Remembering Carol Hollands

August 2012

By Lee Canalizo

I have no clue as to why I was inspired to write about Carol Hollands. Someone or something must have made me think of her…and that means many of my readers would probably enjoy doing the same. If you didn’t know Carol personally or professionally, I urge you to read on for a small glimpse into her life.

Carol was another one of those who “grew up in dogs”. Her parents were Horace and Melba. Horace was a top Canadian handler who I never had the opportunity to meet, but I did get to know Melba from the times I met Carol at the local shows as she was always close by. From the notes shared with me from Pam Bruce (another one of the “Doggie Kids”), Melba was the best cook and took great care in keeping Carol’s assistants well-fed. It appears that the Hollands’ operation was truly a family affair and a lot of great wins for their list of high end clients came off the ends of their leads.  How about this for a client list: Ed Jenner, Luc Boileau, Dick Meen, John Reeve Newson, Max Magder and so many others! In addition to Pam, another notable talent, Harold Butler was synonymous with Carol during her heyday of showing dogs. Actually, I would imagine many of this era’s professionals had an association with Carol. I just don’t know them all.

Carol was involved in many breeds both as a handler and a breeder. Among them were the Pekingese, (most of them associated with the famous kennels of her mentors Bill Taylor and Nigel Aubrey-Jones), Irish and English Setters, and Poodles. She was approved to judge all Toy and Sporting breeds as well as some Hound breeds. She went on to take a position as an AKC Executive Field Rep later in life. She held that title for nearly a decade. It was just about the time Carol and Melba moved to Windsor Locks, Connecticut that I moved to Florida. That meant that I would only see her at shows where I judged and she was assigned as a rep.

I left many good friends behind when I moved to Florida. Those friends were thrilled to have Carol in the area. No doubt, she could put the fear of God in you, but once you got to know her, you understood her ability to be firm when required and funny as hell when not! They (as in her nearest and dearest) didn’t call her “Bubbles’ for nothing!

Pam told me some hilarious stories about working for Carol and some of the antics they encountered on the road. Unfortunately, room only allows me so much space for one story. I think this is my favorite: Carol wins a Best In Show on a class Puppy Shih Tzu under the well-known (and popular) all-rounder Mrs. Yan Paul. That was in the days when a judge could carry a dog all the way, having awarded this puppy Winners, BOB (over many champions), Group First and Best In Show! That BIS win finishes the dog and Carol has the occasion to show him again (to Mrs. Paul) at a much smaller show (Only three total dogs entered in the breed with him being the only Champion.) Mrs. Paul awards Winners to each single entry of Dog & Bitch and in strolls Carol with her new champion BIS winner (courtesy of  the legendary Mrs. Paul). She loved to relive the moment when Mrs. Paul announces to her Winners Dog “You’re Best of Breed” and to her Winners Bitch “You’re Best of Opposite Sex” and to the stunned Carol with the BIS winner from a month previous “AND YOU’RE SURPRISED!!!!”

I can only imagine that coming from Mrs. Paul who stood all of 4’ 8” in heels! I crack up every time I tell that story and wish I had the nerve to do it sometime! What happened back in those days might not be accepted nowadays. In fact, it wouldn’t fly at all today. Where has our sense of humor gone in this sport?

I guess having had such wondrous experiences in the sport gave Carol her ability to do her job as well as she did. I always enjoyed our discussions about new breeds and perhaps was less truthful in letting the office (AKC) know what dates I was “available for an interview”. I tried to only be accessible when I thought ‘Bubbles’ would be the rep. Sometimes it worked…sometimes, not so much!

Carol was one of those “rarities” that ascend into our world every now and then. She loved the game, loved her dogs and forged great friendships with many that, to this day, mourn the sudden loss of having her among us. Carol had a heart attack at home and, suddenly, she was gone. Melba left us soon after Carol, after having gone to live with Carol’s brother out west.

Now I remember where my thoughts of Carol came from. I was looking at an old Pekingese Club of America catalog and saw a memorial trophy offered in her name by Ed Jenner and Michael Dachel. That was it. What a nice gesture. I’m sure one day it will cherished by the recipient.

So, if any of you come across Pam Bruce, who is often judging either in Canada or on this side of the border, be sure to chat her up for a great story about one of her mentors, the late, great Carol Hollands!

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