Pet Tracks
with Jan Jaeger

IT'S A DOG'S WORLD

Different people have different vacation goals; shopping, sightseeing and physical activities probably top the list. I like to do some of all of those things, but what I really like is to be in a spot where there is some leisure time to work a puzzle. I love puzzles. At home, though, in my real life, I can't allow myself this indulgence, because I would never get anything else done. I have no discipline; I sit down to put in a few pieces and the next thing I know two hours have passed. This is why I have to wait to indulge my enthusiasm for this pasttime.

Right now I'm working on a puzzle called Dogs of the World. What seems like hundreds of dogs are artistically arranged in the center of the puzzle, along with their breed names and country of origin written in tiny italic script. Along the outside borders, featured breeds pose in framed boxes. Interestingly, the first one I completed, after collecting all the edge pieces and the four corners, was my personal favorite, the Chesapeake Bay retriever. This Chessie stood majestically in front of an American flag, which made all those small brown pieces stand out from the other 987 by incorporating distinctive red, white and blue bits of color.

Reacquainting myself with all the breeds serves another purpose. It gets me primed for the big week for the dogs coming up this next week. On Monday and Tuesday, February 12 and 13, the 131st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be held at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Telecast live on the USA network, the event airs at 8:00pm and lasts three hours.

The first night, the best from the Group wins, which have been determined during the day, will start the competition. The order the Groups compete never varies. Traditionally, Working, Terrier, Toy and Non-Sporting Groups compete on Monday. Tuesday starts off with Sporting, Hound, Herding and ends with the winners from these groups all competing for the Best in Show.

For the first time in its lengthy history, this year odds have been placed on the outcome of this show and posted in the sports book in Las Vegas. James, the English springer spaniel who took top honors at the December AKC/Eukanuba show just two months ago, is favored to win at 25-1. Odds on a dog winning from the Terrier Group are listed at 2- 1, not such a stretch since this Group is hands down the best winning Group ever with 45 wins out of the 130 previous years. Males, referred to as dogs, are picked to win over females, referred to as bitches, again not a revelation since they win almost twice as often, but also a male handler is expected to prevail over his female counterpart.

Taking a cue from the up-and-coming AKC/Eukanuba shows of last year, and the proactive websites of Animal Planet and Discovery channels, their participating television networks, this year the Westminster-televising USA channel has jazzed up offerings on its website, www.usanetwork. com. Click on the Westminster photo to access all the show information.

Think you know your breeds? Then visit "Doggy Fun" on the Westminster site and take their trivia quiz, offered in both a beginner and advanced skill level. Another fun quiz determines which breed you resemble. By answering several questions in a variety of categories from the kind of house you prefer to what you like to do on vacation, the quiz wizard will tell you your breed. Just so you know, I'm a Golden Retriever. You can also print out a show scorecard listing all 165 breeds to help in following the action each of the two nights.

From the list of the top 25 dog movies on their website, you can get inspired to rent a favorite to watch from classics such as "Lady and the Tramp," "101 Dalmations," "Benji" or "Dr. Doolittle" to more recent successes such as the satirical "Best in Show," one of my favorites, "As Good As It Gets," or the popular "Snow Dogs."

Monday and Tuesday should offer exciting entertainment and I hope you get to see this show. Then, if you want to have something truly unique and fun to do on Wednesday night, which is Valentine's Day, come on down to the Rose and Crown for a very special party that will start at 7 p.m. The MSPCAAdoption Center will host a '50sstyle Sock Hop to benefit homeless animals. With a DJ, games, raffles, food and drink, come in your best '50s outfit (or not!) - and socks - for dancing and a great evening. The $25.00 tickets are available at Geronimo's and the MSPCA and all proceeds will support the Adoption Center and

Shelter programs. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop and is a member of Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America (DWAA and CWA).. Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower Bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com.