The Gossip Column: August 16, 2024

With the WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB’S long-anticipated move back to MADISON SQUARE GARDEN and the new daytime venue of the JAVITS CENTER, those planning on attending are already researching restaurants, plays running on Broadway and all the other attractions the city has to offer. We are getting the PURINA PRO PLAN SHOW DOGS OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER partnered with DOG NEWS in full gear. With only eight months between events, we are stepping up the process to once again host a great evening that celebrates the best of our sport as voted on by you. In addition to honoring the top seven winning dogs that represent each variety group, the top obedience dog and Junior showman of the year, we conclude with the inductee to the coveted ANNE ROGERS CLARK PURINA PRO PLAN HALL OF FAME. It’s always a great black-tie event. In the coming weeks we will announce the nominees and the dates for the online voting for your favorite nominee in several different categories. The winners will be announced the evening of the dinner. ...

An interesting show on NETFLIX called the INSIDE THE MIND OF A DOG explores the relationship that humans have had with dogs for thousands of years. How from Canis lupus come the hundreds of different breeds that can perform so many different tasks. What they have in common is the dogs have 99.9 percent of the same DNA as a wolf. It goes on to talk about the DUKE CANINE COGNITION CENTER, whose puppy-kindergarten program studies them as they are trained to help the disabled. Those puppies that show promise are then moved onto more training until 18 months of age, when they ultimately become one of the 1,000 dogs a year trained by one of the five campuses of CANINE COMPANION. Among the tasks they can perform, some dogs can interrupt the nightmares of a person suffering from PTSD. It just reinforces the bond between humans and dogs, as well as the good works that dogs do and recognition they deserve. Narrated by actor ROB LOWE, it is an interesting watch for any dog lover. ...

Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries … AMY & ANDREW GREEN, KAREN & SAM MAMMANO, and JANE & GREG MYERS. Celebrating Birthdays … BOBBY FISHER (although I stopped counting which one — that’s what love does), ELLEN ROBERTS, TIM TERELLA, TRAVIS LUIJTEN, RENEE POPKEY, KENNY SAENZ, SANTIAGO PINTO, KAY PEISER, LUKE SEIDLITZ, SANDY FREI and STEVE HAYDEN.