Tale of the Tweets: Westminster Doggie Show Style

I have a confession to make. I really wanted to have my blog post from Westminster done by now. I mean, I was there all day on Tuesday and it’s Friday morning and yet, still nothing. Not that I haven’t thought about it. Not that I haven’t wanted to write it. (I’ve written the headline. That counts for something, right?)

But I’ve spent three days going through the pictures alone (I started with 410 and cut them down to 155).  Thankfully I finally posted the pictures from the day on Flickr. But it’s just taken me a lot longer than I planned to do a complete wrap-up of my fantastic day.

The Straight Poop

If you like dogs (or are interested in getting a dog), you must go to Westminster and spend the day. While the nighttime competition is fun, it’s not that different from watching on TV. In fact, due to audio issues at MSG, you were actually better off watching on TV (we didn’t hear the Best in Show winner announced). What makes Westminster special is the benching area.

Benching Area

Westminster is one of the last so-called “benched shows” left in America. Each dog has an assigned spot (a “bench”) in the benching area, so at all times each dog is at its bench assignment, being groomed, relieving itself, or being shown. This is amazing. Of course it’s super-crowded, but is there any other sporting event where spectators can come backstage and hang out with the competitors? The opportunity to go behind the scenes, see the grooming and meet all the dogs in person is fantastic and worth the price of admission alone. But be forewarned: you might leave the benching area with a severe case of puppy fever.

Before I lose any more momentum, and frankly because I want to get something posted, let’s get to my trademark blog post feature: The Tale of the Tweets.

Tale of the Tweets: Doggie Show Style

Damn. Left the busy bee at the hotel. (@ Madison Square Garden w/ 5 others) http://4sq.com/2xxGTE

Got here just in time for the gorgeous flat coat retrievers. @elsaul #WKC

In the benching area. I am totally fangirling the border terrier. #WKC

Doc is cuter than any of the black labs here at #WKC.

Golden getting his hair did. Behind the scenes at Westminster #WKC http://flic.kr/p/7DuJB8

There is as much blow drying, moussing, make-up application and general gussying up here as at Miss America. #WKC

Standing *thisclose* to the ring. Chesapeake Bay Retriever time. #WKC http://flic.kr/p/7DyJi9

OH: “Bitches are just like that.” #WKC

There are 40 golden retrievers in competition. That’s a lot of golden adorable goodness to choose from. #WKC

I wish the best of breed competition for lab retrievers included swimming and fetching. #WKC

No chocolate labs in final 8 of breed competition. 5 yellows and 3 black. Go black labs! #WKC

Congrats to James the black lab! Best in breed and moves on to sporting group tonight. #WKC

Chicken sandwich. French fries. Ice cream sandwich. Yup, it’s Fat Tuesday. #fb

Yup, still here. Best in Show tonight! (@ Madison Square Garden w/ 9 others) http://4sq.com/2xxGTE

PA announcer: “Best in Show at Westminster is dogdom’s greatest achievement in the Western Hemisphere.” #WKC

Ah, the crowd LOVES the golden retriever. Shocker. #WKC

The English Setter has inspired “great canine art.” So I guess it’s featured in dogs playing poker. #WKC

The Brittany takes the sporting group! Crowd wanted the golden, the lab and the griffon. I loved them all. #WKC

Crowd LOVES the Boxer. Cue Simon & Garfunkel. #WKC

It’s hard to tell if it’s really a St. Bernard without the cask of brandy on his neck. #WKC

The doberman totally nailed her pose. I’m not a big fan and even I was impressed. #wkc

There are 28 types of terrier. 28! #godlovesaterrier #bestinshow #wkc

I believe the Doberman established herself as Best in Show favorite with that spectacular showing. #wkc

American Staffordshire Terrier or Boxer? You be the judge. #wkc

Dandie dinmont terrier is dandy indeed. Look at that hairdo! #wkc

I don’t think I can take any more. Pictures of terriers, that is. #wkc

The Terrier Lobby is obviously very effective at working the AKC. #wkc

Scottish terrier. Remember, if it’s not Scottish, it’s crap! #wkc

We’ve seen a few terriers trip. It’s an automatic .5 deduction by the judges. #ifthisweretheolympics #wkc

Sorry Westie, you may be cute but you do not have my vote. No yippie dogs can win Best in Show on my watch. #wkc

Same for the Scottie. Sorry Westie, you may be cute but you do not have my vote. No yippie dogs can win Best in Show on my watch. #wkc

Yes I just booed the toy poodle. Out loud. Lustily. #wkc

Given the 7 finalists, rooting for the doberman, brittany and french bulldog. #wkc

Did they show the animal protesters who came onto the floor on TV? We didn’t see the sign. #WKC

Doberman is the one to beat so far. She is one magnificent bitch. #wkc

I’m stunned. The doberman was the best. Not that we heard the announcement at the arena. #msgfail #wkc

I saw Sadie the Scottie on TV, and I’ve come around a bit. She understands “hot dog” and “cookie” in 5 different languages. #wkc

Also found out Sadie the Scottie is #1 dog in country and CJ the Doberman #2. So we saw a great competition. And bitches rule!

For more awesome snark, check out the WSJ Live Blog of the event (by my friend Jonah Keri).