I have had two great passions in my life, theatre and dogs… oh, and my family. Apologies Scott and LR!
I was “born into the biz.” Not the dog show biz, that came later. No, I grew up in the glamorous world of night clubs, theatres, and television sound stages. A childhood where A-list celebrities were just family friends. I’d come home from school to find Lucille Ball at the kitchen table having coffee. We’d vacation with Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Newhart, and Jerry Lewis. I sat ringside and backstage for more performers in Las Vegas than I can remember, although Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis do stick out!
My mother was a famous comedian of the 1960s and ‘70s named Totie Fields, a ground-breaking female performer at a time when men dominated the industry. She was a model for Amazon Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Mom headlined in Las Vegas, was a staple of afternoon and late-night talk shows, and toured the world bringing laughter to hundreds of thousands of people. Dad, a comic in his own right when he met mom, became her road manager, orchestra conductor, and business partner. My Aunt Raye moved in, taking care of my sister and me when my folks were on the road.
My family did not reflect the popular culture of the time!
Now, William Morris, the talent agency representing my mom, got house seats to every professional theatre in NYC. A perk of my mom’s success… I saw every production on Broadway from 1961 to 1973. It’s when I fell in love with theatre; how could I not?
I went on to get a Master’s degree in Theatre Education, spending 35 years in the field. I created and ran professional, community, and recreational theatres across the US, three of which were named the “Best New Children’s Theatres” in America. Through my companies, thousands of kids were introduced to the world of theatre as performers, technicians, and of course, audience. Young people I trained went on to careers on Broadway and regional theatres. They starred in television shows, were featured in numerous movies, and appeared in countless commercials. They also grew up to become set and lighting designers, casting directors, arts administrators, and even producers/directors of film, television, and theatre. Most went on to successful careers outside of theatre but remained ardent theatregoers.
In every theatre, I’d form a group known as “The Ensemble.” These were the hardcore theatre kids; those with talent, drive, dedication, and the desire to be a part of the theatre community. These young artists learned all aspects of theatre. They designed/built all the sets, costumes, and props. They ran lights and sound. They stage managed, handled the box office, ushered, and sold concessions. They learned how to write grants and balance budgets. How successful was the Ensemble in preparing kids for the theatre world? Everyone who went to college as Theatre majors received full four-year scholarships.
Late in my mother’s career, due to a major medical situation, she had her leg amputated. Prior to the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with special needs were excluded from mainstream society. Mom made accessibility for everyone her mission. She continued to perform despite her disability. Sharing mom’s journey made inclusion for all integral to everything I did. My theatre in Las Vegas was the first totally integrated handicapped/non-handicapped program for young people in the country, for which I was featured in PEOPLE magazine. My special needs kids achieved the same levels of personal and professional success as my other students.
I recognized early on that if I wanted theatre to continue, to exist and thrive, my greatest responsibility was to develop and nurture new artists and new audiences. Without these, I knew the art would wither and die.
So, what the heck does all of this have to do with dog shows?
When I was 11, quite by accident, I discovered the sport of showing dogs. We owned two AKC purebred dogs—a Miniature Poodle named Bubbles and a Maltese named Mikey. Mikey was given to my mom while co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show. A national pet shop chain was appearing on the show with a variety of adorable puppies and decided giving one to my mom was a smart marketing strategy. These were puppy mill babies, so while Mikey was technically “purebred,” she bore as much resemblance to the Maltese Breed Standard as Bubbles did!
My very first dog show experience was… eventful—and not in a good way! But, that’s a story for another time. What my show ring debut did provide was a generous mentor, Aennchen Antonelli, and a love for our sport.
As you can imagine, Mikey’s career in the Breed ring was less than stellar. I remember once joyfully celebrating taking third in a class of four.
Luckily, I soon discovered Junior Showmanship. There, it didn’t matter that Mikey only had about six hairs, none of which came past her belly. In Juniors, I was being judged on my abilities as a handler. I could compete against kids with Breed champions, kids whose dog show lineage was almost as impressive as their canines. Mikey and I didn’t set the show world on fire, but we did manage to qualify for Westminster. College forced a break from dog showing, but my graduation present, a beautifully bred Maltese puppy named “Smitty,” became my very first champion.
Through all this, my mom and dad were on the road for long stretches. My aunt didn’t drive and had no interest in dogs. So, I did entries myself. I groomed and trained dogs on my own. I selected and managed my show wardrobe. Mikey and I took subways or buses alone, or begged rides from other exhibitors. I handled all dog show arrangements. My folks weren’t involved in this part of my life. I understood that this was a trade-off for the life we led. However, it made me profoundly aware of how challenging it can be, even for the most committed Junior, to succeed without support.
As an adult, my dog show and theatre lives collided. I encouraged kids in my theatre to try dog showing, lending them dogs, taking them to shows, involving whole families in the sport. Soon I had more than 20 kids participating. Since my theatre program included young people with disabilities, so did my handling program. The first disabled youngsters to show in AKC Junior Showmanship were students of mine, kids with Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, vision and hearing impairments, and intellectual challenges. Most notably, Tammy Frost, a teen with MD handling a Maltese she bred herself and showing from her electric wheelchair, won at the Santa Barbara show, at the time the largest show in the West.
Many, many years later, retired from my life in theatre and living in Phoenix, my life-long hobby of dog training became my second career. A chance call from a mother drew me back into actively working with kids and dogs. Inspired by a demonstration I did at a day camp, her daughter wanted to try dog showing. Mom knew nothing about the sport, and they didn’t have a dog. Would I help?
Of course, I would!
Soon, kids and families started “appearing on my doorstep” who were referred by friends, school classmates, or breeders. Most were dog show newbies. Rapidly, “Jody’s Juniors” included 30 kids locally and another dozen working remotely nationwide. My garage filled with 300-plus free dog show-appropriate outfits for girls and boys. I provided loaner dogs for kids to start with and located fantastic dogs from supportive breeders who shared my goals.
My Juniors have become my “Dog Ensemble.” Like my theatre kids, they learn the importance of hard work and dedication, traits I believe are far more important than natural ability. They master all aspects of the sport—grooming/conditioning, training, canine first aid, even proper poop-scooping. They develop time management skills, patience, responsibility, social skills, and respect for the traditions of the sport. To be gracious in defeat and humble in victory are cornerstones of the program where good sportsmanship is expected in all situations.
Though an individual sport, I stress teamwork and cooperation within our group. We set up together at shows and share resources. My kids are competitors in the ring but friends once outside.
No child is ever turned away for financial reasons. Class fees are nominal, and if there’s an economic challenge, the Junior can do kennel chores instead. If a kid has a dream, I do my best to help them achieve it.
My Juniors are my legacy, my assurance that our sport will thrive long after I am gone. Just as Aennchen nurtured the flame in me, it is my—OUR—responsibility to create the torchbearers for the years to come.
Finally, if you’re a Junior, parent, or even a “Senior Junior” (what I call newbie adult dog show enthusiasts) out there who has a question, needs some help, or could just use a little advice, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My email is: phdobedience@gmail.com.
