The Gossip Column: January 13, 2022

The first dog shows of the year have taken place with healthy and growing entry numbers. From the most beautiful dog show in the country, the KENNEL CLUB OF PALM SPRINGS, with the highest entry to the resurrected INTERNATIONAL KENNEL CLUB OF CHICAGO, the shows are off and running. This was INTERNATIONAL’S first show under its new ownership, as one of the very few privately owned kennel clubs in the country. ...

Interestingly, the New York tristate and New England areas have very few offerings the first two months of the year. As many clubs changed their dates and venues during the pandemic, they seem resistant to returning their former dates and venues. Sadly, another sign of how isolated we are becoming from the general public by these moves. ...

One event to look forward to is the upcoming MEET THE BREEDS to be held at the Javits Center in New York City on Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29. ...

Life moves on, as handlers ARIEL & SARAH CUKIER have purchased the Mebane, North Carolina, boarding and grooming kennel BED & BONE and adjoining home of their Lakeland Terrier clients MARIPI WOOLDRIDGE & JENNIFER STEVENS. MARIPI & JEN, who retired from successful handling careers to establish this very successful business, have decided to retire. They have purchased a home nearby and are taking all their Chins, Lakelands, Airedales, donkeys, geese and every other living soul with them. It truly is the end of an era, and we wish MARIPI, JEN, SARAH and ARIEL the best of luck and happiness in their new homes. You can now find MARIPI and JEN at 809 Church Street, Gibsonville, NC 27249. ...

POODLE man JOSEPH VERGNETTI just celebrated his 70th birthday this past weekend, with a celebratory dinner with fellow Ohioans TERRY MILLER, DOMINIQUE DUBE, BONNIE DITMA, KIM HAUPT, REGINA KEITER and SEAN GREY. Seventy? JOSEPH, say it isn't so. ...

The very well-known and successful WATERS FAMILY has grown with the next generation. Congratulations and best wishes to NICK & CANDICE WATERS on the birth of their daughter MORIAH NOEL WATERS. ...

All of us were saddened to hear that judge PEGGY DILLARD CARR has passed away. Truly one of a kind. We have fond memories of her with the late LUC BOILEAU and ED JENNER. We send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. ...

Celebrating Birthdays … CAROLYN KOCH, HARRY MILLER, ADAM PETERSON, TAMMY SEIDLITZ, COLLETTE LIVINGSTON KEITH, JACKIE RAYNER, EILEEN HACKETT, CHRIS ERICKSON, DEB SHINDLE, FELICIA CASHIN and SHARON PFLUEGER.