The Gossip Column: January 7, 2022
So much to catch up on, so let’s start with the good news ... the AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN was by all measures a success. It ran smoothly and, as is always the case, the final lineup had beautiful and worthy dogs representing their respective groups. ...
Congratulations to the Best in Show winner selected by judge DANA CLINE, Giant Schnauzer GCHG. LAGNIAPPE’S FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE BAYOU, bred by CHRIS REED, HOLLY REED, MARYANN BISCEGLIA and MIKE REESE; owned by HOLLY & CHRIS REED & LAURIE MASON & MIKE MASON, and handled by ALFONSO ESCOBEDO. ...
Sweeping everything else was DAVID FITZPATRICK, who captured Breeder of the Year, winner of the Best Bred-By Exhibitor competition and the winner of the Toy Group to cap off an unbelievable but deserving year. ...
The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB’s experiment of having a yearly show, promoted by RON MENAKER, is now established, even with changes in the major sponsorship. The major complaint about those early shows was his hiring of foreign judges, a practice that seems to be commonplace once again, raising the same complaints. ...
Welcome to ASHTON GRANT LEVY, born to Chesapeake Bay Retriever fancier and professional handler ADAM & DEVON KIPP LEVY on January 4. Born into a multigenerational purebred dog family, his maternal grandparents are SUSAN DEPEW and SCOTT KIPP, great-grandparents FRED & MARETH KIPP, and uncle and aunt CHRISTOPHER & DYLAN KIPP KEITH. The dynasty continues. ...
Due to the huge outbreak of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, some changes and adjustments have been made. The TAKE THE LEAD party normally held after the first night of Westminster group judging has been canceled. The sold-out event is a popular gathering spot to rehash the judging that took place. For those of you who have already ordered and prepaid for your tickets, you will receive a full refund. ...
The memorial service for the late IRIS LOVE organized by ANNE RADICE that was to take place on Monday, January 24, has been postponed and will be rescheduled to coincide with the rescheduled Westminster Kennel Club dog show, so that IRIS’ many friends from the dog world can attend. The board meeting and the annual meeting of the MORRIS & ESSEX KENNEL CLUB that was to be held during WESTMINSTER will now be a Zoom meeting to be held on Sunday, February 20.
Still on the calendar are the upcoming MEET THE BREED dates and locations: March 5 and 6 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California; April 23 and 24 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida; June 25 and 26 at the Kay E. Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas; September 10 and 11 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, and October 22 and 23 at the Atlanta Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia. ...
The passing of actress and animal lover BETTY WHITE, just weeks before her 100th birthday, has saddened many. I had the privilege of serving with BETTY on the board of trustees of the MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION. I can tell you firsthand that the personality you fell in love with on screen was the same loving, caring, funny lady in person. A great defender of all animals, she will be missed. ...
Another generous lady, JO-ANN KUSUMOTO, who with her husband ROY gave generously to canine causes, has passed away. The KUSUMOTOS owned and exhibited top-winning Doberman Pinschers and Maltese. JO-ANN’s health had been compromised for some time. We send our deepest sympathies to her husband ROY and family. ...
CLAY WILLIAMS, judge, handler and breeder of Toy and Standard Poodles, has passed away. A member of the Poodle Club of America and the Lone Star Poodle Club, he bred them under the Monogram prefix. Our deepest sympathies to his family. ...
MERLYN GREEN, D.C., delegate from the Del Monte Kennel Club, has passed away. A chiropractor by profession, he had interest in Dandies, Silkys and Miniature Pinschers. Our deepest sympathies to his wife of more than 59 years, SUSAN, and family.