Table Talk · August 9, 2023
I made it through another Steel Valley Cluster in Canfield!!! Every year I cringe at the thought of the possible terrible weather. But once I am there seeing friends that I seldom have the chance to spend time with, I am SOOOO HAPPY! Compared to clusters from years past, the weather this year was great! While it was quite warm most of the time, we had little rain to contend with. In fact, if you left prior to groups on Sunday, you could say you did not have any rain at all!
Unfortunately, a heavy rainstorm blew in and out during the groups on Sunday. The club and judges did a great job of accommodating the dogs by judging them under the tent on the cement during the bad weather. If you were fortunate enough to be in the Sporting group or any group after it, you would have not known there was any rain at all. Albeit there was wet grass which dried quickly due to the sun and warm temperature.
Kudos to the hard-working Steel Valley Cluster committee! These folks are always easy to deal with and very accommodating to exhibitors. The volunteers keep this cluster organize and moving smoothly year after year.
This year marked the 20th year that Elizabeth Salewsky (fondly known by many for her Cromicles videos) has shown at Canfield. Twenty years ago, Elizabeth showed up on the scene to assist the Nina Fetter set-up. She was a young fancier who wanted to learn the trade. As one of her mentors, I could not be prouder of her accomplishments. I sat back and watched Elizabeth “do her own thing” this year at Canfield. With two assistants and many clients of her own, she made me proud. It’s stories like this that makes mentoring fun and rewarding. If you encounter an individual willing to learn, take the opportunity to teach them. Determine if they have what it takes, and if they do, please don’t let them get away. These individuals are the future of the sport. Happy Anniversary, my friend! Here’s to many more successful years for you.
A big THANK YOU to all who stopped by the Purina booth to say hi this past week. Your kind, motivating comments are greatly appreciated. Several of you asked about Table Talk Live! If you have topics, you would like me to include in Table Talk, please send me an email at deb.cooper@caninechronicle.com. I would love to discuss your thoughts and ideas, and we might be able to turn your idea into a LIVE! segment.
If you have not yet had the chance, please be sure to read Wayne Cavanaugh’s article in the August issue of The Canine Chronicle or on caninechronicle.com at https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/addicting/. I knew there were a lot of dog shows, but 416 dog shows in 61 days. Yikes!!! Broken down, one has 147 opportunities to grab that red, white and blue rosette for Best In Show in August, and 269 opportunities in September!!!! In August there are only THREE days where there is not a dog show in the country, and in September there are FOUR days! So, if you enjoy taking your dog to shows, there are plenty of shows to choose from in the next two months. If you are “pushing” a dog for top dog honors, well… you are going to be mighty tired by the end of September!
I have encouraged people time and time again to please watch what you post on social media. Be aware of how your comments will appear to a newcomer or an individual who is contemplating getting involved in our sport. This advice is for everyone who participates in our sport. Let me share some comments from an owner-handler who is just starting to show:
“I was at a show this past weekend and an exhibitor in the setup next to ours was talking about OH and how she had turned in several other OH for assisting. How she had proof, took pictures, and videos and so on. Yet, she was bathing and grooming for her handler!
“She did compete in OH Groups all 4 days. Didn’t place, threw fits, and complained about how bad all the dogs that placed were.
“Her sportsmanship was horrible in and out of the ring. I’m new to the sport. Is this normal??”
Here is my opinion about the actions of the person being written about in this post. If you MUST complain and be a bad sport, please do it privately where you cannot be seen or heard! The best thing to do is to be positive and thankful for all our sport offers.
Happy Anniversary to Juliet and Dave Clendenon. Cheers to many more happy, healthy years ahead!
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include J.D. Rowell, Gustavo Molinari, Anna Milicia, Chris Nethery, and Lynn Meyer. Enjoy your special day, and may you have great times throughout the coming year!
Here’s my thought for the week: Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported!!!
May you all have many great wins, cherished time with friends and dogs and may you all make great memories! If you your travels take you to the big city of Chicago, please stop by the Canine Chronicle booth and see me! Until next time…
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