I was happy to read of Pedigree's change of heart, in that they will now be giving the $2,000 donation to all participants in 2007 without any direct AHA involvement.
That's some kind of progress; nonetheless, I still can't get it out of my mind how that entire fouled-up mess began. Okay, so now I congratulate them on addressing the feedback that no Parent Club wanted to receive the donation from AHA, nor did they want to be tied up with all those terms and conditions originally stipulated. And despite the continuing condescending tone of the language in the “Brand” letter—you know, “We love dogs, too” or “As the brand that loves all shapes, sizes and breeds” sort of stuff—I began to feel good about what they were trying to do in helping the rescue situation—both purebred and mixed. Until I came to the last paragraph, announcing the formation, for 2008, of a dual consumer fundraising mechanism that will support shelter dogs and breed rescue dogs, too. Sounds good on paper, but do I smell the possibility of this meaning that Parent Clubs could be asked to work together with AHA!
So long as AHA continues to support AB 1634 as it is presently written—and opposes all cropping and docking, and opposes performance events held by Parent Clubs—I would have a tough time sitting down with them. Really, if AB 1634 passes as written—which is unlikely—AHA is no friend of our sport on any level 
whatsoever. I don't think Pedigree can have its cake and eat it too. They should pressure AHA to change its stance on AB 1634 or find another organization to work with regarding breed rescue organizations. That last paragraph is most alarming.
There's little doubt that Planting Fields in Long Island's Oyster Bay is one of the premier show venues—outdoors—I have ever seen. The ride into the grounds is breathtakingly beautiful in spring and autumn. The rings are large, well laid out, level, and mowed to perfection. That the weather rarely cooperates is usually the problem. This year was better than most weather-wise, but hardly perfect. Cold the first day, rainy during groups the next. The Helming Newf was Best the first night, and a GSD—a bitch—the second. Both looked to be of top-notch quality. Evelyn Rechler and her staff of “Ladies” at Ladies do a really nice job.
Sunday's show—the Long Island Kennel Club, in nearly Grade A weather, had a gate close to 11,000 spectators! That's unbelievable, but when the weather is good, those North Shore people come out to see those dogs which they truly love. Held on the grounds of the Nassau County Museum, this is a picturesque
venue with great charm. The Rally and Agility events are great crowd-pleasers, and while conformation entry numbers are low for both Ladies and Long Island, they still draw some nice quality dogs. Barbara Miller runs Long Island KC (as though you need to be told that), and she really succeeds in putting on a show. Donald Sturz's mini poodle was adjudicated Best that night. Too bad so many people continue to avoid “The Island,” since both sets of shows are so nicely put together and are run with an expertise one does not often find.
Of course, the subject of Queensboro moving to Springfield was a topic on many people's lips. I was told by someone very high up in the Bronx Kennel Club—Queensboro's former sister club, as they shared the same dates—that the Bronx found an indoor site in Suffolk. Smaller than they wanted but nonetheless indoors. This being the argument for the Board agreeing to move Queensboro, allegedly having been the inability of finding such a site nearby “indoors.” This person claims Queensboro was offered by the Bronx to share the indoor site on the same dates and Queensboro never replied. Well, if that is true, and I have no reason to doubt the 
information, shouldn't the Board revisit the issue of giving Queensboro permission to move to Springfield? And don't hand me the story that Staff must instigate the reconsideration. Just look into the facts and act reasonably is what the Board's reaction should be. The good Lord knows they've changed their minds before, so why not now? •
