Cunard Line offered the winner of the Westminster Dog Show a ride aboard one of its most luxurious ships. Will Rumor set sail for England? Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.
Rumor, the 5-year-old German shepherd who just won best in show at Westminster, certainly has her footing around the ring. Now, the champion has an opportunity to prove her sea legs.
"We are thrilled to have offered the winner in best in show a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2. It was so apropos," said Alycia Oliphant of Cunard.
The Cunard Line, a sponsor of this year's New York City-based dog show, has a fabled history of sailing cats and dogs on transatlantic crossings. If she accepts the offer, Rumor would find herself sailing in the paw prints of another famous German shepherd.
"Rin Tin Tin has traveled with us," Oliphant says. "Also, Elizabeth Taylor's very pampered pooches have been on board. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor's beloved pup had also come on board."
So how would Rumor feel about making the crossing in one of the 24 coveted kennels onboard Queen Mary 2?
"I don't know. She'd probably rather be in the room with us,. That's usually how she travels," says Kent Boyles, Rumor's handler.
"I'm not sure. We'll have to check it out and see how it goes. But we may."
Rumor has it that Rumor might first want to have some puppies, mastering morning sickness before taking on the high seas.