Sandy Robins • E-mail

NEW YORK - First there was Cher and then there was Madonna. And now there’s Uno, America’s newest single-name celebrity and overnight sensation that came howling into the world spotlight after winning best in show at the 132nd annual Westminster Dog Show. He was immediately swept off the green carpet to embark on a junket known as the World Media Tour which instantly turned him into a household name.

6 a.m. — It was raining cats and dogs when a convoy of chauffeur-driven vans rolled up outside the dog’s hotel on Seventh Avenue, New York City, at precisely 6 a.m. Wednesday, a mere seven hours after his spectacular win at Madison Square Gardens that had prompted a round of partying and celebration which had left little time for sleep.

The first stop on this media blitz was the TODAY show in a segment scheduled for 7.38 a.m.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Russella Wilkerson, the wife of Uno’s handsome handler Aaron Wilkerson, as she climbed in along with an entourage that included one of his owners, photographers and publicists for the Westminster Kennel Club. “When we returned to our room, our door was plastered with post-it notes from well wishers and the phone was ringing off the hook.”

From the moment he climbed in the van, Uno looked bright-eyed and bushy tailed despite little sleep, spurred on by some tasty pieces of fillet steak in Aaron Wilkerson’s suit pocket that couldn’t fool this alert scent hound.

“We have a special recipe that we make on a George Forman grill,” confided Wilkerson. “I don’t know how much bait he ends up eating during a show, but it certainly adds up. If it’s not steak, it’s pork loin, which is his other favorite.”

With the rain still lashing down, the vans halted outside the NBC studios and everyone poured out into the welcoming warmth of the green room filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and a table decked with tempting bagels and other confectionery.

Uno sniffed with interest. “He’s not allowed any,” explained Russella Wilkerson. “He loves food and is what’s known in the dog show world as ‘an easy keeper’ which means that he easily puts on weight!”

But before he found the food too tempting, he was whisked off along with his handler onto the set to chat with the TODAY show team.

In the meantime, his publicist, Kelly Rubin, was busy plotting a strategy that would have made a U.S. Army general proud as to how to get across town in the snail-paced traffic and the downpour to make it to the “Early Show” on CBS a mere eight minutes later.

8 a.m. — Driver Mario must have been related to race-car speed freak Mario Andretti because once everyone was back on board, he accelerated going from 0 to 60 mph dodging yellows taxis and pedestrians with what was obviously practiced skill.

Video   Numero Uno Feb. 12, 2008: See the final moments and celebration of the beagle Uno winning best in show at the Westminster Dog Show.

He made it to the next stop before anyone could blink. Once again, the doors flung open and the entourage was trooping into another building and another green room. It was difficult to walk as people seemed to appear from nowhere crowding round for a pat. Out came cell phones and lights flashed and Uno took it all in stride, howling in delight and working the crowds like a true celebrity.

8.45 a.m. — Off to the Fox Studios and straight on to the set of Mike and Juliet. Within seconds, the hosts were on their knees and playing with their celebrity guest who wagged his tail and talked directly to the cameras, howling on commands and snuggling up to Wilkerson as if conferring with him.

Down some more passages, around corners, down the escalators and on to the set of Fox News. More cell phone cameras recording the event as this press tour rolled on. 

9.15 a.m. — Back in the vans and this time, despite the continuous rain, the pace became slightly more leisurely as the convoy swung across town and headed for Martha Stewart’s studios on 26^th Street. Everyone in both vans was either making or receiving cell phone calls to such an extent that by the end of the day every phone battery was flat and had to be recharged to keep the lines of communication going.

Video   ‘It’s an honor’ Feb. 12, 2008: Uno’s handler, Aaron Wilkerson, was speechless after winning best in show at the Westminster dog show.

The show was already in full swing and through the glass doors Martha’s two French bulldogs in black-and-white sweaters were running around on the set barking. Another green room. This time everyone was ready to eat, especially seeing that they were at the kitchen alter of America’s domestic goddess.

“Wow. These are real Martha muffins,” said Eddy Dzuik, one of Uno’s co-owners. “I feel I should put it in the freezer and take it out once a year and eat a crumb rather like one does with wedding cake.”

And boy, were they delicious.

Show time. Aaron, Uno and Westminster Kennel Club’s David Frei went on set. The audience was cued to clap and Martha’s French Bulldogs suddenly turned territorial and were not pleased to have any canine competition.

Uno, the perfect gentlemen, simply looked down his nose as they were scooped off and sent temporarily packing. The show went on and Uno did his doggy routine to perfection and had the audience lapping it up.

10.40 a.m. — It was goodbye Martha and hello Grand Central Station. The entourage made its way for a quick stop at Cipriani restaurant above the main concourse where members of New York’s newest dog club, the Metropolitan Dog Club, were having a function to honor the best in show judge. Everyone ooohed and aahhhed as camera phones once again recorded the event. Once again, the crowds seemed to gather from nowhere.

Next the canine celeb was once again on the trot. This time to another section of the station where TV crews were setting up to do a live satellite feed to about 12 affiliate stations across the country from Chicago to Topeka, Kan.