Even show dogs beg! I spotted a Belgian Malinois who was starting intently at his owner’s sandwich. I asked to pet him and his handler told me it was OK, as soon as I got my hand near, he turned to check me out. When he realized I did not have any food, he promptly turned his head back in the direction of the sandwich!

The big dogs have extra room in their aisle, and really, they need it. Their row is almost double the size, but when you are talking about Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds, they need all the space they can get.

You all know that I have a special affinity for pit bull dogs, so I spent some time with the Staffordshire Bull Terriers and the American Staffordshire Terriers. I’m always surprised by how small the Staffies are. One sweet female dog I petted was only 32 pounds. As her owner said, they’re a big dog in a little package. The AmStaffs were just as sweet. I think I spotted more dogs in this bully aisle than anywhere else where the dogs were just loving on the people. These dogs do not know the meaning of aloof. I got lots of doggie kisses, and I saw many of these bully dogs enjoying pets and scratches under the chin from the spectators.

I got up close and personal with an adorable American Eskimo Dog. He had the softest coat I’ve ever felt! His owner was telling me how the dog had become a little apprehensive about being petted because he kept getting shocked by them in their hotel room. I also had noticed that there was a lot of static electricity in the air this week, and the poor dog seemed to be on the receiving end of many of these shocks.

The Border Collies were in rare form, being that almost all of them were sleeping! One woman commented that this was when her dog looks the most angelic – and it’s not very often that she enjoys some down time!

I walked by one potty station that was occupied by three French Bulldogs. Two of the dogs were trying to do their business, but one cute but scrappy cream-colored Frenchie was trying to instigate play time. His owner promptly whisked him away.

And of course, I had to visit the Bulldogs. I happened to see that the dog who made the cover of our Popular Dogs Series Bulldogs magazine had the cover displayed above his crate. He was just as good looking in real life.