BY FACEBOY | As I write this on Sun., Feb.7, America is gearing up for one the most important sporting events in the country: Puppy Bowl XII! Presented on the Animal Planet channel, this year’s competition features Team Ruff vs. Team Fluff, and we’ll all be the on the edge of our seats to see who takes home the title of MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). If you were watching some other game and missed it this year, worry not — you can still have your fill of adorable fluff by catching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden (or watch it on CNBC and USA networks on, respectively, Mon. & Tues., Feb. 15 & 16).
One competitor to keep an eye on is Marilyn Merlot — a hot blonde who could very well win Best in Show! In preparation for the competition, Merlot will be groomed by stylist Mackensie Murphy, at Chelsea’s Downtown Doghouse, owned by Nancy Chinchar.
I spoke with Chinchar to learn more about this multi-award-winning princess of a pooch and was assured that all of the attention has not gone to her head. “You know she knows how to perform,” Chinchar says, “but around the shop, she’s everybody’s buddy.”
One year and nine months of age, Marilyn Merlot is a purebred (of course) American Cocker Spaniel whose formative months belied her future. “When she was a puppy she was extremely stubborn and I had doubts she would ever be a show dog,” Chinchar tells me, adding, “Mike and Linda Pitts [a handling team; the folks who show dogs in the arena] took her for seven months and turned her into a show dog.” In that short time, she was awarded the titles of Champion and Grand Champion, while also winning multiple group placement honors (achievements that normally take years).
Merlot’s best friends are her roommates, two black Cocker Spaniels named Classy and Clooney (Merlot currently lives with Murphy, as it’s common for a show dog to live with her groomer/caretaker). Clooney can be very protective, and will bark at a stranger approaching Merlot — that is, until said stranger begins to pet him. Then, Chinchar reports, “He’s like ‘Oh yeah, never mind.’ ”
Their friendship began the very first day Merlot entered the salon. “Right after Mackensie brought Marilyn in,” Chinchar recalls, “we were like, ‘Who is this blonde?’ She was very shy and curled up on the table, peeking her eyes up. Then she leaned over and started to lick Clooney. Clooney bumped noses and she felt reassured, so she began to wag her tail and accept the attention.” Merlot also lives with Hoodie and Sawyer (Bedlington Terriers who resemble lambs), Tristan and Nick (both Poodles), and Oliver, a three-year-old human.
Many animal lovers and advocates are concerned that show dogs may come from puppy mills, so rest assured that Marilyn came from the loving home of a responsible breeder. Please, dear reader: If you’re interested in raising a show dog, be certain of its origin. The ASPCA warns us on their website (aspca.org) that, “There is no legal definition of a ‘puppy mill’ so don’t be fooled by pet store owners who show you ‘papers’ or licenses to prove their dogs are from humane sources.”
As I finish this article, I’m pleased to answer the question you’ve all been wondering about. This year’s Puppy Bowl MVP is 20-week-old Chow Chow/Labrador mix aptly named “Star.”
Downtown Doghouse Pet Salon & Boutique’s Chelsea location is at 168 Ninth Ave. (btw. 20th & 21st Sts.). Daily hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The Gramercy location (Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) is at 215 E. 26th St. (btw. Second & Third Aves.). Visit downtowndoghouse.com or call 212-924-5300.
