Others We Have Lost
Luca Carbone, Jaguar French Bulldogs. Luca was a popular and
colorful French Bulldog breeder-exhibitor in Fresno, Calif. Although
he was best known for his Frenchies, he had also been associated with
Neapolitan Mastiffs and Afghan Hounds, among other breeds.
World-famous Siberian Husky breeder/owner-handler Thomas L.
Oelschlager died on June 8 at the age of 62. Affectionately known in
the sport as “Tommy O,” his Kontoki Siberians made their mark on the
breed for more than 40 years. His wife Marlene DePalma Oelschlager
was a full partner in the dogs. Alaskan Malamute breeder Sandra D’Andrea recalls that during her professional handling days, she and Tommy
“were on the road most every weekend competing in dog shows.
Tommy and I were like brother and sister for 30 years. He beat me at
times; I beat him, but we were always friends and no one could make
people laugh like Tommy.” The Kontoki Siberians would famously leap
into Tommy’s arms when a judge awarded them a rosette or trophy.
“Show dogs can burn out. I need to keep the excitement going for
them,” he explained.
PHOTO COURTESY MISS ORANUJ KANCHANACHUSAK
Tommy O
advancement in this area. “Being an airline pilot allowed me
to judge [in] those tough years when you judge for nothing,”
Joe told Routledge. “The clubs weren’t out a lot of money, I
didn’t lose too much, and I managed to make it work.” Things
worked so well for Joe that he retired early to pursue his
judging career. “The big reason that I retired from Hawaiian
Airlines was because of the dogs,” he told Roots. “I retired
five years early because it was interfering with my dog show
judging here and all over the world.”
Joe Tacker gave credit for his advancement to the legendary Derek Rayne. “He was the world’s greatest dog judge,” he
told Roots. The two men met while on the same judging panel.
Mr. Rayne had asked Joe, “How would you like to come judge
for me at the Del Monte show?” Joe admits that he was keen
to judge at the West Coast’s most prestigious event. “I’ll walk
from here to Monterey to judge your show,” he exclaimed
with a laugh. “One of the reasons that I got assignments and
so forth was because I lived in Hawaii. People all over the
mainland would say, ‘Who is this guy out there? We never
heard of him.’” Joe offered that his judging career flourished
Carl Sanders (May 14, 1937-September 22, 2016), together with his
partner, Walter Green, who predeceased him, were a fixture on the Texas
dog show scene, mentoring many aspiring exhibitors and professional
handlers over the decades. Their Zebec Kennels were known for Afghan
Hounds and Italian Greyhounds. Among the famous Afghan specials Carl
campaigned was multi BIS Ch. Khayam’s Ares. He also showed some of
the Grandeur Afghans for Roger Rechler. Carl is survived by his sister,
Carole Kennedy, of Canyon Lake, Texas.
Kenneth Sleeper passed away on July 10 at 71 years of age. He and his
wife, Virginia, owned and operated Roy Jones Dog Shows for more than
40 years. Mr. Sleeper honorably served his country in the US Navy. Both
worked in banking when Roy Jones himself approached Ken to purchase
Roy Jones Dog Shows in 1978. Both gave notice and moved to Auburn,
Ind. So began four decades of traveling the country putting on shows.
Along with his love of dogs, Ken also had a passion for Corvettes. He is
survived by Virginia, a daughter, two grandsons, a sister and brother-inlaw, and a brother and sister-in-law.
Carl Sanders
in those early days because nobody knew him, and he didn’t
know any of the dogs.
“I eventually became an all-breed judge, but long before
that I was judging in foreign countries and judging all breeds,”
Joe shared with Roots. “The dogs have taken me to 42 countries on every continent except Antarctica,” he noted. Routledge reported that Joe had spent more than three decades
to become an all-rounder. “It’s harder to become an all-breed
judge than an airline pilot!” Joe Tacker’s worldwide audience
continued to grow when he was paired with Anne Rogers
Clark to provide color commentary during the live telecasts
of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
Joe is fondly remembered by anyone who shared a panel
with him or entered a dog for his evaluation. “Mr. Tacker
was quite pleasant with the exhibitors and easy with the
Hounds,” noted one exhibitor last year on social media. “He
is aged and rather frail now, but he can still find a good dog.”
Good dogs, no doubt, also found their way to Joe. As the
all-rounder told Roots in his video interview, “The dogs have
sure been good to me.” DIR
DECEMBER 2016
DOGS IN REVIEW
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