The Gossip Column: December 16, 2022

A long overdue and well-deserved service award was presented by the EASTERN DOG CLUB this past weekend to photographer JOHN ASHBEY for his 50-odd years of photographing the dogs in our sport. EASTERN is one of the many shows that JOHN has taken photos of for many years. JOHN is the humblest of men, and I’m sure he would have been more comfortable sitting in his chair waiting to take a photograph of a winning dog than standing in the center of a show ring as the main attraction. I can say without any hesitation that my most favorite show photos were taken by JOHN. He’s professional, patient and available to help in any way, a teacher to many in his field with a natural-born talent that can’t be developed. Well done, JOHN. An article about him, highlighting his long and successful career, appeared in the December 4, 2020, issue of DOG NEWS. We are fortunate that JOHN passed his love of photography down to his talented daughter ANDREA, who has been shooting with JOHN for the past several years. ...

This past Saturday evening, the annual TAKE THE LEAD HOLIDAY PARTY was held after the conclusion of judging at the EASTERN DOG CLUB. This year’s event was held in memory of founder PAT LAURANS. While many can dress as SANTA CLAUS, it takes a special person like ALEX WHEELER to play the GRINCH, which he did with great success. ...

Good news: After taking ill at the Philadelphia dog show, CAROL REISMAN is back in form and doing well. ...

On Tuesday, December 13, friends of CHESLIE SMITHEY surprised her with a baby shower at the dog show in Orlando. RSVPs were sent to the proud grandmother-to-be, ANGELA PICKETT. Spoiler alert ... If the invitation is a hint, I think it’s safe to say that the little baby is a boy. Our best wishes to CHESLIE and JUSTIN. ...

Multiple group judge CAROLE BEATTIE has passed away. CAROL and her husband BOB bred Welsh Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers under the Sunspryte kennel prefix. CAROLE went on to enjoy a successful judging career. Our deepest sympathies to her family. ...

Topping the Birthday list this week is JANE DOTY, well-known English Cocker Spaniel breeder and exhibitor who is celebrating her 90th birthday on December 18. All of us at DOG NEWS are sending JANE our very best wishes on this special day. ...

Also celebrating Birthdays … MARY DUKES, ANDY LINTON, TERRY HUNDT, TOM BRADLEY, HANS KABEL, CHARLENE MASCUCH, HELEN INGHER, MIKE BOWSER, LINDA GEORGE, CARLOS PUIG, HEIDI COLE, COLE GABEL, JOHN REEVE-NEWSON, DAVID HARPER, ADRIAN GHIONE, ROBERT CHAFFIN and SHARON KROGH. ...

Well, here we are at the end of another year. Enjoy these next few weeks at home with family and friends, and then start to gear up for a New Year of things to come. Wishing you all Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best for a Happy, Healthy and Winning New Year.