Manhattan's Madison Square Garden echoed to the barking babel of 2,537 contestants tuning up for the Westminster Kennel Club show. In the noisome cellar, poked and petted by nosy spectators, combed, brushed and pedicured within an inch of their lives, the dogs awaited the big moment. Stalwart Shelties whimpered and rattled their chains, baboon-faced Afghans paced and snarled, scrappy little Skye terriers yapped through their long hair. Off in a corner, professional handlers gave their charges a last-minute grooming before they went upstairs to strut. Their necks strapped high in dressing stands, long-suffering...
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