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WAKE-UP
CALL
By Tom Crowe
The alarm has been ringing for
more than two years, but no one has been listening.
Registrations were down in January and also February. March and
April will probably follow suit. The records are not yet
completed as of this writing. Has anyone stopped to ask why?
Last year, on average, Dog Show entries were down. So far this
year, entries are inconsistent and rollercoastering with many
shows still experiencing a drop in entries. Something is surely
amiss. What was a rapidly growing sport has slowed to a
snail’s pace. Why? We think we may have some answers. Maybe
we’re right and maybe we’re wrong but at least we are
looking ahead and trying to face the problems. Some things we
can resolve; others must be resolved at higher echelons such as
the Delegate body and the AKC staff.
Clubs must begin looking at shows
as a public education event rather than a money-making event.
True, they need to make money in order to survive but membership
can be increased by actually having sign-up booths at their
shows where they can distribute AKC literature, talk to
spectators and solicit memberships. We think few people showing
dogs realize that in the entire U.S. there are fewer than
150,000 persons showing dogs and that number is not increasing
year to year. We estimate the turnover rate of new people
entering the show world at about 40%. In other words 40% per
year come and go. Haven’t you ever wondered how it is, if you
have been around for awhile, that you know most everyone at the
shows you attend? We are actually a rather small fraternity.
New people are our lifeblood and
membership drives can interest them and bring them to meetings
and make members of them. Invite a stranger interested in dogs
and you may find a new worker, a new idea, a new friend and a
credit to your club and the Sport. Take a dog to the local
newspaper and solicit advertising for your club and your show.
Pay for the ad if you have to but make sure it’s not in the
classified section. Dog Shows are a sport and most clubs support
some charity and that’s news. If you haven’t got a charity
the AKC Canine Health Foundation is an excellent one with a
national reputation in the genetic field extending to human
research in many instances. Contact their office in Aurora, Ohio
and they will furnish you with newsworthy articles for your
local paper. The more Clubs publicize their shows and the good
they do the more people will accept what Dog Shows are all
about. Examples: Detroit Kennel Club with upwards of 60,000
spectators and The International Kennel Club of Chicago even
exceeding that number — all for a good cause. The more we do
as clubs the more we will be recognized for the good we do and
the more people will want to be part of our sport. There are
more than 43,000,000 households in the U.S. that are owners of
one or more dogs. We need more than just a small part of them to
join with us. Registrations will rise. Entries will rise and
Fideaux will profit from your efforts.
The AKC has a very difficult task
ahead. Recent publicity, from poorly researched articles in
several magazines and newspapers and programs appearing on TV,
has created damaging opinions within the general public. It will
take some effort on the part of AKC, all exhibitors and clubs to
turn this undeserved public opinion around. The AKC Canine
Health Foundation can be a very stimulating tool when it is used
as a catalyst to bring attention to the good the AKC does for
the protection of the public trust where dogs are concerned. It
is time for the AKC to make known to the public, by whatever
means available, that they are aware of the problems of bad
registrations made by unscrupulous shysters. They need to
publish news articles in the Times and other major and
syndicated papers that report on how they are addressing these
problems and each month are assessing huge fines and suspending
dozens of these individuals that are falsifying records. The
extreme costs associated with kennel inspections and
investigations of these violators are a great hindrance to
instant success. The possibility of lawsuits by suspects is also
a deterrent factor demanding extreme caution before action can
be taken.
There are also problems
associated with restructuring an outdated computer system with a
completely new system with updated equipment and a new approach
to computerized records and their recording. This cannot be done
overnight and it requires much planning and oversight. With a
database as large as the AKC has it can take many months and
even years before the system will begin to operate properly at
100% efficiency. However, it must be done and done right
otherwise the value of the database will deteriorate and become
worthless. If you have never been involved in such a situation
do not criticize. It’s not an easy task and failure can have
irrevocably dire results. All in all the progress we have
witnessed is very well thought out and the new COO and CIO have
excellent backgrounds and much experience in solving and
correcting the problems that have been introduced to the system
over the years. Patience and understanding on the part of all
concerned will be rewarded by a properly restructured system.
Finally, dog shows are the
largest expense of the AKC with the least income. In the early
years of the AKC the plan was to have breeding records available
to the members for their use. Shows were an afterthought and a
fun thing with tailgate parties and friendly competition among
the breeders (mostly sportsmen with hunting strains). Over the
years the plans have changed to the point shows are the main
premise and registration records are now the prerequisite to
showing a dog. Shows promote registrations and having a winning
dog becomes a status symbol. They are like love and marriage,
you “cain’t have one ‘tout tuther”. Some real thought
should be given to equalizing the costs relative to both and
adjusting them for each to bear their fair share. This is not an
easy thing to do because it runs against the grain of exhibitors
and clubs who already believe the costs of showing a dog are too
high. However, today the cost of groceries, clothing,
automobiles and everything one does is too high. That my friends
is the cruelty of inflation. Your dollar does not buy as much as
it did even five years ago. You have more dollars but they buy
less and that takes some getting used to. All of this affects
the AKC, shows, travel and everything one does. Now to the
point, the recording fees paid by exhibitors are not even
remotely sufficient to maintain the service exhibitors and clubs
expect from the AKC. It is not possible to provide all the good
stuff now being given at the same established cost of more than
10 years ago. Recording fees should be raised at least $1.50 and
that is not really enough for the multitude of bargain services
rendered nor will it retain the status quo.
The jury is still out. However,
you are the jury and the verdict for future growth and
successful operation or lack of interest and failure is yours to
make. Give it some serious thought.
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FROM
WHERE I SIT
by John S. Ward
Published
statistics have shown that there has been a slow but steady
decrease in the number of dogs individually registered over the
past few years. While this trend is a matter of concern there is
an equally disturbing statistic which has not been given much
publicity. Specifically, it is the fact that only about 50% of
the purebred dogs eligible for registration are in fact so
registered. To put it another way, only half of the blue slips
included in Litter Kits are filled out by the owners and
forwarded to the AKC for individual registration. At first
glance this is confusing. Why would the proud owner of a
purebred puppy fail to follow through? It requires very little
thought, however, to realize that the new owner, in many cases,
sees no benefit to him or her in spending the money necessary
for the individual registration. The new owner, for the most
part, has no intention of breeding the dog and, in his mind,
that is the primary reason for registration. I know from
personal knowledge that many of these owners regard the pedigree
as a much more interesting and important document than the
individual registration. It seems to me that this problem can be
at least partially solved by a change of attitude on the part of
breeders and by adopting a new approach with the purchasers of
our puppies.
To
begin with, we must recognize very clearly that the objective of
breeding purebred dogs should be to demonstrate the utility of
the purebred dog as a companion to man. This companionship can
take many forms, but unfortunately some breeders do not take
this broad view and simply categorize their puppies as
"show" dogs or pets. This approach woefully
understates and underestimates the potential of the puppy being
sold.
One
of the publications of the AKC points out that "competition
in conformation and performance events can best demonstrate the
progress that has been made in breeding for type and quality
and/or for practical use, stamina and obedience."
Historically, dog events have been divided into conformation
shows, field trials and, more recently, obedience trials. For
many years performance events encompassed only field trials and
obedience trials. In the past 10 years or so, however, the AKC
has dramatically expanded the number and type of performance
events. It was recognized that each individual breed was
developed for a purpose and that forms of competition or testing
could be developed to show the ability of a breed to perform the
tasks for which it was bred. We now have hunting tests, lure
coursing, herding events, and many other similar activities,
including that form of competition whimsically known as
"Agility". Best of all, these forms of competition and
fun are available at very modest cost to the one-dog owner.
To
enter these newer forms of competition, however, the dog must be
individually registered with the AKC. Obviously, if we can
persuade the dog buying public that a new world of fun and
recreation for both the owner and the dog is available the
percentage of dogs being registered individually should rise
significantly. How do we go about this process of education? It
requires a joint effort on the part of the AKC and the
individual breeders to achieve these goals.
The
AKC should make available to breeders information packages by
breed on the specific performance events open to that breed and
also information on activities open to all breeds, such as
obedience trials and Agility. Breeders should not only take full
advantage of the information provided by the AKC but should also
have at their fingertips names, locations and phone numbers of
dog clubs devoted to training handlers and their dogs in the
skills necessary for engaging in performance events. Giving this
kind of information to the buyer should be just as routine as
furnishing a pedigree and a blue slip.
A
personal note: I was introduced to the wonderful world of
purebred dogs by the breeder of my first Cocker puppy who
insisted that I take him to an obedience class. I followed his
advice and have been eternally grateful to him.
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BENEVOLENT
DICTATORSHIPS AND CLUSTER SHOWS
by Dorie Crowe
Cluster shows have only been in
existence since the 1970’s. We had a hand in the first
cluster, which was held in Raleigh, NC during the Tarheel
Circuit during the big gas crisis. Since that time clusters have
enjoyed remarkable success.
Personally, I like clusters. I
believe they can be likened to the benched shows of the “old
days”. Because they do not have to move on to the next
location exhibitors are encouraged to stick around, talk to
other exhibitors, participate in any planned cluster activities,
etc. By God, there may be actual learning experiences happening
at clusters! I think there is also less stress on the exhibitor
and the dog, less travel expense, and increased safety. (And,
for purely selfish reasons, we like sleeping in the same bed
more than one night and not having to pack and re-pack every
day.)
All that aside, clusters take a
lot of work, cooperation, and the additional skills of a
“benevolent dictator” to keep it all in focus. Many clubs
think holding a cluster is the right thing to do for their
club(s), but it takes well-thought out, well-planned meetings
and committees and focused discussions to bring it off
successfully and still maintain that close relationship with the
clubs that brought you all together in the first place.
Here are some things to consider
if you are planning to have a cluster.
Communication, communication,
communication and communication – You must sit down with the
other clubs involved and have candid discussions on why you want
to cluster, what you are hoping to accomplish and how you want
to proceed. Do your homework. These meetings also need to cover
who is going to be responsible for handling what items, how
things will be shared, such as work (including parking, ad
sales, stewards, cleaning, hospitality, etc.); expenses
(facility, motels, dinners/hospitality rooms, judges,
veterinarians, EMT, etc.); judges (whom you are willing to share
and whom your club may want for a specialty or certain breeds),
formats (will you have a combined premium list or not, a
combined catalog or separate; depending upon the day of your
cluster, will you have a common closing date or maybe an earlier
closing), and revenues (from entry fees, gate, catalogs, booth
space, etc.).
Everything needs to be thoroughly
discussed and agreed to before you proceed. And, it needs to be
written down with all clubs having a copy. I know this sounds
unnecessary, especially if you have been working with a club in
a circuit or in other projects, but it is an invaluable tool.
Everybody is sure of what is expected, everyone has agreed, and
if personnel changes occur you can be reasonably sure of
consistency. It also helps insure there is no misunderstanding
on how things are to be handled. Remember, no matter how
friendly your clubs are and what may have been agreed to perhaps
in an informal conversation or a brief conversation, could be
forgotten. I know how it is. People mention things at shows all
the time – they see me, they think of something, they mention
it in passing – I try to write a note to take back to the
office with me so it won’t slip ‘tween the cracks. People
see me with little pieces of paper all the time.
Other things that need to be
discussed are things each club might do to retain their
individuality (club banners, tablecloths in club colors, club
displays, etc.) and pre-show or after-show activities that may
be offered to exhibitors (pig-pickin’s, buffets or bar-b-cues,
benefit activities, contests, matches, etc.) Keep in mind the
hour your shows begin and end. If you have relatively early
Groups/Best in Show certain activities will probably be well
attended; while, if you have late Groups/Best in Show judging,
different activities might be better appreciated. Exhibitors do
appreciate knowing you have thought about them.
Try to choose cluster committee
personnel who can work together. Have respect for your choices.
Choose the person to be the Cluster Coordinator based upon his
or her experience with handling the myriad of details that go
into a show, ability to deal with many different people, ability
to reason, ability to focus on what’s best for the cluster,
trustworthiness – your Benevolent Dictator. No Prima Donnas!
Because you’ve had the above meetings, everything is spelled
out, now let him or her do the job. Don’t get your nose out of
joint if decisions have to be made based upon the good of the
cluster. A cluster is not about one club – it’s about the
success of the whole entity, yet every club must be successful
in some aspect for the entire event to be memorable and to grow.
And everyone in each club should be working toward that goal.
If your cluster includes weekdays
as well as weekends (for example, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
Sunday, Monday) it is reasonable for clubs to rotate at least
the weekdays each year. That way every club has a chance to have
a shot at a more financially successful year. But there are, of
course, clubs that prefer to have the usually smaller weekday
show. What you do will probably be based upon how clubs share
their revenues and club preferences.
Clusters are prime examples of
teamwork. There are many successful clusters all across the
country. There are clusters that have bought their own sites.
There are also many clusters that have been unable to sustain
their relationships among the clubs involved for various
reasons. Too often the break results in hard or bitter feelings
between the members of all the clubs. Maybe the clubs may not be
as successful apart or may have to struggle for awhile. Another
real result can be hardships created for the exhibitors and
their dogs because the cluster is no longer in existence.
Yes, clusters are a great deal of
work. Yes, they can do a great deal of good. Yes, they can be
successful and positive experiences for the clubs and for the
sport.
Yes, clusters can cause the
break-up of club-to-club relationships. Yes, they can be
disasters and the worst experience of your club’s existence.
How you handle the front-end of
the endeavor can make all the difference in the end result.
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DOGS
IN THE COMMUNITY
by Dorie Crowe
At the Old Dominion Kennel
Club’s April 24, 1999 show, just prior to Groups starting,
exhibitors were introduced to two law enforcement dogs that are
sponsored by the Old Dominion club (the club pays their food and
veterinary expenses). This is just one of the many charitable
and community projects done by this hardworking club. One dog, a
Belgian Malinois, is a bomb sniffer; the other, a black
Labrador, sniffs out fire related chemicals.
Several years ago the Cheshire
Kennel Club purchased a tracking Bloodhound for their local law
enforcement agency. I’m also aware there have been clubs that
have purchased service dogs (both seeing eye and hearing
companions). What wonderful community projects!
Certainly, in light of recent
history, the world has been exposed to the work of bomb sniffing
canines, search and rescue dogs, drug dogs, etc. They are
considered an extremely valuable part of law enforcement and
search and rescue efforts and their worth and efficiency are
proven over and over again so that we sometimes wonder what
communities without these assets do. Are there many who do not
have vivid pictures of those working dogs at Oklahoma City? I
have to admit I wondered and listened for how long those
officers in Littleton would work to find all those explosives
without the help of one of the fine canine bomb detectors at
hand.
A generous pat on the back and
hearty handshake to all those clubs who have provided or support
these fine animals in their communities. What a wonderful,
positive advertisement for purebred dogs as protectors and
helpers and indispensable companions at work in their local
communities.
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MORE
ABOUT ENTRY FEES
By Tom Crowe
In response to several e-mails
that have been directed to me concerning my remarks about
raising entry fees, please do not think that I relish the
thought of entry fees going up. Far from it. Whether entry fees
rise or fall is really of little consequence to superintendents.
Our main concern is to help clubs, the AKC and all other related
entities in their quest for improvement of dog shows. Along with
these goals consideration must be given to the welfare of the
sponsoring organizations of these events. Unless they are
profitable they cannot remain as viable parts of the Sport of
showing dogs. Millions of dollars are spent each year by the
clubs and the AKC to promote and manage the close to 17,000
events held each year for the benefit of enthusiasts of the
Sport. The exhibitors are the recipients of these large
expenditures.
If one wishes for the Sport to
continue even as it is today without improvement in the future
someone has to pay. Club monies as well as AKC monies do not
just fall from trees. Registrations were and still are the main
income of the AKC. Show department expenses are the largest
expenses of the AKC, far exceeding the income from the show
events they approve and supervise. Clubs, on the other hand,
have their own problems and expenses such as superintending,
facilities, judges, veterinarians, emergency personnel,
insurance costs and a hundred other items that contribute to a
show’s success. On top of all this the rising cost of living
increases each year by about 3% per year at present rates but at
double-digit rates in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Clubs and AKC and
all other participants in producing shows as well as individuals
are affected by this problem. There is no escape from this
problem.
What is being done to counteract
this inflation situation? I can tell you a great many things are
being done within all facets of the sport. The AKC has made
great strides in the automation of its processes by
computerization. The same applies to superintendents and this
all shows in the years of applying modern business methods and
computerization to all facets of the sport. If no adjustments
had been made and methods of 20 years ago were still the norm
the then $5.00 entry fee of that period, adjusted for inflation
only, would now be more than 10 times that fee or $50.00. A
pound of top quality New York strip steak was 95 cents. A top
quality Cadillac was less than $5000.00; it’s now $50,000.00.
Still the entry fee remains the
least expensive part of attending a dog show. However, it also
remains the most controversial subject concerning shows. I guess
it’s because it is the one thing that the lonely exhibitor and
club member can hang their hat on with a feeling of control.
Restaurants, hotels, gasoline companies and all others can
charge what they please, even what the traffic will bear, but
entry fees are sacred and controllable.
I have learned over the years
that superintendents have no say whatsoever in the prices that
clubs decide on concerning entry fees. What I say and what I
write are only my observations and I hope food for thought. My
main interest is preservation of the Sport and its improvement.
As the cost to clubs of sponsoring a dog show rise somebody has
to pay the bills. Club members are all volunteers; they get no
pay for their efforts. Satisfaction of a job well done and
compliments from exhibitors are far fewer than the gripes and
criticisms. Why do they do it? I can tell you why. They love the
Sport, the friendships of people with common interests and the
competition. And, for some, “My dog is better than your dog
AND your brother”. Nyah! Nyah!
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SOME
PERSPECTIVE ON ENTRY FEES
by Fred Lyman
As it says elsewhere in this
issue of the MB-F Newsletter, one thing that will always insure
a passionate discussion is entry fees. While superintendents and
clubs have done quite a good job of holding entry fees to a
level way below where they should be, some exhibitors and doggie
press people continue to think everyone is making tons of money
and becoming millionaires. Let’s put this into perspective.
Let’s take, what by some
standards is a small show – 1000 dogs (at present the entry at
an average show is 1500). I’ve figured charges conservatively.
Some clubs have larger expenses, some may be smaller; this is
just an average.
An average superintending cost
(barring certain considerations such as area of the country,
size of the show, equipment needed, benched or unbenched, inside
or outside, special needs or wants, etc.) might be about $8.25
per dog. This is ONLY actual superintending costs.
Superintending Costs: 1000 @
average $8.25/dog $8250.00
Minimum of eight judges: 2
All-‘rounders estimated @ $900 each (fee + expenses) 1800.00
5 One Group or more @ $650 each
(fee + expenses) 3250.00
1 Provisional (two or three
breeds) @ $250 (expenses only) 250.00
Building Costs: Estimated average
building costs range from $1500 to $3000. If outside not only
grounds cost but other things must be considered. For our
example our building cost is (chairs included) 2500.00
Trophies and Cash Prizes: We have
a mixture of trophies and Group prize money. We are giving $100
for Best in Show and $50 for each Group First 450.00
We also have a nice mix of
trophies at a modest cost 285.00
Clean-up and Miscellaneous Labor:
4 Clean-up (2 for pick-up; 2 building personnel) @ $100 400.00
Our example club does not have
enough members who are willing to steward, so we’ve hired a
Stewards Organization for the day: 8 professional stewards @ $75
600.00
Miscellaneous expenditures: All
those little things above the bare essentials that are always
forgotten (phone calls, paper products, etc.) 300.00
Hospitality and Lunch: Our
example club has a continental breakfast; coffee, sodas and
bottled water, etc., for rings; and an average lunch for judges,
reps, officials, stewards, working club members at a nominal
$15/person. We have a minimum of 40 people 600.00
We did not have a judges’
dinner or hospitality room; the judges dined on their own and
their dinners are included in their expenses.
Veterinarian in attendance 100.00
Trained First Aid caregivers, 2 @ $100 each 200.00
Security (night before show) 1
guard @ $12.50/hr, 8 hr shift 100.00
So far, with average costs and
nothing fancy we’ve spent $19,085.00
Now let’s see what we’ve
taken in to pay the bills:
We got our 1000 dogs and received
entry fees as follows: 850 dogs @ $20 $17,000.00 150 Puppy/Bred
By @ $12 1,800.00 For a total of $18,800.00
So now we are $285 in the hole
after our efforts.
Fortunately we do have some
additional ways to make our show profitable.
We had 400 catalogs and we were
very lucky to sell out this year. We used a minimum of 25 to run
the show and sold our balance. 375 catalogs @ $4 1,500.00
We had a decent gate for our area
of 350 paying spectators and exhibitor guests 350 @ $3.00 each
1,050.00
So, at the end of the day we made
a profit of $2,365.00…..if everything is as our example
dictates. There are some other things to consider. If our site
is outside, as stated above, we would have grounds, plus
tenting, plus chair rental, plus porta-potty rentals, perhaps
parking control officers, to consider.
Catalog sales are very iffy. Some
weekends we may sell only half our catalogs and end up giving
the rest away. Gate sales are very iffy as well. If it’s a
nice weekend and there’s not a whole lot to do in our area we
may get a good gate; if our area has many recreational choices
we could have a very small gate. Also remember that some
facilities do not permit clubs to charge admission; some
facilities keep all the admissions and some facilities take a
percentage of the club’s income as part of their rental deal.
One of the immediate ways our
club could have increased its profit – or at the very least
helped the club break even if they also had the above-mentioned
additional costs for an outdoor show is seen in the entry fee
income to our club. If the club had chosen to treat all entries
the same because the club pays the same cost per dog no matter
what class it’s in you can see a different picture. If those
150 dogs had paid the regular entry fee the club would have had
an additional $1200 in income ($3000 vs $1800).
Our club did not sell any ads.
Some clubs have an Ad Chairman. If the Ad Chairman works hard
and sells tons of ads, though the expense of the show would, of
course, be larger, this could be another good source of income.
Our example club does not have
any room for vendors; some clubs don’t. Some clubs have space
for only one vendor; some have space for many more. But the club
has to remember the space for their rings and grooming has
precedence. A reasonable number of vendors can add to the flavor
of the show as well as the club’s income; a “flea market”
detracts from the show.
This modest profit is what
enables our club to provide any charitable donations,
training/handling classes, match shows and various community
projects. In addition, that profit must pay the taxes and/or
sales taxes incumbent upon the club and insurance bills for
coverage of all the club activities. While there are some clubs
that may possess “large” balances in their treasuries the
majority of clubs are squeaking along just trying to not go into
the hole at the end of the day. Club members are all volunteers.
They are devoting their time to insuring the exhibitor has a fun
day with a decent site and decent judges. They are also the ones
going into the community to promote purebred dogs. They are
making the donations to the AKC Canine Health Foundation, to the
Veterinary Colleges, to the Shelters, to the many aid
organizations – all the benefits of which touch the exhibitor
in some way.
It is only through the creative
managing of their finances, finding better and more efficient
ways to do things and hard work, that clubs have, with the same
type of help from their superintendents, been able to keep entry
fees at this level. But neither can continually operate at a
loss in order to keep entry fees at unrealistic levels. Remember
that you get what you pay for – if you are unwilling to help
pay the costs of holding an event there will come a time when
the club could go under and there will be no event.
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W. SCOTT SINGLETON
Scott was born in Raleigh, NC and
is an Alumnus of NC State College. He and his wife, Marvel, have
three daughters.
They began showing dogs in the
late ‘50’s. Their first dog, a Longhaired Dachshund,
finished both it’s Championship and CD Obedience title on the
same day. They bred and exhibited Dachshunds of all three
Varieties and finished many Conformation and Obedience Champions
over the years. Scott became a judge in the early ‘70’s and
remained active until he resigned to begin his superintending
career with MB-F in February of 1993. He is a “weekender,”
working from his home in Fairfield, OH.
Scott was a member of the Raleigh
Kennel Club and is a lifetime member of the Hanover Kennel Club
in Wilmington, NC. Very active in club work, he has held
essentially every club office and served on every show committee
over the years, including Show Chairman for many years. He was
also very active in The Confederacy of Tailwaggers, an
organization of kennel clubs in NC, SC and VA, serving as
Treasurer and President. He was involved in the beginning of the
Confederacy sponsored “Mighty Match” which is now a premiere
event every year to raise funds for the NC Vet School.
Scott’s business career began
with IBM in 1957 in Raleigh, NC. He was a Sales Engineer with
IBM until he joined General Electric Company’s Nuclear Energy
Division in 1969 at Wilmington, NC in Material Management. He
transferred to the GE Aircraft Engine Plant at Evendale, OH in
1985 as a Finance Manager. Scott retired from GE management
after 25 years in 1994. He and Marvel no longer have any dogs,
but the “empty nest” is filled with the love of two Grand
Champion Siamese Cats.
PHYLLIS R. BECKER
Phyllis and her husband of 43
years, Dick, have two daughters and nine grandchildren. After a
time as a Marine Corps wife, Phyllis, along with Dick, worked
their way through St. Lawrence University then moved to Ohio.
Dick taught school for a few years and he and Phyllis operated a
small grooming shop before going into the kennel and handling
profession full-time.
Phyllis managed the kennel and
raised puppies for their clients. Her family had always had
pure-bred hunting dogs in Michigan, where she grew up. She
acquired her first show dog in 1956 – a Cocker Spaniel. She
has bred English Cockers, Whippets and Scottish Terriers. As a
result of their business they were able to travel to England
with their daughters along.
They sold the kennel in 1981 due
to Dick’s health and Phyllis was licensed as a Superintendent
with MB-F at that time. “We now spend six months in Florida
and the summer up north working the show scene. No show is ever
the same, which makes my life very interesting. I enjoy the
people and the travel in our coach.”
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VETERINARY
MEDICAL ALERT
This is a notice from the
Veterinary Emergency Center in Needham, MA.
Fabreze, a new product that is
used to get odors out of fabrics, has been causing deaths and
illness in dogs, cats and birds. There have been multiple
instances reported in the past few weeks of dogs, cats and birds
dying after Fabreze was used anywhere near them. Some dogs have
only gotten very ill, but some have died. Several birds and cats
have died as well.
Fabreze contains zinc chloride,
which is the culprit. If you have recently sprayed your pet’s
bed with this product, please wash it until you get all of the
Fabreze out, or get your pet new bedding. Also, if spraying your
furniture, keep pets off.
Please pass the word along to
your friends so we can prevent further deaths.
(submitted via the Internet by
Dee Burdick)
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The Shaggy Dog Stories
LITTLE
HAROLD’S VIOLIN PRACTICE
Little Harold was practicing the
violin in the living room while his father was trying to read in
the den. The family dog was lying in the den, and as the
screeching sounds of little Harold’s violin reached his ears,
he began to howl loudly.
The father listened to the dog
and the violin as long as he could. Then he jumped up, slammed
his paper to the floor and yelled above the noise, “For
Pete’s sake, can’t you play something the dog doesn’t
know?”
(submitted by Philip E. Lewis via
the Internet)
THE PET
SHOP
A woman walked into the pet
store. “I haven’t got much money,” she told the clerk,
“so I’d like to know if you’ve any kittens you’ll let go
cheap.”
“I’d let them, ma’am,”
said the clerk, “but they prefer to go ‘meow’.”
(submitted by Philip E. Lewis via
the Internet)
BE CAREFUL
WHAT YOU WISH FOR
A lonely frog telephoned the
Psychic Hotline and asked what his future holds.
His Personal Psychic Advisor
tells him: “You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who
will want to know everything about you.”
The frog is thrilled. “This is
great! Will I meet her at a party?” he croaks.
“No,” says the psychic, “in
biology class.”
(submitted by Angela Porpora via
the Internet)
LIFE
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A DOG
1. If you stare at someone long
enough, eventually you’ll get what you want.
2. Don’t go out without ID.
3. Be direct with people; let
them know exactly how you feel by piddling on their shoes.
4. Be aware of when to hold your
tongue, and when to use it.
5. Leave room in your schedule
for a good nap.
6. When you do something wrong,
always take responsibility (as soon as you’re dragged
shamefully out from under the bed).
7. If it’s not wet and sloppy,
it’s not a real kiss.
(submitted by Angela Porpora via
the Internet)
DOG
PROPERTY LAWS
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my mouth, it’s
mine.
3. If I can take it from you,
it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while
ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never
appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m chewing something up,
all the pieces are mine.
7. If it just looks like mine,
it’s mine.
8. If I saw it first, it’s
mine.
9. If you are playing with
something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it’s broken, it’s
yours.
(submitted by Angela Porpora via
the Internet)
Dog Breeds
that did not make it
Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a
dog that folds up for easy transport.
Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a
dog that throws up a lot.
Bloodhound + Borzoi = Bloody
Bore, a dog that’s not much fun.
Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a
traditional Christmas pet.
Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier
= Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries.
Great Pyrenees + Dachshund =
Pyradachs, a puzzling breed.
Pekingese + Lhasa Apso =
Peekasso, an abstract dog.
Irish Water Spaniel + English
Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a
whistle.
Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated
Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research
scientists.
Newfoundland + Basset Hound =
Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors.
Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a
dog that makes awful mistakes.
Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador,
a dog that barks incessantly.
Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point,
owned by....oh, well, it doesn’t matter anyway.
Collie + Malamute = Commute, a
dog that travels to work.
Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a
dog that’s true to the end.
(submitted by Donna Hamman and
Angela Porpora the same day via the Internet)
Humor is a
good thing.
If you have
a favorite doggy laff
-- particularly a true story --
please send it in and share a good laff with fellow dog
enthusiasts.
Send to:
MB-F, Inc.
c/o The Shaggy Dog
P.O. Box 22107
Greensboro, NC 27420
e-mail: mbf@infodog.com
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