Page 44 - ShowSight - January 2020

THE PEKE
TAKES THE CAKE IN ORLANDO
But everybody there was in for a treat
Joseph Neil McGinnis III • Executive Editor Emeritus
Since August I’d been dreaming of my upcoming holiday break; making lists of what I want to do, scratching off items that I NEED to do but which do not complement the holiday mood. A crazy year would be ending and a new, begun. I vowed to enter 2020 re-energized and fully recharged. And then I looked at what had been recorded on the calendar...
So, first there was Thanksgiving, which flashes by so fast that all one can say is “Thank—” and it’s over. Hopefully we remember to be thankful regardless of our situation. Then we descend upon Orlando for the stunningly successful AKC Na- tional Championship. This, the AKCNC’s nineteenth anniversary, broke all records previously set and set some which will be difficult to break. Then after a week of crazy, it’s high holiday season which everyone agrees takes a lot of thought, energy, and—let’s face it—money. Then there’s New Year’s which brings its own special traditions. But the moment you pop the champagne you hand the bottle to your kennel help and take off for the first shows of the year. Which butts right up against the fourteen days of Florida shows, and then to Meet The Breeds® in New York less than a month before the Garden. And then there’s The Garden. And in between there’s the other shows that take less strategic planning. And then we’re in Louisville. And just last night it hit me: What happened to my much-needed holiday break? Quite frankly I had never even thought about it.
PHOTO: ZELL VON POHLMAN
THE AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP has evolved from an upstart, kind-of- scary undertaking to an international juggernaut spreading goodwill to the fancy around the globe. I’ve been fortu- nate to attend all 19 events so far and have watched closely and proudly as it became the celebration it was intended to be.
There are way too many to recognize for this success but I wanted to run the above photo with my buddy Paula Spec- tor, AKC Director of Travel and Conven- tion, without whom I’m not sure what we would do. Love you Paula. You are the best.
David Fitzpatrick and his Peke “Wasabi” ascended to the throne of the largest show ever held in the U.S by going BIS under Dottie Collier. AKC and Royal
Canin gave $50,000 for BIS so I imagine David had a bangup holiday. Congratu- lations to him, but also to everyone else who worked so hard to present fabulous dogs; a big ribbon or a big compliment from spectators and fellow exhibitors both have value in our world.
But let’s get back to my holiday break. I didn’t get one. I didn’t need one—be- cause dog shows and dog people are my holidays. And we always manage to have fun. Exhibits A & B: Below, Jan Richie Gladstone accepts the award for Best Terrier Booth (Fox Terriers) and the gang at the Chessie booth react to winning Best Booth In Show. Just think of all the judges, exhibitors, and spectators af- forded smiles by this great event. Some- times a pat on the back is a major award in itself. PHOTOS: DAVID WOO, AKC
I’m off to the January Florida Circuit, Meet The Breeds® back at the Javits Center mere blocks from The Garden (but separate from WKC by site and date) and then, of course, Westminster. This will be my forty-first consecutive trip. I’m just as excited as the first
And now for my New Year’s Resolution: I’m going to do everything in my power to make people smile like the ladies on this page.
You might call me selfish, but part of the reason I do it is because it makes me smile, too. See you somewhere, soon.
42 • ShowSight Magazine, January 2020