Table Talk – June 26, 2019
June 26, 2019
The old saying that ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is often true in my case. I am still not used to Detroit Kennel Club holding their show in the month of June in Novi, Michigan. Most of my long-time dog show friends remember DKC as a benched show held at Cobo Hall in Detroit in March; it came shortly after the International Kennel Club of Chicago show–another benched show–was held at McCormick Place in Chicago. My, have times changed! Both the Detroit Kennel Club and the International Kennel Club of Chicago are no longer benched shows, which is a shame. Kennel clubs do what they must to survive. To find a venue that can accommodate a benched show is both an expensive and challenging task, and it is a lot of work to put on a show like that. I know this from experience having worked with the IKC for many, many years! Benched shows are GREAT for our sport and the purebred dog, in general, as they are a terrific means of outreach to the general public, as well as providing excellent educational opportunities for exhibitors and those who love dogs but don’t show them. I can only hope that, at some point, the opportunity will present itself to bring back another benched show or two! The members of the Detroit Kennel Club have worked very hard to keep their show alive, and they all deserve kudos for their hard work and dedication. The suburban showplace in Novi, Michigan is an excellent venue for a dog show, and it is also home to the Oakland County Kennel Club and Livonia Kennel Club shows held in January. The entry at the January shows has been about twice the size of the Detroit Kennel Club for the last couple of years (this year the DKC entry was 547), and I attribute a lot of that to competing shows in June. One can only hope that the DKC shows will continue to grow back to what they once were. It certainly is not for lack of trying on the part of the hard working kennel club members!
This past week the FCI section show of the Americas and Carribean were held in Acapulco. Our very own Jason Hoke announced in the main ring for the groups and Best In Show. The United States was also represented on the judging panel by judges Sulie Greendale-Paveza and Desi Murphy. The FCI Judges Congress was also held that same week in Acapulco, and it is encouraging to see that long-time experienced judges such as Joe Gregory still want to learn, even at 90-plus years young!
Unfortunately, high winds blew through the shows in Maine this past weekend and the large tent was blown down. Kudos to the hard-working volunteers for getting that tent back up quickly and efficiently. No one was injured as the tent blew down after show hours. One day of hard rain caused some muddy conditions, and some vehicles got stuck in the mud at the show. A big shout-out to Ricky and Jen Krieger who were kind enough to crawl around in the mud and pull my dear friend Tammy Bohlke out of the slop with their big Expedition! It is acts of kindness like this that keep our dog show community close.
I love to hear about these acts of kindness, and would love to share more of them with our Table Talk friends! Do you know of a good story that you would like to share with our community of readers? Please share it with me at deb.cooper@caninechronicle.com or PM me so we can tell the world!!!
Bobby Paust was off to Sweden to help with the dog shows there. Joining him from the states on the judging panel were Cindy Vogels, John Constantine-Amodei, George Milutinovich, Margaret Reed and Joao Machado. I hear the show had a great entry. Among the high entry breeds were French Bulldogs at 177 and Chihuahuas at 248!
Pam Peat fell and broke her wrist just before her Best In Show assignment while judging in Coeur D’lene, Idaho this past week. Showing what she is made of, Pam completed her BIS assignment, went for a splint, and returned and judged the next two days. She is scheduled for surgery and I am sure she will back on the show trail soon. You just can’t keep a tough girl down! Best wishes for a speedy recovery, my friend.
Best wishes to Emily Thiel who is embarking upon her second battle with cancer. Best wishes to you, my friend. We are here for you and wish you a full recovery. I know you’ve got this!
Celebrating anniversaries this week are: Brian and Lori Livingston, Mark and Tabatha Bettis, Michael Faulkner and Michael Rawlings, and Dennis McCoy and Randy Garren. May you all have many more years together!
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Mary Norton, Cate Stewart, Joan Katz, Anita O’Berg, David Haddock, Angela Booth, Rachel Corbin, and Christa Green. Many more healthy, happy years to each and every one of you!
Plans are under way for Table Talk Live! coverage in Houston. I am looking forward to bringing some of Houston to those who cannot be there to join us!
I leave you with this thought this week, my friends: You are NEVER too important to be nice to people! Find that newbie, and give them a hand, or just say Hi!
Be careful in your travels. Until next time…
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