The Munns have traveled as far as Canada to breed their dogs with other champions in bids to produce genetic perfection. Puppies that don't make the competitive cut are spayed or neutered and sold to new owners who must pass a stringent vetting process. "The most important thing is that they live happy lives," she said of the deciding factor in approving a sale. "I'm looking for someone that will really make them a part of their family."

In a scant four years, the Munns have gone from researching the breed and buying their first Pomeranian, to turning in ever-more-impressive performances while tramping every other weekend to dog shows up and down the East Coast. They share extensive training, grooming and show handling responsibilities -- a departure from common practices within the upper echelons of competition where owners often farm out those jobs to professionals. Frei said that while breeder-owner-handler combinations are not uncommon, he's one himself, there are large numbers of professionals handling dogs at Westminster for a fee. "Not everyone can run the length of Madison Square Garden with a dog. The handler has to be athletic, too," Frei said. "But the heart and soul of the sport is the owner-handler. It's great they are handling their own dog. "It gets people rooting for them."

But no matter the outcome of the two-day competition, Thai will no doubt receive a hero's welcome from his biggest fans, the residents at the Assisted Living community in Gloucester, where he regularly visits. On two weekends a month, Junior Munn brings Thai and one or two of their other Pomeranians to the center where Jennifer Munn works as a nurse.

On a recent afternoon, about 20 of the seniors awaited Thai in a sitting room. Facial expressions drawn down by time gave way in an instant to broad smiles and the type of cooing and gentle cuddling usually reserved for grandchildren or the like. The room erupted in excited conversation as the residents greeted the canines as if they were family members. Even the dogs appeared to smile.

"Some of these people won't come out of their rooms except for the dogs," said Jennifer Munn's supervisor Lynn Smith. "It's amazing to see some of the reactions. There's definitely a therapeutic side to it."Smith said the interaction lowers blood pressure and produces chemicals in the brain that make the residents happier while reducing stress and anxiety. "It's very good for the dogs, too. They have to get used to the crowds and noise in preperation for the show ring," Jennifer Munn said.

She says resident Ed Kelly always tells her the dogs are really his own. He "woofs" a greeting to each dog placed in his large hands. "They are absolutely fabulous -- intelligent beyond belief," Kelly said. "If only they would fit in my pocket."Another resident, Mary Plummer, is a New Jersey native who said she attended Westminster's dog show every year while growing up. "I'd never thought I'd come here and see champion dogs," Plummer said. While watching for Thai on television, Plummer said she'd be anticipating a strong finish. "I think he is very well bred and mature enough. He's very intelligent," Plummer