By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – Michelle Erickson and Erica Dunlavey are looking forward to coming competitions after their experience at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
As previously reported, the area dog showers went out to Tarrytown New York for the nation’s biggest dog handling show on June 12-13. While the owner’s and their show dog, Remi, came up short of the main event there was still plenty of joy found in their trip.
Dunlavey is the primary handler for Remi and she says it was certainly an enjoyable experience to be out there. “Exciting and very nerve racking,” was how she described being on the big stage. She says everyone had “a lot of fun” and being there was “amazing.”
She says getting the experience was a huge plus for her and Remi. Dunlavey did participate in the 2003 Westminster with a different dog and at Madison Square Garden in New York City. “It was a better experience I think this time.”
Michelle Erickson says that the two days of traveling there and back were unenjoyable but being in Tarrytown was a worthwhile experience. “Once you get out there in Tarrytown, it was absolutely beautiful.” Those competing did get an opportunity to see the site ahead of competing as well as do some tourist activities.
“I’ve never seen a place more beautiful,” says Erickson. She says there is “a lot to see” in Tarrytown. The people were also very friendly and the place felt safe and clean the whole time they were out there.
Like Dunlavey, Erickson also went to Westminster in 2003 but the venue and experiences in Tarrytown was definitely better. Erickson says “I would go back in a heartbeat.” She referred to this year’s site being the most “class act” that she has ever seen at Westminster.
The actually competition was held in a tent that Erickson describes as “so first class” and “magical.” It felt much more “intimate” to the owner who enjoyed the lighting of the tent and the natural grass underfoot for the contest.
Remi, a Sealyham Terrier, was among the top of his breed which earned him and Dunlavey and invite to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. They competed among their breed but fell short of taking the top spot and moving on.
Since return home Remi has been staying busy in more local shows. He competed in the Fort Dodge Kennel Club Show on June 19 and took a group three in the regular as well as a group three in the owner-handler with Dunlavey. They will also compete in the Waterloo Kennel Club Dog Show in Waverly on June 26.
Remi, who is just three years old, is young but has a promising career according to his owners. They will be looking to get invited to the National Dog Show in Orlando, Florida.
The goal is to keep competing and keep themselves in the groups as a terrier and an owner handler.