By Amy Fernandez As I’ve said before, AKC finally nailed it. Okay, Meet The Breeds was copped from the outrageously successful event that comprises half of Crufts these days, but better late than never. The Javits Center, now that door-to-door train service is finally a reality, is the ideal venue. Nothing confirmed that better than […]
The special comb – the lucky lead – the pre-show ritual. Nearly everyone who shows dogs has something they believe gives them an extra edge in the ring. Some of the ideas are superstitious, some mystical and some downright kooky.
Conventional wisdom tells us that purebred design is a labor of love…an extremely long, arduous one. And, mainly, that’s correct. Technology has certainly streamlined the process, but it hasn’t devised any surefire shortcuts. For the record, wishful thinking, although enduringly popular, remains a no-go.
It took a little trip into NYC recently, Lincoln Center to be precise. For all the inconvenience, the city’s holiday rep is well deserved. An instamatic moment wherever you turn. So, here’s the newsworthy thing I noticed-dogs everywhere.
Although dogs have been our companions for millennia, we have to guess at what prehistoric dogs looked like exactly. One thing we do know for sure, though, is the work they did. They followed the prey, drove the flocks and herds, guarded livestock and defended their owners’ property.
“What is important is to get into the moment. Appreciate the good things when they come your way whether in Dogdom or in any other place.”
At a recent dog show I sat next to some people who were having way too much fun. They were (supposedly) drinking, commenting on the groups, and filming themselves doing it. The idea, they said, was to make dog shows seem fun, not stodgy, and to that end they were starting a YouTube series called Drunken Dog Show, modeled after the television series Drunken History.
Over the course of my thirty-plus years in the sport of purebred dogs, I have heard more than just a handful of young people express their desire to become a professional handler when they grow up. And, when the remark is directed at me, I find it easy to be encouraging because it simply requires time, dedication and hard work to master the skills necessary to make their dream a reality.
At this holiday season, IMHO celebrates the timeless nov-el by Charles Dickens, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, by asking judges to share their favorite things from dog shows past and present, and their wishes for the future. Who will be Mr. Scrooge or Tiny Tim? Read and find out! Wishing all of Dogdom the joys of the holiday season and the very best of New Years. ~ Elaine Lessig
Yes, it’s 2020, and as we start a brand new year, all bright and shiny and so full of optimism, it is always traditional to plan a new year’s resolution.
