All my dogs were named Poochie.

We had one plain old pooch after the other through the years. Nothing fancy, nothing registered. Just a mixed breed dog that we loved.

It has been a long time since I have had a dog of my own.

Now I enjoy watching the dog shows on television or visiting with someone else’s pet when they bring them over. A friend recently got a poodle which she brought by for me to see.

Sassy is no bigger than a powder puff. She looks like a ball of black fur and is full of mischief. She bounces instead of walks and enjoys nibbling on your fingers.

Sassy made me long for my favorite pooch.

Then I heard about Stump.

I started thinking about my pooches when I heard the news about Stump and the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York. I missed the show, but I read about it in the paper.

Stump, a Sussex spaniel who recently turned 10, became the oldest best in show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club earlier this month. He ended his retirement to take the big prize.

In human years, he’s almost 70.

According to the AP wire service report, it turns out the old dog taught Westminster a new trick.

Stump is golden-red with floppy ears and a plodding gait. We are about the same age, but he moves a lot better.

The previous oldest winner at Westminster was an 8-year-old Papillon in 1999. Stump was the first of his breed to capture the silver bowl.

Nearly 2,500 dogs in 170 breeds and varieties were entered in this 133rd edition of Westminster. Last year’s champion, a beagle named Uno, was perhaps the most popular winner ever.

Old English bulldogs are my favorite.

I’ve never been to Westminster, but I have traveled to numerous dog shows with my friends who were active with the Bulldoggers, raising and showing the breed. They had lots of winners.

My friends invited me to tag along and I was amazed at how much work goes into showing dogs. They are now down to one bulldog, the family pet, and no longer compete in the shows.

It was fun at the time.

The closest I get to dog shows now is watching them on television.

And that’s just fine, but I do miss my poochie.

Contact Lifestyle Editor Catherine Monk at 997-3111 ext. 16, e-mail cmonk@yourdailyjournal.com