The Gossip Column: January 27, 2023

This coming week, supporters of the AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION’S GO RED FOR WOMEN will attend a reception preceding the RED DRESS COLLECTION CONCERT at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. As some of you might know, NANCY BROWN, exhibitor of Toy and Non-Sporting breeds, is the Chief Operating Officer of the AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, which is the oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A most worthy charity that helps saves life. ...

For those of you planning on attending the WORLD DOG SHOW in Geneva, Switzerland, next August might be interested in seeing more of that part of the world. If so, Samoyed breeder and travel agent KATHY RONALD has organized a river cruise with AMA Waterways Rhine River Cruise and the World Dog Show. The cruise is from August 17 through 24 from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. Then passengers disembark for a two-hour train ride to Geneva for the dog show, which runs from the 24th to the 27th. More than 50 judges and fanciers have already signed up for this unique trip. For more information and reservations, contact KATHY RONALD at (240) 818-7031 or kathy.ronald@cruiseplanners.com. ...

A recent contribution to the CORNELL BAKER INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL HEALTH in memory of one of my dogs reminded me of the great work they do to keep our pets healthy. The next time you think of sending a contribution to any animal-related research, think of CORNELL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, BAKER INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL HEALTH, Box 39, 930 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY 14853 or vetfriends@cornell.edu or www.vet.cornell.edu/baker. ...

From the very meaningful to the very over the top: At the recent PITTI UOMO men’s-wear trade show in Florence, Italy, there was a large exhibit showcasing animal apparel for dogs and cats. Totaling 15 stands, it took up an entire pavilion at the 16th-Century Fortezza da Basso. Pet clothing is a thriving business that reportedly created $5.7 billion in sales for 2021, and most of that was dog apparel. Joining bold-face names like GUCCI, RALPH LAUREN and BARBER were names like MOSHIQA, MAX BONE, PETHAUS, WAGWEAR, METROPOLIS and VANDERPUMP PETS, among others. Harnesses were going for a pricey $655 and ponchos for $540. The best line was from LOLLIPOP designer SONIA STACCIOLI replying to a question about the difference between designing for humans and animals: “It’s basically the same, except with dogs you don’t have to listen to their opinion.” ...

Congratulations and best wishes to professional handlers MADDY & ADAM PETERSON on the birth of their first child, a son, named HUDSON TIMOTHY PETERSON, born January 20. ...

Also celebrating a birthday this week is Ocala's PHIL BRIASCO.