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By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record

Carole Morse has had a dog by her side for most of her life.
At about age 50, her dog of some 10 years died.
She was living in the District of Columbia, and decided she didn’t need a 100-pound dog to take care of. So she did what most people would do; she turned to Google, and typed in the attributes she wanted in a dog.
Up popped the Australian Terrier.
Now, Morse, of Advance, is the owner of several Australian Terriers – including George – the newest best of breed in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club annual dog show.
When George was born, Morse knew she had a special dog.
“When he was little, I just knew,” she said. “He has this most beguiling look. It touches your heart, and he does so well showing.”
It took more than just a cute look to win the big prize. The dogs are judged for size, coat, gait, personality … if it’s part of the dog, it is judged. George has those parts down pat, too.
But the eyes. “They’re looking for a keen expression in their eyes, dark brown with an oval shape.”
So how does a 50-year-old woman go from looking for a companion dog to owning a Westminster champion?
After her first Australian Terrier died, Morse had met a partner who was into showing another breed, so she was familiar with dog shows. She told the breeder she wanted a show quality Australian Terrier.
No, that wasn’t George.
Zoom was her first show dog. She took handling classes, and contrary to what many people thought, began to win at shows. Her first litter had four puppies, three of which went on to win at shows.
George was part of that second litter, sired by Bacon, a two-time winner at Westminster.
Morse and George were regular at shows until last year, when family health problems caused her to look for a handler. She found the perfect match in Jacqueline Johnson, a Wisconsin-based trainer who showed George at Westminster, and will guide him for the next year until he comes back home to Morse.
“I miss him … but I’ve been to Jacqueline’s house. She just loves dogs and is an expert at handling. Once he comes home, I’ll show him again. That’s the goal.”
His life isn’t too bad in Wisconsin. He has a treadmill. He goes to the doggie chiropractor. He gets regular massages. He is groomed every couple of weeks. “He’s kind of spoiled, but it’s all to keep him in top condition. They (show judges) have a definite outline they’re looking for.”
George, of course, isn’t his full name. Between all of the earned and required designations, the official name would take up a full paragraph.
“He was always just so special, and I wondered what am I going to call him,” Morse said. “I thought George, Georgie (She still calls him by that name.) … and then I thought By George, I’ve Got It (His official short name.), because he struts and moves like he is something.”
Yes, Morse was on hand to see George win at Westminster, but George didn’t know. She didn’t want to distract him.
But after he won, he knew. Both were all smiles because George, she said, knew he had performed at the top of his game.