The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Just the name conjures images of the legendary green carpet, the bright lights, the excited crowds, and the best dogs in the world. For Misty Gieczys, it was more than just a prestigious event; it was a childhood dream, a vision of canine excellence played out on the TV screen year after year. “It wasn’t just a dog show; it was a challenge, a game, a dream of being part of that world,” she reminisces. This year, that dream became a reality, a journey made even more special by the company of her closest dog show friends.
It all started with a casual conversation at Cheryl Stanczyk’s home. Misty was there, picking out a Kerry Blue Terrier puppy from a new “Rocky Mountain” litter, when Cheryl, a seasoned Westminster veteran, casually suggested, “Hey, Westminster entries just opened; you should enter!” Those words sparked a fire. “Before she could even finish the sentence, my laptop was open, and I was filling out the application,” Misty laughs. “It was like a switch flipped—the dream suddenly felt tangible, achievable.” Misty’s infectious enthusiasm spread to her friends, fellow Kerry Blue Terrier lovers, who decided to take the plunge and enter as well. “I called my other Kerry Blue friends, who were relatively new to showing, and told them they had to enter too! The crazy thing is, they actually got in! I was over the moon with excitement for all of us,” Misty recalls.
The “golden ticket” arrived—the official invitation to Westminster. Shrieks of joy echoed through Misty’s home, her family startled by the outburst of pure happiness. “I distinctly remember screaming—a sound that sent my whole family running.” The news rippled through her life, from her family to her clients at Designer Paw Salon, her grooming business. Everyone, even those unfamiliar with the dog show world, understood the significance of Westminster. Even my clients who are heavily involved in showing, whose own dogs didn’t get in, were genuinely happy for me. “They shared the common wisdom that your first Westminster is something you never forget.”
The journey to New York City was a whirlwind of excitement, shared with her friends. Flying with their dogs, navigating the bustling city with champion Kerry Blue Terriers in tow, and soaking in the electric atmosphere—every moment was amplified by their shared enthusiasm. Then came a surprise: a live interview on Fox & Friends. “They asked us about the Kerry Blue Terrier breed and what they were originally bred for, and we even got to introduce Anubis on air!” Misty recalls, her voice still buzzing with disbelief. There they were, a group of friends sharing the spotlight, their love for their dogs shining through the television screen. Suddenly, they were minor celebrities, recognized on the streets by excited dog enthusiasts.
The eve of the show was a mix of nervous energy and giddy anticipation. Misty and her friends gathered to set up their benches, surrounded by the buzz of activity and the shared excitement. “Trolley in place, pictures snapped of my setup and the surrounding buzz, I was jumping and giggling, unable to believe I was finally there,” Misty shares. Sleep was a distant notion that night, replaced by the anticipation of stepping onto that legendary green carpet.
And then, the moment arrived. The culmination of a childhood dream, years of dedication, and countless hours of preparation. Misty, heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and disbelief, stepped onto the green carpet with Anubis by her side. “He looked around, taking in the sights and sounds with his intelligent, curious eyes. He was a star!” she recalls, the pride evident in her voice. Cynthia DeGroote, another first-timer, shared that feeling of awe as she entered the ring with her beloved Kerry Blue Terrier, Jinx. “Pinch me!” she had exclaimed to her friends beforehand. “Am I dreaming or am I really competing at Westminster with my dream dog?”
For Tracy Campanella, of GoodFellas Kerry Blues, watching her two Kerry Blue Terriers and her mentees take that same step was a moment of profound gratification. Years of dedication to breeding and mentoring had led to this. “For me, it was a dream come true, given the culmination of over 25 years of dedication, passion, and determination to finally get here,” she shares. Seeing her dogs and her friends shine on the Westminster stage was a testament to her commitment.
Even Cheryl, a veteran of the Westminster scene, felt the magic through the eyes of her friends. “Seeing their nervousness about showing on camera, loving their expressions in the ring, and coming out of the ring expressing their excitement that they did it, they showed their heart dog on the biggest stage of dog shows and that green carpet.” She understood the emotional rollercoaster, the joy of simply being there, the culmination of a dream.
But Westminster was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of friendship, a testament to the power of shared passion and mutual support. These friends, brought together by their love for a breed, the Kerry Blue Terrier, had formed a bond that extended far beyond the show ring. They cheered each other on, offered encouragement during moments of doubt, and celebrated every success, big or small. “This was only possible because I had some of the best mentors that I could call any time, day or night,” Cynthia acknowledges, highlighting the strength of their support system. “I couldn’t have done this without Cheryl, Tracy, and Misty.”
As the lights dimmed and the final ribbons were awarded, a sense of accomplishment and gratitude filled the air. Misty, reflecting on her journey, realized that the true victory lay in the shared experience, the friendships forged, and the unwavering bond with her dog. “Anubis and I may not have won Best in Show,” she muses, “but we won something far more valuable: the joy of shared experience, the pride of accomplishment, and the unwavering love that connects us.” And with a twinkle in her eye, she adds, “And who knows, maybe next year… Maybe Breed, then Group, and who knows… maybe even Best in Show! A girl can dream, and I can dream big.”
Cheryl, looking at her friends, knew that regardless of the results, they had already won. “I congratulate all the ladies who came from our area and all the exhibitors who stepped into the rings for a job well done and for their excellence in handling their dogs in the ring,” she says with pride. “Even without a ribbon, to hear them say this was the best day ever at a show was gratifying.”
Their Westminster adventure was a testament to the power of dreams, the importance of mentorship, and the enduring strength of friendship. It was a story that transcended the dog show world, a reminder that the most valuable prizes are often found in the journey itself and the people we share it with.
