Table Talk · March 6, 2024
While I may be “jumping the gun”, it sure does feel like Spring has sprung! I am sitting out on my screened porch for the first time in months while writing this week’s column. Here’s hoping this fantastic weather holds and Mother Nature does not change her mind as frequently occurs this time of year!
In a couple of weeks many of us will make the trip to Louisville for the Kentuckiana Cluster. This cluster, which still maintains its ranking as one of the largest clusters in the country, has an impressive entry again in 2024 with 13,733 entries over four days. The largest entry of 3,677 is on Saturday. These large entries bring late nights, so be sure to pace yourselves my friends!!
I look forward to bringing you Table Talk Live coverage over the four days in Louisville. Among other topics, this year, I would like to talk to some NOHS competitors who also compete in regular group competition. I would like to share your thoughts regarding prioritizing NOHS competition versus regular competition. While the American Kennel Club avoids conflict between the regular groups and the NOHS groups by scheduling the NOHS group either before or after the regular group, there are some dogs that are challenged by showing multiple times in a short period of time. Of course, no one is forcing them to show in the NOHS and regular competition at every show, or to show in both groups at the same show. There are ways to control how often a dog is shown on a given day.
As an example, a friend of mine had a great weekend at the Renaissance Cluster in Madison, Wisconsin. With two specialties per day, her dog showed SIX times in one day. After winning the NOHS and Best Of Breed competition and going on to both groups, the dog won both groups and competed in both Best In Show competitions. Fortunately for her, she did not need to make a choice because she and her dog were ready for the challenge but competing six times in one day is not for every dog (or human for the matter). There may be a time when an exhibitor needs to make a choice for the benefit of the dog (especially at a four-day cluster with multiple specialties). What is most important to you and why? If you needed to make a choice about classes to cut, for your dog’s benefit, what would you do? If you are interested in sharing your thoughts, and you will be in Louisville, please reach out to me at deb.cooper@caninechronicle.com or stop by The Canine Chronicle booth during the show. We’ll be located at the front of the exhibition hall.
I have heard from many fanciers who are traveling across the pond to attend Crufts. If you are one of the lucky ones, I hope you are taking a few extra days to enjoy the sights! AKC Representative Lynn Meyer is one of the lucky ones. She and her travelling companions, Patricia Bernardo, Lorna Cook and Virginia Mann, are having an awesome trip! They have already shopped at Harrods and been to the Palace for the Changing of the Guard. They even had a private tour of the Palace!!! Safe travels to all, and please enjoy the show!!
The River Valley Cluster held in Owensboro, Kentucky in August has regretfully announced they will be unable to hold their shows in 2024 due to a mix-up with their venue, the Owensboro Convention Center. They promise to be back in 2025 at the same location.
Congratulations to Amanda Giles and Daniel Martin who are expecting their first baby! We hope all goes well and you have a happy, healthy child.
Happy anniversary to David Stout and Kristyn Stout. It is hard to believe you lovebirds have been married for eight years. Best wishes to both of you. We wish you many more happy, healthy years ahead.
Happy Anniversary to Heidi and Phil Booth who are celebrating their first year of wedded bliss. May your next trip around the sun together be the best yet.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include: Keith Bailey, Lois DeMers, Red Tatro, Peter Kubacz, Eva Hart Hansen, Tuni Conti, my ‘utha mutha’ Judy Cooper, Andrew Evans, Diana Hadsall,, Tara Martin Rowell, Chip Rainwater, Kristin Lawless, Kellie Fitzgerald and Lauren Portal. I hope you all enjoy your special day! Best wishes for many more wonderful years ahead.
I leave you this week with these words of wisdom: Hard work is a choice. Attitude is a choice. Discipline is a choice. Doing extra is a choice. Excellence is a choice.
Be safe out there and enjoy the moment, my friends. If your travels take you to the Tarheel Circuit in Raleigh, stop by the Purina booth and see me. I will be there Wednesday and Thursday. Until next time…
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