Table Talk · November 4, 2020
Many fanciers are making plans to attend the AKC National Championship next month. The show committee has worked very hard to work through COVID-19 issues and venue construction issues to ensure the event happens. Some of the changes this year, in order to ensure everyone’s safety, include no spectators allowed and a show-and-go policy. Prior to the pandemic, the Meet the Breeds event had already been cancelled due to construction at the venue. The American Kennel Club put out a press release announcing that they will be live streaming all breed judging for a one-time fee of $5. AKC reports that this fee is to cover the costs of the live streaming and all proceeds in excess of their costs will be split evenly amongst Take The Lead, The AKC Canine Health Foundation, The AKC Humane Fund, AKC Reunite and the AKC Museum of the Dog.
I have mixed feelings about this fee. I am all for charitable contributions, and I support several of these causes myself. If all the funds from this $5 one-time fee were going toward the charitable organizations, I would be 100% supportive. I cannot, however, help but question their statement, “Fees to watch the breed live streams are purely to cover costs. 100% of any net proceeds will be donated equally…”. Let’s face it, since the pandemic began, registrations are way up and AKC could not possibly be hurting financially. It is great that they will be live-streaming breed judging for the fancy to enjoy, sbut charging a “one-time” fee seems tacky to me. This, in my humble opinion, is not about the $5, my friends: It is the principle that disturbs me.
2021 was going to be the first year that the Indianapolis Winter Classic moved their weekend back one week to avoid the mass exodus of exhibitors leaving for Westminster on the weekend. The Central Indiana Kennel Club and Hoosier Kennel Club worked very hard to try to satisfy the COVID-19 requirements set forth by the fairgrounds and, unfortunately, they were unsuccessful. As a result, the 2021 Indianapolis Winter Classic is cancelled for 2021. They have not completely ruled out rescheduling for a later date in 2021, so be sure to keep your eyes open for updates about a potential schedule change in 2021. The Indy Winter Classic looks forward to seeing everyone at their newly scheduled dates in 2022–the week prior to Westminster–so everyone can attend all four days!
The Westminster Kennel Club has released information regarding invitations for their 2021 show in June. The top 5 of each breed will be invited. Those invitations will be based on shows from November 1, 2019 through February 15, 2021. National Specialty winners will be invited, as well. The 2021 show will be for Champions only. Championships must be completed no later than February 15, 2021. We will continue to keep everyone updated about plans for the first outdoor Westminster Kennel Club show in history on our website.
Happy anniversary to Harry and Lisa Miller and Brian and Betsy Kurtis. May you have many more happy, healthy years of joy together.
A very special Happy Birthday to Lorraine Boutwell who will be celebrating her 90th birthday this week! While Lorraine has reduced the number of dogs she will judge in a day, and sticks to judging nor more than two days, she is still doing a great job center ring. If you would like to drop Lorraine a birthday wish, her address is 4555 East Mayo Blvd., Apt 3211, Phoenix, AZ 85050. I know Lorraine would love to hear from you!!!!
Also celebrating birthdays this week are: Peter Green, Brenda Weiss, Katherine Wurz Smoot, Dawn Horock, Peggy Browne, Alberto Montila, Becca Pentecost, David Williams, Chris Manelopoulos, Hal Biermann, Ernesto Lara, Lynn Olds and (good) Jim Noe. Enjoy your special day, my friends!
My thought for this week: One day you will tell your story of how you’ve overcome what you’re going through now, and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.
Be safe out there, my friends! Keep your distance, mask up, and keep washing those hands! These things keep us safe, and keep our shows going! I’ll see you soon down the road! Until next time….
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