Looking Around With Lee – A Discussion About Papillons

COMMENTS FROM THOSE WITH A LIFE DEDICATED TO THE PAPILLON

COMMENTS FROM THOSE WITH A LIFE DEDICATED TO THE PAPILLON

We all have those dark, difficult days when struggling through seems to take an eternity, and we’re stuck in our most desperate moods.

‘And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry ‘Havoc,’ and let slip the dogs of war!’

Former U.S. president Thomas Jefferson believed that the nation’s future depended on its westward expansion for both growth and economic expansion and this year the Poodle Club of America took a page from history and moved from the east coast to Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri.

These rail lines once carried tons of grain, livestock, lumber and other commodities out to markets and, in many cases, the basic necessities of life into the tiny communities that were served by these spurs. Now they serve as home to dozens of different feathered and furry creatures, some of which are very tasty game birds.

Many of today’s breeds originated in Europe. They were principally developed in Great Britain, Germany and France, but it would be hard to find any European country without a national dog breed. Meet the Europeans will explore the history of breeds on an old continent full of fanciers.

Way back when, when I was a novice, the talk was that the average time in the sport for a novice destined to drop out was five to seven years. Re- cently, I have heard it said that the average tenure of a fancier who begins exhibiting in the sport of purebred dogs now is only between three and five years.

A friend and I were discussing upcoming shows, entries and points. In the course of the conversation, she bemoaned the fact that entries are down in her breed at all the shows because no one had any puppies last year.

Mrs. Betty-Anne Stenmark of Woodside, California has been chosen to select the Best In Show winner at the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which will take place Feb. 12-13, 2018.