Table Talk – March 14, 2018
I am heading to Louisville this morning and I am excited to be working with our tech guru, Alex Angelbello, to bring you the latest news live from the cluster! We will try once again to keep those of you who could not make it feel like you are there and in touch with the happenings around the rings at Louisville! To those of you who will be in Louisville, keep an eye out for us, and to those of you at home, be sure to continue to check for updates on our Facebook page and our website!
I was troubled to read that a long-time handler and dog fancier was denied membership in what should be an up-and-coming parent club. As an individual who was also denied membership in a parent breed club years ago, despite recommendation by a long-time respected breeder and board member, I know only too well how frustrating this can be. I can only hope that these parent clubs will recognize that those of us with considerable all-breed experience have so much to bring to the table and can only help improve things within the sport. Years back, I chose to walk away with my head held high and vowed to spend my energy where it would be appreciated and acknowledged. I never looked back.
I often make public pleas to our readers to open your arms and share your knowledge with the new folks who are trying to make a place for themselves in our sport. I was saddened to read that while doing exactly this, a fancier was questioned by others as to why she would help a “newbie”. As we all know, Terriers are very complex, and I personally give anyone credit who is willing to put in the work to not only learn the sport as a whole, but to learn the conditioning and trimming necessary to become competitive. At most “regular” all breed shows, the terrier group is among the smallest groups: My guess is one of the primary reasons is the work involved to get a terrier ready for competition. So, a huge shout-out to Kellie Miller for taking the time to share your knowledge with a “newbie” in an attempt to make this person come back again and again! We should all take a lesson from this and do our part to help those that are looking for a helping hand (and sometimes we may even try to help those that are not looking for help).
We all talk about how social media has changed our sport, both from positive and negative points of view. Sticking with the positive, as I am intent on doing, I’d like to remind show-giving clubs that social media is your friend! If each club member posts show announcements on various forms of social media, and challenges their friends to share, the spectator base for dog shows will grow. Growing the spectator base is step one in preserving and growing our sport. A better gate will bring new blood to the shows, will help our vendors, and will increase the awareness about purebred dogs and the sport. Let’s all do our part to try to reach out to the public in order to preserve and grow the sport of purebred dogs.
These Nor’Easter storms are no joke my friends! Sulie Greendale-Paveza grudgingly cancelled a judging assignment this past weekend due to travel challenges raised by the storm. Unfortunately, while working with a neighbor to move a fallen tree, she got in an argument with another tree branch, and she lost. While still sore, Sulie is recovering, albeit a bit bruised. We will see you soon, Sulie! Hang in there.
Please be kind to Cindy Lane-Smith if you see her in Louisville this week. She has been down with a back injury. However, if I know Cindy, not even that will keep her away from doing her part at the Louisville cluster. Hang in there, Cindy, and thanks for your dedication!
French Bulldog fancier Colette Seror is recovering from a fall down a couple of stairs. While still a bit sore, Colette’s positive attitude and perseverance won’t keep her down for long! Feel better and we hope to see you soon girlfriend!
Another Crufts is in the books. With an entry of nearly 21,000, Best In Show this year was awarded to the Whippet, CH. Collooney Tartan Tease, from Scotland. Congratulations to this beautiful hound and owner. While PETA activists made efforts to storm the ring and cloud the proceedings, officials were quick on their feet and halted their efforts. In my opinion, the best approach we can take to actions like this is to ignore them and NOT give them a venue to have their voices heard.
Congratulations to U.S. Handler Rebecca Cross and her Scottish Terrier, “Bopper” (CH. McVan’s Big Bopper@ Beameups) on their Terrier group win at Crufts. Rebecca is no stranger to winning the Terrier Group at Crufts having previously been awarded the group with Bopper’s littermate. Congratulations to Rebecca and Bopper!
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Kellie Fitzgerald, Kate Henlon, Matt Perchick, Denise Beagle and Marion Thompson.
I look forward to seeing you in Louisville this week. Wherever your travels take you, please be careful. Spring will be here soon!!!!!! Until next time…
Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=141059
Posted by Comments are closed
