"Dear Ms. Rutherford:

On behalf of the American Kennel Club and the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, I am pleased to congratulate you on having your artwork entry selected as the FIRST RUNNER-UP in the third annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Commemorative Art Poster Competition.

In Gratitude and appreciation for your efforts, I enclose a check for $200 and a copy of our AKC publication, "Our Dogs: A Century of Images and Words From the AKC Gazette". This book is a photographic tribute to our cherished canine companions drawn from the archives of the AKC Gazette, which I hope you will enjoy.

Many thanks for your submission and I hope you will consider entering again later this summer when we will hold a similar competition to select the poster artwork for the fourth AKC/Eukanuba National Championship commemorative poster."

The poster competition guidelines called for the creation of any two-dimensional, original painting or drawing that depicts multiple breeds and the theme "The Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs". Within this theme, the artwork could focus on various subject matter such as AKC events, the human/canine bond, breeding programs or the setting for this year's event in Tampa, Florida. All artwork must measure either 18"x 21" or 15"x 24" and the competition was open to entrants worldwide, eighteen years of age or older.

Each entrant was scored according to artistic merit, creativity and originality as well as the ability of the artwork to depict and capture the essence of the theme "The Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs". The ten entries judged to have achieved the highest scores were declared the Finalists. From this group, a single winner was chosen and would be awarded the prize of $1,000 and an all expense paid 4 day/3 night trip to the National Championships in Florida. The Winning artwork would be published as a limited edition of 500 posters and proceeds donated to a specified charity.

The winning acrylic painting, entitled "Red, White and Blue...And Every Other Hue!" was created by Jody Whitsell of Monroe, New York and announced on December 9, 2005. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Kathryn Rutherford was chosen as First Runner-Up and sent an appreciation letter and token cash award and full colour AKC publication which will make a wonderful addition to a well stocked library. Many thanks to the American Kennel Club and The Iams Company.

Kathryn's original oil painting entitled "Champions Take The Spotlight in Tampa" depicts seven majestic breeds in all their splendour and pride as they pose proudly under the spotlight and the reflection of the nighttime Tampa Skyline.

How do you chose which breeds to paint when there are so many magnificent animals one could represent? The choice came down to "favourites". Kathryn's pet favourite is the Border Collie for it's intelligence and companionship. Her husband, Greg's, choice is the Husky. Daughter, Tania, works in digital animation and speaks Japanese so the logical choice in her honor is the Japanese Chin. Show favourites are always the spectacular display of fluff-dried fur on the Bichon Frise and what doesn't make a more showy effect of pint-sized, silky fur than the Shih Tzu? Man's best friend and all around favourite dog is the Beagle, but no, that is not a Greyhound. In honor of Kathryn's father, that final dog is a Whippet. At eighty-one years old, Albert still drives a 1928 fully restored Whippet. This one is an automobile complete with chrome plated, highly collectable whippet radiator cap displayed on the hood!

The winning poster entry, by Jody Whitsell, may be purchased in the online store under "AKC Collectibles" at www.akc.org. The First Runner-Up painting, by Kathryn Rutherford, may be purchased in print, on merchandise or on t-shirts by contacting the Heirloom Art Studio directly.