Looking Back With Lee – Remembering Denny Kodner

Just as I sat down to write this month’s column word reached me that Denise (Denny) Kodner had died. To many reading this it will give a tug at the heart because Denny was one of “us”.

Just as I sat down to write this month’s column word reached me that Denise (Denny) Kodner had died. To many reading this it will give a tug at the heart because Denny was one of “us”.

I looked forward to the job of liaison between AKC and my club, and getting a more comprehensive handle on significant issues that affect the fancy. What I failed to consider was the financial hardship it would create. My club does not reimburse its delegate for expenses, as many don’t, and I accepted this when I took on the job. No problem. What I failed to factor into the equation however was that, as a delegate, I could no longer charge a fee for my services as a judge.

Witness the judges now summarily allowed to solicit assignments bit. Whatever happened to dignity, some are asking. Why, all of a sudden, this rather startling change? Was this just a case of moving with the times or was there more to it? Our philosophies and priorities, in terms of the way we conduct ourselves, have now become the subject of considerable interest.

“If the United States has a cold, Mexico has pneumonia,” said Jose Payro, president of the Mexican Kennel Club during an interesting conversation I had with him while I was judging in Mexico City.

Morris & Essex is different – it’s dedicated to Geraldine R. Dodge’s memory and to dog shows as they should be. There were relatively few “non-dog” spectators at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey for its third revival on October 7. It was a Thursday and the outdoor show only happens every five years. The atmosphere was different, too – in a way that is hard to describe. It felt like a celebration of purebred dogs and dog shows – created as a gift to the fancy. It was a day to remember just why we breed and show purebred dogs.

Well the AKC Grand Championship program is more or less off the ground and running but not before some rather astonishing things have been said about it on those notorious Lists in cyberspace and all sorts of arbitrary confusion has been publicly generated by the asking of singularly stupid questions and from lack of intelligence.
Show Name: Mt Baker Kennel Club Location: Lynden, WA Show Date: May 18, 2014 Total Entry: 819 Best In Show Judge: Mr. Alfred Ferruggiaro Dog Reg: GCh. Windy Hill God of Fire RN JH CGC Breed: Flat-Coated Retriever Handler: Tony Carter Owner: Ken Johnson & Cathy Johnson & Robert & Sonja Rickert Reserve Dog Reg: North […]

s it possible that it’s been a full year? It’s Westminster 2010, when dog fanciers set aside their workaday lives to gather in New York City and indulge their passion. Yes, the Olympics are underway in Vancouver, the Daytona 500 is happening in Florida (with a lot less snow), and behind the New York Public Library it’s Fashion Week in Bryant Park. But around Madison Square Garden, dogs are the focus.
Onondaga Kennel Club – Thursday, March 27, 2014 Edit This Post Show Name: Onondaga Kennel Club Location: Syracuse, NY Show Date: March 27, 2014 Total Entry: 1190 Best In Show Judge: Mr. Timothy Robbins Dog Reg: Ch. Tashtins Lookin for Trouble Breed: 15 Inch Beagle Handler: Will Alexander Owner: Eddie Dziuk, Lori & Kaitlin Crandlemire & […]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gareth Morgan-Jones holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Nottingham, England, and a Doctor of Science degree from his alma mater, the University of Wales. He carries the title of Distinguished University Professor at Auburn University, where he has been a member of the faculty for thirty-eight years. He is approved by the AKC to judge Best in Show, the Hound and Toy Groups, six Sporting breeds, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis. He can be reached at morgangj@charter.net.