Editorial: October 10, 2025

On a crisp Wednesday morning with no threat of rain, exhibitors who waited for years, lined up in the wee hours of the morning to attend the magic that is Morris & Essex. Granted the wait to get in was long but even the quickest exchange of pleasantries and questions like where is the my ring located? takes a few moments which adds up to a slower moving line of cars. Understandably, with the number of dogs entered. But the wait was well worth it. 
As the sun rose in the East, so did all the the neatly dressed hat topped exhibitors gathered at the tent where a free breakfast for all was hosted by Take The Lead. Judging was delayed one half hour to accommodate the long lines at the entry points. With the national anthem sung by a very talented Ron Johnson, the judging began at the sixth modern day Morris & Essex Kennel Club dog show that, despite its occurrence once every five years, five thousand dogs and their owners found their way to the Colonial Park venue. We pause here to acknowledge the great work of Wayne Ferguson who works relentlessly for five years to organize this one day event. He is the leader of the band and irreplaceable. He is the modern day Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge of the country’s largest one day dog show. Special thanks go the companies and individuals who unselfishly contribute money and time to help put on this event. Their generosity is paramount to the success of the show. The cost is astronomical and the results magical. Once the judging began the show ran like a well-oiled machine. The free box lunch was provided to all exhibitors and the officials dined at a lovely seated luncheon. As the day went on the judging continued to set the stage for the best of breed, group and ultimately the seven dogs vying for that best in show award. Seven outstanding dogs expertly presented by their handlers were judged by Terry Stacy. What can be said of a man who has spent his entire life in the sport. Owner handler, professional handler, vice president of the American Kennel Club, multiple group judge and from the start an American Cocker Spaniel fancier and always a just a nice guy. Terry has not been in the best of health and loss of his beloved wife Jackie have taken their toll but there he was in the middle of doing what he loves and does best. I hope he knows just how happy all his friends and admirers were see to him there. And what could only be a story book ending was his crowning his beloved breed best in show. GCHG Rejoices To The Point bred by Joy Stevens, owned by Joy Stevens, Bonnie Pike, Pamela Maher & Per Rismyhr and handled by Per, the best export from Norway since gravlax and sennepssaus. It was the perfect ending in every sense of word. As we all return home after a long weekend of shows, where is Wayne one might ask? …working on the 2030 Morris & Essex dog show, of course. Hope to see you all there.
(photo courtesy of Julie Mueller)