Table Talk · June 26, 2024
Table Talk · June 26, 2024
June 23rd is a day most of us will never forget. When the news of the death of Kaz Hosaka echoed across the country, everyone in dogs lamented the tragic loss of a true gentleman and one of the best dog men our sport has known, Kaz Hosaka. Just weeks after his Westminster Kennel Club Best In Show Win, Kaz was gone. Many of us cried while wrestling with a reality that was hard to believe–one of the giants in our sport was suddenly gone from it.
Early Sunday morning, the sad news was posted caninechronicle.com and the CC Facebook page. As I read it, the shock and sadness were overwhelming. I was home, as opposed to being at a show with my second family, and frankly I think I would have dealt with it better if I had been with others who had common sentiment: It just cannot be true! Kaz was taken way too soon. Immediately, many began to post their thoughts about this tremendous blow to the sport of purebred dogs.
Week after I week I try to keep Table Talk positive. I always try to find a positive spin–even in situations that may not appear positive on the surface. After all, if we try hard enough, we can always find a silver lining, right? This week I am having a very difficult time finding that positive spin. So many thoughts are racing through my mind. Kaz just retired! He and his wife, Roxanne, were going to begin their next chapter. This is just not fair. What a huge loss. Kaz was an amazing man, dog man and friend. What a huge loss.
Everyone’s amazing memories of Kaz and their respect and admiration for the man he was is my silver lining, my friends. When Kaz won Best In Show at Westminster just 6 short weeks ago, everyone was posting “Be Like Kaz” messages. Why? Because Kaz was a kind, talented man. He was a mentor and a friend.
This week, I would like to share just a few of the many wonderful thoughts from his friends around the country. It has helped me, and I hope it helps you deal with this terrible loss:
Curtiss Smith
One of the best things after Kaz won Best In Show at Westminster was the many comments on how well he was loved and respected by one and all. It is so sad that we don’t tell people enough until they won’t hear it. Losing one of the BEST people I ever met when I started…Go with the Angels, Kaz.
Jason Hoke
We lost one of our best. Let’s look for the next person like Kaz. Let’s encourage them as Mrs. Clark encouraged Kaz. Let’s mentor people anytime we can. In the ring help people who are new. This sport has so much good. Let’s find and encourage it. My mentors made me what I am. Be the next mentor. Make another Kaz, if we can. I know I will never be as good a person as he was, but let’s try to lift up the next person who could be. Goodbye, Kaz. We ALL loved you.
Jeff Hanlin
Heroes come and go, but legends are forever.
Pam Bruce (from Diego Garcia/Kaz Hosaka interview)
The mistake we make in life is thinking we have time. Be present, be kind, love more and love now.
Lesley Potts
Goodbye friend of many who taught us all.
Kaz Hosaka: How well he lived. How inspiring he was. An icon of our sport, a master of his craft, a friend, mentor, and inspiration to many. Gone too soon. We love you, Kaz. Until we meet again.
Shows around the country this past week were plagued with very warm temperatures. Some exhibitors made the decision to skip the shows due to the extreme heat. The club members of Crawford County Kennel Club and Licking River Kennel Club worked very hard to make the first show in their new venue in Mansfield, Ohio a positive experience for exhibitors and canines. Portable air conditioners were brought in to make the extreme temperatures in the building bearable. Kudos to the hard-working club volunteers, Show Superintendent Nina Fetter-Galarneau, and AKC Executive Field Representative, Sandy D’Andrea. The Burbank Kennel Club show, held at City of Industry in Southern California, brought in an industrial fan to bring relief to dogs and exhibitors. Thank you to one and all for your hard work and efforts on behalf of our beloved canines!
Summer months mean the Texas march is about to begin! Several Texas handlers and exhibitors took this past week off to rest up, and some even took a bit of a vacation! Best wishes to one and all as the march begins in Oklahoma this week! Remember to be safe, be smart, and most importantly, PACE YOURSELVES!!!!! I look forward to seeing you all in Houston on the back end of is circuit!
The wildfires in New Mexico have required several fanciers to evacuate their homes. Our thoughts are with all who are experiencing displacement due to the fires. The Rio Pecos Kennel Club has worked hard to assist those fanciers in need with supplies for dogs and humans. Many thanks to the volunteers who are assisting at this difficult time. Best wishes to all. I will be sure to give an update next week.
A message for those who are planning on attending the Steel Valley Cluster in Canfield, Ohio: this year’s show will look a bit different! The club will be utilizing the brand-new event center on the fairgrounds for six of the rings! While there will still be many outdoor rings, the addition of this lovely, new building is exciting!
Happy Anniversary to Lynn Myer and Michael Allway! May you two lovebirds have many more years of happiness ahead.
A very happy 80th birthday to Jeffrey Pepper!!! Other fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include: Mary Norton, Sulie Greendale-Paveza, Anita O’Berg, Cassidy Hayes, Cully Leck, Angela Booth, Greg McCarthy, Maripi Wooldridge, Robin Greenslade, and Marietta Singleton. Best wishes for a most awesome year ahead!
Be kind, my friends. Do it for Kaz!!! Until next time…
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