Random News and Notes 28 November
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and got their Black Friday shopping out of the way.
Now the news.
SecWar Hegseth spent Thanksgiving with the Sailor aboard USS Gerald R Ford. The Ford is in the Southern Caribbean supporting Operation Southern Spear.
I know there are some cat lovers among you. If you are one, this piece should interest you. A new study has upended when scientists believe domesticated cats were first introduced to Western Europe. Previously, it was posited that cats moved west with farmers from the ancient Near and Middle East around 6-7000 years ago. This study of the domestic cat genome says the introduction of cats came much later. During the Roman Imperial period some 2000 years ago in fact.
Cats found alongside earlier human habitations were determined to be wild cats not the domesticated species.
And because we are an equal opportunity publication, The National Dog Show finals were held yesterday. 1,994 dogs across 201 breeds competed to find out who would be Best in Show. The group winners were:
- Herding: Soleil (Belgian Sheepdog)
- Hound: George (American Fox Hound)
- Non-Sporting: Neal (Bichon Frisé)
- Sporting: Tyler (English Setter)
- Terrier: Baby Joe (Miniature Schnauzer)
- Toy: Comet (Shih Tzu)
- Working: Dino (Giant Schnauzer)
Soleil the Belgian Sheepdog (AKA Groenendael*) came out on top. This is the first time the Belgian SHeepdog won top honors that the National.American Fox Hound George took Reserve honors.
“Today, that dog was on,” said judge Charlie Olvis of Soleil. “Didn’t put its foot down wrong. Didn’t miss a beat. And it is in drop-dead gorgeous condition.”
Ryan noted the final field for Best in Show was loaded. Soleil and the other six dogs had all ranked No. 1 nationally at one point. Comet the Shih Tzu has totaled 143 Best in Show ribbons and won the Toy group at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show earlier this year.
*Because your editor is a pedantic ahole, he feels compelled to point out that there are 4 recognized Varieties of Belgian Sheepdog. The Groenendael, the Tervuren, the Laekenois, and everyone’s favorite, the Malinois. They are all differentiated by their coats. Groenendael are long coated solid black, the Tervuren, long coated fawn with black overlay, Laekenois are rough coated fawn with a black overlay and the Maligator is short coated fawn.
