Over the next few days I’ll post a series of puppy images from the Lehigh Valley Kennel Club show last month.  I must say, there were a LOT of adorable puppies at this show and plenty of oooohing and ahhhhhing from the crowd.  It was obvious that some of the puppies were more, well let’s just say ‘experienced’ in the ring.   This was the first time I’d seen a Best in Show for the puppy class and it was too cute for words!  Before long these pups will be pros at showing in the ring, but for now, it was great fun to watch some of their first awkward steps!    

Where does your dog or cat like to be petted or scratched the most?  My cat Tara loves to be scratched under her chin…just like this Pointer!  She’s not very fond of anyone touching her belly or her paws, though.  Sebastian, on the other hand, loves to have his belly rubbed and a good paw massage makes him very happy!   Be sure and spend some good quality time every day with your pet….they will love you for it!

Phooey on the Super Bowl.  Everyone knows that the #1 show to watch today is Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl with the Kitty halftime show.  In honor of the adorable starting lineup in the Puppy Bowl, here’s a Papillon puppy that would be a perfect addition to the team.  This little one hasn’t yet sprouted the super long butterfly ears of an adult Papillon, but they’ll come soon enough.  In the meantime, those eyes will melt your heart! 

Here’s a breed that doesn’t have to worry about finding ways to keep warm…the Newfoundland.  When I met this big guy, it was a freezing cold day and he was very content to lay down on the ground, all the while his thick fur protecting him from the cold.  Because of their heavy coat, Newfies prefer colder climates and don’t do well in the heat.  They are fond of water, are sloppy drinkers, and love to swim.  It would be so nice to have a Newfie to curl up with on the couch during these cold winter nights. 

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is coming up on February 14-15 at Madison Square Garden in NYC.  Here’s another dog to keep an eye on during the competition…..GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins, call name “Roy” – a Bearded Collie who just won Best in Show at the Sand & Sea Kennel Club Show in Wildwood, NJ yesterday.  Since I’ve been keeping up with the ‘hot dogs’ in the country by reading various journals and websites, I realized that I’ve photographed some of these dogs at the shows I attended in 2010.  To learn more about what’s coming up at Westminster, visit their website at:  http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/    Which breed would you like to see win Best in Show?  My vote is for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen named “Cupid”.