VIDEO: Mayor honors Swagger the sheepdog
Swagger the sheepdog just won’t stop winning awards.
After taking second place for best in show and winning the herding group at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach bestowed the Spirit of the Springs award on the pooch at a small ceremony on Tuesday.
“Swagger is an unbelievable dog,” Bach said. “This is the first time we’ve presented an award to a dog. And it won’t be the last, I hope.”
Swagger’s owner and handler, Doug Johnson and his son Colton, of the Sunrise and Woodmen Kennels, were on hand to receive the award.
Bach also praised the Johnsons for taking in roughly 300 dogs and cats of victims of the Waldo Canyon fire last summer, to help support displaced families.
“We have here this morning a great example of citizen leadership and compassion,” Bach said, addressing the Johnsons.
Smartphone and tablet readers can view the video here.
Swagger the Old English Sheepdog has become the latest celebrity from Colorado Springs. Swagger and his owners, Colton Johnson (left) and Doug Johnson, received the Spirit of the Springs Award on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at the mayor’s monthly Media Briefing. Swagger gets affectionate with his owner before the presentation. Swagger was the Best-in-Group winner and Reserve Best-in-Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York. During the Waldo Canyon Fire, Swagger’s owners took in displaced pets to stay at their kennels. Photo by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE
Swagger the Old English Sheepdog has become the latest celebrity from Colorado Springs. Swagger and his owners, Colton Johnson (left) and Doug Johnson, received the Spirit of the Springs Award on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at the mayor’s monthly Media Bri Photo by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE
Swagger, an Old English Sheep Dog, is posed for photographs after winning the herding group during the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Photo by