# Interview with a Champion

**URL:** <https://pheromonetalk.com/t/interview-with-a-champion/27631>\
**Category:** Lounge\
**Created:** [April 1, 2009, 7:30am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/interview-with-a-champion/27631 "2009-04-01T07:30:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bella](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bella/32/1738_2.png) [@Bella](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Bella)\
**Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 7:30am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/interview-with-a-champion/27631/1 "2009-04-01T07:30:29Z")

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![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/pheromonetalk/original/2X/e/e24c8b311d87100f9c17537817b77b93706ed256.gif)

 ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/pheromonetalk/original/2X/3/36fab78f0bb731ac1f495ee08c145c1d278c5eb8.jpeg)  
Photo by Brent Humphreys

Stump: The Bark of a Champion  
By Ken Budd, May & June 2009

Westminster’s oldest “Best in Show” winner on sickness, success, and those fabulous ears.

![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/pheromonetalk/original/2X/1/1c96ed6597e58f0137be85708bd5c344da60de9f.gif)

![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/pheromonetalk/original/2X/1/1c96ed6597e58f0137be85708bd5c344da60de9f.gif)  
**Q: So, Stump—you’d been retired for five years, but your handler showed you because you “look great.” What’s your secret?**

I’m all natural. No Botox for the Stumpster. No jowl lifts or steroids or canine growth hormone. I eat right and take care of my coat. Ten is the new five in dog years.

**Q: You have such great ears.**

They swoosh around when I run. There’s a shot of me at Westminster where I look like Fabio. _[Laughs.]_

**Q: You nearly died from a bacterial infection. How hard was that?**

The infection was in my heart valves, and I also had pulmonary edema. It definitely changes your perspective. _[Stops to lick himself.]_ I think it was F. Scott Fitzgerald, or maybe Benji, who said, “Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.”

**Q: Were you worried about competing again?**

Don’t forget: I won 50 competitions in 2003. Remember when George Foreman won the heavyweight title at age 44? That’s me. I’m a four-legged Foreman.

**Q: So many dog-show fans raved about your personality and charisma.**

It’s part of being a Sussex spaniel. We’re known for our cheerfulness. Big ears and big personality. _[Laughs.]_ It’s hard to define star quality, but I just have this presence, you know? So when I walk into a room, or if I’m on stage, everyone goes, “Whoa—who is _that_?” Oprah, Obama, Bono…Stump. I’m in that same category. I’m like a really hairy Brad Pitt. _[Laughs, licks interviewer.]_

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**Author:** ![QuietGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/bc8723/32.png) [@QuietGuy](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/QuietGuy)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/interview-with-a-champion/27631/2 "2009-04-02T13:47:35Z")

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Funny and uplifting. Thanks for posting this, Bella! [http://img6.glowfoto.com/images/2009/04/02-0644187951T.gif](http://www.glowfoto.com/viewimage.php?img=02-064418L&y=2009&m=04&t=gif&rand=7951&srv=img6)

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**Author:** ![Bella](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bella/32/1738_2.png) [@Bella](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Bella)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/interview-with-a-champion/27631/3 "2009-04-02T19:24:32Z")

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Glad you enjoyed it, Quiet Guy! I know a lot of “old dogs” who’ve still got it. 😉 🙂

Bella