The Gossip Column: May 13, 2022

The UKRAINIAN KENNEL CLUB, a member of the FCI, has appealed for support in their request to terminate the FCI memberships of the RUSSIAN & BELARUS kennel clubs – namely, the RUSSIAN KYNOLOGICAL FEDERATION (RKF) and the BELORUSSIAN CYTOLOGICAL UNION (BCU). The reason is the war on Ukraine and the destruction it has caused, including the countless murders of Ukrainian dog breeders, the torture of their children, continued destruction of their houses and kennels, and the purposeful killing of their dogs. The world of purebred dogs awaits a decision on that request. ...

While there are enough judges to go around, the American Kennel Club has ruled that highly qualified people within a breed who are not approved to judge can judge the national specialty. The most recent instance was BILL MCFADDEN, who judged the Bichon Frise Club of America National Specialty. ...

This week friends and family gathered for a memorial service for the late JAMES STEBBINS, longtime member and treasurer of the WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB. He also served as president of The Leash and chairman of the ASPCA. He was married to CYNTHIA STEBBINS, who is the niece of the late WALTER GOODMAN. ...

Death is such a random thing; it strikes wherever and however it likes. Never was this more evident than with the tragic passing of MACKENZIE MCAVOY, gone at the tender age of 19 as a result of an automobile accident. A former Junior Showmanship participant, she was a breeder and handler of Rottweilers with her beloved mother MARYBETH, who was injured in that same accident. The outpouring of sympathy, rage and shock over this tragic accident is a testament to the many friends she made in our sport. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies to her family and her many friends. ...

In contrast, NORMA APPLEYARD, breeder of Wire Fox Terriers for more than 50 years, lived a long and happy life that ended in her 93rd year. NORMA was a lovely lady who was a fixture at the shows in the Northeast. The contrast in ages – one whose life was cut short, while another lived nearly a century – makes you take stock and appreciate all we have: Enjoy life while you can. ...

On to happier times: Wishing a Happy Wedding Anniversary to BILL & TAFFE MCFADDEN, GABRIEL & IVONNE RANGEL, ERNIE & TUNI CONTI, FRED & MARETH KIPP and NORMAN & ROBIN GRENIER. ...

Celebrating Birthdays … BILL MCFADDEN, CONNOR MCFADDEN, CHRIS KEITH, DENNIS MCCOY, TAMMY WILCOX, JERRY PUTMAN, PAT WILLER, JAY RICHARDSON, GAY GLAZBROOK, LYDIA COLEMAN HUTCHINSON, KLAYTON HARRIS, BOB BANKS, MARY ANN ALSTON, LIZ TOBIN, TIM CATTERSON, HEIDI MARTIN, CHRIS FREITAG, XIOMARA LARSON, LISA CROFT-ELLIOTT, ERIN ROBERTS, RENATA DRUMOND, RIC PLAUT, AMANDA GILES, DEB LISTENER, KIM GANGLANDS, JOYCE VANEK, FAYE STRAUSS, BEVERLY CAPSTICK, HEATHER BREMMER and MIKE KURTZNER.