The Gossip Column: August 30, 2024
The recent employment posting from the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB on LINKEDIN seeking applicants for the COO position has created a stir. The long-vacant position was just posted, and when interested parties inquired, they were told the position had been filled and that a hire was made. Are the wheels of progress excitedly fast, or was it the cart before the horse? Inquiring minds want to know. ...
TRUPANION, the pet-insurance company, is teaming up with the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION. According to TRUPANION’S chief veterinary and product officer, DR. STEVE WEINRAUCH, they will track insurance claims submitted by TRUPANION in real time when sick dogs and cats visit the veterinarian. It’s an idea to proactively watch for any health issues that affect pets and the public at large, including diseases like bird flu, Covid and Mpox. This system was modeled after the British SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY SURVEILLANCE NETWORK, operated by a small group at the University of Liverpool. Other companies and people in related pet fields are joining this fledgling cooperative endeavor. ...
Memorabilia from different sports and their athletes bring big bucks when personal or sport items come up for auction. This week the jersey worn by NEW YORK YANKEE great BABE RUTH (sorry, TUNI and the rest of the Boston fans) at an away game where he hit two homeruns and pointed to the bleachers in the so often called “Called Shot” added another run to his record. It sold for $24.12 million at the HERITAGE AUCTION, topping MICHAEL JORDAN’S CHICAGO BULLS SHIRT from the 1998 NBA finals. ...
So what could we mortals get? For example, the suit PETER GREEN wore when he won the GARDEN for a record-breaking fourth time. The homemade gown that was worn by ANNA WANNER when she judged Best at the GARDEN. The wooden crate that carried TIP TIPPEN’S Miniature Pinscher LITTLE DADDY to the dog shows. Anything owned by LENA BASQUETTE. The gold charm of SPARKIE given to SUNNY SHAY from PORTER & DICKIE WASHINGTON for her trip to California to beat KAY FINCH in the Hound Group so that the WASHINGTONS could win the QUAKER OATS AWARD. Which in those days was divided by sections of the country. How about CORKY VROOM’S watch that didn't let him know about the time change from Illinois to Ohio, and he missed the breed judging after flying in from California. How about former AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB president BOB MAXWELL’S basketball hoop that hung in his office at 51. ...
The things we could buy, but more important are the memories that make this such a great sport to be a part of.