ETCETERA
by BONNIE GUGGENHEIM TNT Advertising Director & Associate Editor MAKING MEMORIES
W hile cleaning out papers and looking at Top Notch Toys through the years I could not help but start leafing through old issues. After all, this magazine has been in print for 34 years—ever since Joe McGinnis and Duane Doll saw the need for a way to promote the Pekingese and Toy dogs that they always loved. It was hard to put TNT down once I started down memory lane. Just about all of us started with a pet that we loved, for some reason became inter- ested in dog shows and showing dogs and the rest is history. Your first show dog was probably not one you would show today, but you learned from that experience with excitement, frustration, sometimes anger and on occasion the thrill of vic- tory. Wow, was that first win the most exciting thing that ever hap- pened to you? A professional handler made that success for you while you watched from ringside or sat at home by the phone waiting for results.
Then came the desire to breed your, hopefully, new champion and the search was on to find the perfect choice for breeding. Maybe you found a men- tor who would help you make a good decision and you were hooked on our wonderful sport. I remember it well and in particu- lar when browsing through old issues, I never thought at the time it was his- tory in the making. By now you believe you can successfully show your own dog and off to conformation classes and matches you go, nervous, feeling up to the challenge and making plans to be a successful owner handler. Once again, wow, you win your first point! Noth- ing like that feeling will come again and looking through old Top Notch Toys many of you were there with your first everything in the dog world including your first ad. I was one of them! Many of you who are still around progressing from breeding, showing, on to judging and acquiring groups oth- er than Toys with great success and expertise. Ah the
memories along the way, as well as the tears, but look at all of us that are still doing what we know best and we always find something exciting about it. This saying hangs in my office here at TNT along with framed copies of many front and back covers and a few of my own old ads: “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by moments that take our breath away.” Those of you who have wonderful memories, write your stories and send them to me. You all have them! Remem- ber, inquiring minds want to knowwhat is going on in your dog show world. Watch for new and important people and dogs in TNT—be one of them! Have a wonderful Thanksgiv- ing and be thankful for your family, your dogs and your fabulous memories. Warm wishes for continued success. Bonnie bonnie@dmcg.com 863.738.8848
(Photos courtesy of Kat; Sin-Sation Chihuahuas)
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