While the Coupeville Shiba Inu dog, Kaida, didn’t place in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Feb. 13 and 14 in New York City, she was the constant center of attention.

Kaida, whose registered name is GCh Dragon House That Jones Girl!, was bred by Sandi Smith of Langley and lives with co-owners John and Alice Schisel of Coupeville.

At 27 months old, Kaida is the current American Kennel Club National Champion and this was her second time attending Westminster.

Her father, Mr. Jones, owned by Smith, received an Award of Merit at Westminster. After the Best of Breeds of all the Champions at the show and the Best of Opposite Sex awards are given, the Award Of Merit is given to acknowledge that there is another dog demonstrating superior quality deserving praise or excellence.

“Our trip to New York was famous,” John Schisel said. “We stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania across the street from Madison Square Garden. The hotel hosted hundreds of dogs entered in the show –- the lobby was quite an experience!”

Kaida got a taste of New York pizza, hot dogs and Italian sausage — but those didn’t compare to her favorite, McDonald’s plain cheeseburgers.

Kaida enjoyed being in the spotlight after the show, when she met about 1,000 people and posed for the media, John Schisel said.

She was the center of attention on a shopping trip through Macy’s, rode the subway and enjoy a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.

“Everywhere we went we were welcomed. Truly, New Yorkers can be some of the warmest and friendliest people you will ever meet. Kaida had secretaries and gang members, homeless people and stockbrokers, bus drivers and subway riders, all fawning over her. Kaida, a little Coupeville girl, had New York City at her feet –- she is so street savvy!” John Schisel said.

The Westminster event, in its 136th year, began in 1877.