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Looking Back with Lee – A Love Letter to Ron Menaker

Click here to read the complete article
130 – April 2019

By Lee Canalizo

MARCH 12th. was a sad day for the AKC and, more importantly, the sport of purebred dogs in general. This month ended the twenty-year tenure of probably the best friend the dog world ever had.

Ron Menaker finished his official duties at the American Kennel Club. His achievements are too numerous to write about here…and his impact will never be forgotten. Today, I write about the man. In Yiddish, he is a mensch! The real deal and a good friend to almost everyone that has crossed his path. Ron has access to some of the best minds in so many arenas – financial, medical, educational – and he has readily shared his influence with these extraordinary people with anyone who has had the good sense to call on him for help when they needed it most.

When one of my friends fell ill with an extremely critical condition and was taken to her local hospital, I contacted Dennis and Ron immediately and, without blinking an eye, Ron got her in to the best hospital in New York City where the best doctors provide her care. It took quite a while, but with his continued help the results were very rewarding. If not for him, it would have been a very different story. There are so many similar stories where Ron has quietly helped those in need. His anonymous charitable deeds might never truly be realized. I understand he donated his stipend as a serving board member of AKC to various dog-related organizations…and for anyone not thinking that is significant…those 20 years of service represented $240,000!

Ron is a serious businessman, but he’s also a fun guy. I think of Ron and so many good times come to mind! One particular New Year’s Eve party stands out. There was a large group of dog folks, great food and lots of booze! We told stories and many jokes, laughed like fools, and had a wonderful time. He was one of the guys!

Ron loves to tell the story of his beginning in dogs when no breeder would take the chance on a young and excited couple who wanted a Bedlington Terrier. So, they did what (sadly) many resort to, and he got his pup from the pet department at Gimbels. After being at every show for a year and never winning a point, one of the breeders figured out he was going to stick around and started him out with a show quality dog. The rest fell in place, just like it did for so many of us.

Ron has worked tirelessly for the dog clubs to which he belonged. Three major New York area clubs benefited from his membership over the years and will no doubt continue to do so in the future. When Ron ventured into the judging ranks, he did so with great preparation and passion, almost to a fault. He has never stopped seeking answers from those he considered mentors. He had endless chats on anything and everything about a breed well before he would apply for it. He created photo albums of those most typical, did match shows, and accepted International assignments. In short, Ron has done whatever he could to gain maximum exposure to a breed.

Never above sharing a meal after the dog show, Ron has made dinning with him “an event”. He has great stories and life experiences that always make dinner more enjoyable. Ron seems to know every great restaurant anywhere in the world and he seemes to relish having his friends share those culinary pleasures.

Ron is kind, friendly, extremely smart, talented in so many ways, and I am proud to call him my friend!

Thank you Ron for all you have accomplished in the sport of purebred dogs.

Love, Lee

Click here to read the complete article
130 – April 2019

Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=161168

Posted by on Apr 17 2019. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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