Ooh la 'La and Mr. Glee

Last weekend I left the lovely, peaceful island of Martha's Vineyard to travel to the mainland.

Destination: Springfield, MA. Home of some prestigious dog shows, complete with Westminster caliber dogs and top national handlers. What a scene!

This is just a fraction of the exhibit hall.

Truly—it was wall-to-wall crates, grooming tables, brushes, force dryers, clippers, towels, handlers, breeders, rubber bands, wraps, & booties & drool bibs, vendors, flying fur and all sorts of smells galore. Throw in a passel of dogs and you have a Major Happening.

And right in the midst of everything, there I was. It was a bit overwhelming for your cub reporter, Lil' ol' Fen Man.

Dogs were being prettified....whether they liked it or not.

Some people even showed up believing in miracles.

Would you wear all white to a dog show and believe you would stay clean?

I checked...there really was a dog under in that fur.

After taking in the sights, I met up with my extended family and settled in. We got down to some serious business of getting prettified and groomed. A major part of dog show time is spent getting groomed. The remainder is spent getting inspected by judges, so you'd better look your best!

Mama Devon is on the grooming table and surveying the competition.

She never worries cause she's lethal in the ring.

Here is my big bro' Chance, also known as The Wag.

He is a real pro and a certified Champion.

Chance knows exactly what to expect. He tolerates—

and even looks forward to and enjoys—

the whole process of Gettin' Handsome.

Doesn't he have an engaging smile?

On the other hand, Ms. Alpha needs to learn some lessons.

She doesn't look like she appreciates how

tantalizing this stack o' ham sticks really is.

Ms. Alpha was in charge of making bait. That simply means she had to forage for some tasty, meaty snacks that are irresistible and make us dogs Be Have and Focus on the handlers. The bait mesmerizes us like snake charmers and we forget to horse around and play. Next time you watch Westminster, notice how the handlers are throwing around bits of things and we are rapt with attention. That's the bait at work.

There is a LOT of waiting around at a dog show.

Contrary to popular belief, a lot of show dogs are truly pampered and loved.

My mama dog, Devon, was the first in our family to enter the ring. She was in the Veteran's Class. That means she's "of a certain age" AND has seen and done it all. Basically, Devon put on a performance and show all of of us how to get down to work and get it DONE. As some of you may remember, Devon has been to Westminster and been invited to the prestigious Cruft's Show in Great Britain twice! She's got titles up one paw and down the other....in everything from conformation, agility, and obedience. She is very, very smart and a world class food snatcher. I'd like to think I inherited some of her talent, but for some reason, the Food Snatching DNA gene did not get passed on. She'd be appalled to know how polite I am.

Devon is just a blur in the ring as she goes about her business.

Here is my sister Ella, also known a 'La, and she is posing for her Major win.

'La was named Best of Opposite Sex and won huge!

She is the loveliest dog I've ever seen.

Ooh, la 'La—just look at all those ribbons!

I did not win a Major this time. But, I came in second and got Reserve Winners to a very nice dog who won huge. There were a lot of dogs competing and coming in 2nd is really pretty decent. I was just too happy and revved up to settle down and strut my best stuff. I am now being trained to calm down and go about my business.

Just call me Mr. Glee.

But later on in the day....there was an all border collie match. By that time, I was settled down and REALLY Be Haved. Lo and behold, I won Best of Breed!!!

Here I am standing before the judge for a full inspection.

I am no longer Mr. Glee and am as serious as a dining table about the task at hand.

Ms. Alpha had to free bait me, meaning that she couldn't reposition my legs and paws or even touch me. I had to Assume the Position all on my own. We'd practiced this a lot, so Ms. A. was fairly confident that I would get down to business, stand four square and be still as a startled rabbit.

Oh, I just knew I was lookin' pretty and really fly!

Ms. Alpha was pretty shocked when the judge pointed to me for Best of Breed, and I think I taught her a lesson: never underestimate Mr. Fenway. He's got some tricks up his fur. I can be pretty and good all at the same time...if I want to.

There was more to the show than me. So much more. Here are some candids of the Best in Show judging. I think you will see some of these dogs at Westminster next winter.

This fellow seems to be pleading with the judge!

Aren't these guys terrific? So many feisty terriers!

These are some B I G boys!

The small dogs need to be examined on a table.

This little poodle won Best in Show!

I was so tired out after my big day I went to sleep without even eating my dinner. The Alphas lovingly slipped a pillow under my head so I would have the sweetest dreams.

And, I did.