What’s Cookin’? Snack of the Day
Longhorn Popcorn
Home » Current Articles
You are browsing entries filed in “Current Articles”
Rena Martin – Humble Beginnings…Part 2
Aennchen Antonelli, Anne Pendelton, Michael Woff, Joanne Hesse, Richard Donovan, it was quite the cast of characters in this Maltese dramarama. The fallout eventually led to the formation of two national clubs–which AKC approved of at the time. And things just escalated from there. But getting back to our story. Less than a decade into it nothing revealed Rena’s single- minded determination more than her remarkable ability to forge unlikely alliances in pursuit of bigger goals. Storming this Maltese citadel could be called her test of fire be- cause that’s when she really hit her stride.
Logic 101 and Breed Varieties
Shortly after I had settled into my aisle seat on the flight from Atlanta to Portland, this fortyish man in a rather rumpled tweedy suit stopped and informed me that he had the window seat. I got up and let him in. Almost immediately he told me that he had spent several days in Atlanta and was now enroute to Oregon to attend another conference there. Then he asked if I was on my way home to Portland.
Adjusting to Reality
On occasion it seems useful and salutary to reflect upon the state of our sport as it relates to how we act in relation to one another, how we go about the business of practicing respect, how we view the central role of sportsmanship in all of the various activities which we undertake. What beneficial effect this might have is anyone’s guess but one never quite knows, especially among newer comers into our midst. And perhaps even some old-timers might welcome a cognitive refresher in this area.
An Ancient Breed Joins AKC – The Azawakh
Purebred is a tricky term. I mean even AKC gets it wrong once in awhile; yeah they do. We all want accuracy but on the other hand, it’s that genetic ebb and flow that keeps breeds vibrant and evolving. The true beauty of our purebred infrastructure is that long after the forces responsible for shaping type have disappeared, that ideal remains reliably anchored to key traits. And let’s face it; most breeds eventually outlive their original function. Repositioning them in today’s canine landscape is an ongoing challenge.
The Ultimate Silly List
It’s David Letterman’s fault. On September 18, 1985, he launched a new trend that never quit: the infernal Top Ten List. The very first was: “Top Ten Things that Almost Rhyme with Peas” and it catapulted an infinite string of Silly Top Ten Lists into the stratosphere. To be clear, I’m not talking about verified data-derived lists such as top-winning dog lists; I look forward to, enjoy, and trust those lists because they are real. I’m talking about gems like “Top Ten Signs Your Kid Had a Bad First Day at School” and “Top Ten Rejected James Bond Gadgets.”
The Handler-Client Relationship
The client, first of all, must have a worthy dog and must be able to afford to compete, i.e., handler fees, entry fees, advertising; and they must be willing to pay each in a timely manner. The client must be capable of communicating with the handler as well as others. More importantly, the client should be a humble loser as well as a gracious winner. A temperamental, arrogant owner can materially influence the show career of a dog. An owner must be appreciative of the merits as well as the faults of his dog and respect the qualities of the competition’s dog. It is helpful if the owner is a true dog lover and not just a wealthy person who buys and promotes dogs just to massage their ego.
IMHO – Judges and Returning to Dog Shows
This month we asked judges who are totally dedicated to the sport in many ways to share their very personal thoughts on two sensitive issues facing the judging community. The first is those meaningful parts of our lives as judges which are suddenly absent, and missed terribly. Next, they divulge their personal concerns about returning to dog shows and back to the world we all love. I am sure each of us can identify with what they have written.
Dog Show Husbands – Unheralded Heroes of Our Sport
Diamonds are girl’s best friend.” It was a song in the 1953 production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes performed by Marilyn Monroe. However, if you have ever been to a dog show, then you know man’s best friend is also a woman’s best friend. My wife and I were sitting ringside at the recently held Southern Colorado Kennel Club show and could not help but notice that the female exhibitors far exceeded the number of male competitors. However, there were plenty of men in attendance.
Breed Priorities: Cardigan Welsh Corgi
There are two Corgis from Wales, one with a tail (Cardigan) and one without (Pembroke). But there are more differences beyond the tail. They were developed in different parts and geographies in Wales.
