Question of the Week

Deborah Barrett

Birmingham, Alabama

It's a tie. I regularly have missed Thanksgiving (where I'm supposed to cook the feast).

There's also a big horse show that my daughter is dying for me to attend. She's repeatedly asked me, but I have now promised her, and I blocked it off, so we are going next month. I have turned down possible assignments, much to my dismay, but I promised. I have heard her tell people in tones of consternation that she has to book me two years in advance to do anything with her.

Marlene DePalma 

Finleyville, Pennsylvania

Sadly, I missed my brother's wedding that I was actually in! The Siberian national was held in Oklahoma, and we were driving with nine dogs. 

Tom Bradley

Watertown, New York

Do you want the whole list?
 

Sue Goldberg

Warren, New Jersey

On the flip side, I remember years ago the late Diana Helfner, a Bedlington breeder, having her labor induced 10 days early so she could attend Montgomery! She was there with their newborn son, Cubby, which was coincidental, as I was showing a Wheaten puppy with the same name. Terrier breeders are a hardy bunch and will not let a little thing like the birth of their firstborn to deter them!

Ann Yuhasz

Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Well, like most of us there have been unfortunately many, but the worst, I’m embarrassed to report, is the birth of my granddaughter — my first grandchild. My daughter called as I was just about to fly to Canada to judge the Canadian English Setter national, that she was on her way to the hospital. Lizzie Smith, my darling granddaughter, arrived early the next morning and no one has ever in 20 years let me forget my absence!

Brian Clegg

Cincinnati, Ohio

In my younger and previous dog-handling days, the number of functions/weddings and fun events missed is way too long to mention. As time passed, we made family first the most important thing, and hopefully have passed that on to Caroline.

Sylvia Calderwood

Charleston, South Carolina

David and I had our wedding planned by a psychic. We'd been married before and done it the old-fashioned way, and that didn't work out, so we thought — what the heck — let's get help. As it turned out, our seer suggested Monday at 11 a.m. in a local church. We thought that was perfect, because all our dog-show friends could (and did) attend. Who needs a traditional Sunday wedding?

Edy Dykstra-Blum

Ocala, Florida

Family and best-friend-related issues are more important than any dog shows. There will always be dog shows, but family and friends do not live forever.

Jessie Gerszewski

Tucson, Arizona

My mother called to tell me the great news: She was marrying my stepfather in two weeks! We already had clients entered in the Great Dane Club of America’s regional. I begged her to change the date, but no luck! We had to decide whether we live with the guilt of depressing my family or disappointing 15 clients. We sadly missed the wedding!

Steven Herman

Wesley Chapel, Florida 

I always like to best everyone’s test of the marital relationship story with this one. My wife (very important to note she still is!), and I had planned our wedding and honeymoon in Asheville, North Carolina. Shortly before we were to go, I was asked to judge at a show in Raleigh on what would be the last day of our honeymoon. As an enthusiastic arbiter, I bravely asked my wife if she would mind if I accepted the assignment. She said it was OK, drove with me there and spent the day at the show. She’s a keeper!

Janice Leonard

Denver, Colorado

Thanksgiving and family reunion.

Honi Reisman 

Baldwin Harbor, New York

Carol and I missed our grandmother's funeral to go to a show. Our dad was furious, but we didn't care for her, and dogs were our world.

Fritz Clark

Retired dog-show photographer

Gilsum, New Hampshire

All of them! We are blessed with two daughters. Mom and Dad promised both that we would pay for their wedding (once!), but only if we could pick the weekends it would not be on. Most people outside our family could not understand how we could turn down invitations that were more than months away. We are making up for lost time with the few friends we have left.

Barbara Miller

Brookville, New York

It was the first year the Long Island Kennel Club moved venues to the Nassau County Museum of Art.  As the show chair and president of the club, I had a tough decision to make. My son Jimmy was graduating law school from Fordham with honors. He thoroughly understood that I worked well over a year obtaining the club’s new venue; therefore, Jimmy decided he’d only get two tickets for graduation, inviting my parents. The day of the show and graduation Matt and Gene kept ribbing me of my decision. And, yes, my son loves me, and I him.

Rita Figg

Laurel, Florida       

NEVER have I attended a dog show and missed a family event! Family comes first!