Born in 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, having lived through the depression did nothing to stem the exuberance of the delightful Arlene Czech. Her Father was a newspaper executive, her mother, a secretary and Braillist so communication and perfectionism were bred into this young woman. She graduated from Northwestern University with honors in 1951, then moved to Detroit where she taught Science Grades 1-9. Arlene reports “To add to my income I was a fashion model for JL Hudson. In ’78 I won the Star Award from the National Science Teachers Association for my course of practical Science. Meanwhile, I bought a Papillon in 1954 and so began my doggie career. “In the past years after retiring in 1980, I continued judging until I had three groups and BIS; I’ve gotten to judge on every continent as well as many islands. I am now in my 50th year of judging and slowing down a bit. I have also been writing columns for the Gazette and TNT and Showsight magazines since the 1980s. “In 1991 I was elected to be the Delegate for the Papillon Club of America—and am still being reelected! Last year I was awarded the Lifetime Achievement, and in 2015 I was awarded AKC’s Toy Breeder of the Year medallion. I also was joined with Mary Jo Korpi in the dog world in 2001 and we are still breeding, showing and teaching conformation and Obedience with the Greater Naples Dog Club in Naples, Florida. We have 5 dogs certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and do nursing home visits. I have finished fifty or so Champions with most having some performance title as well. This year I attended the Papillon National for the 63rd consecutive year.” A journalist by birth and a teacher by nature, Arlene’s been with us for so long that we have awarded her Tenure.
