ShowSight April 2021

IVA KIMMELMAN, MERCI ISLE WHIPPETS

“why that has to happen” with, “Blessed is the veil that hides the future.” I did not understand what it meant then, but I do now. Dogs live in the now and I think we need to do the same. Yes, we can perhaps shape our hobby to be more welcoming, and therefore inviting to newcomers, but in the end, people who want to breed dogs in the right way, with good care, companionship for the dogs, and strong animal husbandry must feel something about the animals in their care and not their own human egos. Dog shows were created to find breeding animals by standards of perfection. I think it was a grand idea in the beginning, made up by men in a time when they probably had a lot of time and money to spend on their dogs. I just want to know that the dogs themselves matter more than any awards. If it goes back to that, then I honestly believe that our hobby can come back to some place of decency. It was originally about the dogs and their purpose, and that is what needs to matter now. Getting newcomers interested in a breeding pro- gram has no answer from me. I have tried several times and failed. They sounded great, they seemed to be focused, but there was lack of sacrifice. I was close to the pocket when I first started on my journey to create lovely Whippets. I had to save and plan. But I did. I fed good food, took good care of my dogs, planned breedings, and entered shows. I advertised. I learned early on that I wanted to be remembered for my efforts, and the way to do that was to be in print magazines. Part of my thread on Face- book included promising my followers that they were never going to be remembered—other than in maga- zines and books. Facebook will be gone, as the feed just scrolls down. Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two? I have a special bitch that has come back to me after living with her co-breeder/co-owner as a sort of gift, and I am just so at peace with what to do with her. She will be bred in the late spring of 2021. I knew who I would breed her dam to, even before she was born. I plan to breed this bitch to that same dog. However, he is going on 11 and, therefore, I have a backup plan. I always have a backup plan. Finally, tell us a little about Iva outside of dogs: your profession, your hobbies. I am a retired CEO of a corporation that owned a chain of high-end pet supply stores called Pet Source, INC in Massachusetts. We sold to a large, venture capital conglomerate in 2016. The many interests I have with my husband of 36 years this March are on hold, like everyone else. We love museums and travel, as well as fine restaurants. Now we hike in our woods, and I live and breathe my dogs as always. I used to collect and exhibit model horses, but that is on hold now, too. And I mean high-end, artist resin horses that can be quite costly. But if you want to win, you need the best. Just like in dogs. I hope 2021 will be better for all of us.

Dual Ch. Merci Isle Jacaranda BOB ASFA AWC National 2014

Eng. Ch. Barnesmore Red Rosa At Palmik

Iva and Ch. Westgate The Sorcerer

76 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2021

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