Table Talk • April 1, 2026
About 40 years ago, I got my first dog. My husband had been to a gallery in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and he met a Shar-Pei. It was the first one he had ever met “live”, and he could not talk enough about this cool dog when he got home. The International Kennel Club of Chicago dog show was happening that weekend, and hubby and I decided to go check it out. I met this really cool cream Shar-Pei named “Flyers,” and we eventually drove to Wisconsin to bring her home. Child substitute and workaholic therapy were just a couple of things that we hoped for in this young adult dog.
“Flyers” was not purchased as a show dog. I did not even know there was a difference between a show dog and a pet. Obviously, I had a lot to learn. My first experience at a dog show (as a spectator) was the IKC benched show, and I was intrigued. There were so many activities that one could do with their dog – who knew???
It was this experience at IKC that sucked me into the sport of purebred dogs. I honestly do not know if I would be where I am today in this sport had it not been for that experience at IKC. From that moment on, the IKC had a soft spot in my heart, and I became heavily involved with the club. The rest is history.
My story is different than many of you. I did not come from generations of “dog people”. I did not even have friends in the sport of purebred dogs before I met my veterinarian and his wife. They introduced me to all things dog, and he very gently explained to me that my beautiful “Flyers” had major faults, and if I wanted to do conformation, I needed to get a different dog. I was lucky. These two wonderful people took me under their wing and educated me about a world I knew nothing about.
What they did not caution me about was that everyone in the sport would not welcome me with open arms. I will never forget the first time I showed up at the IKC as a volunteer. I went to hang my coat in the club office and was told by a club member that I did not belong there. I did not back down. I explained why I was there, who I was, and what I was told my job was there. It took a couple of years, but I became very friendly with this very individual who was more inclined to toss me out on my rear. I miss her dearly to this day, as she passed away shortly after her husband several years back.
Matthew Stroud shared his feelings about belonging in our sport in a recent article titled Do You Feel Lik You Belong? https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/do-you-feel-like-you-belong-reflections-from-westminster/ I identified with Matthew so closely while reading his article. Matthew has some terrific advice for those new to our sport and owner/handlers who are trying to succeed. He shared important advice from his mentor, which I feel every one of us should remember: Enter the ring as if you have every right to be there. Not with arrogance, but without apology. One should not compare themselves to others but rather concern themselves with their own situation. This year’s Westminster Kennel Club dog show was different for Matthew. The surroundings and the competition had not changed, but he had changed. He no longer was comparing himself to others, rather he was focused on presenting his dog to the best of his ability.
So many fanciers focus on their relevance. The question is, if that is your goal, how do you get there? Never stop learning. Never stop trying to improve. Always try to help the person who is new to the sport–just like you were at one time. Join a club. Pitch in and help.
Thank you, Matthew! And congratulations on your hard work. It has obviously paid off!
Some dogs came home from the Tarheel and Kentuckiana clusters with a cough. Special thanks to those who kept their dogs at home the following week. Please remember this: If you or your dogs are sick, please stay home!
Last week, a very special lady celebrated a very special birthday! Kathleen Kolbert, the iconic lady behind Progressive Toy Show for so many years, turned 101 years young! I still believe that our beloved canines keep us young! Other fanciers celebrating another year on earth include Mikey Vale, Tim Thomas, Olivia Uyeno, Todd Jacobs, Peggy McDill, Stan Matsumoto, Sarah Perchick, Justin Van Deren, Chris Jones, and Barb Ohmann. May this year be everything that you dreamed of and MORE!
This week’s words of wisdom: Never admire quietly. If you admire something about someone, tell them. Humans are fragile. It is important to give people their flowers while they are still here.
Be safe out there, my friends! Better weather is on the way. Now is a great time to tune up those generators for the summer months! I will see you soon down the road. Until next time…
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