Being a proud owner of a couple of mutts myself, I just love me a dog show, so you can imagine my excitement when I learned that the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship was coming to the Bay area. To get up close and personal with the dogs, spectators can "Meet the Breeds" at the Tampa Convention Center, where 150 different doggies are on display. But the Big Enchilada is the competition itself, which takes place on two consecutive evenings at the St. Pete Times Forum. Look for me; I'll be the one with the big foam paw screaming, "Schipperke! YEAH, SCHIPPERKE!!" Jan. 14-15: "Meet the Breeds," 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (free admission with tickets to the show); championships begin at 8 p.m. both nights. Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa; Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, $29 adults/$24 seniors/$13 ages 2-18 for both days; $20/$17/$7 for single-day tickets, 813-287-8844 or www.stpetetimesforum.com.
