By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

You are ready, right by the door, all set, wagging your tail, but I’m so sorry, this time you can’t go! I’m sure your whole family is planning to go into New York City to “Meet the Breeds” and if you are very good about staying home, they’ll bring you some super treats or toys. Another thing they’ll bring home is a lot of information about fun things to do with you to make you a happier, healthier dog. Hey! They might even be looking for the right canine pal for you! So, get ready, set — and let them go!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

This huge event called Meet the Breeds will be at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City on October 16 and 17. It is a repeat of last year’s successful venture, hosted by the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fancier’s Association, and sponsored by Pet Partners, a leader in pet health care. There will again be 160 breeds of dogs and 41 cat breeds for people to meet and greet. Each individual breed has its own space, decorated to show that dog’s particular origins and unique characteristics, staffed by people who are knowledgeable in the breed ready to answer your questions while you meet, pet, and get acquainted with their puppies and dogs.

That’s only part of it! This is not a “dog show” where each dog trots around the ring under the eye of a judge. At this event on each day there will be demonstrations of activities involving different breeds, to show what our dogs were bred to do for us, as well as what they can be trained to do. For example, the law enforcement K-9s and K-9 Search and Rescue dogs will show how they tackle their serious business. There will be grooming demonstrations, and of course explanations of obedience, agility — and yes, you can get to see how those Canine Good Citizen tests are done!

All of these are interesting and fun to watch. Some are downright amazing, and could definitely give the kids some ideas of different things they could do with their own dog. There will also be plenty of vendors to educate you on their products and also to be sure you take something special home to your dog —– and cat. Remember Rufus, who is waiting patiently by the door for his “good dog” gift.

Perhaps you are a wannabe new dog owner. If so, this is a great place to begin your search — or even to finalize it. There will no doubt be a large number of dogs among those 160 breeds that you’ve never seen, met, or even heard of. But if you’re open to being won over, there is bound to be one special dog that will wag its tail, look you in the eye and make you say, “Yes, that’s the one for me!” Great! Now you can talk in-depth with the breed experts in the booth to get all the information you need to be sure you and that particular breed will be a good match.

Man has been fascinated by, and involved with, dogs pretty much since the beginning of time, and treated them with great respect as we know from their place of honor in bygone religions. Even today, we associate our kings, queens, and political leaders with their dogs. Books on the specific breeds of dogs and how they worked for mankind go back to the start of publication. Today almost every one of those 160 breeds has its own library of books describing the breed’s history, unique traits, temperament, and personality. Currently, we have a long list of books about dogs, both fiction and nonfiction, breed-specific or not, that are popular best-sellers. No matter how, when, or where a dog comes into our life, it invariably leaves a lasting impression.

For full information about this super upcoming event, including how to purchase tickets online at a discount, go to www.meetthebreeds.com.

Until next time — GO TO THE DOGS! — October 16 and 17

—Bardi