Showsight - April 2018

SHOWSIGHT FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR EMERITUS

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illness which cost him his left leg. In typical Thomas fashion, he’s already back in the ring and showing his great spirit and sense of humor in this photo and the decoration on his new appendage. We wish him (and them) continued best of everything and thank them for years of dedication and respected work. And then, finally, it was the shows in Raleigh, home to AKC and the legendary Tarheel Circuit. Raleigh was also home to a bang-up fundraiser for TAKE THE LEAD, for which Esteban & Jennifer Farias lent consid- erable culinary talent much to everyone’s delight. Many others were involved in the planning and execution of this nice affair but I’m sure that Pam Beale, Mari-Beth O’Neill and Carolyn Koch were instrumental in making it a success. Raleigh was also the site for the Seminars and Work- shops I mentioned earlier. And I also mentioned that the last day of “school” was also my sixty-fifth birthday. Well, word got around and three friends serenaded me in the cafeteria by singing “Happy Birthday.” (They were joined by people at adjoining tables.) Thank you Karin B. Erichsen Ashe Dr. Kenneth H, Levison, and Judy Brownt. To have these three esteemed judges do that for me was touching to say the least. But wait: Later in the day, Celeste Gonzalez, supremely qualified and capable Chair of the Seminars and Workshops held by the NC Triangle Area Judges Education Group, co- sponsored by the participating Tarheel Cluster dog clubs, during a break, announced to the crowd about my little event and the ENTIRE GATHERING sang to me. I was, indeed, humbled and quite moved. No photo of that , unfortunately, but it's forever ingrained in my memory. Next stop: who knows? Each weekend there is something wonderful happening in the sport of dogs. The series of literary snapshots I was lucky enough to include evoke but a fragment of the good vibes shared by fanciers at every show. (I was able to include a few actual snapshots, too, and although they contain my face far more than I’d like—they were taken as per- sonal keepsakes and not intended for publication—— a picture’s worth a thousand and I’m running out of room.) But not included in this report were the hun- dreds of hugs, and smiles, and pattings of dogs’ heads, and sharings of best wishes that I and my fellow fanciers also shared. And that was just one person’s ex- perience; multiple that by thousands and the rest of the world gets a pretty good picture of the dog fancy. You probably already knew it but it never hurts to be re- minded. I’m sure this goodwill will also be available tomor- row at a show near you. I hope to see you soon at one or all of these events, and of course next month here in the pages of ShowSight . Till then, I repeat the senti-

Thomas Curley with the author in Louisville (the green suit was in honor of my late dear friend and mentor Edna Voyles to whom the Derbytown Peke Club Specialty was dedicated); Celeste Gonzalez, Karin Ashe, Ken Levison and Judy Brown in Raleigh. ment I’ve been using now for over twenty-five years: ShowSight Magazine wishes you All The Best!

Chairing large shows. Due to his own- ership of a publishing company which produced six monthly dog magazines, McGinnis suspended breeding and ex- hibiting activities so as not to have any conflict of interest. Sale of the maga- zines in April of 2017 has made it possi- ble for him to pursue a judging career. He's heavily committed to dog-world-

related charitable organizations and views the health and future of purebred dogs and the sport as a responsibility he takes very seriously. Outside of dogs, McGinnis has extensive experience in real estate, design, breeding and ex- hibiting purebred cattle, live entertain- ment, and is a Tony Award winning Broadway producer.

Joe McGinnis has been an active dog fancier since the 70s. During his breeding/exhibiting career he finished over 60 champions, handled dogs to numerous All Breed and Specialty Bests in Show, and was named a Register of Merit breeder. McGinnis also served in almost every dog club capacity from teaching Conformation Classes to

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