The Gossip Column: May 20, 2022

The proliferation of puppy sales during the pandemic resulted in buyers seeing pictures of beautiful puppies for sale on the internet. But on arrival at the buyer’s home – if at all – a totally different and not so-adorable puppy was in its place. Given these fraudulent sales, tech giant GOOGLE has filed its first consumer-protection lawsuit to protect “vulnerable and unsuspecting” persons from the “nefarious” practice of selling beautiful but non-existent puppies. In a recent lawsuit, GOOGLE sued an individual for harming their relationship with their users and damaging their reputation. ...

The AKC MUSEUM OF THE DOG has announced the hiring of SARAH MOSHENBERG as the new manager of learning and engagement. She will focus on public programming and “meaningful” visitor experiences. Under this new leadership, there will be special attention paid to members of the museum. ...

A decision has been made to eliminate the horseback-riding section of the Olympic pentathlon in part because of animal-rights protesters, public relations and the videoed mistreatment of a horse by the German coach KIM RAISER at the Tokyo Olympics. She was videotaped punching a horse who refused to jump in the equestrian part of the pentathlon. The German rider, ANNIKA SCHLEU, was accused of excessively whipping the horse. The trainer was sent home from the Olympic Games. The pentathlon has a long history in the Olympics. It consists of five disciplines: running, swimming, shooting, fencing and horseback riding. Many participants in the sport still want the equestrian part of the event to remain, and be “reformed not removed.” From now on the horseback section will be replaced with a human obstacle course. This was far cry from the actions taken by the outrider at the recent KENTUCKY DERBY. ...

Longtime Dachshund breeder and exhibitor GLENNA DIAMOND is recuperating from a fall that resulted in her breaking her shoulder. ...

 PATRICIA FORSYTH, breeder of Standard Poodles, has passed away. PAT breed under the Sauvie Island prefix. A life member of the Poodle Club of America, she was the president of the Poodle Club’s health foundation. For those who wish, donations can be made in her memory to the Poodle Club of America Foundation, 5989 Sierra Medina Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89139. We send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. ...

Well-known Golden Retriever fancier CATHIE TURNER has passed away. In addition to her success in the breed, CATHIE also judged several Sporting and Hound breeds. All of us send our deepest sympathies to her husband BILL and family. ...

We were sorry to hear that Sporting breed judge JOHN NELSON had passed away. Our deepest sympathies to his family.