View image | gettyimages.com

One of the competitors at next week’s Westminster Kennel Club show meets the paparrazi. His (her?) name is Ugo, which is a pretty cool name, even if that’s just ridiculous hair for any animal to have. But here’s a tip: If you’re a dog person and you haven’t been to a dog show, you should try to do it. They let everyone walk around backstage where all the dogs are waiting, getting brushed and combed, and doing whatever it is they do. You can walk right up and check them out, maybe even pet them. It’s like going to a major league baseball game and getting to hang out in the locker room.

Paul Waldman is a weekly columnist and senior writer for The American Prospect. He also writes for the Plum Line blog at The Washington Post and The Week and is the author of Being Right Is Not Enough: What Progressives Must Learn From Conservative Success. Follow @paulwaldman1