Start dancin', Snoopy. You're out of the Westminster doghouse.
At long last, a beagle is America's top dog. Baying and barking to his heart's delight, Uno lived up every bit to his name Tuesday night, becoming the first of his breed to win best in show at the nation's biggest canine competition.
"He's a people's dog, a merry little hound," handler Aaron Wilkerson said.
A sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden that called and chanted Uno's name stood and roared when he was picked as numero uno. He got right into the act, jumping on Wilkerson and confirming his other title: noisiest in show.
The only breed consistently among the nation's most popular dogs for nearly 100 years, a beagle had never won in the 100 times the Westminster Kennel Club had chosen a winner. That changed when judge J. Donald Jones pointed to this nearly 3-year-old package of personality.
No longer an underdog, Uno beat out two neatly primped poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, a lively Australian shepherd and a sprightly Akita.
Precocious as he was precious, Uno celebrated by chewing on the microphones of reporters who tried to interview his winning crew. Those had to suffice for the yellow, soft duck that's his favorite toy.
His tri-colored image drew a nationwide following that could prompt a spike in beagle adoptions. More than 169 breeds and varieties were represented at the 132nd Westminster show, and the event brought 2,627 entries.
In his case it's also a necessity since he has absolutely no belly fur or fur on the insides of his thighs and only a bare smattering on the front of his chest. It's pretty typical of short haired chihuahuas. He shakes from cold if I don't dress him in the winter. Also, he likes getting dressed. If I pick up his jacket or a sweater he will run around me in a circle all excited then he will get right up on the bed and sit with a paw up and ready for the sleeve.
Now if I could just find a way to wear live bees as jewelry all the time.....