Remembering Jennifer Reed

Written by: Patricia V. Trotter 

The first time I met Jennifer Reed, she brought an American Eskimo into my ring in Greenville, Miss., as a 17-year-old junior handler. I was so taken with her abilities that I awarded her Best Junior Handler that day, and three years later she came to live with us in Carmel as our kennel manager and assistant.

I once described her in a column as “my girl Friday,” and Jen played an important role in my life and in our breeding program for nearly 15 years. Anyone who knew her knew that she had a natural eye for dogs, and a gifted memory for pedigrees.

She will be sorely missed by friends and fanciers in her home state of Texas, in her adopted state of California, and across the sport of dogs. Jen was a tireless promoter of the Norwegian Elkhound breed, of conformation shows generally, and of the many exhibitors who have presented Vin-Melca stock at the highest levels during her years on the Monterey Peninsula.

In addition to her duties at home, Jen was an active member of the Del Monte Kennel Club and very involved in our annual show as a working member. She was especially proud to co-own Erik, Vin-Melca’s The Norseman, and most recently Jay, Vin-Melca’s The Jaywalker, both multi-time Best In Show and Best in Specialty winners. Some of her favorite photos were of her and Erik in the ring together; they were an eye-catching team.

Jen also loved encouraging the next generation of handlers and enthusiasts. I was so proud of her when she judged Junior Showmanship at the Westminster Kennel Club at the Lyndhurst Estate in 2021. She did a wonderful job and had a bright future ahead of her as a judge.

Earlier this year, we made the tough decision that it was time for Jen to go home to Texas to be with her family and focus on her health. I have missed her dearly and am grateful that we spoke a few days before she passed, and I could tell her again how much I love her. She was upbeat and excited about an anticipated organ transplant in Texas; unfortunately a pair of infections over the weekend turned to sepsis, and despite the heroic efforts of her doctors, the sepsis took her from us early in the morning August 9, 2023.

Jennifer was a wonderful student of the craft, an excellent groomer, and a hard worker at shows. She was a talented handler, with a sharp mind and an engaging personality who was wonderful with the dogs.

Most importantly, she was our friend, and we will miss her dearly. An angel on Earth has joined those up above.

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Posted by Gia on Aug 10 2023. Filed under Breaking News, Featured, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.