This past Saturday, September 24, I had the pleasure of being the chairperson for the Airedale Terrier Club of Greater Philadelphia's annual Match Show and Fun Day. The event was held at Hibernia Park in Wagontown, PA. The show had some interesting highlights - three Airedales received their Canine Good Citizen certifications and an Airedale puppy who had never been in the ring before won Best Puppy. Congratulations to Nancy Sutphen and Brady for winning Best in Match and to the Andrzejewskis for Reggie's Best Puppy win. More congratulations are in order for ATCGP members Sue Brint on Brady's and Molly's CGC certification and to Matt and Julie Eastburn on Violet Mae's CGC certification as well! Thank you to ATCGP President Bill Kochler, who served as judge, and to certified AKC CGC instructor Jennifer McElya for making the event such a success.

Both Mako the Airedale (CH Top Step Flash Act) and Punch the PBGV (Goodspice Sunday Punch) were in attendance. Once again, Punch was the only non Airedale. She's an honorary Airedale, though, and greets each Airedale with Airedalian body language. She gets a happy response from each and every dale! Our first visitor at the show was Desdemona, the mini long haired dachshund. Her human Mary saw our Dog Show sign and came to check out what was happening.

Punch keeps her eye on me while our visitor tries to sneak a sniff as Mako was looking the other way.


Punch was just so thrilled to be at the show. She remembers the good times that she's had there. Her face was radiant!

Hibernia Park is a wonderland for dogs. It has fields, trails and woods -so much for them to explore. It's especially a thrill for a scent hound like a PBGV. Airedales have a strong Otterhound background but they still don't wonder around with their nose glued to the ground like a PBGV.

Mary was pleased to meet a PBGV in person. It was a special treat because she's a hound lover. She was happy to see all the Airedales strutting around, though. Her aunt had had Airedales and she loves terriers, too.

One of the first Airedales to arrive was a puppy named Reggie. His owners, the Andrzejewskis, were invited to our event by ATCGP member Jack McLaughlin. Jack was going to teach them how to strip Reggie for the show ring. Jack manufactures Mackynfe stripping knives so he knows what he is doing! Reggie is a Victorianne puppy and his father is Hunter - GCH Victorianne Crimson Sentry. He is the first Airedale Grand Champion. To show what a small world it is - especially in Airedales - I designed Hunter's ATCA Yearbook ad (which was also his ad in the Montgomery Kennel Club catalog) and I will be painting Hunter's portrait as well.

Reggie was 17 weeks old and earlier in the week had had his ears glued in place by professional handler Margery Good. Most Airedale ears (and Terrier ears) need to be set/glued in place to position the ears properly as the ear cartilage hardens as the pup matures. If you plan to show your Airedale, you need to do this. If you don't set the ears when they are young pups, the ears might set with one straight up in the air and one down, one sideways or flyaway ears going every which way.

As ATCGP member Jack McLaughlin started out instructing how to properly strip Reggie and he then convinced them to enter him in the show. Reggie had quite an eventful week - his ears were glued for the first time, he was stripped for the first time and then won Best Puppy in his initial venture into the show ring!

Reggie had never been stripped before but he was a little trooper who did amazingly well. He did whimper a few times and Punch went up to the grooming table to console him. Punch was a mommy and still responds to puppies. Mako couldn't have cared less.

The "after" picture of Jack's transformation of Reggie. He has eyes! Now on to victory...

The winner.! Reggie's Best Puppy in Match pic with Judge and ATCGP President Bill Kochler.


Mako and Punch congratulate Reggie on his first win. Mako is showing Reggie how to "give ears."


Mako says, "Enough of that. What's next?" Reggie eyes the platinum Peeb. "She's a beauty!"

We're outta here!

After the Match show there was a picnic lunch and some socializing amongst humans and canines.

Mako and Bella do some flirting.

Punch eyes the Apple Muffin with Strudel Topping that Adele Abe is holding. "Leslie made those... Gimme that!" She tries the PBGV mind meld on Adele. Adele can resist the Airedalian mind meld - so it didn't work... For now...

Below is a slide show with more pictures...

"Art is magic. The creative process is always an adventure. There is that special moment when the divine spark appears. It's such a thrill! That is what I love Best about the process. After all this time, I STILL don't know how it happens..."