The Gossip Column: November 14, 2025

I don’t normally write about my personal life but two nights before PRINCE ANDREW was stripped of all his titles and told to move on, I had the honor of having dinner with his brother PRINCE EDWARD at Windsor Castle. When the news broke, you can imagine the reaction of the British press, not to mention the World press. But one question I had, was what of the late QUEEN ELIZABETH’S request that the Corgis were to live with  ANDREW and ex-wife SARAH FERGUSON?  The late QUEEN  was a great animal lover especially dogs and horses and was the Patron of the KENNEL CLUB now named the ROYAL KENNEL CLUB. Her son KING CHARLES III is now the present Patron of the ROYAL KENNEL CLUB. With all her responsibilities and through her illness she made sure her animals were cared for. The answer was forthcoming, they do get to take the dogs with them. The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB has announced the regional junior showmanship events for 2026. They divided the Country  into eight sections: New England, Mideast, Southeast, Great Lakes, Plains, South Central, Southwest and the Northwest. One show-giving club will be selected in each section to host these regional events. The AKC  is encouraging kennel clubs to volunteer to host these events and should submit a request for consideration to be selected. The request should include the following: “Use of a Superintendent, should there be an entry fee, it should not to exceed the regular entry fee, the competition must be held in conjunction with an all-breed event, AKC will offer $1,000 In Scholarship funds for the best junior to be matched by the club. We invite clubs to share how they plan to showcase and celebrate their junior participants - whether through special recognitions, goodie bags, lunches or other creative touches that make the event memorable and meaningful for these dedicated young handlers.”  The deadline to submit the form for consideration should be submitted by December 5th. Those two GALLOPING GIRLS  -  MARY DUKES and VALERIE NUNES ATKINSON - rode their trusty steeds through Egypt, visiting the pyramids among other sites on their latest world wide journey on horse back. They are the fearless modern day THELMA & LOUISE using real horsepower for their journey. Welcome home. KAREN LEFRAK has released an amazing 19th album of her piano music that has attracted over 50 million streams worldwide. An interesting statistic was released that stated that 60% of all truck drivers are pet owners and 40% travel with their pets on the road. So VOLVO TRUCKS has teamed with the CENTER FOR PET SAFETY introducing some innovations like Volvo Parking Cooler to keep the temperature regulated in the cab while the truck is parked. An innovation that TESLA also has to keep the temperature constant in the car for your pet while the driver is out of the car.