Page 44 - ShowSight - December 2019

SOMETIMES IT’S NICE
IN A WORD...
HOUSTON
TO BE NAUGHTY FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR EMERITUS
Joseph Neil McGinnis III
FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Joseph Neil McGinnis III
IF I SAID THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF year I’d be lying. I don’t have a favorite. I value each day equally. I value each person and dog in my life just as much. But De- cember always brings its share of smiles and hugs.
A little year end wrap-up seems in order. We here at ShowSight have met and sur- passed many of our goals and for that we are extremely gratified. We’ve heard from many voices and taken voyages on the words supplied by their great minds. We’ve celebrated advances and lamented setbacks. And I like to think that ShowSight has brought us all a little bit closer together. There’s a reason for that.
Since inception this magazine has been driven by not only dog-lovers, but people with preservation breeding at their core. Were we to set out to solve all our world’s problems, this is the team I’d want. Through the years I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever known. With this issue, part of that ends.
Sadly this month we bid farewell to my buddy, my constant pillar of calm (well, most of the time), my partner in putting this impressive publication on the press each month. We certainly don’t do it alone but we ended up, just the two of us, countless times, weekends and late nights on the phone or by frantic text trying to fill holes caused by cancellations, wringing hands over items promised but as-yet unreceived, and endeavoring to wrangle all these mov- ing parts into a cohesive and very cool mag- azine about dogs. And if I may speak for us, we did a good job. Now Diane Greene- Walsh is off on another elevation in a ca- reer which promises to be truly impressive and for which she’s worked long and hard. And her work is always top-flight. Di, I’ll miss you. I hope we can keep in touch.
The best way to stay in touch is to attend a reunion, and we’re all doing that, in a way, today. The AKC National Championship in Orlando has not only drawn a record entry this year but continues to propel the sport to higher recognition and acceptance. I will see you there, and if you’re not there, make sure to tune in here. We’ll have major coverage of this event in the months to come.
But now for a little holiday whimsy. The poem at right is one of my favorites; I’m sure it’s one of yours, too. Until next year, here’s wishing whatever constitutes Merry Christmas to you.
Harley, 6 months, and Romeo, 7 years, fresh from their morning run and soak- ing wet, remind Dad it’s time for Christ- mas treats. (Romeo’s hat says “Wine is my Jolly Juice.” That explains a lot.)
Photos: Zell vonPohlman
PUPPIES’ CHRISTMAS
It’s the day before Christmas, and all through the house the puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse.
The wreath which had merrily hung on the door Is scattered in pieces all over the floor.
The stockings that hung in a neat little row PhotoNboywtbhoeasetdaithorle in each dangling toe.
The tree was subjected to bright-eyed whims,
And now, although splendid, it’s missing some limbs.
I catch them and hold them. Be good, I insist
They lick me, then run off to see what they’ve missed.
And now as I watch them the thought comes to me, That theirs is the spirit that Christmas should be.
Should children and puppies yet show us the way, And teach us the joy that should come with this day?
Could they bring the message that’s written above, And tell us that, most of all, Christmas is love.
—Anonymous
42 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019