The Gossip Column: June 16, 2023

Tragic news from Tampa, Florida. Professional handler RICKY JUSTICE’S motorhome was destroyed by a fire that took the lives of the five dogs that were inside and unable to be rescued. RICKY had just arrived at the show grounds and went into the building to see where his set-up was located. Returning in less than 10 minutes, he found the coach ablaze, unable to get back inside to rescue the dogs. All of us at DOG NEWS send our thoughts and prayers to RICKY and the breeders and owners of the dogs that were lost. Anyone who knows RICKY can understand how he is dealing with this immeasurable loss. One of those horrible accidents, with no blame and no reason. It could happen to any one of us who week after week travel in these homes on wheels. ...

This tragedy comes just a week after the passing of STEVE ANDERSON, the JUSTICES’ close friend and longtime Boxer client. They were more like family than friends or clients. We send our deepest sympathies to the ANDERSON family. ...

Lifelong English Setter fancier, promoter of Junior Showmanship, multiple book author and DOG NEWS contributor MARSHA HALL BROWN has passed away. MARSHA retired from a 50-year judging career in 2021. Her life in purebred dogs started at an early age when she competed in Junior Showmanship. An amazing lady who stayed active until the end of her life. All of us at DOG NEWS send our deepest sympathies to her family and the many friends she had across the country. ...

Anyone who has ever hired a handler to show their dogs knows the importance of a capable, responsible and talented assistant. Such an assistant is KASEY (affectionately known as Twinny, as she is a twin to an equally talented owner-handler) O’BRIEN. She was the longtime assistant to then-handler LARRY CORNELIUS and current handlers MARCELO VERAS and then to MICHELLE & MICHAEL SCOTT. I watched this talented young girl turn into a bright young woman and now a college graduate. Well done, KASEY: The future is bright for you, and I know there is nothing you won’t be able to conquer in this life. ...

Happy anniversary to JANE & RUSSELL HOBSON and LINDA & JOHN KRUKAR. ...

Celebrating Birthdays KAREN LEFRAK, PERRY PAYSON, JEFF PEPPER, KAREN WILSON, RACHEL CORBIN MANELOPOULOS, CLAY COADY, JENNY PHELPS KRIEGER, CALLEY ANNE POTTS-RUPP, RANDY MCATEER, PETER PETERSON, WHITNEY PERRY, CARMEN SKINNER, HENRY ODUM, SHARON TURNER, BOBBI WALTON, ELLIOTT FEDERMAN, JIM FREDERICKSEN, LISA WEISS, BOB BUSBY, JOHN MURPHY, VICKI SEILER-CUSHMAN, BILL PACE, MICHAEL KEMP and FRANCIS FOSTER.