The city of Dubuque was founded in 1833 and was known as "The Key City" for its prime location in Iowa and it being nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River. Julien Dubuque was the founder of the city and Mr. Dubuque was a fur trader with the Indians until he found something even more bountiful to barter - lead - a chief metal used in the making of buckshot. For a few years, Shot Tower produced lead shot during the Civil War until a rival manufacturer drove the brick tower out of business.

Dubuque is known for its Grand Opera House, Diamond Jo Casino near the Port of Dubuque, and Greyhound Park Casino and a few other notable landmarks. However, at Five Flags Center near 4th & Main Streets, terriors, beagles, poodles finely groomed, and just about any other breed of dog you can imagine was competing for goodies and doggie treats. While the dog owners and handlers jogged in circles with their prized cannines for the right to call their pooch Best in Show. I have to admit I enjoyed the show - especially when one Carin terrior growled and grimaced for its right to be considered Best in Breed ( I believe it bullied its way to the podium).

It was hard for me to imagine that prior to 1985, downtown Dubuque had a 55% vacancy rate. A consortium of businesses joined together in a Dubuque Main Street Program and helped revitalize the city to its current robust luster - just in time for a clandestine of dogs to soil its bushes and fire hydrants.

Somehow I believe the city will survive the dog invasion just as it survived the floods of 1965 when the Mississippi River didn't recede for 30 days. There was only one bridge that was usable for a hundred miles north and south of Dubuque then.

Grab hold because today in Dubuque, it was a dog's life.