Face to Face Henderson

Even though Life with McDuff:  Lessons Learned from a Therapy Dog (http://www.lifewithmcduff.com) did not win the Planet Dog Foundation Special Award at the Dog Writers Association of America (http://www.dwaa.org)  Awards Banquet, I accidentally stumbled upon the DWAA Board Meeting at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel the afternoon of the banquet.  I was invited to sit in, met the members, and after the meeting went to a hotel room and assisted in organizing the nominated entries for display at the dinner.

 The Special Award Nomination letter I received stated there were over 200 entries and to be in the running was, “indeed, a special honor!”  After I saw the nominated entries, I agree wholeheartedly.

 At the banquet that evening, I was publicly recognized and thanked for helping before hundreds of dog-loving attendees.  Life with McDuff was prominently displayed where the royalty of dog world society could get a good look.  People who sat at my table invited me to sit ringside with them at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show that started the next day.

 For a dog lover like me, the WKCDS at Madison Square Garden is a once in a lifetime experience.  I’ve watched it faithfully on TV for years never dreaming I’d be there one day sitting ringside.  It was great being around so many fellow dog lovers.  I met many folks and told them about McDuff and the book about him.

What a wonderful time!!  I certainly don’t feel like a loser.  Instead, I feel like “better luck next time.”