Paw Nation

The Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show (Feb. 15–16) is like Oscar night for dogs... so let's meet the stars! Paw Nation spoke with some of the Westminster show dog's owners to give you a sneak peek at the adorable contestants you'll see prancing around the ring on the big day.

Dog Breed: Puli

Group: Herding

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch. Lajosmegyi's Singin in the Rain

Nickname: Kelly

Dog's Age: 5

Owners' Names: Anna Quigley, Patricia Turner, and Steve and Alice Lawrence

Hometown: Chehalis, Wash.

Tell me about Kelly's personality.
He is one of the sweetest puli I have ever been around. Kelly enjoys life to the fullest and loves people. He is so calm before he goes in the ring and then when he's there, he's perfect. He has been raised with his sister and they are very close.

What is his best trick?
He jumps straight in the air and touches the top of a six-foot fence. He has tried to do this in the ring but is afraid of slipping on the floor!

What's his weirdest quirk?
He loves riding on top of his crate.

What is his favorite treat?
Bully Sticks are his favorite chew and boiled chicken is his favorite treat.

How do you and Kelly prepare for Westminster?
We use a treadmill to keep Kelly in condition. We have 60-foot runs, but the dogs hate the rain -- and we get so much of it in the Northwest. Most important is his mental conditioning. We make sure he has rest and try to keep him from being bored.

Anything else you'd like to share?
It is just such a thrill to be the breeders of two great dogs. His littermate Conrad is the puli that won the group last year at the Garden. Going is as much about seeing old and new friends as it is about being in the show.

Be honest, your (human) sweetheart isn't the only true love in your life. If you're taking a special trip Valentine's weekend, why not bring your precious pooch with you?

Kimpton's Vero Beach Hotel & Spa in Vero Beach, Fla., is offering a new package that's sure to get your dog's tail wagging: The Pooch n' Smooch package, which, for the Valentine's Day weekend, starts at $368 per night. (For non-holidays, peak season rates begin at $288 per night and off season rates begin at $198 per night. The package will be available through December 22, 2010.)

While the hotel property is always pet-friendly, the Pooch n' Smooch package makes your "ménage à paw" extra special by offering a Pampered Pooch Picnic at the Dog Park (with a basket that includes a picnic blanket, two wine spritzers, organic treats for mom and dad, dog treats, ball, collapsible dog bowl, and a clean-up bag); turndown amenity of Champagne and homemade doggie treats from local pet boutique Hearth & Hound; and a $5 donation to Indian River County Humane Society.

If that's not quite enough, you can purchase upgrades including a photo shoot with your pet on the beach ($75) and two Kimpton bathrobes and a dog bed ($300).

If this package doesn't quite tickle your fancy, don't worry; there are lots of pet-friendly hotels available for you to choose from!

Name: Bearded Dragon

Personality: Generally docile and gentle, though the extent to which they enjoy human interaction varies.

Care: Bearded dragons require a large tank with a screened top as well as proper lighting and temperature control (95–105 degrees Fahrenheit for hatchlings, 88–95 F for adults). They also need areas where they can hide in order to feel safe. They eat a varied diet, including crickets and worms, veggies and supplement powders for calcium and vitamins. They need clean, shallow water dishes, and you'll want to change the water daily.

Common Health Issues: This is a fairly hardy pet, but not entirely without health problems. Compaction, metabolic bone disease, mites, tail rot, and coccidia are all possible afflictions for which you'll need to watch.

Training Tips: The most important aspect of training is to teach your bearded dragon to be handled. While many are docile from the beginning, some can be more aggressive. Make sure that you're not always reaching into their enclosure with food in your hands. If your lizard associates your hands with food, he'll start treating your hands like food. Adults can be trained to sit calmly for long periods of time. Bribing them with treats, like wax worms, can be very effective.

"So you're saying I can't come with you?"

Don't worry, Romeo. We won't try to take your doggie doll away from you!

Congratulations to submitter, bekkangage. If you'd like to submit your cute pet picture, upload your photo to our Flickr pool.