Table Talk
As I write this week’s column, I am surrounded by so much canine love! I don’t know about everyone else, but sometimes we forget what is important: the joy, love and companionship our dogs bring to us. Sure, it is wonderful to get those big wins, but at the end of the day, it is the joy we get from canine companionship that means the most. I finished my young girl at the Canfield shows a couple weeks ago and what excited me most was that she was coming home to be with the family. (Of course, she came in season two days after she came home so that family time has been delayed by 21 days or so <big grin>)
On another note, we all get very excited about our wins and want to get them out on social media so our friends and fellow fanciers can enjoy them with us. Here’s a thought to keep in mind: When announcing those wins, please remember it is about how your dog did, not that you defeated someone else or a particular dog. You may want to share that you won the Breed over top specials, and that is great. However, it may not be received as positively if you call out a specific dog by saying, “We beat the #1 xyz in the country”, or “we beat the national specialty winner”. Let’s keep it positive folks! Remember that everyone has feelings and we should give them consideration, win or lose!
The 4-6 month puppy competition is becoming more popular by the moment. This event is a great opportunity for puppies and exhibitors to get ring experience and training. This can also turn into a negative experience if the individual judging is not familiar with how to examine a specific breed. A bad ring experience could have a detrimental effect on a puppy going forward. I have had a couple of fanciers approach me with their concern that a judge is not familiar with the standard when examining puppies and therefore is performing an inappropriate exam. If asked to judge a puppy competition, I encourage those chosen to do so to familiarize themselves with the breed standards and try to keep make this competition a positive experience for the puppies. Remember that this first experience could stay with the exhibitor and dog forever.
This Labor Day weekend welcomes a new cluster in Smithfield, Ohio. I wish this cluster luck and hopes for a good entry. There are many alternatives for this big weekend and shows in close proximity to each other may further dilute entries. My hope is that we see good entries for all the clusters across the country on this coming holiday weekend!
Another World Dog Show is in the books and the USA was certainly represented well by judges, exhibitors, and spectators! Among those in attendance were Bruce Schwartz (via Switzerland), Melanie Steele, Rindi Gaudet, Perry Payson, Linda Clark, Kasey O’Brien, Chris Manelopoulos, Maripi Wooldridge, Martha Feltenstein, Jamie Hubbard and Doug Johnson.
The judging panel for the 2019 World Dog Show in China has been announced and once again the USA will be there in full force. Congratulations to Bruce Schwartz, Desi Murphy, and John Reeve-Newson for your selection to the 2019 WDS panel!
The fires in California continue to burn with the smoke reaching as far as New York and Nevada. Val Nunes-Atkinson has once again offered her kennel and barn facilities to those displaced by the fires. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this blaze. Please stay safe.
Angie Lloyd and Ernesto Lara are off on an adventure to Paris and London! Safe travels my friends and have a great time on this well-deserved break!
Val Nunes-Atkinson, Antonio Vidmar, Amy Rutherford and Greg Cordingley have been enjoying some R&R on the Big Island of Hawaii. Safe travels home guys!
I’m sure that Las Vegas will never be the same after a girl’s weekend there was enjoyed by Susie and Jordan Olivera, Lauren Hay-Lavitt and Kaycee Klang. You ladies looked like you were having a great time and you all looked lovely!!
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Bill Russell. Bill was a popular judge and fancier. He will be missed by all. Our condolences to his friends and family.
Ed Wonjon passed away last week. Always a kind gentleman, he will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our sympathies are with Beverly, his family and friends.
Sherri Rae Vidrine, a lady who was popular amongst all in the dog world, also passed away. Our thoughts are with Sherri’s friends and family at this difficult time.
I was thrilled to read that Jane Myers is “springing” her mom, Patti Lapinski, from a short hospital stay due to pneumonia. We hope Patti is back to full health soon!
It was great to see Moe Miyagawa out and about for a lunch date with Bruce and Josh Schultz! He’s doing better every day!
We wish a happy 46th wedding anniversary to Doug and Michaelanne Johnson. You two must have been married when you were in grammar school!! May you have many more years of health, happiness and love!
Also celebrating wedding anniversaries this week are Kathy Bilicich-Garcia and her husband, Rick, Jessica David-Tauber and her husband, Jason, Amy and Phil Booth, and Luke and Tammy Siedlitz.
We wish a happy belated birthday to Michelle Hanson.
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Betty Leininger, Vincent Zuniaga, Alicia Morrison Jones, Andrea McIlwaine and Nicole Munneke.
Peggy Beisel Mcilwaine has made a request to all the men showing dogs to her in the heat of the summer months. She wants you to know that a coat and tie are not necessary in her ring! Thanks so much for your consideration of the exhibitors, Peggy!
Wherever your travels take you this week my friends, please be safe, and stay cool!
Until next time….
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