Wave Of The Future?

The use of shockwave therapy in veterinary and rehab practices to help your dog heal is gaining traction. That’s a good thing.

The use of shockwave therapy in veterinary and rehab practices to help your dog heal is gaining traction. That’s a good thing.

Over the last month or so, I’ve been ruminating on Leadership. With a capital “L”. You can set a goal and achieve it. You can target a destination and arrive there. But a true leader never really arrives. They become an “expert of the journey”. And that, I’d suggest, is Leadership: It isn’t succeeding and then placing yourself above others to act as an example from on-high. It’s remaining accessible – a real-time role model – and taking others along with you on that road to success.

I recently had an inquiry from a potential puppy buyer. The family lives in California and I am in North Carolina.

When you pay your dues, do you know what they are supporting: growth or exclusion?

I recently participated in some press for the 25th anniversary of the smash movie “BEST IN SHOW,” which made me think of just how far-reaching the media has permeated the Dog Sport. For years, it was just the yearly national broadcast of “The Garden”…live from New York City, every February. John-Q Public retained more than a momentary notice of the pageantry of pooches, and the desire to own a purebred dog grew. But so did some distractions.

In Episode 4 Wayne & Kim discuss show entires, attendance, absentees and expenses. With AKC judges, breeders, and TV personalities Wayne Cavanaugh & Kimberly Meredith Brought to you by The Canine Chronicle Real talk. Bold takes. No fluff. The blogcast that goes beyond the ring — from two insiders who’ve lived it all… and are Still Standing. Watch. Listen. [...]

Morris and Essex did something profound. It provided a storied bridge into the past–a lesson in how to respect the sport, its history, and the people who came before us. It was a celebration of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge’s immense contributions to the sport of dogs in America. And it was a rousing success.

In the last two decades, social norms have changed. Mannerisms of respect and courtesy common to yesteryears are no longer routinely practiced today.

This year’s Morris & Essex show, held at Colonial Park, New Jersey, was a delight, other than a challenging parking scenario that had some competitors facing long waits and walks to the rings. The weather was bright and sunny, but unexpectedly brisk, boosting the sales of M&E branded wear and making the women whose period costumes included their grandmother’s fur tippets the envy of all.

My good friend from out west called me the other day, and the discussion turned to the current state of affairs with dog shows and the AKC. My friend’s a smart guy, and a really successful businessman. During our discussion, he started referring to the clubs as franchises. I quickly corrected him, and said the clubs are independent entities operating within AKC’s rules and regulations. He said, “Sure.” The response dripped with sarcasm.