The Gossip Column: September 13, 2024

The start of the fall season is when the talk of the upcoming annual meeting of the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB and director elections starts to get into high gear. This year the Class of 2025 consists of RITA BIDDLE, DOMINIC CAROTA, TOM DAVIES and THOMAS POWERS. Three of those directors — RITA BIDDLE, DOMINIC CAROTA and TOM POWERS — have to come off the board due to term limits. (Doing away with term limits was soundly rejected by the delegate body for the second time.) But in the ever-revolving carousel of directors, it has become the custom to take a year off and run again. With the departure of DOMINIC, who serves as vice chairman, there is one director who has longed for the job as stepping stone to the top. Let’s hope that some new names are thrown into the hat. The point of having term limits is just that — not to keep the same old faces, thoughts and ideas in play for a long time. ...

The WESTMINSTER WEEKEND is taking shape, and it seems to be returning at a time that is familiar to us all. The kickoff weekend celebration of all things dogs is the Friday-evening “POODLE PARTY” co-hosted by that fabulous foursome KAREN LEFRAK, ELLEN CHARLES, PATRICIA HEARST and MISSY GALLOWAY. These ladies know how to entertain the guests, which include a lot of bold-face names that are jaw to elbow deep. It sets the tone and upbeat mood of the weekend. ...

Saturday evening, the black-tie PURINA PRO PLAN SHOW DOGS OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER partnered with DOG NEWS will once again be held at GOTHAM HALL. The planning for that evening is well under way. Moving the dinner back to Saturday evening makes for a more relaxed evening. Moving it from Sunday evening takes the pressure off of having the start of the dog show the next morning. Sunday there are some specialties, and, for those who have a day of rest, first and foremost a visit to the DOG MUSEUM. For those who have never been, it shouldn't be missed. For those who have, plan a return visit to see new acquisitions. Then there is shopping, restaurants, theater, neighborhoods, sightseeing or just walking around a great city. Did I mention shopping? ...

Then, of course, the reason we are all in town, the WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB dog show. For the first time, breed judging will be held at the airy and spacious Javits Center. A fabulous venue that the members of Westminster worked very hard to secure. You will not be disappointed with this new venue. Then, of course, evening group and Best in Show judging will move “back home” to Madison Square Garden. All and all, a great dog-show weekend. Like you, we are all pumped and can’t wait for it to happen.