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kennel, Jerilee. Also, Connie Christie of Killagay who owned the most-titled Welsh Springer Spaniel in the U.S. for more than 20 years. The Present – Beth Holmes of Fairwinds and Joe Cowdrick, Connie’s kennel manager and owner of top-win- ning Killagay Tudur Welsh Springers, both imports as well as domestic breeding stock. The Future – My co-owner and the future of Jerilee, Carrie Morris, who already has very nice pointed puppies from our first joint breeding. It does take a family to continue the future of the wonderful Welsh Springer Spaniel! carissa Shimpeno - Downingtown, Pennsylvania The Past – I would thank my Grandmother, Joanna Satalino. She started our family in dogs. She immersed herself with the most knowledgeable people in Dobermans and really took to learning the breed. Her teachers were Peggy Adamson and Carol Petruzzo, among others. She fostered that same passion for learning in my mother, Gwen DeMilta, and myself. She taught us how to be passionate and honest in everything we do and I am so grateful for the moral compass she instilled in both of us. The Present – I would thank my mom. She is single-hand- edly the most knowledgeable Doberman person I know. What makes her the best is that even with 40-plus years in the breed and well over 200 champions she is still a student of our breed and our sport. She is never too proud to ask advice, even from someone younger than herself. Her passion for the sport is unparalleled. She, like her mother before her, has given me a strong sense of self and I am so grateful for the knowledge they have passed down. More important than the knowledge is the moral compass they gave me. Family is always first and being able to do this sport with the people I cherish most in this world is such a gift. The Future – I am still young myself and I don't feel ready to carry on the breed without my mentors. That being said, there are several young people I am so incredibly proud to be teaching. Leah Ramsey has been helping me since she was about 13. She is a young, dedicated handler and breeder. She breeds along with her mother and it is so much fun to watch her set and accomplish her goals. Even now at the age of 22, as she is starting to spread her wings and go out on her own, she will give up weekends being a handler to help me when I'm in need. She is a special young lady. I am also proud to be working with the Rogers family, Sophia, Faith, Emma and Julia. They are all wonderful young Junior Handlers that work very hard for me. They are true students of our sport and are amazing young ladies. Faith and I own dogs together and when she is at the shows she always has one of our Dobermans out of the crate teaching them how to be show dogs or cute lit- tle pet tricks. It's wonderful to watch. If you wish to show your appreciation to someone in the dog sport — past, present or future — consider posting a message of thanks on your social media platforms, or share your words of gratitude with our readers at myvoice@aramediagrp.com. n
always casts light on attributes of the dog that I had missed when looking at the photos. How wonderful to be able to translate the written word into an enduring image of excel- lence and personality. I can’t even draw a straight line, but sometimes when I judge I try to see a dog as Steve would paint it. With the good ones that’s easy. (Thanks too Steve for always letting me know, in the nicest possible way, when I misinterpret a standard. He knows them all.) The Future – Thanks! I’m sorry I don’t know your names, but you are the Junior Handlers, the AKC/PHA Apprentices, the dedicated owner-handlers and those who have bred a lit- ter or two of your chosen breed. You’ll earn my gratitude if you soak up every bit of knowledge about your breed and put it to use in producing better, healthier dogs that excel at their intended purpose. You will breed and show based on your knowledge and perception of what is right for the breed. Some of you may build on the foundation that I have laid in a couple of breeds and I am grateful that you would continue on that path. billy miller - Felton, Pennsylvania The Past – The late AKC Judge Jane G. Kay taught me so much about breeding dogs and animal husbandry. She always stressed the importance of putting dogs first. They mattered. Being an old-timer, she was very particular about a person’s word choice. When someone would say that their stud dog had produced a number of champion get, she was quick to point out that a dog sires a litter and the bitch is the producer of the litter. She was always encouraging me to do my best. The Present – Kenny Saenz works hard to promote the sport. He is a firm believer that everyone needs to be part of the effort to preserve our fancy. He’s my real-life hero. The Future – There are a few very clever ladies breeding Chihuahuas. I believe that my breed is in safe hands. Overseas, there are some very clever breeders who are helping to preserve health and the essentials of breed type. oscar Quiros - Los Angeles, California The Past – My parents were the people to introduce me to the sport. They started in Dobermans, but have had many other breeds at their Sanluis Kennel in Alajuela, Costa Rica. They have bred over 100 Miniature Schnauzer champions. Thank you, mom and dad. The Present – In my life there are many important people today, including my clients, judges, breeders, fellow handlers and anyone who is involved in the sport. But the most impor- tant person is my wife, Vanessa. She is the one who makes everything possible. The Future – I hope the people I’ll entrust with our breeds are my kids. I hope at some point in their lives they get inter- ested in the sport. For the past, present and future, the most important thanks goes to God who let’s us enjoy this privilege we have. Jerry berkowitz - Davenport, Florida The Past - Marion Daniel was my first mentor and owner of Ch. Brafci’s True Colors, Westminster Breed winner, 2x National Specialty winner, and the foundation stud dog of my
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