 No sooner had I finished writing this “… And More” than the phone rang with the shocking news that Ed Jenner had died.
I spoke to Luc immediately thereafter, and it was the saddest of conversations. Ed had just turned 80 and seemed to be recovering nicely from a heart problem which arose in the fall of '04. Not that he looked particularly strong at the Garden, but in the box we share with them, the Patterson's and Connie Barton, he certainly more than held his own and, indeed, I thought he became stronger as the weekend progressed. With the prior passings of Carol Hollands and Mrs. Robson, and now with Ed's death, our numbers are dwindling precipitously in that box, that's for sure. These have not been the best of days for many of us in the Fancy. Just reading Gene's “Gossip Column” of March 4, which reported the number of people who have recently died, sure does re-emphasize that feeling, doesn't it?
Interestingly, my acquaintanceship with Ed began through horses. This acquaintanceship blossomed into a deep and lasting friendship because of and due to our mutual involvement in dogs. Ed truly represented one of the last wealthy, diverse breeding kennels, which were de rigeur for a period of time, but I digress. An aunt of mine who was very involved with saddle and harness horses introduced the two of us. As most of you know, there was no higher flyer and no one more successful than Ed and his Knolland Farm in the saddle-bred world. And quite frankly, just as Eddie and Luc dominated the dog world for so many years, so did Ed's horses set record after record and established win after win in the horse world. Indeed, both Ed and Luc of late have returned to that world and are setting quite a name with their harness ponies.
 It was at a dog show that Ed and I became reacquainted, and we frequently exchanged visits to each others' homes—his in Illinois; mine in upstate New York or New York City. We owned together a Page Mill beagle I had purchased from then Carroll Gordon (now Diaz), which Dick Cooper (amongst others) handled. He also gave me a Bloodhound named Hy-Billies Lizzie Borden, and if you don't know the significance of that name, I'm not telling you now! In any event, that was eons ago—in another world altogether. In the early '70s Ed and Luc established their relationship and Gene and I ours, and we four have happily remained friends ever since. At some point we four actively were breeding Charlies as well. Sadly and most unhappily, Ed is now gone. If there was one lesson Ed left for everyone who is involved in the sport to learn is that it is possible to judge—and judge fairly—a friend's dog. He very frankly never put the person up, and instead judged the exhibit on the day as he saw it and pointed accordingly. His opinion in or out of the ring about an exhibit was as valuable a one as ever existed. In retrospect, he was so lucky to have Luc and Ruth Cooper as the closest of friends. His children, Baker, Danny and Kelly, were near and dear to him. Kelly I truly did not know very well but Baker is a prince and Ed adored Baker's wife, Ginny, which feeling was returned in kind. Of course, son Danny and daughter-in-law Patty held a special place in his heart due to their involvement in dogs, and I know how proud he was of their successes as handlers and in the fact their marriage has worked out so well. I could go on forever but will stop now, saying I am blown away by his passing and can't stop thinking about both Eddie and Luc.
While we were away judging in Uruguay's "Pearl of the Atlantic," Punta del Este, we were saddened to hear about the passing of two longtime, valued friends. The first person we heard about was Council Parker, followed in a very short time by Anna Katherine Nicholas. Council was someone with whom a friendship developed through the years at dog shows. Council wielded heavy power and influence through his many club associations in the Philadelphia area, and indeed was an insider in what I used to refer half in jest as the "Philadelphia Mafia." Council was a colorful chap who was always fun to talk to and be with. He was a top-notch breeder, and his long association with Sam Ewing certainly resulted in a team tough to beat in conformation competition. His judging opinion was sought by many, and one could always count on him to be, at the least, colorfully attired! He had been ill of late, and the last time I saw him, I was concerned about his health and well-being. Unfortunately, my feelings proved correct and I, for one, will miss seeing him at shows.
As for Anna, my relationship there was much closer, although there was a long hiatus (close to 20 years) that we did not speak. Our ups and downs were akin to her relationship with Nigel and one or two others who will remain nameless. Anna was steeped in dog history. Many years ago she came to visit our home in Cragsmoor right after her longtime friend and companion, Marcia Foy, came to live with us for a short period of time. I had never really socialized with Anna prior to that time, and as things turned out, this was the first time she ever slept overnight away from her own home in White Plains. We cleaned the main house to perfection and expected a prim and proper, Emily Post-type, ladylike guest. To our surprise and delight, in walked a feisty, salty-mouthed woman with whom we immediately gravitated to and became great friends. That was until Bill Schmick, in his role as AKC overseer of judges activities, came to me and asked me to put it to Anna to change her style of writing, which many at AKC thought was promotional in nature. That was then and, of course, times were totally different insofar as judges' writing activities were concerned. Well, after I did this and she reluctantly complied with this request, I got the blame, and it took 20 years for her to forgive me. Eventually she did, and we took up where we left off as though none of it had occurred! Anna in her heyday was a barrel of laughs and fun and knew more about dogs and dog people than possibly anyone has ever known. Internationally she was considered an icon primarily because of all the books she wrote. Indeed, when Kirsi Sainio, the lady with whom we breed Skyes in Finland, made her first trip to the States and found Anna sitting in our living room, she was so overcome in meeting her that it took an hour or two for her to speak to her. That was the degree of respect and the extent of her reputation overseas. And to Anna's great credit, within a short time, Kirsi and she became friends, as Anna's charismatic charm prevailed. Anna was unique to her time and to the sport and set a mark in the dog fancy which, it is safe to say, will be unchallenged in the future. She is a person of whom legends will and have been made. She was a very special type of individual who certainly will never be replicated.
 On to happier topics, Gene and I were invited, along with Ron Menaker, to judge the Exposiciones Internacionales in Punta del Este, Uruguay, a glamorous and glorious beach resort in lower South America. We were asked by Jorem Nallem, the president of the club, and his associate, Adrian Landarte, a former president. Both are international and Uruguayan judges of repute. I must say, I have seen them both judge in foreign countries and am tremendously impressed not only with their performances as judges but also in their ability to understand and select dogs of quality. They are successful breeders as well, and have a perfectly spotless and modern, state-of-the-art kennel on the same property as their home, located 40 minutes from downtown Montevideo. The show itself was located in the grand ballroom of the plush and modern Conrad Resort and Casino on the beach of Punta del Este.
The area itself is quite diverse in that there are remote areas reminiscent of the Hamptons 50 years ago, combined with Lauderdale-type condos 10 minutes away, plush Palm Beach-type homes, and a Casino strip nearby as well. Totally surrounded by the ocean - calm on one side and truly rough enough on the other to attract surfers - there is something for everyone here. Restaurants are great, prices affordable and, for some of you, a trip to the infamous, nude Chihuahua Beach is a must!
As for the shows, which were held on Saturday and Sunday and limited to 200 dogs, judging began at 2:00 p.m., with groups at 6:30 in the evening. Sort of a Del Monte attitude, as the indoor setting was just that extra special. Dogs from all over South America were entered, and I must say the quality of the dogs was quite high. Judging and groups are by PCI standards, but fortunately no written critiques were required. On the first night, I awarded Best to what I thought was a particularly nice Smooth Fox Terrier, and my Reserve was a Shih Tzu.
 Ron awarded his Best to a very impressive and touchable Fila Brasilero, with the Smooth getting the Reserve. Gene and I judged the first day, and Gene and Ron judged the second day-some sort of earlier toss of a coin decided this routine per Jorge and Adrian. The handler world in South America is primarily male-oriented and controlled, but the few professional female handlers do a nice job as well. The male professionals are just that—very professional and most polite—and all dogs were clean and basically in good condition. Overall, if I had any positive suggestions to make, I would ask for more muscular thighs and perhaps less weight on many of the exhibits. But let me tell you, when it came to manners and attitudes, our professionals would do well to take lessons from these men and women. It was a pleasure to judge their dogs, which, I may add, is not necessarily always the case in the States.
I had 117 exhibits the first day and had somewhat of a problem getting used to judging 13 Cimarron Uruguayos, a native cattle and guard dog of Uruguay. We were provided with a detailed standard and pictures of the dogs (not the ones to be shown under us) to study and help us get a mental image of what they should look like, but until you touch one and get used to their movements and attitudes, the newness of them is a mite unsettling. I had two or three lovely Old English; a Dobe I liked very much, which I awarded the breed to; my Smooth, which I fell for the minute he walked in the ring, an incredible looking Alaskan Malamute that I could not touch (who was fine for Gene the next day and he gave the dog the group). It turns out he was number five dog in Brazil last year but apparently has a history of being tough one day and not another. I really felt badly since he was so beautiful, but I had no choice in the matter. Amazingly, the Weimaraners were of beautiful type, balance and outline, while I had a Frenchie that would be competitive anywhere. Nice Peke, good—very good—Shih Tzu, some nice Pugs, and a lovely Pomeranian. Who could ask for more? Not me.
Again, I will repeat myself and say how way above average Jorge and Adrian are as dogmen. Which all goes to prove you don't have to come from a country with a 20,000-entry dog show nor a country with 3,000-plus shows a year to develop good if not great dog people. It is an eye first of all, an attitude and a devotion to breeding and a development as breeders of many breeds which in the long run counts more than the quantity aspect. These two men are all-rounders in their country and I would trust their opinions of dogs worldwide. As far as I am concerned they are on a par with Hans Lenihtan of Finland and Andrew Brace of the U.K.—and coming from me that's as high a compliment any dog person can get. •
|
