Whippet good: Kingston, Ont. dog and owner compete in Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Only the best can walk the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show stage, and one Kingston dog and owner have done just that.
Elisa Holland says the moment was surreal.
‘Honestly, the moment I walked into the ring, it was a lifetime dream come true and I was all smiles,” says Holland.
Holland and her dog Daisy, an 18-month-old whippet, travelled to New York on Monday to show off her skills by competing in the Westminster Dog Show.
“I just kept looking at her and saying, ‘We’re a team no matter where we place. If we don’t get any ribbons, we’re a team’, which is the teamwork you need in a dog,” says Holland.
It’s one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world. Dogs of all breeds compete, and only the top 3,000 dogs in the world are invited each year.
To qualify, Holland says Daisy won competitions in the United States over the last year, and then won a place in a lottery pick.
On Monday, Daisy walked in the ‘Best of Breed’ in the whippet category against 27 other dogs. Holland says judges look for things like size, features, and personality.
That is something Daisy showed up with.
‘She tried to give the judge a kiss, which I said was fine,” she laughs.
It’s been an 11-year journey to get here for Holland, who learned how to train dogs in her own time in between a career in the military and schooling, originally starting with Daisy's mom.
She says it’s important to follow a dream
“You don’t have to be from elite or have to be in the dog show world, you can just take your pet, train hard,” she says. “You can always achieve it.”
And while Daisy did not take home ‘Best in Show’ this year, her road to Westminster is not done yet.
“We’re only just starting, and she’s only going to get better with age. And I’m hoping I’m only going to get better with age,” Holland laughs. “But she definitely will.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.