CAMDEN — We found ourselves protesting, “Say it isn’t so, Darleen,” when we read what those attending the recent Camden Kiwanis Club meeting heard about the South Arkansas Kennel Club Dog Show and Obedience Trials.
Darleen Wheelington, the driving force behind the highly popular attraction told the Kiwanis Club that this week’s show would be the final one, 20 years after the first one was held.
It is certainly sad to learn that the very successful run of dog shows is coming to an end, but we understand why Wheelington would decide it was time.
After all, while acknowledging the many volunteers who have helped her organize and stage the shows, we all know, without Wheelington, it wouldn’t have come off the first time or in each succeeding year for two decades.
To begin with, a successful major dog show couldn’t be held here in little ‘ol Camden, right? Wheelington probably heard that more than a couple of times before organizing the inaugural show 20 years ago, but she tirelessly spearheaded the efforts that annually brought entrants and spectators from across the country.
In her remarks to the Kiwanians, Wheelington recalled that she was 18 years old when she first became interested in dog shows and hoped that an 18-year-old would emerge now to take the dog show reins.
So do we, Darleen, so do we, because, despite the pronouncement that the dog show is coming to an end, we cling to the hope there is somebody, or some group, who will come forward to preserve this local gem. But it will have to be quick because planning for next year must begin almost as soon as this year’s show concludes.
But whether there will be new life for the dog show, or it is in fact adieu, our congratulations and admiration go to Wheelington for all the years of dedication and energy she poured into making the South Arkansas Kennel Club Dog Show and Obedience Trials an event that has been national known and respected.