Two weeks ago, we visited the town of Dixon in California where  the back-to-back Sacramento Valley Kennel Club events were held. The Dixon Fairgrounds are more than adequate for show events, and I understand other shows are held there as well. I think I may have been at Dixon before but never for SVKC. Donovan Thompson is the honcho here, but as I understood it, Frank Stevens, along with some other people, keep the Fairgrounds going for dog and other events. It was a pleasant enough time, the shows were basic and well run, and it was a good, laid back weekend. Entries were in the 2,000 area both days, which is nothing to sneeze at these days, that's fore sure.
 Certainly the Menaker coup with regard to Senator Santorum changing the language of PAWS to exclude AKC breeders and to concentrate on the unregulated high-volume breeders is a minor, if not major, miracle. No federal regulation will apply to hobby and show breeders already in compliance with equivalent or higher standards and who register with not-for-profit registeries. Now, many of those who opposed PAWS are questioning the fairness of this language change. The fact is that by working within the system and showing its willingness to both compromise and reasonably negotiate, Jim Holt, Ron Menaker and the rest of those positively inclined Board members were able to successfully present and press their case. Indeed, I am told that the four opposing Board members to PAWS have done a total 180 due to the language change. One may argue that without the vocal opposition, none of this could have occurred, but I say it was a combination of staying within the system and listening to both sides of the argument which boded so well for AKC in this matter. As an aside, perhaps if the opponents of the bill had been more civil to the Santorum committee members, the language for exemption would have been broader. I understand some of these workers were attacked by some of the most insulting and threatening language ever. And that includes abortion extremists on both sides, so you know what I mean.
 Don't miss buying Planet Dog, the new Houghton-Mifflin “Doglopedia” written by Sandra and Harry Choron. It is one of the most encompassing, enjoyable and fun reads for anyone even remotely interested in dogs. If you are an aficionado, you'll give one to every person on your holiday gift list. I know I plan to... and at $14.95, its affordable for everyone!
I was interested to read that both Harriet Borsuch and Kay Radcliff had retired from the Field Rep community. Both were good and old friends—I must say, Harriet's acquaintanceship spanned nearly 40 years. I will miss seeing them, and I know that they will both keep their interest in shows going, so I will look forward to seeing them soon. •
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