FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR EMERITUS Joseph Neil McGinnis III
While some might view May as a great time for an ocean break, we, despite the photo, are in Ft. Lauderdale for more serious pursuits. And one cannot get much more serious than the credentials of the friends (more like family) with whom I proudly posed for the above: David Haddock, Ev Gregory, and Joe Gregory represent more experience in and contributions to our sport than most other threesomes one might see. What a treat to get to dine, leisurely, together rather than wolf- ing down a hot dog between breed & groups.
I want to take a quick moment to congratulate everyone involved. Luckily, Brian Cordova snapped a photo of yours truly with Nancy Smith Hafner, head of JE for the Poodle club. If she ever tires of teaching Poodles, she could spend time teaching how to run a Semi- nar. What an extremely powerful and valuable experience it was; my thanks to PCA, STCA and BHCA. We were saddened to note that Luc Boileau had to cancel his Toy Poodle assignment at PCA; we wish him a quick return to his sassy, healthy self. His stand-in, Johnny Shoemaker, of course, did a master- ful job not only at that task but run- ning the Hat Contest which was not only adorable but hysterical. What fun we had. What dogs we saw. What are we going do to, till we can do it again? Till then, remember: He Who lives with the most Toys win.
Not that you’ll ever hear me com- plain about a hot dog...or at least, a hot dog at a dog show. Because as we all know, at any dog show, most of the dogs are indeed, hot. Not having hot dogs recently was me, for I was way too busy at- tending several amazing national specialties to even pause to eat. (Full disclosure: This was not true.) Because it’s National Season one has a huge choice of shows at which to exhibit, spectate, learn, and relax. It was my pleasure to at- tend the Poodle Club of America weeklong extravaganza in Missouri, the Bichon national in Orlando, and the Shih Tzu national in Ft. Laud- erdale. More about that next month. But at each I was privileged to at- tend the Judges’ Seminars and was pretty much bowled over by how well they were conducted. And then of course there was socializing and comparing notes, and simply watch- ing ringside, which is an education in itself.
—Joe
18 • T op N otch T oys , M ay 2019
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