1 Sharkey! Come quick! Look what I swiped - er, uh, what I found!

2 It's the packet for the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! G.K. has been gearing up for this for months!

3 You're not going to believe what's in here!

4 Two press tickets! One for you and one for me!

5 We need to sneak in and surprise G.K.! How great would it be for us to be there, cheering him on! He'd be sure to win with our support!

6 This yellow area shows us where the photographers get to be. Right up front! How do we get in there, Sharkey?

7 Franny, I'm one step ahead of you! I found the special press passes in the kitchen!

8 They're for Martha's TV show. Her crew will be there filming G.K. at the event! See Franny, one is a photo pass, so we can get into that photographers' ring and take great shots of our brother!

9 There, we'll walk right in! Just pretend we're with the media! Wait, Franny, we ARE the media! We do have our own blog...why wouldn't the Daily Wag be at the Westminster Dog Show?

10 Don't worry, Sharkey. Just let me do all the talking! I'll get us right in!

11 Right, and I'll take Martha's Canon S95 camera and take all the photos!

12 Francesca, we need a plan. Let me look through the judging program to find when G.K. will be showing.

13 Let's see, the schedule says that the Chow Chows are in Ring One on Monday at 10:15am...so that's where we'll find G.K.

14 Sharkey, how are we going to get to Madison Square Garden in New York City for the show? Oh wait, I know! Let's call Uncle Carlos! He'll be sure to take us!

15 Sigh, Uncle Carlos isn't answering his cell phone. And besides, it's already Monday and it's after 10:15! I wonder if G.K. won?

1 I've been doing a lot to prepare for Westminster next week, like staying in shape in Karen's exercise yard.

2 There are lots of toys for me to play with here, as well! Toys keep dogs minds stimulated, keeping us sharp and smart!

3 There are also other Chow Chows for me to socialize with at Karen's house, which also prepares me to be around all the other dogs at the show, both big and small!

4 It's hard to believe that the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show begins on Monday! We've just received all of our official documents for the show.

5 This is my offiicial identification card.

6 As a precaution, Karen took me to the Blue Ridge Veterinary Office to get microchipped. I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure what that meant, but Vet Tech Melani Bowman and Dr. Carol Filchner made me feel at ease!

7 Another vet tech, Lisa Wenner, filled out my paperwork and explained that a microchip would be implanted under my skin between my shoulder blades. If I ever get lost, a vet can scan the microchip and find out who I am!

8 It's a very common practice these days and more reliable than tags. I don't usually wear a collar around the house because of my thick fur and a microchip clearly states that Martha is my owner!

9 First, they scanned my body to make sure I didn't already have a microchip. Like I'd forget about having a microchip!

10 The microchip is smaller than a grain of rice and fits inside a syringe. I thought it was going to hurt - who likes getting shots? The vet techs were so nice and quick, I didn't even feel it!

11 The vets showed me a photo of Martha holding a Jack Russell terrier who is owned by Dr. Edward Shelly from the veterinary clinic! What a small world! By the way, all kinds of pets can get microchips. It's a really good idea!

1 "If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it!" Jonathan Winters

2 "An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo, 1802-1885

3 "The mind's direction is more important than it's progress." Joseph Joubert 1754-1824

4 "Of the truly creative no one is ever master; it must be left to go its own way." Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894

5 "A good spectator also creates." Swiss Proverb

6 "Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech." Martin Farquhar Tupper, 1810-1889

7 "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." Elbert Hubbard, 1856-1915

8 "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson !803-1882

9 "I couldn't wait for success...so I went ahead without it." Jonathan Winters

1 Sharkey, what are they guys doing in the vegetable garden? It usually doesn't see much action this time of year! Let's investigate!

2 Normally, in the depths of winter, the ground is so frozen you couldn't possibly dig like that. Plus, it's usually covered with snow!

3 That's right, Franny! This has been an exceptionally mild winter, allowing for the guys to get a head start on garden preparations for the spring!

4 At the start of every growing season, the garden gets turned over, meaning the first ten to twelve inches of soil is dug up and flipped.

5 But, before that happens, any weeds are cultivated out and discarded in the compost pile. There, those weeds get 'cooked' by the heat of the decaying organic matter, killing their seeds.

6 Once that job is done, the digging begins, a process that aerates the soil. You could even spread a layer of compost first to incorporate more nutrients into the soil. You can smell that this soil is very nutrient-rich!

7 Phurba, you're doing a splendid job! Franny, aerating sounds like a good idea, but it seems like so much work. Why is this done for the garden? Isn't it just...dirt?

8 Think about it, Sharkey! This isn't just dirt, it's what plants live in! Aeration helps replenish nutrients and provides a loose soil for vegetable roots to grow deep and strong.

9 Right! It's all coming back to me now, Francesca. It also helps with good water drainage. Is this the next section to turn?

10 Yikes!!! No way, Sharkey. This is Martha's prized asparagus and rhubarb plot. This section never gets turned!

11 Sharkey, all this talk about vegetables and nutrients has made me hungry! Let's go find a snack!

1 Sharkey, do you remember that hysterical commercial during the Super Bowl with the French Bulldog? The dog that looks like you? Well, I found it online, so let's watch it again!

2 Oh Franny, who could forget this one, about the Frenchie racing against greyhounds? It's kind of making fun of our breed with our stout bodies and short legs. We don't much look like the racing type!

3 Then, along comes Mr. Quiggly! Sharkey, he really looks so much like you!

4 Hmmm...Yes, there is a strong resemblance, but he seems to have many more wrinkles around his neck.

5 You're right, Sharkey. And besides, Mr. Quiggly is a handsome male and you are a beautiful lady.

6 Sharkey, what about those running shoes he's wearing? They must have special powers to make him run so fast!

7 If we order shoes like that, do you think we'll run as fast as Mr. Quiggly? Just think about it - the squirrels around here wouldn't stand a chance!

8 I've seen shoes for dogs before to protect paws from harsh elements, but I've never seen dog shoes for running!

9 Besides, Francesca, you can't believe everything you see on television! I think this is just a clever commercial. Staying healthy and fit is what will keep us in shape for squirrel chasing, not shoes!

1 I chased a squirrel right into this big hole in this apple tree! There's a bird feeder nearby and the squirrel has been eating the seeds!

2 You're right, Sharkey! It's too dark to see him, but I can certainly smell the critter!

3 Hmm, it smells like a common gray squirrel, right Franny? They don't hibernate in the winter like many other animals. But they often take shelter inside hollow tree trunks to stay warm and to stay near a food source.

4 Hey, squirrel!!! Come out of there! You're eating all the birdseed. You know, there's no such thing as a free lunch around here!

5 Maybe if we both shove our heads inside the hole at the same time...

6 Wait, Sharkey! There's a hole at the top of the tree, too!

7 Say, I have an idea...let's flank him! You stay down at the bottom and I'll just jump up to that one. He'll have nowhere to go!

8 One, two, three - jump! Such athleticism!

9 Aw, come on, darling sweet little squirrel! We just want to play with you!

10 Franny, I'm beginning to feel like a foolish Frenchie. I think we've been had by that squirrel. I think he used that top hole as a back door and now, he's outta here! Probably sitting in another tree laughing at us!

1 Francesca! GK! There is something strange outside! It appears to be some sort of green animal about Frenchie size!

2 I'll just wait here, where it's safe, while you girls investigate. That green color is kind of disturbing.

3 Hmmm, it's shaped like one of the miniature donkeys except that it's much more miniature! But our mini donks are the smallest size there is! And they definitely don't come in green! We need a closer look.

4 Well, Francesca, would you look at that! It's a topiary in the shape of a donkey!

5 Topiaries are often made by trimming trees, shrubs, or bushes into shapes. This is a different type of topiary.

6 Oh I see, the donkey shape is actually a wire frame, which appears to be filled with sphagnum moss. Sphagnum is often referred to as peat moss, as it's often found growing on top of peat bogs.

7 You know what? I can pose like that, too. Why doesn't someone make a topiary of me? The art of topiary has been around since Roman times. What better way to be immortalized?

8 How about this, Sharkey? Is this a good pose?

9 Or should I look off this way, like I'm daydreaming?

10 Just think, people all over the globe could decorate their lawns with Topiary Francescas! This could be big, Sharkey!

11 Oh Francesca, you're so silly. We don't need a topiary version of you—one of you is enough!

1 Dudley Do Right asks, "Hey Glue Squad buddies, wanna ride shotgun in my Ranger pickup?"

2 Rebel sent this glamour shot of Maddox! "Is this too posed? Did you want a candid sort of thing? Me just lounging fireside or something more action oriented?"

3 Basil- The fifth 4 legged pooch parented by The Wallaces over their 35 years of marriage. Basil and his humans give a big shout out for the support they've gotten from the GSquad and DWag crew.

4 Basil's late companion and best buddy Tasha, at home in Colorado. She was adopted from a local shelter and lived a full happy life with Basil, her other pooch siblings and the Wallace humans, until she passed from Cancer last year :(

5 Loyal DW reader Susan sent this shot of her husband and his best bud Boomer.

6 Minnow says, "I know! I know! Send the one of me winking at the G Squad...that's what i'd do if I met them dog to dog, dog to person, dog to ... well you get my drift..."

7 Francesca is a canine of few words but she periodically remarks on her affinity for her fellow waggers and the squad.

8 Sharkey waxed poetic about times shared with her cyber family. She remarked that perhaps this internet thing was of some use and would really take off some day.

9 Proud mom and DW regular Alex sent this photo 'F & S stand-in models,' Winnie and Fala with their security guard Johnny Goliath.

10 Ann, mom of Daily Wag regular Zoe, snapped this shot of Zoe engaged in some poolside "gardening."

11 Zoe's sister Precious can't quit understand what all the DW fuss is about but she remains supportive of Ann and Zoe for their loyalty to the squad.

12 T-Bone, another Zoe sibling, is anxious to get this photo session over with as he can smell the peanut butter hidden in the red toy that his stylist chose to accessorize the shot.

13 The fair complexioned Sophie rounds out Zoe's sibling set. Pictured here reclining with her dark haired and more sultry sister, Precious.

14 When asked what he wished to say to the Glue Squad, GK found himself a bit verklempt and full of emotions...

15 Maddox, father of GK, sends a regal shout out to his loyal friends on the squad.

16 Sophia is the happy little fur-child of Marilyn B. who describes herself as, "certified dog lover of pugs."

17 And here is Sophia, lady of leisure, out for a round of golf on a warm Texas afternoon.

18 Delia with Senta in '56. Tabu joined Delia following her husband's departure to serve in Viet Nam. Fifi came to Delia in '76. Pepper was a barn cat that Delia had spayed and then took into her care.

19 In 1970 Delia found Pippa in a field all caught up in weeds. She cared for her until Pippa passed in 1982.

20 Kitty came to delia in 2008 and remains her devoted companion and Glue Squad member today. Arabian Stallion, Ibn was a foal when Delia got him in '79. He was loyal and had the personality of a lap dog. He lived to the age of 29.

21 Little Noella arrived on Christmas of '85, hence her name. Oreo, a barn cat adopted by Delia, joined the crew around that same time. Playmates Oreo and Noella showed many a sceptic that felines and canines can in fact be the best of buds.

22 When helping me to choose photos of some of her siblings, Minnow, not so subtly, chose only shots that also featured her little mug... coincidence? I think not. Here she is snuggling with big sister Luna.

23 Big Suprise....Here is the one Minnow felt best represented her feline brother Max. You see the pattern I'm talking about yes?

24 When Minnow went out to relieve herself, I managed to snap this one of her sister Luna. Sneaky mom!

25 The legendary Miss Pickles is surely watching over the Glue Squad and sending good vibes to loyal DWaggers.

26 Minnow tushy-to-tushy with sister and BFF, Luna.

27 "Psst...hey waggers...my mom took a break so I snuck in this snap for your viewing pleasure. Thought you should know I moonlight on the occasional security gig. If any of you ever need some back up- just ring me up. I can also bounce no-gooders at velvet rope events.... here comes mom...gotta fly"

28 Portraits of Daily Wag authors F & S- and regularly featured pooches Minnow and Pickles- painted by our very own Delia P.!

29 "Psst...It's me Minnow again... managed to sneek another one in for you guys...you like?"

1 Vivaldi! Verdi! There's something different in the canary cage. Do you see it?

2 There seems to a stranger trying to blend in with the flock, but the vivid color of these Red Factor canaries makes it difficult.

3 What they eat affects their pigmentation, so they are fed foods like carrots, oranges, and berries to keep them bright.

4 It's the same reason pink flamingos are pink, you know, because of all the shrimp they eat.

5 So if I eat a lot of shrimp, I might turn pink as well? How silly I would look! But Bartok, what were you saying about a stranger in the canary cage?

6 All I see that's different are these newly cut apple branches for the birds to perch on.

7 Wait a minute, what's that? Hey, that's no canary!

8 See? I told you. That's a blue parakeet that Martha bought as a songbird for her granddaughter, Baby Jude. While canaries make lovely pets (and snacks), parakeets can be trained to sing and talk.

9 Bartok, when did you become such a know-it-all? You sound like the Frenchies with all of those facts. I'm trying to nap in this ray of sun over here!

10 What? The dogs think they're so smart...I'm just trying to show that they aren't the only ones with brains in this house! We know things too!

11 Oh fine, I'll stretch out and nap in the sun, too. See if I ever try to better you again!

1 All right, GK! Sharkey and I are going to make sure you look your best for the next show, which is Westminster, of course! Let's see what tools and products we can use.

2 GK, you don't need a full shampoo because you've had a bath recently. It's important not to bathe dogs too frequently as it can wash away too many of our natural oils. Those oils keep our skin healthy and our coats shiny!

3 We Frenchies don't have problems with tangles as we have easy to manage short hair, but the thickness and length of Chow Chow fur can cause mats! Let's use this natural botanical conditioning spray to make it easier to brush him!

4 While you go to a professional groomer, and you also have Karen Tracy taking care of you for shows, it's a good idea to keep brushes on hand at home for in between maintenance.

5 Ah, see, GK? No tangles means no tears! Grooming should be a good experience that brings owners closer to their pets.

6 Thanks, Sharkey! You brush my back and I'll brush yours! Doesn't that feel great?

7 I'm going to run this comb gently through to pick up some of your undercoat. Regular brushing also reduces the amount of shedding, keeping hair off clothes, furniture, and floors!

8 GK, you're starting to look really good! But let's not just worry about the outside. We have to take care of the inside, too!

9 That's right Sharkey. We use this ear cleaner to clear waxy buildups and stop infections before they start! Pups with floppy ears are especially prone to infections, so they should definitely clean their ears frequently!

10 Gee, girls! You always take such good care of me! It's so nice of you to help me look and feel my best!