DENVER -- February 11, 2010

Have you ever wanted to hug a Pug? Canoodle a Poodle? Match wits with a Spitz? Get jiggy with an Iggy? Now's your chance!

"Why, Mars," I can hear you saying, "Whatever do you mean?"

This weekend (2/11 - 2/15) is the Rocky Mountain Cluster Dog Show at the National Western Complex and it is BIG. HUGE, actually. Hundreds of dogs, nay, zillions of dogs! Dogs competing for titles in Conformation, Obedience, Agility, Rally-O,dogs standing around waiting to be admired, dogs getting groomed, dogs showing off - it's a canine carnival of prodigious proportions.

*SIGH*

Here's what you need to know:

* Wear comfortable shoes.

* Strollers are not allowed, so plan accordingly. It's a safety thing, both for the dogs (not wanting their toes run over) and the kids (who might find it rather frightening to suddenly be eye-to-eye with a Mastiff, unable to climb into Mom's lap or otherwise escape.)

* Leave your dog at home, please. Only registered dogs are allowed. But do buy him or her a new toy, won't you?

* Schedules are NOT available at the show, so print one here. Don't ask me why, just trust me on this and print your own right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Sounds of humming) Done? Good. Now, sit down with a highlighter and plan your day, because you may have to choose between two favorites, like watching the Otterhounds in the conformation ring and visiting the Great Danes at "Meet the Breed."

* Bring money, lots and lots of cash and credit cards. Not for the entrance fee, you silly person. That's only $5 per day; parking is only $7. Bring money to buy treats and toys and food and clothes and jewelry and purses and books and rugs and luggage and just about anything else you want. Marianne often finds great birthday and Christmas gifts at this show for her doggie friends because where else would she find a jewel-encrusted picture of a Schipperke on a wallet? Just saying, the shopping is paw-some.

* Please-oh-please ask before you pet anyone's dog. Most of the time the handlers are delighted to let you meet Phydeaux and answer your questions about the breeds, but not just before they go into the ring for judging. They need to focus and Phydeaux is already excited, so please don't distract them.

* Some breeds take hours to groom for that perfect show coat; small children with sticky hands are a groomer's worst nightmare. Take a bottle of Purell and use it often.

* Be sure to check out the special activities: Parade of Rescue Dogs on Saturday at noon, Blessing of the Dogs on Sunday at 7:15 am, Flyball demo on Sunday at 11:30, Search and Rescue Dogs demo on Monday at noon, just to mention a few.

* Agility competition begins at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, and at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Marianne can never decide which she likes better: watching a Border Collie run in the course so fast that flames lick at its heels or watching an amiable, un-speedy breed (like a Great Dane) amble through the course. She remembers with fondness the year a T-tiny Yorkshire Terrier zipped though the course until it got to the teeter-totter. It took a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g t-i-m-e for the totter to teeter to the ground with the weightless Yorkie on the end; to his credit he stood statue-still on the board until it finally touched the ground and he zipped off. Marianne said the crowd was in hysterics.

* Last but certainly not least, I'll be there on Saturday from 8:30 - 1:30! Canine Companions for Independence will have an information table near the rescue and other dog groups. Please stop by and say hello!

Chow for now! Mars

Questions or comments for Mars? Send him an e-mail!

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to CCI for details.