PICK OF THE LITTER FEBRUARY 2012

The American Kennel Club’s Pick of the Litter is a monthly podcast that covers canine pop culture, its people, and news you can use.

Join us to hear from dog owners, handlers, trainers, lovers—and their dogs—at home and in the field, at shows, and anywhere that four legs are as good as two.  From canine heroes to celebrated artists, listen in on the wide world of dogs.

On this edition of Pick of the Litter, we meet an Angel on a Leash, welcome a Coonhound to the AKC, find Fido in fine art, and talk to talented juniors.  Plus, could there be a canine Oscar winner?

David Frei is known to millions of television viewers as the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, but in private life Frei has another important role—therapy dog volunteer.  We talk to Frei about his charity, Angel on a Leash (http://www.angelonaleash.org/)  his dogs Angel and Grace, and the book inspired by their work together, Angel on a Leash: Therapy Dogs and the Lives They Touch.

We also accompany Frei and his wife Cherilyn as they visit with children at the Ronald McDonald House, in New York City.  The facility provides accommodation for families of children undergoing cancer tests and treatments at hospitals in the New York area.

This year the American Kennel Club admitted the Treeing Walker Coonhound to its registry.  We hear about this vocal, but kindly, breed, from owner/handler Nancy Winton. 

The 136^th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show comes to New York on February 13^th and 14^th.  Among the related events and festivities is the AKC-hosted annual Barkfest at Bonhams Charity Brunch, which benefits the AKC Humane Fund.  Alan Fausel, the Vice President of Bonham’s Fine Arts Department, comments on the paintings and drawings that will be offered at the “Dogs in Show and Field” Fine Art Sale, on February 15^th.

At the AKC/Eukanuba Championship in Orlando, Florida, this past December, junior competitions were held in agility, obedience, and showmanship.   Two talented juniors, Anneka Dahle and K.T. Spencer, talk to Pick of the Litter host Lisa Peterson about their experiences. 

Last on this show—forget George Clooney.  Dog lovers are rooting for Uggie, a Jack Russell terrier who co-stars in The Artist, to pick up an Oscar Award—in his teeth maybe.