Latest news with #Borzoi
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Double-duty dogs at Westminster Dog Show aid victims of LA fires, war
By Natalie Armstrong NEW YORK (Reuters) - Straight from the dog-show circuit at the 149th Westminster Dog Show in New York City, a four-year-old Borzoi named Ziggy is heading to Los Angeles to offer comfort to those displaced after the recent California wildfires and to emergency response workers who battled them. Ziggy, who has been a therapy dog for two years, won a merit award for her breed this week at the show put on by the American Kennel Club (AKC). See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Her owner and handler, Randi Chylinski, who splits her time between Grosse Point east of Detroit and Los Angeles, says she and Ziggy will at first start work with the Red Cross and through Therapy Dogs International. "She has a pretty clear understanding of the on-and-off switch for both jobs. And she enjoys both of them, so as long as she's having a good time, I'm happy," said Chylinski. Ziggy's therapy work has mostly been in Detroit, connecting with people of all ages, but especially plan to support people in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Altadena. Now contained, the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena killed 29 people and destroyed over 16,000 structures. "I'm really looking forward to her connecting with all of those families, and people who just need reassurance during this time," Chylinski said. "It's really such a great thing to see her connecting with people who really need her the most." The Sunset fire, which briefly broke out in early January at Runyon Canyon, a popular hiking trail that's close to Hollywood Boulevard, was about three miles (4.8 km) away from Chylinski's apartment. Another show dog is also doing double duty on the job front, apart from being a pet like all the dogs at Westminster. Prosper, a Biewer Terrier brought to the United States soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, walked Westminster's "green carpet" this week. He had been living in the Ukrainian breeder's basement when bombs were going off and the breeder was desperate to get him and other dogs out of the country. When he is not show-dogging, he and his teammate from Russia, Peadora, model in elaborate outfits to raise money for animal rescue groups. "This is their other job, and I take this very seriously whether they're in the AKC ring or they're in the pet fashion ring, I'm able to talk about animals," said Amy Cox, of Dallas, Texas. "I'm able to talk about show dogs and I'm able to talk about rescue dogs who do not have the luxury of having moms and dads and handlers and professionals take care of them."
Reuters
12-02-2025
- General
- Reuters
Double-duty dogs at Westminster Dog Show aid victims of LA fires, war
Summary Ziggy, a therapy dog, aids California wildfire victims Ziggy's owner collaborates with Red Cross, Therapy Dogs International Prosper, a Biewer Terrier, models for animal rescue funds NEW YORK, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Straight from the dog-show circuit at the 149th Westminster Dog Show in New York City, a four-year-old Borzoi named Ziggy is heading to Los Angeles to offer comfort to those displaced after the recent California wildfires and to emergency response workers who battled them. Ziggy, who has been a therapy dog for two years, won a merit award for her breed this week at the show put on by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Her owner and handler, Randi Chylinski, who splits her time between Grosse Point east of Detroit and Los Angeles, says she and Ziggy will at first start work with the Red Cross and through Therapy Dogs International. "She has a pretty clear understanding of the on-and-off switch for both jobs, opens new tab. And she enjoys both of them, so as long as she's having a good time, I'm happy," said Chylinski. Ziggy's therapy work has mostly been in Detroit, connecting with people of all ages, but especially children. They plan to support people in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Altadena. Now contained, the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena killed 29 people and destroyed over 16,000 structures. "I'm really looking forward to her connecting with all of those families, and people who just need reassurance during this time," Chylinski said. "It's really such a great thing to see her connecting with people who really need her the most." The Sunset fire, which briefly broke out in early January at Runyon Canyon, a popular hiking trail that's close to Hollywood Boulevard, was about three miles (4.8 km) away from Chylinski's apartment. Another show dog is also doing double duty on the job front, apart from being a pet like all the dogs at Westminster. Prosper, a Biewer Terrier brought to the United States soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, walked Westminster's "green carpet" this week. He had been living in the Ukrainian breeder's basement when bombs were going off and the breeder was desperate to get him and other dogs out of the country. When he is not show-dogging, he and his teammate from Russia, Peadora, model in elaborate outfits to raise money for animal rescue groups. "This is their other job, and I take this very seriously whether they're in the AKC ring or they're in the pet fashion ring, I'm able to talk about animals," said Amy Cox, of Dallas, Texas. "I'm able to talk about show dogs and I'm able to talk about rescue dogs who do not have the luxury of having moms and dads and handlers and professionals take care of them."
New York Times
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Behind the Scenes at the Westminster Dog Show
Things are finally back to normal for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Or, at least as normal as can be expected for an event that features more than 2,500 dogs flooding into Midtown Manhattan to compete for the coveted title of best in show. Traditionally a winter event held at Madison Square Garden — since before the venue even had that name — Westminster was thoroughly disrupted by the pandemic. For two years it moved out of New York City entirely, with the event being held at Lyndhurst, an estate in suburban Tarrytown. And for the last two years it took up residence at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. It was also moved to warmer months in hopes of limiting the spread of Covid. But for the 149th edition of the event, which began on Saturday with a series of contests testing some dogs' agility and obedience, the show is back to February and back to Midtown. The initial stages of breed and group judging are being held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and the main event — best in show — is slated for Tuesday night at the Garden. Getting ready for the show involves a great deal of work, from humans and dogs alike. The wide variety of dogs necessitates a wide variety of seating solutions. Nun, a Borzoi, grabbed a nice large platform for a break with her handler and owner, Kelley Davis, while Tova, a Shih Tzu, just needed a portion of Judy Harding's lap. Before the dogs go under the microscope of judging they are poked and prodded and vacuumed and inspected. The dogs competing at Westminster all have extremely formal names, which indicate their pedigree and breeder's name, but they also have nicknames that are often much more fun. Consider: Elvis Presley the cocker spaniel and Falkor the Brussels griffon. Only the most devoted dog fans make their way to the early stages of Westminster, which means dog-related accessories and clothing are extremely common.
