Thanksgiving goes to the dogs

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Parades, Football, Turkey and the National Dog Show-- they've all become synonymous with Thanksgiving.

A local Thanksgiving dog show has hundreds giving up the turkey and stuffing to spend the day with man’s best friend. Just like the National Dog show, these dogs won’t be getting any table scraps this Thanksgiving.

They’re competing in the Thanksgiving Classic Dog Show at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds.

Annmarie Watson traveled from Maine with her family to have her pup compete. “This is one of the biggest shows so it's just like the one you'll see on Thanksgiving,” said Watson.

These shows are hard work some people stay the whole day and others the whole weekend and preparing and primping is a special skill.

Rebecca Flood and her pooches even competed at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia that was recorded last week. Instead of sitting down at the dinner table on Thanksgiving, she'd rather be walking her dogs.

“It's something we love to do and our pets are still our family and we still spend our time with our family.  My brother and my dad are driving down later so we can all have dinner together so I enjoy coming to this Dog Show on Thanksgiving and spending it with my pets,” said Flood.

For these pet owners, Thanksgiving isn't about the turkeys it's all about the dogs.” It kind of is tradition, you share your Thanksgiving with your pets.  He had his turkey last weekend,” said Watson.

The Thanksgiving Classic Dog Show in West Springfield runs through Monday.