New York City - Ellen Charles and Karen LeFrak held a welcome to New York event for their friends - a mix of owners, breeders, handlers and judges - who will participate in the famed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. They were also celebrating Karen's newest children's book, the just released "Best in Show." The festive cocktail party event was held at Doubles.

Karen LeFrak and Wendy Carduner. (Ann Watt)

LeFrak is well known in the city for her interests, including breeding and showing champion Standard Poodles. She is proud of her illustrious show dog Ch. Ale Kai Mikimoto on Fifth who earned two consecutive group wins at Westminster and Best of Breed at the Poodle Club of America. "Miki" retired from competition as America's number one Standard Poodle with 88 Best in Show titles to his name. To date, Miki has sired close to 100 champions and Best in Show winners. On the first day of Westminster 2011, Miki's daughter Brighton Lakeridge Encore Standard Poodle, owned by Toni Sosnoff, won Best of Breed.

Among the guests who filled Doubles were: Iris Love, Frank Sabella, David Frei, Cecilia Ruggles, Jim Reynolds, Toni Sosnoff, William Secord, Susan Bleckley, Pattie Proctor, Dennis Sprung, Amy and Tom Grabe, Charlotte Patterson, David Merriam, Bonny Datema, Jill Libman, Wendell Sammet, Joan Stolleman, Beth Sweigart, Rick Beauchamp, Lydia Hutchinson, Peter Green, Lisa Croft-Elliot, Joseph Vergnetti, Fran Sanseri, Charlotte Reed, Walter Goodman, Toni Ticher, Michelle Billings, Carl Blaine, Sue Goldberg, Jerry and June Penta, DiAnn Flory, Jim and Amy Fischer, Marjorie Martorella, Pat Cruz and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Smith.

"Best In Show" follows Abby, a young girl, as she learns how to train Gem, her poodle puppy, for dog show competition. Although Walker Books, the publisher, has designated the illustrated book for children four to eight, the consensus is that it is good for anyone who loves dogs and/or dog shows. Andrew Day created the colorful illustrations. He illustrated "Now Hiring: White House Dog," about the First Family's search for the right puppy. All of LeFrak's proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to AKC Canine Health Foundation and Take the Lead.

AKC Canine Health Foundation develops resources for basic and applied health programs to improve the quality of life for dogs and their owners. Take the Lead provides direct services, support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer life-threatening or terminal illness.