All our dogs have special meaning to us, but this week the American Kennel Club recognized five that can be called very, very special. They're the winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE), which recognizes loyal, hard-working dogs that serve and assist their owners and/or their communities.
The awards are given in five categories: law enforcement, search and rescue, therapy, service and exemplary companion dog. Winners receive $1,000 and engraved collar medallions that will be awarded at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, Calif., on Dec. 12.
You can read about the winning dogs on the AKC site, but a couple that stand out are Electra, an eight-year-old Standard Poodle and former show dog that has been a constant companion to Mandy Willis of Valrico, Fla., who was diagnosed with cancer last year; and Robin, a six-year-old Golden Retriever owned by Joseph and Mary MacQueen of Frewsburg, N.Y., that works with area law enforcement and is responsible for taking about $500,000 worth of illegal drugs off the streets.
Congratulations to the winners.
We're not piling on Linda Brown or her Wolf Den Kennel -- the place where VP-elect Joe Biden bought his German Shepherd puppy recently -- but we wanted to confirm something we read about the kennel having lost its ability to register dogs with the American Kennel Club.
Turns out that's not so, although Brown, who also operates under the name Jolindy's German Shepherds in Chester County, Pa., did lose AKC certification in 2006. She regained it in 2007 and is currently in good standing.
Interestingly, Lisa Peterson, a spokeswoman for the AKC, told us that Brown has not registered any litters with the organization this year - meaning that the Biden dog (or the litter he came from) does not currently have AKC certification.
Peterson said that Brown, whose kennel was cited for several violations this month, lost her right to register dogs in 2006 because three of her litters had false certification, apparently listing incorrect parents. Peterson said this was probably a paperwork error.
All this makes us wonder if Biden really cares whether his puppy is AKC registered. Some dog owners do, some don't. But you'd have to presume that he might want his purebred dog to have the proper papers proving his heritage.
The incoming Vice President is getting pressure from groups who believe he should have adopted a shelter puppy - and that Brown might be a less-than-reputable breeder. They also believe that Biden's boss, Barack Obama, should adopt. An Obama dog would do a lot to promote pet adoption if he picks one from a shelter or rescue group.
