Dog Show Couture

Dear Dog Lady,

My husband Dan is a partner in a big law firm and recently the firm had its annual black-tie dinner at which all spouses were expected to attend. I went to Lord & Taylor and bought a long skirt and evening jacket decorated with sparkles. I thought the outfit looked pretty hot, but my husband thought otherwise.

On the night of the dinner, I decided to surprise him with my new outfit. I closed the door to our bedroom while I dressed, allowing Duffy, our Norwich terrier, to watch me get all gussied up. When I was ready, I called out to Dan, opened the bedroom door, and Duffy and I paraded out. Imagine my surprise when my husband laughed.

My stomach sank. “Why are you laughing?” I asked. “Because that outfit makes you look like a dog show judge,” he said. After the initial shock of his reaction, I have to admit I started giggling too. I skipped around the living room with Duffy while my husband applauded and hooted, “Best in show!” We ended up having a good time at the dinner. He later told me I looked very pretty.

But his comment made me wonder: Why are professional dog people so dowdy?

Anna, Bedford Hills, NY

Anna, you present such a lovely scene from a marriage. Our men do not always say the right thing, but they mean well. You took your husband’s off-the-cuff comment with humor. Thus, you turned his sow’s ear put-down into a silk purse of a warmly memorable shared moment. Touche.

Dog Lady agrees the fashion police should make arrests at Westminster. Yet, we must remember a dog show is not a cat walk. Judges, presumably, have other things to worry about. When the wise ones in frumpy frocks start manhandling the private parts of the contestants, this viewer always has to chuckle. Also, while watching a televised canine parade, wicked Dog Lady is constantly reminded of the need for sturdy foundation garments when the handlers trot their prize hounds around the ring. The fabulous mockumentary, "Best In Show," immortalized these bouncing dog show doyennes.

Oh goodness, Dog Lady, stop being so catty. On a more supportive note, you will notice the dogs need no underwear. They fit perfectly into their birthday suits.

Posted by Dog Lady at February 3, 2006 11:53 AM