The Westminster Kennel Club continues to make online media history with the addition of a blog in 2007. Our blogger, Anna Stromberg of South Salem, NY, is a dog handler and groomer, who grew up in dogs in Sweden and moved here in 1993 to work for Grandeur Kennels in New York. Now on her own as a dog groomer, she was married recently to New Canaan police officer Ben Franzoso after they met through dogs. Anna has a Whippet and a Giant Schnauzer entered at Westminster.

Hello everyone,

Nice to meet you! I am Anna Stromberg and I will try to give all of you who cannot be here a brief glimpse into what is going on in New York before and during Westminster Kennel Club.

Activities have already started with the huge Sporting Dog Show at the Meadowlands Thursday, followed by several private gatherings and awards dinners for the past year’s most successful dogs, handlers and breeders tonight. I love to attend the wonderful Progressive Toy Show at Hotel Pennsylvania but this year work commitments and getting my own dogs ready for the weekend will prevent that. I am getting phone calls from far away friends that are now safely in New York settling in at the area hotels with their dogs, friends and families. Some had difficulties getting their dogs on the planes yesterday and today due to the cold snap that we have here but safety for the dogs must come first!

I must say that the butterflies in my stomach have occurred already, mostly in anticipation of what is to come! Personally, we will be spending Saturday in Connecticut at an Afghan Hound Specialty, followed by a gathering at our house in honor of the Westminster festivities. The theme is purple and gold - you ought to aim high! It's a great weekend to get together with friends from all over the country, since many do make the trip to New York. Sunday we will be in New Jersey at the Meadowlands for another Afghan Specialty (the Garden Specialty Association hosts four days of specialty events at the Meadowlands with huge entries).

Meanwhile in New York City, there will be Toy specialties both Saturday and Sunday at different locations close to The Garden. I am waiting to hear from my friends from Finland and Sweden who should be arriving soon. The weather is chilly and gorgeous, and last year’s Saturday blizzard is just a memory. I am bribing my husband to drive in to the city Saturday evening to attend the festivities at the Canine Chronicle gathering at the Hotel Pennsylvania! We shall see how pursuing I can be!

More tomorrow.