UNO FOREVER

If you were on your game this week, you would have known that one of the greatest events of this or any other generation was taking place at the home of such New York stalwarts as the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers and yes, some of the greatest boxing matches ever.

I'm talkin about Madison Square Garden. The Bear has been to the Garden on two occasions, once briefly during a tour to "sneak a peak" at an aging Elvis, before a packed stadium and in 1976 as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention! This place exudes history!

But once a year "the Gaden" is home to the most priceless, distinguished group of yuppies, I mean puppies in all of the US, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show which produces of course "The Best in Show!"

How I love these four legged cuties! I remember all my canines starting with "Yankee", later "Tickie", and more recently those two black beauties "Junior and Casey Bear", whose real names were "Junipero Serra" and "Casandra Barroness!" They weren't prize winners, just lovable, chummy, remarkable pals. I can remember when the Bear's football team would have a rough day, there was only one creature who understood the solace of the moment. In fact they were smarter than us in so many ways!

Yes, the Westmininster Kennel Club did it again this week. On Monday and Tuesday it was non stop viewing from 7-10 each night culminating in the "Best in Show" late in day two. What drama and what characters awaited your perusal! Bull Dogs, Labs, Police Dogs, Newfoundlands,
Pugs, Poodles, St. Bernards, hailing from Scotland, France, Great Britain, Asia, Belleville, IL, all over the universe!

The leading show dogs were paraded by a group of "dog lovers", fashioned in every size who proudly presented their mutts to the judge of the particular group being rated! And the judges, they ranged from elegant princes, with long dresses to the astute and dignified tux laden males and many of the later judges were on their last legs (in their 70's and 80's), just barely able to feel the many lines that make for that perfect animal, examine their teeth and send them on their way, with their masters racing them around the specified circular area designated for this major event.

The stadium was jammed as usual, even with a bad weather night, and they were cheering, clapping and roaring their approval of the special breeds being presented. Some could hardly make it around as their hair was daughntedly long, all the way to the Garden floor, which sometimes is an ice rink, when the Rangers are in town. While one or the other was presented the others sat in their boxes, almost spectators as well as participants.

And then he appeared! They always say: "You will know him when you see him!" Never had a Beagle won the top prize. Thats over a hundred years of shows! Never a Beagle. Never had those flappy, zappy ears and pristine noses found their way to the winner's circle. So many special dogs, Irish Setters, English hunting dogs, renowned animals from all over the universe but never never had a plain old beagle won it all!

As we approached the finals and seven dogs were inspected and trotted around the arena to the cheers, yes, one stood out. Hailing from Belleville, IL and now being trained in South Carolina, it was to be UNO, who would emerge as the "Best in Show." As he was led to the rostrum to be examined by the animal loving, kindly gentleman, who had been sequestered this evening, somewhere in Gotham, so he would not be influenced in his selections, a certain excitement illumnated this palace of sports, where Joe Louis KO'd Billy Conn and Frank Sinatra electrified his followers, But now the march of marches took place around the circle with the spotlight on an erect, tail straight, nose upward, ears of golden brown, "dog for all seasons!" There could be no doubt as 20,000 "dog lovers" went ballistic! What a moment in time!

Yes, you bet the old Bear came unglued and cheered lustily! But what was even better, UNO, once selected, let out with several "Arf Arfs" and danced madly, knowing he had copped the top prize.
"You had to feel so good!"

"The Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show:" Always the best dogon show of the year!