The Gossip Column, March 5, 2021
Finally, some optimistic news. With the nationwide vaccination program picking up speed and the advent of spring, there is a wide selection of dog shows next month. April seems to be the start of some normalcy with regard to dog shows and welcome relief to those who chose to abstain from attending shows during the last year. While it was an abbreviated show calendar, dogs were awarded championships, Best of Breeds, group placements and wins, and Best in Shows. There is no denying these accomplishments, but some parent clubs are erasing the achievements of dogs exhibited last year as if they didn't happen. That is a travesty: They did happen. While we have canceled the PURINA PRO PLAN SHOWDOG OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER Partnered with DOG NEWS, we are still recognizing the seven top group winners. Even Broadway’s Tony Awards will be awarded and as well as Academy Awards for films that were shown on television, as the movie theaters were closed. An alternative could be an asterisk next to 2020 in the club records, stating that due to a national pandemic there was a limited amount of dog shows held. ...
Last week’s board of directors and annual Zoom meetings of the MORRIS & ESSEX KENNEL CLUB were upbeat and positive events. Plans are full steam ahead for the upcoming October event. Thanks to WAYNE FERGUSON, who has never seen a cloudy day, his enthusiasm is infectious. Sadly, the lady who holds it all together, club secretary CONNIE BUTHERUS, missed the meeting, as her husband DUANE was hospitalized. Hope that DUANE is on the mend. Even with a year’s postponement the number of specialties and supported entries is impressive. There is still time to contact LORRAINE BISSO at 504.782.1652 or regel@bellsouth.net for further information. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the MORRIS & ESSEX KENNEL CLUB show on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.
The AKC MUSEUM OF THE DOG has hired ALAN GROSSMAN as its new director of development. ...
Celebrating Birthdays … a little belated HILLARY ZIMMERMAN & RICKY JUSTICE … the ever ageless MARJORIE DOANE, DON DAVIS, MATTHEW PERCHICK, MICHELLE LEWIS, ALEX WHEELER. TOM DIGIACOMO, JANET YORK, DIEGO GARCIA, DAVID BOLUS, TAYLOR JOHNSON, TARA MARTIN ROWWELL, LEONARDO GARCINI, LUKE BAGGENSTOS, PETER KUBACZ, TUNI CONTI, LOIS DEMERS, CHERYL LENT, LESLEY POTTS, LETISHA WUBBEL DE LA TORRE and MARIA ARECHAEDERRA.