pet connection

I’m not in Manhattan, for Westminster.

And that’s a shame, because this is surely one of the more interesting years to go. Not for the show itself — which I enjoy, always, and will enjoy on TV tonight — but for all the backstory, the problems with breeds and the fight to save them BOTH from the animal rights true believers who want all pets free of domesticated exploitation — i.e., dead – and from those in “the fancy” who won’t accept the need for change in closed gene pool breeding practices.  The animal-rights pet extinction forces we can do nothing about except fight with all our might. As for the other: Good, well-meaning people working to preserve our heritage breeds need to force the acceptance of sensible, scientifically based outcrosses to improve the health of some very unhealthy breeds, concurrent with changes in some breed standards that call for appearances that run counter to the healthy function of any dog.

It’s also a shame I wasn’t in Manhattan yesterday to see the change come to the Dog Writers Association of America. The DWAA was started at Westminster between the World Wars, by a handful of mostly men who covered dog shows for newspapers (yes, that once was a part of sports coverage for most big newspapers!). The DWAA, long a pleasant group to be part of (I’d been a member since the early ’80s), has in recent years become so nasty and divided that I just let my membership lapse. With the “coup” staged at the annual meeting by a slate of the writers I most admire, both as professionals and as people, I’ll be rejoining and looking forward to the future. (Kim mentioned them previously: Dr. Deb Eldredge, previously blogged about here, Susan McCullough and Liz Palika (a/k/a the hardest working woman in showbizdog-training, writing and reptile rescue!)

I’m also not in Florida, for Global Pet Expo.

I love this trade show. It’s huge, and everyone in the pet industry shows up. It’s the place to see everything and spot trends. And it’s just plain fun, although a lot more fun in San Diego (which I love) than in Orlando (which I hate).  I knew months ago I couldn’t go because originally my mother was scheduled to have her knee replaced on Friday. Of course, since then my father’s illness (we have a home hospice meeting today) has taken priority, and my mom’s surgery will be in June.

Our Dr. Marty Becker is on his way to Global Pet, by way of New York City and a “Good Morning America” appearance on Wednesday. This year, Dr. B will be naming a “Dr. Becker’s Best In Show” award to the top product of the trade show, first time ever.  As for reporting, we have that covered. Our DogCars.com editor, veteran journalist Keith Turner, will be filling in for me on the convention floor, with blog posts, pictures and (we hope we can figure this one out) a video podcast with Dr. Becker.  Mikkel Becker Shannon, one of our Pet Connection contributing editors (and Dr. Becker’s daughter) will also be contributing.

Finally, I’m not in Minnesota, where things are reportedly going pretty well with McKenzie. (No, I don’t have an image to go with THAT.) My brother said to me last night: “Doesn’t it bother you that your dog has a more interesting personal life than you do?” Um, well, it didn’t, but thanks for mentioning it! In any case, my girl should be home again in just a few days … and then we wait for puppies.

So where am I, actually? Home, and feeling a tad sorry for myself that I’m not somewhere more exciting. But on the other hand, I couldn’t and wouldn’t choose to be anywhere except where my dad and the rest of my family need me right now. So this week, I’m coping on the home front … and thinking of where I would be if I were not here.