and Alaskan Malamutes, had never been to Madison Square Garden to see the acclaimed event.  So needless to say I had a lot to learn and had no idea what to expect.  Firstly, we had assigned seats, but were allowed to sit anywhere until you were bumped by he seat holder.  Also, you were able to go onto the judging floor!  It was so cool sitting by a ring feeling the breeze as the handlers and dogs ran by.

The Benching Area…

AKA “Back Stage” for most events, you are allowed to be in the area where all of the dogs are crated.  Dogs are required to be in the Benching Area in order to compete so it was cool to be able to see the dogs and be able to talk with the handlers and owners.  

Grooming also took place in this area.  Besides being a great photo op, some handlers let you pet the dogs.  Was cool seeing them get trimmed, washed and blown dry.  

Dog vs Bitch

When Patrick mentioned that they were showing dogs, I was like duh, we are not at a horse show.  I then learned that “Dogs” are males and “Bitches” are females.  That seems a bit sexist to me…but then again, that is also tradition.  I believe the equivalent ought to be “Stud” as in other animals.  

Spending 2 days at the show I got to see so many dogs and especially enjoyed the Working Group.  The St. Bernards, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Komondor (Mop Dogs), Alaskan Malamutes, and New Foundland’s were my favorite from this Group.

I also liked the Irish Water Spaniel from the Sporting Group, the Old English Sheepdog from the Herding Group, and the Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier from the Non-sporting Group.  

The ugliest dog I saw…the Chinese Crusted.  Matt Lauer from the Today Show was showing one as the cast was featured last evening as a crowd pleaser.

Check out my photo gallery next week.  I have about 1800 photos to go through and will post the best ones online with information about their breed.

My choices for a pet are…..

  • Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
  • Irish Water Spaniel
  • Old English Sheepdog
  • Komondor
  • Tibetan Mastiff
  • St. Bernard
  • Alaskan Malamute

As you can tell I really like the big dogs.  This was fine when I owned my own house, but living in an apartment which currently does not allow dogs and many having a 50 pound limit will pose a big problem.  Hmmm…think I need to look into buying a house again.  Perhaps playing the lottery will help!

Opening a can of worms..

Patrick was surprised and thrilled by the trip, but did warn me that I opened a can of worms.  He signed up for the AKC Gazette and 2009 should be filled with trips to local dog shows and tickets to the 134th show!

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NASA Facts…Cool who you meet!

Amazing who you meet….

So the other day I have the privilege to speak with someone who worked for NASA.  We talked about a lot, I attended Space Camp and love the idea of Space exploration.  Here are some cool facts…

  • The Space Shuttle can both take off and land unattended.  This would allow the use when inspection reveals some potential flaws which may cause an accident.  With that said, in order to save costs until a new space vehicle has been produced, may spend less time getting the shuttle cleaned up and simply launch it unmanned with the eventual destruction of the aging fleet.  The only problem with this…..the Smithsonian is supposed to get one 🙂
  • The American Flag on the Moon is plastic!  I guess it should be expected since there is 1/6 gravity on the Moon.  I used to think that since there was not any gravity and therefore by “molding” the flag, it would just stay that way.
  • The blast off of the lunar lander likely knocked the flag down.  This being said, the first person to commercially visit the moon will likely swipe the flag.
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Review: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans – Spoilers

WOW….Great Movie!

Let me start with that.  When you have seen Star Wars, and likely Star Trek FAIL at making prequels, you get a little skeptical.  I have to say I was pleasantly proven wrong!  The movie has the same characters as the others and at the very end……. leads right into the opening of the “first” Underworld movie.  Well done!

Victor is back as the head of the coven and does an excellent job in the movie.  Not sure it was the actor, but the part was great.  The love of a disobedient daughter to eventually having her executed following the protocol of the coven and leading the vampires.  This is definitely a hard task and he remains strong by following through with the execution.

I am not sure how long the movie was and even my partner was awake through the whole movie which is  a first.  So with that said, definitely a good movie to see.  

You learn about the start of the Lycans and that there are 2 breeds. One that can sustain human form and another that is in animal form all of the time.  It was also interesting to learn that they Lycans were created in order to protect the Vampires while they were sleeping during the daylight.

As with most prequels, there is no need to watch the other ones before seeing this movie.  Let me know what you think.  This is definitely the best movie I have seen this year.  Last week I saw “The Unborn.”  I won’t even waste time talking about that horrible movie.

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2000 miles and counting

Since mid April 2008 I have been riding my bicycle almost exclusively.  Besides a cold or vacation, I have ridden every day.  My motivation was 3 fold….

  1. Save time on way to work….. Georgetown University, in response to complaints by rich stay at home residents, changed the bus route from direct one to one that utilized major roadways and not a side street.  It did not seem logical to me, nor did I want to get up earlier.  It takes me less time to ride from my apt to work than the bus ride alone!
  2. Save money…. my part time job was in Friendship Heights immediately following my main job and it was necessary to take public transportation to make it in time.
  3. Save time on way to volunteer activities.  There are bike racks in the parking garage at the Air and Space Museum and one near the entrance of the National Zoo.  Again, saving metrofare.
  4. Vehicle for fun.  If I ever do get a chance, there are lots of beautiful trails to go on in the Greater Metro Area.  My partner got one as well.
  5. Exercise – More of a side effect, but certainly a benefit.
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