Giving Thanks FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR EMERITUS Joseph Neil McGinnis III
E ACH N OVEMBER , EVEN IN AN ELECTION YEAR , we wax nostalgic and take stock of the good things in our lives. Those of us in the dog world have an embarrassment of such riches, for we’re surrounded by wonderful people, involved in the world’s best sport, and of course dogs occupy almost all of our minds and every millimeter of our hearts. I do, though, wish I could remember to be this thank- ful every single day. Sometimes I do. Today’s one of those days. In the past few months I’ve had more than my share of enjoyable experiences and gotten to spend time with friends of long-standing and some brand-new. I am pictured with the lovely Mimi Eikov Winkler, Bichon breeder and head of Hospitality for Westchester weekend. I’ve been a fan of this lady for many years and it was great to have another chance to tell her so. More about this trip and several others next month but right now I want to say thank you, Mimi, for all your hard work. The amount of work that goes into the AKC National Champi- onshp boggles the mind, yet each year it gets better and bigger. The minds behind it see their way clear to providing us with an in- credible array of offerings during the weeklong celebration in Or- lando. Shortly after reading this—or perhaps during—you’ll be either ringside admiring the stiff competition in Otown or perhaps viewing it on a device so you don’t feel left out. I can’t stand that feeling so I always go; I’ve attended every event so far and don’t plan to miss any in the future. Again this year ShowSight ’s a sponsor of the Judges’ Luncheon and the Meet the Breeds® Best Booth con- test which I’m proud to chair yet again. Come to our booth, or look for us around the site; we plan to be there in full force and with bells (sleigh bells?) on. Well, wedged in between Thanksgiving and the end of the year holidays, ANC is truly in a festive season. I’m dedicating my holiday season to a woman who never failed to make her fellow human beings feel good. I flew to Kansas City to celebrate the life of a truly special lady, one that I have been proud to know and love for forty years: Marilyn E. Doll, my sister- in-law by marriage and a huge part of my life. Her death in August threw us all into the abyss, but that day we held hands and clung to each other as the memories flooded in and made us laugh, smile, and of course cry. Being with this group of people is always a pleasure for me, even when gathered in pain, because the Doll fam- ily is comprised of the most caring, kind individuals one can imag- ine. I have loved them all since day one, from Duane's generation down to the youngest to join the ranks. I felt strongly that Marilyn belonged in ShowSight . She and her late husband, Carroll, were two of our strongest supporters and biggest cheerleaders, especially in the early days when we strug- gled to get our publishing company off the ground. And Marilyn never failed to read this page, which she called my “letter,” and often wrote to react to its contents. Driving from the cemetery to the church for the service, I pulled to the side, hopped out, and shot the background photo that appears here because the vibrant, brilliant color of the foliage was an antidote to the dreary, dark day. Marilyn could have that effect, too. There is much more I could say about this great lady but right now I'm emotionally tapped out. Let me just say this. Marilyn spent every day of her life making our world a little brighter and better and more beautiful for the rest of us; I like to think that on her special day, Mother Nature did the same for Marilyn. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. Until December, please remember: ShowSight Magazine wishes you all the Best!
Mimi Winkler and the editor Here’s wishing everyone best of luck at the final shows of the year, and a truly wonderful Holiday Season.
Marilyn E Doll
14 • S how S ight M agazine , N ovember 2018
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