Did You Know – Some Changes Are Good
Sometimes I get a distinct feeling many don’t “actually” read all the rules regarding exhibiting dogs at AKC shows. That includes both exhibitors and judges.
“Author Archive”
My Alaskan Adventure
About a year ago I met Tom Schonberger at a show where we were on the same judge’s panel. In our discussions, he told me he breeds Siberian Huskies and also his passion is the sport of mushing with his dogs–especially long-distance mushing. I received an invitation to judge in Alaska in November and told him my desire to go on one of his training runs and watch the dogs work in harness.
Remembering, Barbara Humphries-Gossett
Anyone seriously contemplating a long-term relationship with this sport confronts a startling realization early on. You can do it the right way or the wrong way–because either choice can lead to success. Ethics is the thing. Despite official rhetoric to the contrary plenty of people succeed in dogs without a shred of ethics or morality. And, as we know, the right way is generally not the easy way. And that brings us to Barbara Humphries Gossett. The dog world lost Barbara in September but she left a legacy to this sport that is in drastically short supply.
Jim The Wonder Dog
Every year thousands of dog show exhibitors head East on 1-70 toward St. Louis and Purina farms. On their way, on I-70, about an hour-and-a-half east of Kansas City, Missouri, they pass the exit for the town of Marshall, population 13,065. Marshall is the Saline county seat, but that’s not what its famous for–Marshall was the site of the 1937 National Corn Shucking contest, which drew a record 120,000 attendance. But that’s not what it’s famous for either. Marshall has all the things you expect to see in small town America: an old county courthouse, veterans’ memorial, antique shops and a big statue of a dog. That’s what makes Marshall famous.
Didn’t You Used To Be Will Alexander?
It’s been almost four years since I officially retired from professional handling. I know there was that earlier time when I announced my retirement. My hip was so bad I just couldn’t drag my carcass around the ring. I received so many accolades, I started wondering when I had passed away. It truly was overwhelming. Makes me blush just thinking about them all. Anyway, I had my hip replacement surgery and I felt like a million bucks again. Well, a hundred thousand anyway. And when the pandemic shut everything down, I really got to rehab. When the world opened back up again, I was fit as a fiddle–to a degree. But not working for a year, well, I wasn’t eating Kraft® dinner but things could have been better. Shows started up and I did what I knew best. I started showing dogs. Now, I have really retired. Not the Mike Tyson kind, for real this time–I promise.
Appeasement…Is It The Answer?
We have now been in our new home, Australia, for over six months and I can confirm that, yes, time certainly does fly!
The Big E – Embracing St. Valentine
Have you ever noticed how the end of the year sneaks up on the beginning of the next year? One minute you are cooking a big, fat, delicious turkey with all the trimmings. Then the very next day, there you are starting a shopping frenzy in both the stores and online. At the same time, there are countless holiday decisions and festivities to attend to with immediacy. When all the holiday frenzy ends, it’s clean-up time. All the seasonal displays, exchanges, and extra pounds need to go away. The final hurdle is New Year’s Eve then New Year’s Day. What should we do? There are at least two different ways to think about it. Are we ready to go out to celebrate, or too exhausted to deal with any of it?
Remember, Remember – The National Service Animals Memorial Project
The Lincoln Memorial; Arlington Cemetery; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the 9/11 Memorial and Museum; Lord Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square; that little metal disc in the town square or village green almost anywhere in the U.S. with a modest inscription commemorating the life of someone important to that community who may have died to protect it.
Moving The Goalpost – Before You Apply To Judge
The device we know today as the paper clip looks the same as it did in 1893. Its design was magnificent; no one since has invented a better way to do what it does so well. Oh sure, many have tried, but none have succeeded because the original needs no improvement. (There is even a book about it – The Perfection of the Paper Clip). The #2 lead pencil is another design that needs occasional sharpening, but its perfection has defied the need for change.
Dog Show Tips – Dr. Michael Woods Interview With Will Alexander
Will Alexander Drops Some Knowledge About What’s Happening in the Sport of Dogs. It’s Deep… It’s Humorous… It’s Provocative… It’s Will Unfiltered! Will Alexander has an in-depth conversation with Dr. Michael Woods. Click here to watch on Canine Chronicle TV!
