The Ridgeback Register's NATIONAL SPECIALTY Watch -- Day 2

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What would the Specialty be without the shopping? If you didn't make it to Lansing this year, fear not. You can be an armchair shopper at The Ridgeback Register's e-version of our Specialty booth. Shop for chic T-shirts, classy glassware, and clever coffee mugs right here!

Free Ridgeback Bumper Sticker with every order. While supplies last!

FOILED AGAIN!

Rich metallic design adds a touch of bling to this generously sized ladies' chocolate T-shirt. Guarantee we won't be able to keep these babies in stock, so order yours today!

$20.00 Metallic Ridge T-shirt in Chocolate

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

WINNERS BITCH...
BUT LOSERS
BITCH MORE!

This ultimate dog show zinger on a gently form-fitting woman's tee!

$20.00 T-shirt in White, Pink, Lavender or Yellow

Specify XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X and 2X

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

JAVALISCIOUS

You have the T-shirt ... get the coffee mug. "Winners Bitch" cartoon on a 11-ounce full-color mug.

$8.00 each

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

OF COURSE

Leisa Temple's artwork is prized for her sensitive depiction of the breed she knows so well. This image of a Ridgeback coursing a lion -- or the tip of his tail, at least -- is a keeper.

$25.00 each in White, Yellow or Blue

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

BOTTOMS UP

The hair of the dog that bit you goes down smooth with these 1.75 oz. gold-logoed Got Ridge! shot glasses (with gold rim).

$20.00 set of four

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

I'LL DRINK
TO THAT!

10 oz. petite gold-logoed Got Ridge! wine glasses.

$15.00 set of four

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

THE STRAIGHT POOP

Poop patrol is always the most challenging job at a National Specialty. Hats off to Cathy Acosta, who this year is rivaling her predecessor John Arvin for not taking any you-know-what when it comes to keeping the show site clean. Kudos for the heavyweight poop bags, as well as the cheeky signs reminding dog walkers to mind their manners. ("Talking on your cell phone? You might forget" was a personal favorite.)

The signs, it turns out, are recycled election posters ... poetic justice, some might opine, when it comes to politicians.

File under "Thankless Job": Grounds Chair Cathy Acosta, poop bags at the ready, with friends.

IF IT AIN'T BROKE ...

Clayton Heathcock of Camelot Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Berkeley, Calif., arrived at the Lansing Specialty to scope things out for the 2010 California Specialty, which he is chairing.

So far, so good, says Clayton, who was so impressed with this show's secretary that he will be inviting her to make a bid for the West Coast event. He also liked the idea of running Veteran Sweeps on the Specialty's opening night, though beginning earlier than last night's 8 p.m. start would ensure fewer graybeards snoozing on their stacks.

Finally, he also prefers announcing the winner of the Top 20 competition before Breed judging. That will be the case on Thursday when the nation's top-ranked dogs get their turn in the spotlight before three judges whose identities are kept top secret until minutes before they enter the ring.

"It has always seemed anticlimactic to me" to announce the Top 20 results after Best of Breed, Clayton says.

This year, the news will arrive 30 minutes after Top 20 judging.

Greetings!

The first full day of RRCUS Specialty-going brought us Puppy Sweeps; as with last night's Veterans competition, scroll down to check out our gallery of winners. Congrats to them all!

Unbelievable as it may seem, no one captured in our camera lens today earned any ribbons for exceptional attire -- besides, how many animal prints can we publish? So instead, here are the results of last night's poll:

Who do you think is the Best Dressed Ridgebacker?

The answer, overwhelmingly, was Gabriele DeFranco, with 65.4 percent of the vote. But Linda Clark fans were also out in force. "Linda always dresses to the max!" raved Judy Kuplent of Adventure Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Oregon.

"Difficult decision!" wrote one anonymous voter. "They both look fabulous, and I love Linda's coordinating zebra-stripe shoes."

We also asked those of you who aren't in Michigan why you're not here. More than half (52.1 percent) said they stayed home because the location was too far away. Almost a third (30.4 percent) cited budget woes and the sputtering economy as a reason for not showing up. Another oft-cited reason: a scheduling conflict or other commitment (26 percent).

Well, we're here and we're not going anywhere -- at least not without a fight. So, until next time ... your Michigan moles ...

Theresa M. Lyons
Denise Flaim

Publishers
The Ridgeback Register