Best in Show!

Somehow it seems I have reached my extremely advanced age without ever attending a dog show! So, when our friend Penny was being shown near Seattle, Otto and I jumped at the chance to attend.

BEST. THING. EVER. 

Truly. And words are hard to describe it. If you have ever seen the movie Best In Show,  it does not exaggerate! All the dogs (and bitches, dogs are only male) are primped, fluffed and posed. The people showing the dog wear lots of pastel polyester (green was very popular). The male judges have orange skin, puffed died hair and pinky rings. Everywhere I turned there was a photo op more exciting than the next!  I apologize for the huge number of pictures. But let me just promise  you that even with all these pictures you're still missing some key highlights!

Showing off his/her hairdo.

Stay!

I wasn't sure how these dogs could see with their fur carefully cut and combed over their eyes, but it seemed to be a thing.

I'm not so sure these are canine.

 

 I thought these were some of the more self respecting poodles (you'll see that less self respecting poodles below). But, in truth, I think they were non self respecting Portuguese Water dogs - who I didn't recognize because they usually look much less poofed.  Note the polyester costume.

There are no words.

In case you missed the full impact above. 

To show a german shepherd it seems you have to wear lime green polyester.  The shepherds were beautiful, but their hind legs were just damaged looking. 

 Otto and Penny!!!!  Otto was the one and only mutt in the place. Someone asked me what breed he was? Why, an exclusive Von Beacon, of course! Nicola's boots (upper) and my shoe (lower) were much too styly for the event.
 

Hair!

Hi!

 This dog's hair was poofed, fluffed, teased, and combed. Then I guess it wasn't working so when I last tuned it in was being wrapped in plastic lavender, in preparation to be repoofed, reteased and recombed.
  

Hi!

I'm so sad that this picture doesn't do justice of the headwear of this Afghan and the booties too.

But, let's not cry over spilt milk, it's time for the poodles.

 This entire blog could (and perhaps should) be poodle pictures.

And there may be no ......

words......

necessary. (Except to mention that yes, that is hairspray.)

They come in black too!

Sequins were big!

This dog was beautiful. I think it's a Tibetan Mastiff. His owner, inappropriately clad in blue jeans, wasn't very forthcoming.

Okay, we're almost done here. I notice as I'm looking at these pictures, that they don't really do justice to the true insanity of the event. Sigh. Well, I want to end with a few pictures of the main event, Penny!  She won a blue ribbon for bitches in the Staffordshire Bull Terrior category. Even, it seems, with an inappropriately arched back!

 Thank god Nicola wasn't showing Penny, she doesn't own enough polyester!

       Strike a pose.

And finally, this isn't from the show but I wanted you to see her true beauty!  Congrats Queen Bitch!