We were thrilled the first weekend of October 2004 when Virago won his first Hound Group, and an all-breed Best in Show at the Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association show.

Gainesville is the home of the University of Florida, whose fighting Gators sports teams wear orange and blue. GGDFA uses the UF colors for their Best in Show ribbon, instead of the traditional red, white and blue.

People outside of the fancy always ask, "Do you win money at dog shows?" We always laugh and explain the direction that money flows at dog shows! But for this win, the club offered a large vase stuffed with one dollar bills for Best in Show, enough to pay for all the photos of wins on the weekend.

The local newspaper did a feature on the dog show, so Vir and Chris ended up on the front page of Monday's edition.

Virago put up with picture taking in the broiling sun, then flopped over for a good roll. As you can see he takes this stuff very seriously....

A couple hours later, back on the farm, Virago celebrated by heading immedately for the pond, and a return to real life.