J.R. Is Best in Show

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/23/1997 at 12:00 AM EDT

And the Best in Show -- in real life, not the movie -- is a fluffy white dog named "Special Times Just Right" but called J.R., the first Bichons Frises to win top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the United States' oldest and most prestigious dog show. The 3-year-old took the top prize Tuesday night at New York's Madison Square Garden, beating six other finalists including a flat-coat retriever, a bloodhound, and a tiny Shih Tzu with a blue bow and the most amazing long hair. Upon winning the 125th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, J.R. practically flew into the arms of his handler. Observers could have sworn that J.R. knew what was going on.