NEW YORK, New York – JR, Kirby and Mick, three superstars from the world of dogs, were on hand recently to help unveil a new water color painting to be reproduced as a poster to commemorate the Westminster Kennel Club’s 128th Annual Dog Show, which is slated for February 9 and 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The painting is an image rich with dogs, people and New York scenes and is entitled Westminster: There’s only one. It is the creation of noted artist Misha Lenn. Proceeds from the sale of the poster will be donated to the Animal Medical Center in New York.

The three canine superstars were all Best In Show winners at Westminster: Kirby (Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being), a Papillon, was a winner in 1999; Mick (Ch. Torums Scarf Michael), a Kerry Blue Terrier, was champion in 2003; and JR (Ch. Special Times Just Right), a Bichon Frise, was champion in 2001.

The Westminster Kennel Club and USA Network co-hosted the unveiling at New York City’s famed Blue Water Grill.

“We are thrilled to have such a wonderful painting to represent Westminster’s rich heritage and exciting annual dog show,” said WKC President Peter R. Van Brunt. “Misha has done a wonderful job of capturing the essence of Westminster.”

Also on hand for the event were Dr. Guy L. Pidgeon, President and CEO of the Animal Medical Center; Thomas H. Bradley, 3d., Westminster Show Chairman; Gordon M. Beck, Senior Vice President of Sports for USA Network; Bill McFadden (Mick’s handler); Scott Sommer (JR’s handler); and John Oulton (Kirby’s handler and owner).

The Westminster Kennel Club show will once again be televised live from Madison Square Garden on USA Network, which is in its 21st year of association with the event. The Westminster Kennel Club is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster’s influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all breed, benched dog show held every year at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The show is America’s second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby. Westminster will stage its 128th consecutive show on February 9-10, 2004, nationally televised on USA Network. For more information, log on to www.westminsterkennelclub.org.

The Animal Medical Center in New York City is a not-for-profit veterinary hospital that provides life-saving care to more than 60,000 pets each year. With the philosophy that pets are family, the AMC takes pride in having the most advanced veterinary care available to all of its patients. Since 1963, the Animal Medical Center has provided inpatient and outpatient veterinary care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.