King James!

No, not LeBron... This time we're talking about someone smaller and furrier--the ultimate champion of the 2007 Westminster Dog Show: CH Felicity's Diamond Jim, also known as James. Though a Parson Russell did not claim the crown, I was still tickled pink to be able to correctly identify this dog on sight during his morning turn on The Today Show.

James is an English Springer Spaniel--and a real sight to behold. When my Jackson was but a wee pup he spent some time hanging our with Cavalier King Charles named Roger, who changed my mind about the relative merits of Spaniels (prior to that I had no love for them, my Spaniel experience having mostly been limited to Cockers--ugh). Since then, I've found a real place in my heart for these guys--particularly the English Springer--so it's great to see James win.

Prime-time Doggies--Live!

Today marks the opening of the 131st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, taking place here in NYC at Madison Square Garden. This time last year, Jessica's company got us tickets to the event and we spent the early portion of the evening trawling around backstage, petting and oohing over dogs of all shapes and sizes. For my money (or non-money, as the case may have been) the doggy show ranks up there among some of the best events I've ever been to at the Garden, precisely because any ticket to the show grants you access to this backstage area--where, one year, Jessica saw a woman sleeping in a crate, curled up right next to her enormous dog.

We don't have tickets this year, so I, like most others, will be reduced to watching the championship on television. I've got my fingers crossed, as an owner of the breed, that the Parson Russell Terrier will take home the gold this year. It's a long-shot, but as lovers of Underbiscuit know, you can never count the little man out!!!