G.K. Makes a Today Show Appearance!
It’s hardly news anymore, but I’m still so proud of my beautiful Chow Chow, Ghenghis Khan, for winning Best of Breed at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. G.K. has only been competing since last autumn, but he has become quite the show dog. He displays such poise and even temperament and he really seems to understand what is expected of him. In honor of his achievement, my friends from The Today Show invited him to appear with me on my regularly scheduled time slot.
1 In honor of Ghenghis Khan winning Best of Breed at Westminster, we were invited to appear on the Today Show. It was G.K.'s first time at that studio and as usual, he was inquisitive about everything going on around him.
2 The Green Room was too busy and hot for G.K. so he took his water outside in the lobby. He was so popular and everyone kept stopping to stay 'hi' to him.
3 Jan Kolnik, G.K.'s most attentive handler, fluffed his thick fur before the show.
4 Oops! They spelled Ghenghis Khan wrong! G.K. is named after the great Mongolian emperor and he is the great-grandson of Paw Paw, my previous Chow Chow. Paw Paw's birth name was Kublai Khan.
5 G.K. paid me a visit in my dressing room.
6 He was with Karen Tracy, his breeder. Karen's business is Liontamer Pazzazz Chows. http://www.pazzazzchows.com/
7 Judy Morris, my Producer of Special Events, reviewing the schedule
8 The green room has a large clock and a television airing the show, so you know when it's your turn to go on.
9 While in the green room, Al Roker came to interview supermodel, Kate Upton, who graces the cover of this year's Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition.
10 She told Al that being on the cover of the Swimsuit Edition was living out a dream.
11 Where was G.K? Absorbing the cool temperatures of the marble floor! He always finds the best places to chill out!
12 But, he didn't hesitate getting up to say hello to Kate.
13 Posing with a very tall Kate Upton
14 Matt Lauer was the first of the Today Show hosts to be ready to go outside.
15 G.K. was more than ready!
16 Our segment was held outside of the Today Show studio at 35 West 48th Street. As usual, there was a large crowd gathered, with many people holding signs.
17 We waited off-camera for our cue.
18 The cameraman got G.K.'s attention while we were being introduced.
19 G.K. was not the only animal on the show that day. The co-hosts also got to meet many other interesting animals in the studio.
20 One of those animals happened to be a tarantula, which Ann wasn't too happy about. Even a photo was unnerving!
21 This was not the first time the Today Show team met GK. They remembered seeing him last November when they visited my home in Bedford, NY, for a Thanksgiving special.
22 Matt joked that if he knew G.K. was such a show dog, he would never have fed him so many turkey scraps under the table.
23 G.K. has given me so many opportunities to be proud lately, and this visit was no exception!
24 Ann couldn't resist running her gloved hand through G.K.'s thick, thick coat.
25 G.K. wasn't phased in the least by the crowd of people watching him. No wonder he did so well at Westminster!
26 I mentioned how fun the Westminster Dog Show is and urged everyone to go or to watch it on television.
27 Natalie Morales asked about any training that is involved. I explained that G.K. has been competing in dog shows since last autumn and has won many titles in order to qualify for Westminster.
28 Ann Curry wanted to know how we get Ghenghis Kahn's fur to stay like this. Although he does get groomed regularly Chow Chow's fur is naturally fluffy and tangle-resistant and is rather easy to maintain.
29 Ghenghis Kahn has made me a very proud dog owner!
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Congrats to you & Ghengis Khan!! He's so beautiful & regal. I adore Chow Chows, my mother had a Chow growing up & I've never had a Chow since I live in an apartment & don't have a good place to give any dog some exercise. I have fat tabby cat tho.
I look forward to next years WKC show to see Ghengis again.
Posted by: Cj121 | February 15th, 2012 at 12:33 am
Our son showed livestock so have had that proud knowledge, as Karen Tracy, having a champion award given for bringing a great animal into being.. Nowadays, just love to sit back and watch and Westminster is the most interesting show. You look great walking GK, a
Posted by: ann | February 15th, 2012 at 2:31 am
Bravo and congratulations, little Ghenghis Khan! You have grown up to be a very regal and beautiful Chow Chow! I'm sure Paw Paw is looking down with pride...
Here's hoping that one day you will win Best in Show at Westminster!(Chow Chow's are long overdue for that honor, and I think it's because of the favoritism afforded the Poodles, with their silly haircuts, in the Non-sporting Group.)
Posted by: Gina Mustico | February 15th, 2012 at 7:44 am
This is such an adorable video of G.K. basking in the glow of his win. He's so nonchalant about it all. Congratulations again. Winning Best of Breed after such a short time of showing is a major accomplishment.
Posted by: Sonya | February 15th, 2012 at 7:49 am
Congrats again to GK! He is so well behaved Martha! I saw the show last night and really thought the Doberman was going to win best in show. It was fun to watch. You should be very proud Martha, GK is fantastic!
Posted by: CindybF | February 15th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Way to go, G.K.! You make your mama proud, I see!
Posted by: Vicki Powell | February 15th, 2012 at 8:41 am
Hi Ms. Stewart,
Congrats on G.K's win. I have been a chow owner all my life and right now have Sierra as my current Cinnamon Chow. She happens to be the friendlist chow that I ever owned (very un- Chow -like), and I am madly in love with her.
I have never had an aggressive Chow Chow (and I have owned 4 to date), although I get negative comments about my dogs all the time (annoying).
I would love to help you be an ambassador for the breed. They take special owners to understand them, but they are by far my favorite breed. What other dog is so neat and dare I say, polite?
Congradulations again,
Donna Zalter
Posted by: Donna Zalter | February 15th, 2012 at 8:54 am
Hi Martha and G.K., OMG! What an exciting day that was for both of you at WKC Dog Show! G.K. is the most gentle, brilliant, stunning chow chow I've ever seen since Paw Paw and Maddox! He really seems to understand exactly how to behave and Jan, Karen, and you have done a super job of training him! These photos are absolutely stunning and seeing him on the Today Show was superb! You must be so proud of that young fellow and I know you love him to pieces and I do, too! F&S are very charming, also and I love them, too! They are very proud of GK, also! G.K. has the most beautiful fur coat that is very similar to adorable Paw Paw! I am going to view these photos again and again as well as the video! Thanks soooo much for sharing! Hope you have another great day! Off to view The Daily Wag again about more of the WKC Dog Show viewed by G.K.! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 15th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Congratulations G.K. and Martha! And by the way, in pic no.13 you look amazing!
Posted by: Chris | February 15th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Martha and GK!!
Congratulations on your Best of Breed win at Westminster!!
He was so calm and what a beauty! Karen is so proud too I'm sure. I am glad that she too shared this milestone with you. Good things again! YAY!!
Thank you for sharing..and maybe we'll see GK at a dog show near us in CT!!
Paula M.
Posted by: Paula M. | February 15th, 2012 at 11:10 am
Congrats to you and Genghis! I love his name!
In 1988 my Black Chow Chow was born. He was the runt of the litter and he was soo cute! I named him Genghis Khan. Lol He was a sweet gentle dog. His dad was a blue Chow and in the winter his coat had blue hilights. He died in 2002 and we miss him.
When my sister was watching the dog show she called me to tell me your Chow's name. She was the breader of my Chow.
Posted by: Joan | February 15th, 2012 at 11:24 am
Hi Martha,
I have been following you for so long I feel I am part of your family, vicariously of course! I was so excited to learn that Ghenghis Khan had won Best in Breed – after all, we did watch him grow up from a puppy. The same with Franny and Sharkey and I adored Paw Paw. I love that you share your pets with all of us; many celebrities don’t do that to the extent that you do. The show is great today with the winner from Westminster and especially with Ghenghis in attendance and the lady judge who chose him. She was quite surprised to find out later that you were his owner. I really enjoyed the film your crew took of you and he staying at the Plaza and his little bed with a pillow was fit for a king. He climbed right into it and took position of guard dog next to your bed. He is so beautiful and I love all dogs! Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 15th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Hi Martha, Amazing Congrats to you and GK he us so cute and adorable.
Best wishes xo
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | February 15th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Congratulations G.K...You are the cutest! Martha G.K. is absolutely adorable! Watched the Westminster Dog Show and was so impressed. I have a white spitz...(Angel) and a beautiful Chihuahua (Lovey) that are the most adorable pets anyone could have...Not show dogs but to us they are stars...Best of Luck Martha.
Posted by: ladymgr | February 15th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Congrtas to GK and you Martha !!!! It's great to have good press about are naughty lil' dog's. I have two Chow Chow's about a year old. All chows are most BEATUTIFUl. But, misunderstood, they need a loving strong owner.
To sum it up. Congrats again and thank you for the good press.
Posted by: Bethany | February 15th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Hi Martha, Congratulations on G.K.'s win for best in breed! He is a beautiful dog and very well behaved. G.K....you're a champion!
Posted by: Judy | February 15th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I have been corrected! He is now befitting of his full name, Ghengis Khan! Loved the show today Martha, especially the behind the scenes look at Your and Ghengis Khan's stay at the Plaza. That he slept on your Macy's sheets was hilarious and he looked well behaved in the Palm room.
Posted by: Cindy F | February 15th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
I caught your spot on the Today Show. Congratulations, G.K. is a magnificient animal and very well behaved.
Posted by: Norma | February 15th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Martha,
I'm so proud way to go G.K.! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | February 15th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Congratulations. Karen Tracy must be walking on a cloud putting everything together and getting such a winner, what a thrill. I am very happy for everyone because everyone had to do their part.
Now does GK get to go out to the stables and be a farm dog or does he stay in his show state?
Posted by: Margie | February 15th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Congratulations GK and Martha! I am thrilled for you both. GK is such a handsome well behaved dog. You must be thrilled. Great spot on the Today Show.
Joan
Hilton New York
Posted by: joan vogt | February 15th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Congratulations on your win what a beautiful animal. I love reading your blogs Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Linda Sue Rzatkiewicz | February 15th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Im not surprised at all. GK is a gorgeous dog.
Posted by: mona c | February 15th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
kudos for gk......he is a proud chip off the paw paw block.......he needs a nickname with paw included in it......we all loved paw paw so much.......carry on with your excellent endeavors, Ms. M.,......you hold us to standards we need in this country........
Posted by: memoir | February 15th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Champion or not, I just want to hug him! Ha!
Congrats to GK and to all of the gorgeous dogs at the dog show!
Posted by: Angela | February 15th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
What a beautiful dog and congrats on your win !!! Loved your show today by the way, and I have to say I am so mad I missed your show with Joan Rivers, I love the two of you together she kills me
My daughter has a puggle/Sydney who would never cut it at the dog show LOL smartest dog in the world but like any Beagle he follows his nose, the nose rules....great pet, so much fun, I taught him to sing to "How much is that doggie in the window", hilarious !!! They recently moved to CA miss them both like crazy !!!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | February 15th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
ooooh Martha! How so very exciting for GK's win. So very happy for you!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jeanne Tiedemann | February 15th, 2012 at 9:50 pm