Table Talk
I’d like to thank all of you for your kind words about Table Talk. I have been overwhelmed by everyone’s support and positive feedback. My goal is to to continue to provide our readers with an enjoyable, easy-to-read column each week that helps keep everyone updated with current happenings within our wonderful sport. Every time I get a positive comment it truly makes my day! Thanks to Tom and Amy for believing in the concept and believing in my ability to bring it to life. I look forward to continuing to build on this endeavor to make it better each week. That being said, please do not hesitate to share your ideas with me and let me know what you would like to hear; and what you think would be good information to pass on to those in our beloved fancy. I am hearing that everyone loves to see their birthday or anniversary listed here and I do my best to get as much information as I can. You can help! Please send me your birthdays and anniversaries and those of your friends as well as updates about judging assignments and vacations abroad.
I am very excited to say that we will be doing more live segments in New York at the Pier, the Garden, and the Progressive Toy Show at the Hotel Pennsylvania. I also hope to make stops at the exercise areas at the New Yorker and the Hotel Pennsylvania: Keep your eyes open for us as we bring Table Talk Live to you!
On to the week’s happenings. I went to Novi, Michigan this past weekend and spent a couple days visiting with my friends. I was pleasantly surprised to see how the cluster has grown. There are several specialties which I am sure has helped the entry grow. The Meet the Breeds ring on the weekend was packed! They continue to allow un-entered dogs, and have done a great job limiting the areas where un-entered dogs are allowed to go . There were several breed rescue booths, and more vendors than I’ve seen in quite some time. These are all positive indications for our sport! Kudos to the cluster committee for a job well done.
The Fort Bend Kennel Club shows in Rosenberg, TX moved to a new building to improve on the conditions (read: dirt floor) of the venue used in previous years. Unfortunately, the cement floor was absorbing water and it was coming up through the subsurface causing wet and slippery conditions. Kudos to the show committee and all involved for being extremely responsive and moving the rings to avoid the potentially hazardous conditions.
It was unfortunate that the vendors who attended the Ventura County Dog Fanciers and San Fernando Kennel Club shows at the Ventura Fairgrounds this past weekend were tucked away in a building away from the crowds. It seems many exhibitors didn’t even know they were there. Clubs need to be sensitive to the issues this causes for vendors. A lot of money is spent by vendors to get inventory, pay vendor fees, travel to the show, etc. and when they are put out of the way with no traffic they do not have a prayer of making their money back. This is one of the reasons that vendor participation is shrinking. If clubs make the decision to have vendors at their shows, they should also consider how they can give the vendors the best possible chance to succeed.
I was encouraged when I heard that Delta Airlines tightened their requirement for onboard emotional support animals. It is my sincere hope that other airlines follow Delta’s lead as this situation has truly gotten out of control.
Our friend Connie Gerstner Miller will be missing at Westminster this year as she is having hip replacement surgery this coming week. Our thoughts are with you, Connie. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Marcello Santiago just returned from vacation in Rio. Cindy Vogels and Jeffrey Pepper are making their way back from a judging assignment in the Philippines. Stan Matsumoto was in Bologna, Italy site-seeing and judging. Joe Gregory and his daughter, Evalyn, were in Korea judging. Randy Benz and his dearly beloved Lisa Haney finally made their way back from Costa Rica. The world is truly getting smaller by the moment!
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Bull Terrier fancier Cecil Mann. The fancy also lost Terry Taft, a longtime Whippet fancier. Longtime Afghan Hound breeder Margie Pugh has also passed away. Carol Duffy and Billy Milne have also left us. My most sincere condolences to the friends and families of our dear departed friends and fanciers.
I am so excited to hear that Michaelanne Johnson has gone home from the hospital after her recent back surgery. Best wishes for a speedy recovery my friend. We all look forward to seeing you soon!
Healing thoughts for Stephen Hurt who has been feeling under the weather. Get better quickly Steve! We are looking forward to seeing you in Louisville in March!
Letitia Bett has been suspended from judging privileges and fined $500 for her recent “change of mind” after awarding Best In Show. It seems that Ms. Bett tried to avoid action by resigning. Kudos to AKC for addressing this outrageous situation.
I was happy to hear that Dave and Darla Daugherty were safe after a scare while on the road. Seems someone attempted to steal the tires off their truck and loosened all of the lug nuts.
Belated birthday wishes to Connie Wagner and Adam King. Celebrating birthdays this week are: Kristen Jackson Dowd, Kathryn Mills, David Cook and John Wade.
Celebrating wedding anniversaries are: Lesley and Eddie Boyes, and George and Harriet Murray.
Here is something to keep in mind while competing at the shows. Every dog has his day and everyone attending the dog show is thinking the same thing: Will today be our day?? It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking at a new puppy with stars in your eyes, have a shot at Best In Show or a possible High in Trial, or just one more trip around the ring with your veteran. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a top handler or breeder, or if this is your first dog show, everyone is thinking the same thing. We share these hopes and dreams… Is today our day??
Stay safe out there my friends. Hug your pooches and keep an eye out for the new folks. Until next time…
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