It's easy to get caught up in the Westminster dog show, the annual highlight in New York for the Westminster Kennel Club.
The dogs all look amazing -- who wouldn't after a day at the spa and hairdresser? During the telecasts it's fun to learn about each breed's origins -- and to speculate on the personalities of the contenders in each class.
But let's not forget the dogs that don't quite make it to Madison Square Garden, those that lack the exact standards set up for each breed, or that (dare we say it?) are mutts. My family's standard poodle, Poppy, was purchased from a breeder who said the dog was a "bad black," meaning she lacked the deep color of a champ. Still, Poppy was a great dog (she died a couple of years ago), and as a pet, I'd put her up against any of the Westminster entries. Plus, as you can see, she could read!