Table Talk – July 8, 2020

As you all know, I try very hard to keep things positive, to find the silver lining.  If I cannot find that silver lining, I leave the issue alone and try not write about it to avoid taking up your precious time.  For this reason, over the past several weeks I have resisted sharing my personal disappointment with how the American Kennel Club is (or is not) supporting the fancy during the pandemic.

The silver lining that I cling to is that the AKC’s lack of support has brought some within the fancy even closer together.  Professional handlers and other exhibitors are organizing volunteers to help clubs with older members.  They are reaching out to clubs who feel overwhelmed with the task of re-creating judging panels while ensuring they have sufficient stewards and other volunteers to actually make a dog show occur.

Those individuals who have been successful at getting approvals from county health departments and other officials are helping those that are now finding themselves in the same situation.

The fancy waited with great anticipation and the AKC finally published what they called ‘Best Practices’.  There were no guidelines, per sé, but rather the Best Practices document was supposed to help clubs write their guidelines for operating during this pandemic.  The theme of the Best Practices document was to follow state and county mandates.  While better than nothing, this Best Practices document was a disappointment to me.  As a sport, we need to lead by example and show the country that we are able to act responsibly and keep everyone at shows safe while we pursue our passion.  We need to demonstrate respect for others’ health and safety and make it known that we can hold dog shows safely.  County and state officials need to see evidence that we have acclimated to the current environment and that exhibitors, judges and volunteers are as safe at a dog show as they are at the grocery store.  In my opinion, AKC missed the mark here.  They should have been leading that cause not responding to it.

What AKC has done well is provide great virtual breed education and opened it up to everyone, not just the judging community.  They have made temporary modifications to approval processes to hold shows and have made accommodations for mileage limits.  Guy Fisher in Club Development has been working very hard to help show giving clubs to the best of his ability.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the current situation requires so much more from AKC.  I would have hoped that AKC would serve as an advocate for clubs who are doing battle (for lack of a better term) with county officials to get approval to hold a show, and help club officials by creating clear, succinct guidelines for operating dog shows in the current environment.  Instead numerous clubs are re-inventing the wheel, and those that are not fortunate to have a Nina Fetter or a Terry James leading the cause are finding no choice but to cancel their shows. Again, this is just my opinion.

Tara Martin-Rowell and Nancy Brown created the International Heart Classic, a virtual dog show and fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association and the AKC Canine Health Foundation.  Before the entries closed for this show, the AKC announced they were doing a virtual dog show, which concluded prior to the International Heart Classic.  Why couldn’t the AKC wait until the American Heart Association’s event was complete?  You might say that there are competing shows every week, why is this different?  Again, just my opinion, but it IS different.  Wouldn’t it have benefited everyone to wait until the first virtual show was complete and then hold a comparable event?  Was it necessary to compete with them?  In fact, perhaps the AKC could have re-hired one of their furloughed Executive Field Representatives to assist with their virtual dog show to ensure that it ran smoothly, dog breeds were put in the correct groups, etc. It appears there was a rush to be first, not best.

The good news is that we, as a fancy, are strong and determined and, as a result, we are back!  Folks have put ‘Entry Wednesday’ back on their calendars. We now worry more about show opening dates than we do closing dates, and there are some shows happening for those who wish to attend.  For those who do not feel safe, there is no pressure to attend, so judgement about those who want to go to dog shows should stop!  Please!  Those who want to get back to shows sooner rather than later are not judging those who are staying home.  Those who are attending should not become complacent, but rather continue to make the health and safety of those around them a top priority.   As we get back to doing what we all love, I think we have learned a very tough lesson to not take our sport for granted.

Congratulations goes out to everyone who loves the sport of purebred dogs.  The light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter each day.  Now that the first four-day cluster has been executed successfully, other clubs are feeling a bit more confident that they, too, can hold a show safely.  This, however, requires the cooperation of every individual in attendance.

Congratulations to Terry James and the entire team that made the Learning Cluster in Guthrie, Oklahoma a success, and congratulations to all of the exhibitors and volunteers for a job so very well done!

One of the highlights of the Learning Cluster was the breaking of a decades-old record that many people thought might never be broken. GCHP2 Cinnibon’s Bedrock Bombshell, aka Wilma, handled by Michael Shepherd, broke the Best In Show record for Boxers held by the great Ch. Bang Away of Sirrah Crest. Congratulations to everyone associated with this great dog.

The Mountain Laurel Cluster in Bloomsburg, PA is NOT cancelled.  The show, scheduled for July 23-26, has closed with an entry ranging from 1800-2000+.

There will be 3 show weekends in a row in Ohio starting with the Steel Valley Cluster in Canfield, Ohio July 30-August 2. Next up is Lorain County Kennel Club in Oberlin, Ohio August 8-9 and limited to 800 entries; then the Western Ohio Summer Cluster August 14-16 in Lima, Ohio.  The Western Ohio Summer Cluster closed in 4 hours.  Their entry limit is 1250.

The shows in Enumclaw, Washington will also be held the weekend of August 14-16 in Enumclaw Washington at the Expo Center.  Yes, that is right my friends!  Two clusters across the country the same weekend! It’s starting to feel like our sport is waking up from its long nap!

And, if that is not enough good news for one Table Talk column, the AKC National Championship in Orlando in December is a GO as of today!

The Medina Kennel Club will hold a match show on Sunday, July 12^th to benefit Take the Lead.  For more information, you can message Mary Norton, or visit her Facebook page.

I am very sorry to report the passing of AKC All Breed judge Jean Fancy. Jean left our mortal world on July 1 at 90 years young. Jean was voted one of the top 10 most respected judges by the Grass Roots group in 1987 and was nominated for judge of the year in 1993.  She bred numerous Boxer, Standard Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer champions.  Most importantly, Jean was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.  She will be greatly missed.  Condolences to her family and friends.

Celebrating anniversaries this week are Shea and Tiffany Skinner and Gary and Susan Allison.  May you have many more happy, healthy years together.

Celebrating birthdays this week are:  Bob Busby, Ron Spritzer, Bob Slay, Jamie Larkman, Bob Shreve, Delores Burkholder and Arlene Davis.  Here is hoping each of you have a wonderful birthday filled with happiness and love.

Stay safe and healthy my friends.  Travel safe, and best of luck out there.  I will see you all soon!  Until next time…

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Posted by Tom on Jul 8 2020. Filed under Breaking News, Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.