Lessons from a Professor and his Bloodhound

By Wayne Cavanaugh

Sterling Nicholson, the late Dr. Jim Edwards’ step-son, and Sterling’s wife, Erica, are among the kindest, most talented, and caring people on the planet. In the 1970s, Sterling built Jim and Laura’s house on Jim’s beloved farm and another house down the hill on the farm where he and Erica live. A few months after Jim passed away this summer, I drove down to Mountain Road to visit and help sort some dog-related items and records; Sterling, while a true dog lover and helping hand, did not show dogs himself. Between Jim and Laura’s many years as breeders of Bloodhounds and Otterhounds, owners of Tibetan Terriers, Greyhounds, and a Smooth Fox Terrier, and Jim’s many years as a well-respected judge and distinguished career at AKC, there was plenty to sort through.

It didn’t take long for a beautiful silver bowl to catch my eye. When I read the engraving, I realized it was a special piece of personal and breed history. It was the Britomart Trophy for Best Female, awarded at the American Bloodhound Club National Specialty. Jim had retired the trophy with three different bitches over four years: Land Rover Contessa, 1976; Cistron Anas- tasia, 1978; and Cistron Alexandra, 1979. The Bloodhound hat trick. Impressive, indeed, and a very proud moment for Jim and Laura. When ads were being pre- pared for the 1983 Bloodhound National catalog, Jim, being Jim, didn’t do the expected. He created an ad unlike any I’ve ever seen. Rather than spotlighting his big winners, he featured his first sheriff-bred Bloodhound, “Sherlock,” the hound that started it all. It was a true celebration of his odiferous sidekick and, ultimately, for all of our first dogs. Sherlock was a legendary farm dog in Walnut Cove, and a great friend to those he chose to tolerate. Jim and Laura acquired Sherlock from the local sheriff’s department. He lived a glorious life on Jim and Laura’s farm. I always wondered if the Beverly Hillbillies was a subliminal, but divine, inspiration.

As anyone who knew Jim could attest that he had a brilliant mind. His observations exceeded his PhD title, most likely because they included common sense. He had keen talent to find virtues that many of us would otherwise miss. When it came to dogs, Jim had no problem seeing the virtues of all dogs; farm dogs, house dogs, stray dogs (“Look at that front assembly!”), sheriff’s dogs, show dogs, or any combination thereof. In a world where we are often focused on our next great one, I found Jim’s wide scope of appreciation admirable. When I look back, I realize that unbiased appreciation is necessary to properly assess all breeds, all dogs, and most humans.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=154544

Posted by Alex on Nov 12 2018. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.