Today, Sunday February 9, 2020, the Westminster KC dog show began judging breeds for the first time on Sunday at Pier 94, making breed judging a three day event. The Group judging would remain the same, at Madison Square Garden, Monday and Tuesday night, with Best in Show on Tuesday night. Borzoi were judged in Ring 1 at 9:30 am, so I was sure to be awake and up, ready to watch the judging via live streaming through the Fox News app. It was wonderful and magical to watch it live from the comfort of my easy chair in my living room without having to leave the house and travel to NY City. Upon making myself comfortable, imagine my surprise to see not one, not two but three descendants of my own beautiful Majenkir bitch, “Mikhailya”, Ch Majenkir My Ksar Mikhailovna, in the ring through her son, Int Jp CH Majenkir Magnus of Blyss “Max”. One bitch, Majenkir Circle in a Spiral, was handled by a Borzoi Club of Central NJ member, Mami Shuma. She was a “Max”/”Magnus” daughter and a “Mikhailya” grand-daughter. In addition, Shota Hirai was in the ring handling CH Belisarius Jp Wild Rumpus “Lam”, a daughter of “Candy”, who won Best of Breed, down from Magnus. And, a third Majenkir borzoi, who won Best Opposite Sex, GCHB CH Majenkir Bookstore Spellbinder “Vigow”. Yes, I have been lonely and heartbroken for the loss of my own beloved “Mikhailya” in June 2013 and nothing can ever make up for her loss. But seven years later, to see three of her progeny in the breed ring for the Westminster Kennel Club dog show truly brought her to life for me again. As the poet once wrote:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
It will never pass into nothingness but still will keep
a bower for us and a sleep
Full of health, sweet dreams and quiet breathing.
Although everything ended for Mikhailya and me when Bob, my husband, died suddenly in March 2011, she lives on in these borzoi and the many others who carry her genes forward through her son, “Magnus”/ “Max” after she diedl. I had asked the Borzoi Breed Archive to compile a reverse pedigree for her going out five generations. They complied, showing that “Mikhailya” has approximately 150 offspring located around the world mostly because of her son, “Max”/”Magnus”.
In addition to BOB and BOS, the next dog selected was Select Dog, GCHS CH Belisarius JP CI My Big Boy
Select Bitch was GCHB Crown Jewel Princess Eugenia
Award of Merit was CH Justart Majenkir Status Symbol
Award of Merit CH Estet Classic Timofei
It was a very strong class, one worthy watching and cheering. Good luck Monday night in the Hound Dog Group!