Southern
California artist captures
"The Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs"
The
American Kennel Club and the Iams Company are pleased to announce
that Mrs. Dawn Secord of Chino Hills, CA has been selected
as the winner of the first AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
commemorative poster competition. Her winning submission--depicting
a puppy in a trophy cup--was selected from over 100 works
of art on the basis of artistic merit and ability to convey
the theme "The Wonderful World of Dogs."
The commemorative poster will be available for $15 at this
year’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach,
CA on December 3 and on the AKC’s web site at www.akc.org.
The net proceeds from the sale of the poster will be donated
to the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund, and earmarked
specifically for not-for-profit animal shelters and similar
organizations providing care for domestic animals orphaned
or displaced as a result of the recent California wildfires.
"AKC and The Iams Company are very pleased to offer this
poster to the fancy and to dog lovers everywhere as a way
to commemorate our event and to raise necessary funds for
important causes, such as the victims of the California wildfires,"
said Show Chairman and AKC Chairman Ron Menaker.
Ms. Secord will be on hand during the AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship to sign the posters. An avid animal lover and
dog fancier who has been painting animals for the last twenty
years, she is an internationally collected artist.
Secord was introduced to the sport through her grandparents,
and has followed in their footsteps by showing her Irish Setters
successfully in conformation. With her husband Rich she operates
Fur, Feathers & Fins, an award winning pet-sitting business.
Just this year, she was awarded with Pet Sitter of the Year
by Pet Sitters International. Secord also does pet therapy
with her dogs at local nursing homes, supports local animal
rescues and humane societies, guest lectures, writes a local
monthly pet care column for WestCoast Magazine, and serves
as the President of the Irish Setter Club of Southern California.
As this year’s grand prize winner, Dawn will receive
$1,000 and a three-day/two-night trip for two to the 2003
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, CA.
The 2003 AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship on
December 3, in Long Beach, CA, will mark the third year of
the AKC’s premier showcase for dogs, which is co-presented
by The Iams Company. Animal Planet will broadcast the show
on January 31, 2004.
This year will be the first time that the AKC brings its most
popular national events together to one venue. In addition
to the National Invitational Championship, the AKC National
Agility Championship and the AKC National Obedience Invitational
will also be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 3 -
4, 2003 in Long Beach.
