The Gossip Column: September 26, 2025

This past weekend the members of the dog show cluster in Deland, Florida sent an official love felt goodbye to retiring American Kennel Club field representative MIKE SZABO. They proclaimed the day, the first annual NATIONAL MIKE SZABO DAY presenting him with a crown and a scepter. Two huge sheet cakes decorated with a photo of MIKE’S face were enjoyed by all. Unlike other retired field representatives before him, I don’t think you will see MIKE in the ring as a judge. All of us at DOG NEWS wish MIKE a long and happy retirement. We hope he returns next year for the first anniversary party, because the cake was really delicious. To counteract the celebration of an ending, we happily report the celebration of a new beginning: the marriage of longtime couple and professional handlers ASHLEY CUZZOLINO to AARON WILKERSON. All of us at DOG NEWS send our very best wishes to the newlyweds MR. & MRS. ARRON WILKERSON. The extensive canine art collection of EDDIE and the late LESLEY BOYES will be auctioned off in coming weeks. From the ARTHUR WARDLE painting to the many EDDIE BOYES collectable bronzes, it represents a lifetime in the world of purebred dogs. It’s truly the end of an era. As Fall is upon us RITA HOLLOWAY has left the heat of Florida for a driving holiday in her native New England with her family. Angler TOMMY MILLNER is just back from a two-week fishing trip in Kenya. Get ready for a few fish tales, hopefully not like the one that got away. Welcome home. In the grand scheme of things, I don’t know how many of us will be affected by the American Kennel Club’s recognition of the COBA (CANINE OWNERS & BREEDERS ASSOCIATION) from Nigeria. When the kennel club accepts the pedigrees and registrations from a foreign country it piggy backs the acceptance of their judges as well. So we now have some new judges to look to forward to seeing in the ring. COBA was founded in 2019 as the restarting body for purebred and non-purebred dogs alike. Just six years old, COBA was certainly put on the fast track to recognition. We were saddened to hear that papillon fancier MAXINE GUERIN has passed away. Not active in recent years, she was a dear friend of RICHARD BAUER and could always be found by his setup. Like many who fade away from the sport, it was heartwarming to learn that ALICE & STEVE LAWRENCE would visit her at a nearby retirement facility. The  canine equivalent of hat wearing at the Kentucky Derby is about to happen with the MORRIS & ESSEX KENNEL CLUB dog show on Wednesday, October 1st. See you there.