Top Dog:  Mount Alum Holds Leash

It’s not exactly the Final Four, but it is way up there in the Mount St. Mary’s University’s- fifteen minutes-of-fame-game.  Every dog has its day including Snoop Dog, better known as Uno, the first beagle ever to win best of show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held this week in New York, and he’s owned by a Mount alum.  In other words, Eddie Dziuk’s (Class of 85) Uno was named Top Dog at the snooty beauty pageant where he beat out “two perfect poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, an Australian shepherd and an Akita” according to the Associated Press.  Plus he set the entire Kennel Club on its ear.

Eddie Dziuk, C’85, of Columbia, Missouri is one of four co-owners of “K-Run’s Park Me in First” the formal name for the dog who prefers to be called Uno. Reports say being a beagle is definitely not a plus for winning at Westminster, none have won in the hound category since 1939. Apparently no one told Uno that a beagle is considered a “common” dog and not supposed to win at Westminster.  He entered the ring prancing and showing off his personality to the roar of the crowds. He shimmied with star quality as he stopped in front of the judge and began the howling or baying that beagles are known for. When the winner was announced the crowd went wild and gave the three year old pup a standing ovation.

Uno took the whole celeb and paparazzi thing in stride, munching on the microphone cords of reporters who were more interested in interviewing his handlers and owners than the perfect pooch himself. Eddie has been showing dogs since he was a kid and long before he showed up at Mount St. Mary’s University.  The Mount has always been proud of its successful alums, many of whom have sent sons, daughters, grandchildren and foster kids to this great educational place.  There is no doubt Uno has had some formal education but what about his post grad work? The Mount would surely make an exception for this exceptional legacy candidate.

He fits the perfect Mount profile: charisma, intelligence, personality, character and that howling thing which is also frequently heard outside freshman dorm rooms around midnight.  And of course, as all proud Mount parents know about their progeny, this guy is perfect, no really, he’s really perfect!