New leash on life
One lucky mutt, Buster, has gone from the streets to the Westminster dog show
By DOREE LEWAK T HIS pooch has gone from street life to sweet life!
Buster, a 5-year-old mutt from New Rochelle, NY, will compete in his first Westminster dog show on Saturday in the agility category. It’s a far cry from the “ruff ” life he had on the mean streets of Philadelphia before being rescued over four years ago.
Owner Jacqueline Soccodato, 38, a dance instructor and now-novice dog handler, says Buster is an underdog in every sense: “Ninety percent of his competition is show dogs.”
A sack of bones when he was picked up, Buster, who still had his baby teeth, had hair so long and matted that he couldn’t open his mouth to eat. He was taken to the Animal Alliance, a no-kill shelter in New Jersey, where Soccodato found him.
Early on, she says, Buster had trust issues and, unused to being given food, stole it off the table. Prestigious dog shows weren’t on Soccodato’s mind. But when she decided to harness his energy in an agility class — think obstacle courses mixed with some training — she discovered his natural dexterity and talent for overcoming the literal challenges put in his way.
Soon, Soccodato was taking Buster, who appears to be a motley mix of Shih Tzu, Yorkshire terrier and various other breeds, on weekend trials throughout the northeast. He nabbed first place in his very first competition in May 2014, and has since racked up dozens of ribbons, proudly displayed over his pee pad at home.
In Saturday’s agility competition, the underdog will face off with dozens of other contenders in his division, but Soccodato says he’s one cool customer.
“Buster is super-good under stress and can tune everything out because he was on the streets and in the shelter,” she says.
But he does have some disadvantages.
“Most of these dogs are purebreds . . . and come from agility champs, like a mother and grandparent — they have good lines,” Soccodato says.
He may not have the papers, but Buster has a taste of the good life. His food comes from a pricey spe- cialty shop, and he receives laser acupuncture and 10-minute massage sessions for his back.
He’ll stand out on the course with his nonpedigree mug.
“Everyone comes in with the same exact dogs that are made for agility [like] border collies, Australian shepherds — they all look the same,” says Soccodato. “Everyone always asks what Buster is. He totally doesn’t f it in.”
But he’ll have an enthusiastic fan club rooting him on: Buster’s rescuers are making a four-hour trip to watch him compete.
“He’s like your child,” says a beaming Soccodato. “You think he’s wonderful — you just hope everyone else does, too.”
And Buster, she says, has a good shot at being on the podium: “He 100 percent understands what he needs to do.”