Table Talk · December 14, 2022
The final week of the 2022 show year is upon us and over 5,000 dogs are competing in Orlando this year! I look forward to bringing you fun, educational coverage from Orlando via Table Talk Live! coverage. Please be sure to join me for this exciting event!
Another venue will be hosting 1,000 dogs during the Star of Bethlehem Cluster in Allentown, Pennsylvania. For many dogs–wherever they are competing–this will be their last trip around the ring with their handler or their owner/handler, and that is always an emotional time. One of the most difficult tasks a professional handler has is to send a dog home when the curtain falls on that dog’s show career. I have a special plea to the owners and breeders of these dogs: please be understanding and give your handler time to say their final goodbyes. Be understanding of the tears! It is a really tough time, and sending a dog home never gets easier!!!
Janice Hayes said it well:
Clients! Check on your dog handlers today! We are exhausted! It is a long, but quick year, and it all comes down to the last 2 weeks. We put more pressure on ourselves than anyone else ever does. We see the finish line but there is still so much stress between now and then. For many, it is long travel to the last shows and then a long trip back home for our 2 weeks “off” where we just get ready for the new year! If we are not quick to respond or have no time due to a dog show every day of the week, or we are just quieter than normal, know a “thank you” or a “great job” regardless, is a huge deal for us at this time of year. Here’s to making the last couple of shows a great run and then home for some fun with our own pets!
This year in Orlando things got started early! The RV line started early Saturday afternoon and the line of equipment to secure set-up space was equally as long. One thing is for sure, our sport is full of eager enthusiasts. Best of luck to all at the big show. Please do not forget to take time to stop and visit with friends that you do not see often. Also, there will be many opportunities to educate yourself, even if you are not in the process of applying for a judging license or additional breeds, etc. Seek out the many mentors who will be at the show. Most importantly, Have FUN! And Be KIND!
The Juniors Clothing Exchange is back this year!!! They will be setting up on Tuesday evening and will re-open Wednesday morning through Saturday. The raffle will also be open through Saturday afternoon. All proceeds go to the AKC Scholarship Fund and the 4-H department scholarships. Remember Juniors can get outfits free of charge! Bring an item to swap if you are so inclined.
A shout-out to the exhibitors who stayed at the Travelodge for the recent Perry, Georgia shows. The manager was extremely complimentary of how clean the rooms and property were left after your stay concluded! Way to go my friends! I’d love to be able to write about more positive feedback from hotel managers about our dog show family!
January is shaping up to be a very busy show month! The year kicks off with the Kennel Club of Palm Springs, as well as the International Kennel Club of Chicago scheduled for the first weekend of the year. The Canine Chronicle is pleased to be a major sponsor and the official magazine of both circuits. I will be onsite at the beautiful Palm Springs show and will be doing Table Talk Live! coverage for the first time. The IKC shows will be held at the Schaumburg Convention center that same weekend. The Renaissance room block for the IKC week is full, but they are working on trying to open additional rooms for the exhibitors. Many owner-handlers will be attending the Owner-Handler Gala being held in conjunction with the IKC cluster. The Palm Springs cluster–always a favorite of mine–offers many specialties, beautiful grounds and a very hospitable club. Wherever your travels take you for the first show weekend of 2023, best of luck and, most of all, enjoy the shows!
Later in January the Cool Cluster will return with shows in Grayslake, Illinois. Reserved grooming is now open, but it is going fast so visit the website at www.cool-cluster.com if you intend on going to these shows!
We have several fanciers celebrating wedding anniversaries this week. Terry and Eddie Chacon are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Las Vegas, reminiscent of where they celebrated their 25th anniversary! Perhaps they will celebrate their 75th in the same location! Tim and Diane James are celebrating their wedding anniversary as well as Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine and Sandy McIlwaine. May you all have a very special anniversary with many more to come.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week are Jocelyn Mullins, Paul Catterson, Luke Ehricht, Cheryl Krown, Heidi Cole, Mike McGuire, Kellie Williams, Richard Powell, Ariel Cukier, David Harper, Ashley Ryan, Remy Smith-Lewis, Jeff Winton and Dan Mumau. Enjoy your special day, my friends!
Wherever your travels may take you this week, be safe, pace yourselves and, most importantly, enjoy the moment! If you are in Orlando, please stop by the Chronicle booth and say Hi! Until next time…
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