On Monday, September 9, we lost a member of our AKC family. Ranny Green had been a Features Writer for us at the American Kennel Club for almost 10 years. Amid his cancer diagnosis, he never lost his passion for writing, even when his treatments got increasingly strenuous. He鈥檇 always say, 鈥淲E got this,鈥� and emphasized to the editors that writing stories for the AKC community was something that kept him motivated during his treatment.
We were and continue to be inspired by the stories that Ranny told and his remarkable talent for finding and connecting with dog owners who had incredible stories. Among Ranny鈥檚 many contributions were his work on the Awards for Canine Excellence features every year, as well as new breed announcements. His articles underscored the beautiful, incredible bond between dogs and their people and emphasized how dogs can truly change someone鈥檚 life.
Ranny was an incredibly talented writer for the American Kennel Club, but his legacy began long before that. He was a lifelong resident of Washington State and studied journalism at the University of Oregon. His love for writing, people, and purebred dogs quickly took him to new heights: he was a publicist at the Westminster Kennel Club, a journalist at The Seattle Times, and, for nearly a decade, a features writer at the American Kennel Club.
In a letter to the AKC, Ranny鈥檚 longtime friend David Frei described him as 鈥渢alented, accomplished, everyone鈥檚 friend. Quite simply, an all-around good guy.鈥�
Here are some of our favorite articles from Ranny over the years. His impact on the AKC community will never be forgotten, and we鈥檒l miss him dearly.
Donna Fox Reflects on Her Seven-Decade Obedience Career
Donna Fox, of Houston, TX, competed with Poodles in AKC dog sports for seven decades. In 2023, shortly after she turned 95 years old, Fox spoke with Ranny, describing her continued passion for training dogs and inspiring others to compete in dog sports. Throughout her career, Fox combined her love of dogs with her career in communication sciences and disorders, and she would often bring her dogs to her classes at the University of Houston. In the years since her retirement, she remains an active mentor in the dog community and teaches weekly classes at the Houston Obedience Training Club.
Dog Sports Provide Community and Comfort for Widows
Earlier this year, Ranny connected with Grief Support Dogs, a support group for dog owners experiencing the loss of a spouse formed by members of the Puget Sound dog sports community. The group鈥檚 founders, Ingrida Robinson, Terri Kaluza, and Elizabeth Felix, who met competing in obedience trials, discussed the challenges of grief and the key role their dogs played in their healing. Ranny highlighted how the members of this group have found new purpose and a greater sense of community through dog sports.
Microchipping Reunites Dog With Owners After Two Years
In January 2023, 鈥淟eroy,鈥� a Coton de Tulear, was reunited with his family in Daphne, Alabama, after being missing for nearly two years. Leroy鈥檚 owners, Karen and Rob Elleard, spoke with Ranny about how their dog was able to find his way home again, thanks to his microchip. Though the Elleards may never know what happened to Leroy while he was missing, the couple expressed that they were relieved and overwhelmed with joy to have him home safe.
Westminster Competitor Supports Owner During Cancer Treatment
Rick Douglas and his Old English Sheepdog, 鈥淏iscotti Rose,鈥� are a highly accomplished duo in the conformation ring, But in 2022, when Douglas was diagnosed with lung cancer, Biscotti Rose took on a new role, providing support to him as he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Together with his wife, Lorie, Douglas told Ranny the story of how Biscotti Rose became a tremendous source of support for the couple and a first-time competitor at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, all in the same year.
Dot Dobie Remains a Fierce Agility Competitor at 92 Years Old
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When 92-year-old Dot Dobie is at an agility trial with her Standard Schnauzers 鈥淜ruzer鈥� and 鈥淜aper,鈥� other competitors can鈥檛 help but watch in awe while they鈥檙e in action. In December 2023, Dobie spoke with Ranny about her passion for dogs and her determination to pursue her agility ambitions, even as she nears 100 years old. With a journey in dog sports spanning over six decades, Dobie鈥檚 impact on the Pacific Northwest dog sports community hasn鈥檛 gone unnoticed.
Pet Disaster Relief: On the Ground After Hurricane Katrina
On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting the southeastern United States, Ranny shared his firsthand account of participating in disaster relief efforts while reporting for The Seattle Times. Along with hundreds of volunteers from across the country, Ranny did everything from cleaning dog crates to accompanying animal-control officers in search of pets who had been left behind. In the years since, Ranny has spoken fondly about his work and personal involvement in Louisiana, as well as the lifelong friendships he formed there.
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