Welcome to the beautiful issue of The Working/Herding Dog Digest to our many friends and readers across the world.
Being from Southern California I first had the pleasure of meeting Kim Griffith when I was in Junor High School, and he lived in Sylmar showing his own Newfoundlands at the time. Kim was a living testament that “The race is NOT always won by the fastest but by those that stay the course”. Mr. Cattledog was a title he earned by winning MORE Bests in Show with different Australian Cattledogs than anyone in this country. A man of few words, who believed” I can SHOW you much Better than I can Tell you”. I will never forget walking up to the ACD ring one year at The A.K.C. National Championship in Orlando to witness literally a field of beautiful dogs from all over the world. It was down to crunch-time, and the handlers were pulling every trick out the bag. If memory serves me correct, I recall one Handler pull out a Cow Bell to get his Blue Special to show and I almost got hit in the eye 3 times as giant chunks of bait were being hurled in all directions. In the distance I could hear some heifers mooing in an effort to double handle several of the dogs. The whole time, towards the end of the line stood Kim with his bitch special “SOBE”, standing up straight not even making eye contact with her. “Sobe” never moved an inch and just stared and stared and stared at Kim. 
It was a MASTER Class of presentation of letting a dog show itself. They won. When I went up to Kim and Gigi to give them a congratulatory hug I whispered in Kim’s ear “ Damn, you REALLY are the BEST!!!”..in true Mr. Griffith character he just pushed back his pink cap and gave me a big smile and the reply of “You Think?”. Rest well big guy.
Lori Rickard the Matriarch of Dream-Hi Akitas passed away surrounded by loving family in Northern, California. If you look up the definition of a ‘Mama Bear” you will see a picture of Lori. She cherished and loved her dogs and family with her entire being. The only devoted person in my great Breed whose mother, her daughter and granddaughter have ALL shown winning Dream-Hi Akitas. A remarkable 4 generations of Akita ladies. Forever missed and admired by so many.
Fall is thankfully in the air, and the hot days of Summer will soon make way for Autumn with the exciting October/November issue of The Working/Herding Dog Digest with Breed Features for Alaskan Malamutes, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Collie, & Bouvier des Flandres. The deadline September 21st. Never, EVER forget...at The Working/Herding Dog Digest...we WORK for our clients.
As the sun was barely coming up on the horizon Tuesday morning July 14th,2026, I found myself on the office floor crying with Linda Wolf upon hearing the tragic news that our Nicki King had been taken away from us in a horrible Harley accident the night before. Nicki was often called the Jamie Lee Curtis of dogs for OBVIOUS reasons- for those of a certain age will remember and for those too young just Google: Jamie Lee Curtis Movies and you will see why the constant comparison of these two professional ladies while at the TOP of their game.
I have so,so,so many funny stories of competing with Nicki. She came to my neck of the woods more than any other handler that always had more than one Akita in her string. I just have to share this one. Back in the day when Akita entries would get 5-point Majors at the Perry, Georgia shows in April. The ring was full of good dogs and accomplished handlers and Breeders. Well, this very nice family had acquired a REGISTERED Akita from a pig farm and decided to enter it at the local dog show. I was showing a class dog and when winners dog was over, I just ASSUMED, they had decided not to show their loved pet. Imagine the looks on some of our faces when the owner walked it into the Best of Breed ring as one of the SPECIALS!!! The owner had mistakenly entered the wrong class-but NONE of us in the ring knew that at the time..we were giving each other looks of bewilderment. Finally, Ryan Dilman whispered...”Who, Finished That?!?....I said in a louder voice...”Nicki Did”....Nicki, 
put her hand on her tiny waist, looked at the dog, back at us and said, “I’m good, but I’m NOT that Good!!”. Ms. King was one of my Breed’s all-time GREATEST handlers. Finishing the Championships of over 300 Akitas. Time after time I would suggest to new handlers’ study and try to copy the flawless way she could show and move an Akita. She has left a hole in so many hearts that only prayers and time will hopefully one day begin to fill.
So sad to hear from Michael Canalizo that Jim Fredericksen had passed away. Truly a man of conviction. His expertise in his beloved Collies knew no equal and his opinion on dogs was sought ought at a many a National Specialty in breeds around the world including my Akita National a few times. When I first moved to Atlanta 30 years ago, I would get many chances to see both Jim’s as they lived in nearby Knoxville and were great friends with Akita guru; Mrs. Catherine Bell. Always of course was dressed in a jacket and tie. Funny side note.... I recall being a still wet behind the ears whipper snapper and being in a hotel lobby in Birmingham, Alabama to pick up Joe & Mamie Gregory and up pulls a car and out Jumps Mr. Fredericksen in a tight white T-Shirt and jeans....my mouth fell open so long Mamie started laughing and said in her thick Kentucky accent” James, close your mouth before a fly flies in.”. We always had an inside joke that one day we would start a singing group...”The 3 Jays”. I will forever,ever,ever miss my great Buddy.
I have had a vision of what our Magazine can do to support and celebrated the breeders Of Working and Herding dogs that are the FUTURE of our sport. Who would you NOMINATE as a FUTURE Breeder of The Year in These two Groups? Now, here is the requirement. The person has to have been in dogs UNDER 20 years. Again, this is not an award for our mentors and those that made a trail and paved the way but an encouragement and recognition of the ones who will continue to carry the banner of excellence high and into the future. 
Each year we will honor and celebrate two new Breeders. I would love to hear your thoughts on who you think would deserve to be our FIRST Nominees?
Happy to hear that Jim Noe is fulfilling the Judging Assignment of The Herding Group at The A.K.C. National Championship.
That's all for now, I'll see you at the shows.
James Perry Taylor
Publisher:The Working/Herding Dog Digest
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