"Swagger" Is His Name

He’s the Old English Sheep Dog who won the runner-up ribbon for Best-In-Show last night at the 2013 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden. 

I watched the show and it was clear Swagger was an audience favorite.  He was graceful and sprightly. That beautiful mostly white and some grey, fluffy-haired- from-nose-to-toe dog was highly favored by me too but my mind said, “He will never win.   He’s too big.” I’m thinking it’s the little ones or the slim ones who are singled out for meaningful attention.  Such is life.  

Happily, I was wrong.  You see, as they do in beauty contests, the runner-up winner was named first.  What a wonderful surprise for me when the judge selected Swagger for that honor.  (Congratulations to the Affenpinscher, a very small dog named Banana Joe who won the first place ribbon for Best-in-Show.)

Then this morning I’m noticing the little cuties Swagger beat out for his second place ribbon, were all over the Internet and TV shows getting oodles of face time.   While, Swagger, the adorable, huggable Old English Sheep Dog, a youngster, not yet even two years old, wasn’t mentioned.   Well I've since read he weighs 90 pounds.  Is that why I didn’t see him while the Bichon Frise, and various Terrier breeds were oohed and awed over?  Of course, they’re small and small is in.

Something to write about?    Probably not but it is the day before Valentine’s Day and being other than a small cutie myself, I’m relating to a lovable though ample winner.

Swagger, here’s a congratulatory hug from me.  Big is beautiful and oh so huggable.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.