“We’re All Friends Here”

©Lisa Croft-Elliott

By Joan Harrigan

Day One of a new era for Westminster.  A fleet of shuttle buses have been engaged to transport spectators, exhibitors, handlers, and the media from the ”traditional” hotels– the Pennsylvania, New Yorker, and Affinia– to Piers 92 and 94 for the daytime judging.   After less snowfall over the weekend than predicted, it’s warm and raining as the 7:30 a.m. shuttle loads outside the Hotel Pennsylvania.  There’s plenty of staff to assist canines, humans, and equipment up a mercifully low step. Inside, it’s standing room only, but not uncomfortably crowded.  With fewer seats than a passenger bus, there’s lots of room for crates.

Up front, Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder-judge Barbara Sawyer-Brown sips her coffee and glimpses her dog, Dusty, who is calmly surveying the scenery from the rear of the bus.  GCh Tajamani Kwetu’s Rust Too will turn five in March and seems to be enjoying the ride.  ”He slept on my bed last night, and one of us had a restful night– you can guess who,” Sawyer-Brown says.  This is a privilege strictly reserved for shows– it’s not allowed at home. “I tell puppy buyers that a 20-pound teddy bear turns into a 90-pound bed hog,” she says with a laugh.

Sawyer-Brown has bred Ridgebacks since 1966 and is a veteran of many trips to the Garden.  “I always say that I’m not coming back– it’s not that easy when you use a wheelchair–but here I am,” she continues.  As the bus rounds a corner, her chair rolls forward toward junior handler Rachel Robertson of Hershey, PA and her crate.  Rachel and her mother, Rona, are quick to assist Sawyer-Brown, and Rona Robertson anchors the chair for the remainder of the trip, assuring  Sawyer-Brown ”we’re all friends here, aren’t we?”  Indeed, that’s the spirit on the bus– no one knows quite what to expect at the Piers, but dog people are all family and prepared to jump in to help one another when needed.

“Interesting things happen with this chair,” Sawyer-Brown laughs.  “One year, I was sitting outside the Pennsylvania with a cup of coffee, and a man came along and dropped a quarter in it.  I think he was annoyed that I didn’t thank him!  Perhaps if I had sat there all day, I could have paid for my hotel bill !”  Sawyer-Brown is quick to praise New Yorkers for their friendliness and willingness to help. “Chicagoans are great, but New Yorkers are the best!” she says.

Twenty minutes later, the bus stops at Pier 92 and a long, covered walkway funnels everyone into the Piers.  The day is beginning–it’s full of promise–and new friends say good-bye and wish each other luck.  They may not meet again, but they’ll all remember their inaugural Garden bus trip and the friendliness and willingness to help a fellow dog fancier that are part of the Garden’s tradition.

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Posted by JoanHarrigan on Feb 11 2013. Filed under Featured, The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.