Congratulations to FLYNN for taking the ultimate prize at Westminster 2018! Only the second Bichon Frise to achieve Best In Show since JR did it in 2001.

Also, special congratulations to his breeders, Lorrie Carlton and Larry Letsche for their years of hard work, and to Bill McFadden who expertly handled Flynn along this wonderful journey.

Photos courtesy of the Westminster Kennel Club and Karsten Moran for The New York Times.

Ed Fair 1934-2018

Today we learned that another long time Bichon Frise fancier/breeder/exhibitor has left us. Ed Fair passed away of a ruptured aortic aneurism. He was 83.

Ed had been a long time exhibitor in the dog show world starting out with Great Danes in the 1950’s. His Kennel name was Casa de Azul in Orange, California. During the past several years, Ed and his wife, Sandy, have been breeding Bichons and within the past five years began showing them. They have been in the show ring with the Kennel name Fairspride and have been mentored by Joe and Dorinne Waterman.

Ed’s favorite part of the breeding process was the whelping of the puppies. He absolutely loved bringing the baby puppies into the world and getting them started with a healthy and happy life. It was amazing to watch him at work with all of the equipment imaginable at hand, as he was truly a pro and very talented.

Ed taught a weekly handling class for conformation to help others get their special four legged friends to be the best they could be in the ring. He loved helping everyone, especially the dogs. He loved every dog he met no matter what the breed. He almost always knew the breed of every dog he saw—a true dog lover!

He was one of a kind and will be genuinely missed by everyone who knew him.

Barbara Chappell 1929-2018

Barbara Chappell, a long time Bichon Frise fancier and frequent exhibior, passed away today of heart failure. She was 89 years old.

Coming west from New England in the early 50’s, Barbara started her show days handling her own standard poodles. In the early 80’s she discovered the Bichon Frise and was introduced to Kathie Vogel, Mayree Butler, and Danielle Ardagna who became her early mentors. Soon after that Jim Lockwood and Alison Hardy were her local sounding boards. Barbara then turned her experience and insight into becoming a mentor for others interested in the breed.

Barbara’s breeding program involved some of the earliest lines and her kennel name was Taywyn. I’m sure many of you will recognize her line in pedigrees of dogs still in the show ring today.

Her petite, positive, energetic personality and big smile were most evident when you’d see her around the show ring. Win or lose, Barbara was happy to be at the shows surrounded by other Bichon fanciers. She absolutely loved the breed and was always happy to share her insight and experience. For many that came after her, she was more than a mentor and ambassador for the breed. She was someone whom everyone called their friend.

Bill Johnston, 1949-2017

Today we share the sad news that Bill Johnston, a long time BFCSD and BFCA member, passed away Monday, December 18, 2017 of heart failure. He was 67.

Bill and his longtime companion Sandy Phillips have been members of the Bichon Frise Club of San Diego since 1997. During this time Bill was a constant contributor to the club’s meeting and events.

Many will remember Bill wearing his green apron selling raffle tickets or catalogs at our Specialty shows. He was always there to help with whatever was needed. But perhaps the most enduring and loving memory of Bill is looking across the showgrounds and seeing Sandy and Bill coming in the distance, Bill towering above her with a chair in each hand and Sandy frequently with a Bichon in tow. Bill always made sure that Sandy was comfortably ensconced ring side before he was off to greet old friends and make new ones.

Bill seemed to be so at home at the shows, always with a smile on his face. And when a new piece of “show gossip” or other show tidbit was shared who will forget his frequent response, “Oh really!”

Many of us will remember Bill only as a “dog person”, but he had other interests, especially race cars and golf. And many of us are just learning he was an avid surfer in his youth. It doesn’t take much imagination to see Bill “hanging ten” with as much enthusiasm as he embraced with his other interests.

Things will not be the same without Bill. He will be missed by all.