Entries are still being taken for the four-day event in Mexico City May 24-27, which culminates with the FCI's World Show on Sunday. If you are thinking of going and need hotel information, I would suggest contacting the official travel agency for the show, Mexico Touring. They can be reached at (011) 52 55 52 12 04 41/Fax (011) 52 55 55 53 87 74 or via e-mail at info@mexicotouring.com. They will tell you which hotels to stay at and which may or may not take dogs. With all the American judges on the panel, you may want to link with MB-F and take a chance on going. You'll probably never see a World Show sponsored by FCI with as many American judges again, that's for sure.
On the subject of FCI, I see where they have rescinded its ban which stopped Canadian dogs from being shown at its shows, but is keeping Canadian judges from judging FCI shows. Can't help but wonder if this is a form of pressure to get Canada to join FCI. You may recall that Leonard Pagliero, who was chairman of the board of the Kennel Club helped form the World Congress of Kennel Clubs lo those many years ago. This type organization would be particularly useful today in light of some of the questionable practices FCI has been indulging in of late. Why not revise this organization is my thinking.
Attended the New Brunswick KC two-day all-breed at the Raritan Expo Center. They have a Thursday Toy Group Specialty but lost the all-breed club for Sunday. Too bad, since this is a most useful venue in an area known to have difficulty finding acceptable dog show sites. We went on Saturday, where the Peke handled by David Fitzpatrick ruled the day—boy, is this dog hot. The day before, Don Sturz's mini poodle was the victor. That exhibit, too, has accomplished quite a bit of winning as well. There were some large and interesting classes of Pointers (attributed, I suppose, to Marjorie Martorella, the very competent show chair), and huge Lab classes, too. Saw two hounds that impressed me a lot, which I'd never seen before-a Scottish Deerhound and a Harrier. Also saw what I considered to be a very promising young Standard poodle earn its first major. It's always nice to go to shows and see promising new faces. Eye-candy or dog eye-candy—a little of both, I'm happy to say.
Well, the new AKC Annual Report is out, and it is a great sales tool for the organization. There's some really good stuff in it. Too bad, at least I could not find it, that no mention was made of AKC’s large and generous donation to Take the Lead. Also, there was barely any mention of AKC’s Pet Healthcare Plan, run in conjunction wtih Pet Partners. That should be treated with more of an emphasis! Bayer Animal Healthcare and Oster were duly and properly recognized—why not Pet Partners, too! Equally not included in the “Mosaic” of what makes up the organization was Jim Crowley. The role of Executive Secretary was given a full page without Jim being mentioned as the person at the helm. A bad oversight, I thought. He certainly deserved a “tile,” in my opinion, for sure. But that's me, a nitpicker. Overall, this broad and important document should be read and re-read and used to market the corporation positively. Be sure to get a copy of your own to understand AKC's scope of work and appreciable accomplishments. While you’re at it, share this information with others, too. •