In Blizzard 2013 Wake, Local Dog Competes at Westminster Show

Branford business owner Michele Connor and her Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Eiffel were all set to make their first trip to the Westminster Dog Show when she first spoke to Patch last week. Then Blizzard 2013 hit and being able to travel on Monday was uncertain, as Connor's Guilford driveway and road remained unplowed.

Eiffel competed on Feb. 12 at Ring 3 in the Wheaten Terrier group. If he wins, he'll move onto the Terrier round, and if he wins that, he moves on to best in show. You can watch the show since it will be streamed live online this year.

But Eiffel's shot at Westminster was almost lost after three feet of snow filled Connor's driveway and road after Blizzard 2013. "I've waited so long for this and was so excited and now we may not be able to get there," Connor said in an email to Guilford Patch. "I can't stop crying."

Connor put out a plea on our Facebook page, and over the next few days, she received phone numbers to call for a plow, wishes of good luck, and support. After she exhausted all her options, Connor thanked everyone and posted this Monday afternoon: "My husband will carry Eiffel up the driveway and my friend/breeder is leaving Middletown in a little while and will pick us up at the end of our driveway. Wish us luck!"

Connor, the owner of Bark Avenue Dog Salon in Branford, never had any intention of showing dogs. She used to watch dog shows and she really like the Wheaten breed. "I opened my grooming business in 2009 and after working with Wheatens and researching the breed, I began to want my own," Connor told Guilford Patch. "I started looking for one to own, but breeders weren't eager to sell to me. I was in an apartment and didn't have a fenced in back yard, so I guess I wasn't an appealing customer."

"I never thought that I would show dogs," Connor added. "I met Eiffel's breeder, Yenna Ferris, at a show one day and we hit it off. She's been doing this for 28 years, and she'll actually be showing Eiffel at the Westminster Show."

"When I met Eiffel as a puppy, I knew," Connor remembers. "I fell in love with him instantly. He is a really funny dog. He loves the snow, he's a great swimmer. Eiffel is easy going and super friendly too, he's just a great dog." 

Eiffel is actually already famous in his own right, even without a Westminster title. He's sired four litters, and he has two kids that are champions themselves. He also has been in a GQ photo shoot , and even though he didn't make it in the magazine, his litter sister Lelai did. Eiffel did get featured in a Handbook on his breed, where he's pictured with Connor. 

Another one of Eiffel's sister is pretty famous herself; she's owned by Fraiser star David Hyde Pierce. "Eiffel got to have a playdate when we visited David's apartment one time," Connor said. "The dogs ran wild around the house. They were the nicest people, so pet friendly!"

Eiffel's sister, Jessie, from another litter, will remain in snow-covered Guilford as her brother makes the journey to Westminster. "Jessie's 10 years old," Connor shared. "She is already a canine good citizen, and she may begin to do some therapy work. They are both such snuggle bugs. Jessie will stay here with my husband and help cheer for us on Tuesday."

In addition to showing, and her grooming business, Connor also does work with Wheatens in Need, a rescue group for Soft-Coated Wheaten terriers.