The Gossip Column: April 12, 2024
DOG NEWS is pleased to announce that newly retired judge BILL SHELTON will be joining us as a feature columnist. We look forward to reading about BILL’S passion of breed preservation and his overall take on our sport. ...
It’s official for another year: The board of directors of the American Kennel Club held its annual election of officers and has re-elected DENNIS SPRUNG as president and CEO, likewise GINA DINARDO as executive secretary. While DENNIS has no plans of retiring, GINA is waiting around for that day, like PRINCE CHARLES was waiting to follow his mother QUEEN ELIZABETH II to the throne. Also re-elected, THEODORE PHILLIPS as the chief financial officer. ...
In other corporate news, DR. MARY SMITH has been elected chairman of the board of directors for the AKC CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION. She is a longtime board member and member of the Scientific Review Committee. The AKC CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION is one of the best-kept secrets in terms of the general public. Given that 54.4 percent of households in the United States own at least one dog, think of the funds that could be raised by some national awareness of the foundation. It’s proof positive that purebred-dog breeders care about the health of the dogs they breed, and in turn it helps all dogs, purebred or not, with the ultimate benefit to humankind. ...
It’s spring and the start of outdoor shows on the East Coast. Even if the weather isn't cooperating this weekend, it’s nice to be outside watching the dogs on grass. ...
So saddened to learn that our dear old friend JIMMY MITCHELL has been hospitalized suffering from pneumonia and other complications. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. ...
Samoyed breeder and multiple-group judge JOHN RONALD has passed away. JOHN also served as the longtime delegate from the Samoyed Club of America. We send our deepest sympathies to his wife KATHY and family. ...
Celebrating birthdays and paying taxes (reminder, April 15 is tax day) … RAY & GINGER SCOTT, JENNIFER STEVENS, BRYAN MARTIN, POLLY SMITH, DAWN HANSEN, BRIAN LIVINGSTON, GERARD HUGHES, ROBERTA DAVIES, MARLENE DEPALMA, BARBARA BEISSEL, JOHN RAMINEZ, MICHELE FEDERMAN, BRIAN STILL, AMANDA POUGH, WENDY PAQUETTE, TIFFANY SKINNER, NINA FETTER, IVONNE RANGEL, LINDA LOW, DEBBIE BUTT, NANCY PINCUS, TONY DINARDO, KATHY MINES and JOAN SCOTT.