by Andrew Kole
All the dogs’ ears perked up. This was it, the moment of reckoning. All the years of training, primping and marching around rings was go- ing to finally pay off for one of them. The other six would still have their Best in Group ribbon, but only one would be Best in Show.
Cole Shuttleworth turned to Tricia, the stern, pinch-lipped woman he paid to handle Lady Maya in the dog shows, “Crush the competition.” And with that, he headed out to the arena to shake the hands of his many admirers.
Spencer took the opportunity to admire Lady Maya and lovingly scratch her chin. Then he whispered to her, “Don’t worry about winning. Just have fun.”
Lady Maya licked his cheek fondly and replied in dog, “Spencer, I’m going to win... And then you and your dad won’t fight. You’ll both be happy.”
Tricia pushed Spencer out of the way, “You’re distracting the dog. Go to your seat.”
Spencer decided not to argue. He patted Lady Maya’s head one more time then walked out to watch the show. She watched him go, eyes full of love.
Lady Maya and Tricia lined up with the other six Best in Group winners, each a perfect specimen of their breed.
Standing right in front of Lady Maya was Little Winifred of Tipperary, a light grey Irish Wolfhound, Champion of the Hound Group. Wolfhounds were the tallest of all dog breeds, and often compared in size to a small pony. Historically, the breed possessed the speed to catch a wolf and the strength to hold its own in a fight, but sweet, naive Winnie had never been in a fight of any kind in her entire life.
Winnie grinned cheerfully at Lady Maya, “This is so exciting! I’m so excited! Are you excited?”
Winnie’s enthusiasm was infectious. Lady Maya smiled back at the friendly dog. “Yes. And a little nervous.”
Winnie nodded vigorously, she was nervous, too. “It’s because we’re going up against twice-in-a-row champion Major. They say he’s unbeat- able.” Winnie peered ahead to the front of the line where Major Ulysses of Maximus, a pompous, arrogant Airedale from Washing- ton, D.C., and the Terrier Group Champion, ignored everyone and everything around him.
Lady Maya looked at the Major’s back. “He’s not unbeatable,” she said, determined to knock him off his perch.
Winnie sighed, “Sorry. I stuck my big paw in it again, didn’t I?” Lady Maya reassured the big dog, “It’s okay. I really believe...” Lady Maya was cut off when Sandor Defender of Mankind, a Hungarian Puli and Champion of the Herding Group bumped into her rear end. Lady Maya turned her head to look at the offender.
Sandor was contrite, “My bad. Didn’t see you there.” Sandor was medium in size but looked bigger because of his very unique, long corded coat of tight curls that looked like dreadlocks.
Sandor shook his head in an effort to get his hair out of his eyes, but it was clearly a losing proposition. Seconds later, the hair flopped back down covering his eyes again.
Lady Maya knew he didn’t bump her on purpose. Not with that hair. “It’s alright. Maybe, just.... watch where you’re going?”
Sandor sighed, “I try. Really, I do try.”
Ahead of the dogs, the curtain parted. Lady Maya’s breath caught: It’s show time.
While Taylor had never been to a dog show of any type, yet alone the greatest of all dog shows, she loved man’s best friend and was glued to the television. Scrunched up next to her on the sofa, Bohdi. He didn’t understand why anyone would be interested in watching a bunch of spoiled dogs walk around a ring in circles. On the floor, off in a corner, Indy was half asleep, not interested at all. “What are you watching?” Amos asked as he entered the room.
“The Westminster Dog Show,” responded Taylor.
“Fancy dogs,” Amos said, slightly disgusted. Amos then glanced at the television and saw a commercial for Champion Dog Food, a major sponsor of the event.
“They’re still just dogs,” Taylor said.
“I guess...” Amos said reluctantly. “But, give me a working dog like Indy any day.”
Indy looked up, appreciative of Amos’ sentiment.
“They should have a dog show for mutts,” suggested Taylor. “Now that’s an excellent idea,” said Amos.
“I’m going to write Champion Dog Food and suggest they do just that,” Taylor said with pride.
“Don’t waste your time with them,” Amos said. “The owner, Cole Shuttleworth, is the guy who wants to buy our land, close down the shelter, and build condos.”
Taylor was more than just a little surprised although she knew someone was trying to buy their land, but didn’t know it was a dog food company.
“What would happen to the dogs?” Taylor asked.
“Don’t worry, kiddo. Nobody is buying this place on my watch.” Deciding to change the topic, he added “Do you want popcorn?”
“Yes, please,” Taylor said.
Bohdi smiled. He loved popcorn and Taylor knew it. She loved to toss it to him, one piece at a time, and watch him catch it in his mouth. Amos walked into the kitchen muttering to himself, “I hate that
Shuttleworth guy.”
The commercial ended and the show came back on. “Grand- pa... it’s on,” Taylor called out.
“Popcorn’s almost ready,” Amos said. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
****
On the television the competitors paraded onto the floor of the arena. The enthusiastic crowd cheered and applauded the dogs and their handlers, as the dogs were introduced one by one.
Lady Maya puffed her chest out proudly when the spotlight landed on her. She trotted gracefully around the ring with her handler and waited by her designated block. Once all the Group Champions were introduced, lights flooded the arena.
The head judge gave a signal and all the dogs were off, proudly strutting their stuff as they circled the large ring.
Sir Dandy Duke of High Wycombe, an English Bulldog, the Non-Sporting Group Champion, armed with an English accent, quickly fell behind. Duke’s short legs and wheezy breathing made it hard for him to keep up with the others.
Park Avenue Piper, a very confident apricot Toy Poodle groomed with a magnificent continental lion cut (meaning her face, throat, feet, and part of her tail were shaved, while the upper half of her front legs were also shaved leaving “fluffy pompoms” around the ankles) was now jogging almost side by side with Duke. “Is that as fast as you can go?... Come on, you need to move. You’re slowing everyone down.”
Duke looked over and snorted at her, “There are no prizes for speed here, little girl!” Their chat cost them as the judge frowned at both Duke and Piper for the interaction.
As for Lady Maya, she was laser-focused on her handler and the clicker in her hand. Lady Maya knew most people thought of Westminster as just a beauty pageant for dogs. But it was far more than that. It was about working hard for the people who loved you and doing what it took to be a champion.
When Sandor’s handler offered a treat to keep his attention on the task in front of him and Aldo lunged for it causing his handler to tug sharply on his leash, Lady Maya shook her head, thinking, “that is not the behavior of a champion.”
The dogs lined up so the judge could take a closer look at each of them. Westminster held the dogs to the highest physical standards. Lady Maya held the pose she’d learned in training. Her head was held high. Her fur glistened in the lights. She was a beautiful dog. But no golden retriever had ever won Best in Show, in over 140 years, since the first Westminster Dog show. Lady Maya was determined to be the first.
And then it was Lady Maya’s turn to do her individual run. She glanced up in the stands and caught sight of her pe
rson, Spencer, smiling down at her. That look filled her with happiness. Lady Maya seemed to float on air as she trotted around the show ring. Happiness and confidence radiated out of her.
Major frowned as he watched Lady Maya take her turn. He knew she was doing well. But he was determined to hang on to his title. No golden retriever could possibly beat him! To Major, they were the lowest common denominator of the canine world. They were mere pets. Not champions.
After Lady Maya returned to her place and her trainer Tricia gave her a rare word of praise, it was Major’s turn. His worries about Lady Maya made him a little tense and it showed. That little bit of fear he was holding onto came through in his trot. He was just a little awkward. But that was enough for the judges to name her, Lady Maya, Best in Show.
Spencer ran over to Lady Maya and threw his arms around her. “You did it, Maya. You’re the number one dog in the entire world!” In response, Lady Maya couldn’t stop licking Spencer’s face. She was ecstatic for herself and her person.
Grinning broadly, a very happy Cole Shuttleworth ran over to shake Tricia’s hand. But in no time, he reverted back to the oppor- tunistic businessman he was, and loud enough for everyone to hear, proclaimed, “This is a great day for Champion Dog Food.”
Hearing his father, Spencer grimaced. He couldn’t believe his father didn’t even care enough to give Lady Maya a pat on the head for doing so well. Shuttleworth spotted his son’s unhappy look, “Spencer, smile for the cameras!” Spencer plastered a hideous fake smile on his face. But his father didn’t even notice. He was far too busy taking advantage of the photo op.
Chapter 4
The Anniversary
It was spring again, which meant the sun and snow were at war. One kept trying to warm the mountains and get the crocuses to bloom while the other kept trying to bury the fresh blooms in piles of cold white wetness.
Inside the Hopton household, things were far gloomier than the cloudy skies. It was the one year anniversary of Marcy’s death. Amos, Taylor and Indy were feeling every bit of their loss all over again.
Amos loaded Taylor, Indy and Bohdi into his battered pick- up and they drove in silence out to the cemetery. All this grief made Bohdi uncomfortable. He saw it as further proof that not caring was the safer path. He was convinced that all love got you was a broken heart when the people you loved inevitably left you behind.
At the cemetery, Indy and Bohdi waited and watched as Taylor laid flowers on her mother’s grave. Watching the tears roll down Taylor’s face, Bohdi’s heart was touched, but he was absolutely unwilling to admit it.
“It’s nearly spring. I suppose you’ll be leaving us soon?” Indy asked. Bohdi hesitated, “I might wait ’til May when the weather’s a bit better.”
Indy saw how Bohdi couldn’t take his eyes off Taylor. “Right.
Wait for better weather. It’s the smart move.”
Indy walked over to Amos and laid his head gently on Amos’ leg. Amos reached down to pet the loyal dog as they comforted each other. Taylor started to walk back toward the truck. Bohdi followed her. He had the instinct to offer comfort, but wasn’t sure how to do it. Taylor caught sight of him and stopped walking. Bohdi looked up at her with his big golden brown eyes and Taylor scooped him up and buried her face in his fur. She wiped her eyes on the purple
bandana he still wore around his neck, but her tears kept coming.
Bohdi snuggled into the warmth of her arms. All he knew was that he never wanted to feel how Taylor was feeling right now.
Chapter 5
Westminster Comes to Aspen
It was Friday, the kick-off to Memorial Day Weekend. The bright sun glinted off the shiny metal of the Shuttleworth private jet as it soared over the mountains surrounding the Aspen airport. Inside the cockpit, Spencer sat in the co-pilot seat next to the pilot, Captain Rimes.
Captain Rimes took her hands off the controls, “Okay, you’ve got the stick, Spencer. Time to land this baby.”
Spencer’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Captain Rimes smiled at his enthusiasm, “There’s barely any wind today. It’s a good time for you to get some practice in.”
Excited, Spencer put his hands on the yoke. He loved to fly. It was one of the only times in his life he felt in control and really knew what he was doing. Captain Rimes had been giving him flying lessons for a couple of years now. He was counting down the days until he could get his pilot’s license and fly far, far away from his father.
The runway appeared before the plane. Captain Rimes said, “Spencer, landing gear and flaps down. Reduce your airspeed.”
Spencer took a deep, steadying breath and eased the yoke forward, nosing the plane down. Every time he landed he got a little nervous. Spencer knew landing was by far the most difficult and therefore the most dangerous part of flying.
Captain Rimes spoke reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Spencer, you’ve got this.”
Spencer nodded. He focused on the task at hand and brought the jet in for a nearly perfect landing. There was a little bounce on touchdown that he wanted to work on. Captain Rimes smiled at Spencer as he taxied to the hangar. “Great job. Your dad’s not going to need me much longer. He’ll have you to fly him around.
Spencer frowned at the idea, “I would rather shove hot needles under my fingernails than work for my father.”
Captain Rimes stifled a smile. “Copy that.”
Seven individual dog kennels were lined up in the climate- controlled cargo area. And in those seven kennels were Lady Maya and the other Best in Group winners from the recent Westminster Dog Show. Each of the dogs was decked out in their finest dog travel clothes. But even though they all looked adorable, Duke was the real fashion plate in the bunch. He wore a tweed vest, with matching hat and scarf. Duke loved his outfits and always wanted to look his best, even when he wasn’t in a dog show.
Cole Shuttleworth had flown Lady Maya and the other six dogs into Aspen to take part in a new national dog food ad campaign for his company. The dogs were there for a photo shoot as well as a major launch party for Shuttleworth’s newest line of dog food, Winner’s Circle.
Winnie wagged her tail happily. “Your plane is really nice, Lady Maya. I usually have to drive for days in a van with my people to get to my dog shows. It’s a nice van.”
Aldo agreed, “Yeah, I could sure get used to this.”
Major sneered, “This isn’t half the size of the private jet my people have. But what can you expect from new money?”
Before anyone could respond to the snobbish Major, the cargo door opened and a group of handlers hustled in to take the dogs to the Shuttleworth ranch.
Thirty minutes later, Shuttleworth’s black Range Rover headed down McClain Flats, a road lined with multi-million dollar ranches that faced the ski slopes on the other side of the valley in Snowmass. Cole Shuttleworth rode in the passenger seat while his driver navigated the luxury SUV.
Alone on the backseat, Spencer reached into the cargo area and awkwardly scratched Lady Maya’s chin through the wires of her crate. “Dad, there’s a lot of room back here. Why can’t Maya sit on the seat with me?” Spencer asked.
Shuttleworth replied, “Because she's a dog. Seats are for people. And, for the umpteenth time, her name is Lady Maya.”
Spencer frowned. He really loved Maya and wished his father would give in and let her be part of the family. But all Shuttleworth saw when he looked at the beautiful golden retriever were dollar signs.
Trailing the Range Rover was a cargo van carrying the oth- er Westminster dogs. Both vehicles made a left and drove under a huge sign that read, �
��Champion Ranch.” Then they followed a very long, winding driveway toward the main house.
In the cargo van, only Winnie, because she was so tall, could really see much out the small windows. Major was annoyed with everything. He didn't want to be there at all. Aldo was almost tall enough, but didn't care. Duke was content to rest his weary bones. Sandor was curious, but couldn’t get the hair out of his eyes long enough to see anything. And Piper bounced up and down, trying to catch a glimpse of the scenery, but with her short legs, it was of little use.
“What do you see?” asked Piper.
“It’s big…” Winnie said. “Really big.” “Is it nice?” Duke asked.
“It’s big,” Winnie repeated.
“I get that. What else?” Piper pressed on.
“Horses… I see horses,” Winnie said, getting excited.
“Probably common working ranch horses.” Major sneered. “My people have thoroughbreds at our estate in Southampton.”
“Of course they do, because you're you, and we're just us,” Piper said, sarcastically.
“Yes. I am.” Major replied with an air of superiority.
“I really like sheep. I wonder if they have sheep here. Do you see sheep?”
Sandor asked hopefully.
“Sheep, old chap?” Duke said as he thought to himself. “Of course, that's what your mates do for a living... herd sheep.”
“My two sisters are in the sheep herding business, but my brother is a policeman,” replied Sandor proudly.
Winnie pressed her head to the window giving the ranch a thor- ough inspection. “Let me see... Oh! There’s a sheep! Wait. No. That’s just a very big dog. Sorry.”
A huge mountain came into view. Winnie gaped at it. “Wow. I’ve never seen such a big mountain.”