Supporters and staff of the AKC Museum of the Dog celebrate its induction into the Anne Rogers Clark Hall of Fame at the Purina Pro Plan Show Dogs of the Year Awards Presented by Dog News. Photo courtesy of Julie Lynn Mueller.
The Gossip Column: February 28, 2025
The firing of DENNIS SPRUNG has left us all in shock — first for the action itself and second for the callous disregard for a man who has held the position of president and CEO of the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB for 22 years. And to add insult to injury, to do it WESTMINSTER WEEKEND. That this is from a board that has tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to eliminate term limits for directors is laughable. This action alone is enough to kill the idea of no term limits once and for all. I know that DENNIS is warmed by the outpouring of shock and support. I might add that I have received inquiries about DENNIS from around the world. ...
Inspire of the timing of this event, the WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB’S return to Manhattan was warmly and positively greeted. The JAVITS CENTER proved to be the ideal solution that many thought it would be. Spacious in every respect, especially the benching aisles, there was room for a large number of spectators to roam about freely. Unloading was easy, and the convention center staff was pleasant and helpful. At the end of the day was the long-awaited return of the WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB to MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. The arena was full of enthusiastic dog lovers, and the excitement and glamour of the venue were palpable. ...
Monday evening, following the group judging, TAKE THE LEAD held their cocktail party in the Delta lounge at Madison Square Garden. Welcoming the guests was the trio of hard-working board members: president MARY MILLER, MARI-BETH O’NEILL and SUSAN SPRUNG. These three ladies are always on hand to man the Take the Lead booth and do whatever they can to help wherever and whenever. It’s always a sellout crowd, and profits go to help those of us who might be in need. ...
The seven dogs vying for the top prize made a beautiful lineup, with the ultimate Best in Show winner the top-winning dog of all breeds for 2024, the Giant Schnauzer MONTY, handled to perfection by co-owner KATIE BERNARDIN; the Reserve Best in Show winner was the elegant veteran Whippet BOURBON, handled by co-owner CHESLEY SMITHEY. These were very popular wins, as they were the choice of judge PAULA NYKIEL. It was good to welcome WESTMINSTER back to the GARDEN and to legitimately called it the GARDEN once again, not that we ever stopped calling it that. ...
I understand that DOMINIC CAROTA took umbrage at my remarks about his crashing an invitation-only event. I would remind that it is a non-transferable invitation, intended only for the addressee. If a guest declines, no matter when, we are contacted by the invitee and issue that now available invitation to one of the deserving guests on a waitlist. That’s the host’s prerogative, not the guest’s.