2010- Tylie’s Blog
Meet the Breeds 2010 – Jacob Javits Convention Center
Tylie’s Blog – Who is Snookie???
(As relayed by breeder/owner Deborah Vaiden)
A Note from Deborah
On October 16th & 17th, the AKC and CFA sponsored the 2010 Meet the Breeds show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. It was a great privilege to be a part of both this exciting event as well as the many publicity activities leading up to the show. We had the pleasure of being supported at the show by Burton & Shellie Goldstein and Mark & Jackie Stemple along with their son Brandon, all of which made this a great success and an extra special experience. While many of my dogs joined in the fun, my “publicity agent” was Vaiden’s It’s About Thyme (Tylie). This blog highlights a truly remarkable week as it could have been viewed through her eyes. Of course, without the loving help and complete support of my husband Bob, daughter Amanda, and my sister Melissa, none of this would have been possible. I hope you enjoy “Tylie’s blog”. Best regards, Deborah Vaiden
One Very Exciting Week
Let me tell you, it has been one exciting week! I’ve never experienced anything like it in all my 10 months. It started off typically enough with me having a good ol’ time with my parents, brothers, sisters, and cousins, and then …it all began. Here’s how it went…
Fox & Friends – Tuesday October 12, 2010
What in the world! I’m awakened from my beauty sleep at 4:30 am! There is commotion in the house. I’m given an early breakfast and ushered out to “go potty”… and I just couldn’t. Mommy was very disappointed so I determined to give it a go on the way in the car. Mommy was disappointed again! You just can’t please some people! This shouldn’t happen to a dog!
Next thing I know, I’m in “the Green Room” at Fox Studios with a couple of giant dogs and a really different looking creature called a “cat”, never saw one before. It was nice getting to smell them and we all became quick friends. I also met two nice people from the AKC named Jessica Rice and Gina DiNardo. Gina was the one who would bring me into the “studio” to talk about my breed. Then the puzzling part, I was introduced as a “Snookie” lookalike. Who’s Snookie? Mom never heard of her either. Apparently she likes the Jersey Shore and has the same hairstyle as me, but I never saw her in the grooming room – not once. Obviously, she’s a copy dog! Everyone told me how cute I was (as if I don’t know!), and all the attention was lots of fun.
Well after a long morning, we went home and I caught up on my well deserved slumbers.
Press Preview – Wednesday October 13, 2010
Today started off like any other. But I knew something was up when mom started fussing with my hair. Out came the bow box and I knew the day would be different. Off we went to Times Square for something called a press preview. When I entered the room, I was greeted by quite a sight. On one side were several distant cousins called Mastiffs. They were enormous and their owners were dressed in Medieval Costumes. In the middle of the room were dogs jumping and zigzagging through an obstacle course. Mom called them “agility dogs”. It was great fun to watch! On the other side of the room was a very strange sight. A whole bunch of cats dressed in costumes. I got to sit on a table with a few of them and we all had a great time. A number of reporters came to meet Mom and me, took tons of pictures, and talked about the Meet the Breeds show. But, again, the comments about me being the “Snookie dog” and “Snookie’s hairdo!” For one interview, they kept taking my picture while holding a picture of “Snookie” next to me. Who is she?! My name is Tylie! I was wondering if I was going to have to share my pen with her at the show.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I got up, ate, went potty, slept, played, ate, went potty, played and slept. The perfect day!
Friday, October 15, 2010
OK, something’s up again. Dad and Mom are packing all sorts of things in the car. I see giant dragon heads being carried out along with crates all being put into the SUV. Melissa and Amanda also came over and they were all gone for a long time. When they finally came home, all they talked about was “setting up the Booth” and how much fun it was even though they had several challenges. Amanda was especially happy that she could fix a broken wire in the lights by splicing it together. Everyone was happy and looking forward to the weekend. We all had a late dinner and I was ready to settle down for the night … but apparently that wasn’t to be. Next thing I knew I was getting another bath!! Mom said I had to look my best as I was an “ambassador” for my breed. Sounded important, certainly deserving of a treat…
Meet the Breeds – Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Who ordered the early wakeup call?!?! Once again, there was much commotion in the house with everyone rushing around to get ready. At least this time, Justin (Ch. Tu Chu-Vaiden’s Just Playin’ Around), and “Cruzan” (Vaiden’s Cruzan on a Sail) were able to join in the fun. The Jacob Javits Convention Center is HUGE. I never saw so many different dogs and cats! We just got settled in our booth when we began getting visitors. Everyone had a camera and was thrilled to meet us. Mom handed out lots of literature and talked to the mass of humanity who wanted to know all about the Shih Tzu. I’m still seeing spots … from last Tuesday! Of course, more about “Snookie”, but I didn’t see hide nor hair of her!!
Later that morning, Dad brought two nice people over, Burton and Shellie with their two “kids”, MG (Khan-Wai’s Micah Goldstein UDX2 RAE MX MXJ OF) and Goldie (Ch. Bilor’s Marigold CD RA) being wheeled in a jogging stroller. They were agility dogs and great company! People were eager to see them too. Burton said he had a lot of trouble finding any “grass” by the hotel. But eventually his perseverance paid off when he found a small amount in a secluded area. Apparently, the “grass” makes their kids really happy. It helps them go “potty”.
In the afternoon, I met three other terrific people; Mark, Jackie, and Brandon Stemple along with Indy (Ch. Marja-Tu Chu Perfect Justice) and Bella (Marja’s Midnight Saga). It’s a good thing too, because I could go home a little early and get some rest!!
NBC’s Weekend Today in New York show – Sunday, October 17th, 2010
You’ve got to be kidding!!! Again, I’m woken up in the dead of night. Mom is fussing with my hair and we are off to New York City for an appearance on the Weekend Today in New York show. How is that possible? Today hasn’t even begun yet! Here we are again in a room waiting to be called on camera. Finally, the time arrives and they ask Mom, Amanda and I to come into the television studio. Mom and Amanda are very excited, but I can never figure out why, after all, there wasn’t a toy or treat in sight.
Once again, I saw Jessica Rice and Gina DiNardo of the AKC. Gina spoke about the Meet the Breeds show and how wonderful Shih Tzu are, which of course I know! I also met someone called a “gossip columnist” named Cindy Adams. Mom said a gossip columnist is someone who really takes a personal interest in other people. How nice is that!! I guess that’s true since she really took an interest in me. She said I make “her Yorkies look terrible”. I bet a nice bath and good grooming would make all the difference (for the Yorkies, of course)!
Meet the Breeds – Sunday, October 17th, 2010
Well, I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised, because although I thought the day was done – it wasn’t. Off we go again to the Meet the Breeds show. Now I’m glad we have a booth because there are so many people and dogs and cats it’s hard to walk anywhere! (Note from Deborah: 50,000 people attended the show!) Our booth was in a terrific location so there was plenty of room for visitors. It was, without a doubt, one of the busiest “traffic” areas in the convention center. As they say, if you build it, they will come – and they did!
I was surprised at how many people said they came because of Weekend Today in New York segment and just had to see – you guessed it – the “Snookie dog”! Fortunately, the troops rallied and help was there! We had me, Keira, Cruzan, Maverick as well as MG and Goldie. I have to say, we were one proud group! Also, we got 4th place for best booth! It was a truly stellar moment! But when all was said and done, as do most days, this one went home too. 🐾✨