YOU ’ VE SHOWN OTHER BREEDS , BUT YOU ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PEKINGESE . WHY THIS BREED , AND WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN IT ?
I met the Pekingese when I was 14 years old and desperate to work with dogs because my parents wouldn ’ t allow me to have one . I would have worked with any breed , but I found someone close to where I was growing up in Wilmington , Delaware , and she was raising and showing Pekingese . I wrote to her and asked if she needed any help after school or on weekends , and before I knew it , I was being picked up after school in a station wagon and being taken to work and to dog shows . I hit it off with the dogs . They liked me and I liked them , and they have been my passion ever since .
CAN YOU SHARE ANY FUN FACTS ABOUT WASABI ?
He is the perfect dog to have had this Best in Show happen to him because he is so gregarious and a good little ambassador for the breed . Pekes can be a little on the snooty side , and he exhibits that in the ring , but outside the ring , Wasabi has a friendly nature and loves everything and everyone . He ’ s a good old boy .
WHAT WAS THE MEDIA TOUR LIKE THE DAY AFTER YOU WON BEST IN SHOW ?
It was really different this time . Most studios weren ’ t really open for business , and we were sometimes in a studio looking at a camera doing morning shows around the country . It wasn ’ t as grueling , and I missed meeting people , but it was still fun . We did , however , visit the Empire State Building !
He is the perfect dog to have had this Best in Show happen to him because he is so gregarious and a good little ambassador for the breed .
CHRISTINA FRAUSINI
– David Fitzpatrick
WESTMINSTER There ’ s only one ® 55