Remembering Carolyn Alexander

The recent death of Carolyn Alexander came as a blow to the American dog fancy, even as the world of dogs had witnessed and cheered her valiant struggle against brain cancer since her diagnosis in May 2020.

Stoically facing the treatment ordeal, she had nonetheless shown up for her judging assignments through her final one in Ocala, Florida, in late November 2022. Show chairman and fellow Terrier fancier Phil Briasco stated: "We were honored to have Carolyn at our shows and truly appreciated her professionalism and kindness to our exhibitors."

Carolyn was born in Iowa on Dec. 7, 1943. Her parents were of German, Dutch and Swedish ancestry, providing the genetic influence responsible for their daughter's beautiful blond hair. Her mother was especially influential in encouraging Carolyn over the years to be all that she could be, travel the world and revere the learning process.

Thus, it was not surprising that while in college in Hawaii obtaining her post-graduate degree, she became fascinated with librarian research and in time took a civilian job with the Air Force in this field.

Little did Carolyn know that when she was sent to California's Fort Ord on the Monterey Peninsula, she was destined to meet the love of her life and get into dogs. Her profession while stationed on the California Coast involved her with more research, and she eventually joined the Army and later retired as a major.

Because Carolyn was very interested in fine wines, as was David Alexander, their first accidental meeting came at a wine event in 1978. David had come to the Monterey Peninsula to indulge two of his favorite activities — golf and wine-tasting. At that time, Monterey County was coming of age as a serious California winemaking area.

David had grown up in Scotland and later moved to Canada, so it wasn't very long before the two were married and honeymooning in Scotland and Ireland. Their permanent residence off River Road in Monterey County, where multiple famous vineyards and wineries are located, kept them in close contact with wine-tasting opportunities at some of the best.

Carolyn's love of purebred dogs had been accentuated in earlier years by romping on the beaches of Guam while stationed there with her Afghan Hound. Soon the Alexanders began breeding Bull Terriers. Because both were still holding down full-time jobs, their breeding program was kept small. Yet their efforts produced outstanding individuals under the kennel name of Brigadoon. In 1990 their colored Bull Terriers won high honors at the famous Silverwood classic event — a very special Bull Terrier competition like no other.

Ch. Brigadoon Back Pepper was BOS at Silverwood handled by David, who often did the handling of their specials. Their teamwork also occasionally produced a much-loved marital competition when Carolyn — on the lead with Ch. Elizabeth Brown O'Brigadoon — defeated David with Black Pepper, the top-colored Bull Terrier bitch in the United State in the early 1990s.

By the turn of the century, the popular Alexanders were on their way as judges, becoming multiple group judges and BIS adjudicators. Their assignments were both domestic and international, and early on Carolyn judged in China, traveling there by herself ahead of the Communist country becoming a more frequent destination of American judges.

When Carolyn was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2020, she faced it with courage and her usual steadfast determination. Her July surgery morphed into repeated radiation and chemotherapy treatments. In time a futuristic procedure developed in Israel entered her life, and her head was shaved to accommodate the electrode treatments known as "Optune." For 18 months she continued carrying the heavy equipment that supported the electrodes but finally decided enough was enough.

During her later treatments she enjoyed her life, always facing the inevitable with her usual bravery and courage that inspired all. Her mantra in life had always been to look forward, and those who witnessed her wise judging decisions while enduring all that went with the punishment of the disease will never forget her stoic courage.

Carolyn Alexander, breeder-owner-handler and judge, was one of the most versatile individuals ever. Her love of life entered into everything she did, leaving us all the memory of a remarkable woman. How poignant and ironic that her 25-year judging pin from AKC arrived just in the previous week before her passing. To her widower David, the entire dog fancy sends sincere condolences and mourns with you.

Carolyn's life serves as a beacon for us all — her dignity, bravery and inspiration are the legacy of a life well lived. Rest in peace, dear one.