Pooch parties lead off dog show

NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Monday's opening of the 128th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden followed a flurry of private dog-fan parties.

The New York Times said pre-show parties are a fixture of the annual, nationally televised, two-day New York show that involves dog lovers from around the world.

Dr Iris Love's annual "Tavern On the Green" bash for dachshunds -- her own pets -- show dogs and dogs in general, is the crème de la crème, held each Sunday, prior to the show.

Sex therapist Janet York held her party Thursday to avoid a clash, following a week directing walkers, washers, breeders and administrators in preparing her Upper East Side penthouse for the event.

Then she left for Middletown, N.Y., for a training session with her Cavalier King Charles spaniels and their breeder from the Netherlands.

Other parties were less elaborate.

But as one owner, Laura Shein, told the Times, "If you love dogs, you're a nice person. If not, you're not."