Release the Hound!
Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 8:56 AM by Dan Fleschner
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Live from Studio 1A
They're calling him the "Regal Beagle"...say hello to Uno, this year's Best in Show selection at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
He stopped by our studio this morning to discuss his victory, though after a long night of celebrating, all he could manage was a series of unintelligible barks.
Fortunately, Uno's handler, Aaron Wilkerson, as well as USA Network commentator David Frei, were also here to discuss Uno's win and what's next for this historic hound. WATCH VIDEO
Uno became the first beagle to be top dog in the 132-year history of the Westminster show, and the first member of the hound group to win since 1939.
I didn't see it myself, but by all accounts, Uno was the rare dog who was a favorite of both the audience and the judge. David Frei said afterwards that it was the most enthusiastic crowd response he had ever seen in 19 years of covering the event on television.
So what happens now for Uno, the most famous beagle since Snoopy? First, it's a media blitz, along with the traditional visit to the famed New York restaurant Sardi's (where he will eat steak off of a silver platter), and he may even ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday.
Plus, as Matt Lauer pointed out this morning, you have to think that Uno won't have any trouble meeting female admirers from here on out. I heard that there were a couple poodles waiting for him in his dressing room, but that turned out to just be a rumor.
