Tue, 03/01/2022 - 2:10pm

The Gossip Column: March 4, 2022

Kennel clubs react to Ukraine invasion, Westminster announces judge changes

As I write this column today, March 1, it is the second anniversary of the passing of MATT STANDER. My personal feelings aside (as that’s what they are, personal), I learn to appreciate more and more each day how important he was to this publication, DOG NEWS. His uninterrupted writing of editorials for 35 years poked, questioned and complimented all facets of the sport. On this day of reflection, I thought it respectful to mention his passing and the void he has left behind. ...

The recent invasion of UKRAINE by Russian president VLADIMIR PUTIN has upended the world. The global issues have trickled down to our own dog-show world. The somewhat delayed official position given by the officers of the FCI following the noncommittal letter by FCI PRESIDENT TOMAS JAKKEL has been joined by other kennel clubs from countries around the world joining in support. The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB issued an official statement “formally and strongly” condemning the Ukraine invasion, and has reached out to the Ukrainian Kennel Union with an offer to assist dogs and their owners. We now hear of Russian judges having their overseas judging assignments cancelled, and the ENGLISH KENNEL CLUB has sent a letter to all the owners of dogs entered from Russia not to exhibit at the upcoming CRUFTS DOG SHOW. Not only are Russian exhibitors being barred from exhibiting in some other countries, Russian judges are having their foreign judging assignments cancelled as well. All this world confusion at the hands of one man. No one should have that much unchecked power. ...

The very knowledgeable and popular Irish judge ANN INGRAM will not be judging at the June WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB dog show. She has been replaced by DR. NIKSA R. LEMO and SHAWN J. NICHOLS. Also EDD BIVIN, TERRY HUNDT, JANINA LAURIN and CINDY VOGELS, who are presently on the panel, have been given some additional breeds to judge. ...

A recent statistic published in THE NEW YORK TIMES stated that pet adoption in 2021 nearly topped one million, a six-year high. ...

All of us at DOG NEWS were so saddened to hear that BEVERLY SIMIS, beloved mother of Poodle breeder and handler LESLIE SIMIS, has passed away. BEVERLY was a great lady, funny, bright and always entertaining to speak with. I’ll miss our phone calls. We send our love to LESLIE, her brother STEVE and family. ...

Celebrating Birthdays … the ageless and still funny and entertaining Queen of Dalmatians MARJORIE DOANE, DON DAVIS, MATTHEW PERCHICK, MICHELLE LEWIS, ALEX WHEELER, TOM DIGIACOMO, JANET YORK, DIEGO GARCIA, DAVID BOLUS, TAYLOR JOHNSON, TARA MARTIN ROWELL, LEONARD GARCINI, LUKE BAGGENSTOS, PETER KUBACZ, TUNI CONTI, LOIS DEMERS, LETISHA DE LA TORRE, CHERYL LENT, LESLEY POTTS and MARIA ARECHAEDERRA. 

 

 

© Dog News. This article may not be reposted, reprinted, rewritten, excerpted or otherwise duplicated in any medium without the express written permission of the publisher.

Stay Connected

YES! Send me Dog News' free newsletter!