The Gossip Column, April 16, 2021

It’s heartwarming to read all the fond memories that people have of SUE VROOM in response to the QUESTION OF THE WEEK. Her personality was so well suited for the job at hand. The job of a field representative can be trying, but SUE nailed every occasion, good or bad, with kid gloves, whether it was answering mundane questions, soothing exhibitors, scolding disgruntled exhibitors or telling judges that they were not approved for more breeds. Such a special person who was universally beloved. There are tentative plans to hold some event in her honor. What a fitting tribute to a wonderful lady. ...

There is a new ABC television reality show called POOCH PERFECT. It’s a competitive grooming show hosted by Australian comedic actress REBEL WILSON, whose family bred and exhibited Beagles. At first it was competitive grooming, but has changed to a creative grooming show with dogs clipped and dyed many different colors, a little unsettling for many of us. Each week a winner is voted on by a panel of judges and the ultimate winner at the end of eight episodes wins $100,000. One of the groomers on the show is PHIL SCHAFMAYER, well-known handler who exhibits many breeds but specializes in Afghan Hounds. How he fares is still an unanswered question, as all the episodes have not aired. ...

SCOTT SOMMER has sold his home and has a new home built on the property of his kennel, a couple of miles down the road. So now his commute is several steps. It sold quickly thanks to friend and real estate agent HEIDI COLE, who recently moved from Florida to Texas. ...

Some refreshing and well-received news from the United Kingdom: SUE SAMSON, well-known representative of the ENGLISH KENNEL CLUB, has been promoted to the position of Membership and External Relations Manager effective this week. SUE has been stateside many times promoting and answering queries about CRUFTS DOG SHOW and the KENNEL CLUB. With this new position all is not lost: SUE will still be her meet-and-greet self in the lobby of the Metropole Hotel come check-in time for the CRUFTS show next year. ...

Celebrating Birthdays … RAY SCOTT & GINGER SCOTT, JENNIFER STEVENS, GERARD HUGHES, MADGE FISH, ROBERTA DAVIES, MARLENE DEPALMA, TONY DINARDO, KATHY MINES, JOAN SCOTT, BRYAN MARTIN, JOHN RAMIREZ, STAN FLOWERS & JANE FLOWERS, MICHELLE FEDERMAN, POLLY SMITH, BRIAN LIVINGSTON, BRIAN STILL, AMANDA POUGH, WENDY PAQUETTE, TIFFANY SKINNER, NINA FETTER, CORREY KRICKEBERG, IVONNE RANGEL, ALICE BIXLER, KIRSTEN MCGREGOR, LINDA LOW, DENISE PETILO, DEBBIE BUTT, NANCY PINCUS and DAWN HANSEN.