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By BEN WALKER
AP Sports Writer
February 12, 2002, 7:20 AM EST
NEW YORK -- Preparing to walk
on to the green carpet for the Westminster dog show, Pete Davis could
barely keep from shedding a tear.
"It's very emotional," the New York police officer
said Monday night. "We're very appreciative of the
recognition."
On a day when the favored Kerry blue terrier got a nice
cheer, the K-9 heroes drew the biggest ovation at Madison Square Garden,
the kind usually reserved for star athletes.
Often called a beauty pageant for canines, America's
most prestigious dog show broke tradition and paid tribute to 20 German
shepherds and retrievers that normally would not make it to the
event.
The search and rescue dogs were honored for their tireless
work at the World Trade Center and Pentagon following Sept. 11.
"We were pretty nervous," admitted Lt. Daniel
Donadio, head of the New York Po lice Department's canine unit. "We'd
rather face gunmen than the crowd."
There was no need to worry.
The 10,000 spectators stood and cheered throughout the
15-minute ceremony in the center ring, which included actress Glenn Close
singing "God Bless America."
The dogs -- with their handlers -- who had come from all over
the country were introduced one by one.
As they walked out, public-address announcer Michael LaFave
detailed their efforts in New York and Washington, along with places such
as Nairobi. Officer Bobby Schnelle came with Atlas, the first canine on
the scene at the World Trade Center disaster.
Davis brought Appollo, who was singled out last year for the
American Kennel Club's Ace award for law enforcement.
Appollo was supposed to be honored on Sept. 11. Instead, he
was called to duty and became engulfed in flames while walking on debris
after the towers collapsed. The shepherd, nearly 10 years old, survived
and kept working throughout the day.
Officer Suzanne McCrosson had to watch from a backstage
aisle. Even though her German shepherd, Charlie, worked at the World Trade
Center that day, McCrosson is now seven months pregnant and assigned to
desk duty.
McCrosson said she watched a replay of last year's
Westminster show with Charlie during the weekend. Asked whether she
thought her 3-year-old canine could win best-in-show, she was
emphatic.
"Yes, he would! He's so handsome!" she said.
Near the end of the tribute, the USA Network, the Pedigree
company and Westminster presented a check for $275,000 to Mike Tuttle, the
president of National Association for Search and Rescue.
A Kerry blue named Mick also enjoyed a big day.
The 51/2-year-old terrier, born in England and now the No.
1-ranked show dog in America, needed only nine minutes to win the
best-of-breed ribbon.
Hours later, the dog with the blue-silver coat and black
beard breezed to win best-of-group.
The big prize, the best-in-show trophy, was to be a warded
Tuesday night.
"There's always apprehension," Mick's
handler-agent, Bill McFadden, said after the morning victory. "The
dog can perform badly or the judge can perform badly."
"This is like 'Survivor.' If you get to this point, it
gets easier. The ring gets bigger," he said.
Mick, known officially as Torum's Scarf Michael, was never in
any danger. During the 2001 season, he won the terrier group in 137 of the
138 shows he entered, and was picked as top dog 87 times.
Among the other contenders will be a 61/2-year-old
standard schnauzer named Charisma Jailhouse Rock.
The dog commonly called Rocky won the working group
Monday night for the second straight year. He and Mick were the only dogs
to repeat as best-of-group winners.
An affenpinscher named Yarrow's Super Nova won the toy
group and a miniature poodle named Surrey Spice Girl won the non-sporting
group.
Three more group winners will be picked Tuesday night,
leaving seven contestants for best-in-show.
There were more than 2,500 dogs -- all champions
-- entered and they represented the 159 breeds and varieties recognized by
the AKC. While only one St. Bernard showed up, 41 Irish setters were
entered.
No one left the Garden feeling any better than
Donadio.
"I'm very proud of my people and my
dogs," he said.
Copyright (c) 2002, The Associated Press
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