This column's been doggin' around for 62 years now

This week celebrates the beginning of Just Dogs' 62nd year in the Paddock newspapers (now Daily Herald). It has come a long way since its first appearance on Feb. 21, 1947, then on a monthly basis and written by my late husband, Dave. I took over in 1982 when it had also become a weekly column.

Entry deadline:ŒEntries close Feb. 26 for Medallion Rottweiler Club's Variable Surface Tracking on March 16 at the DuPage County Government Center, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. The entry fee is $100 and is limited to six dogs. Send entry plus fee payable to the club to Cindy Childers, Trial Secretary, 8424 Thorngate Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462-5925.

Agility Trials:ŒSmack-Dab's Agility Club of Warrenville will hold Agility Trials Feb. 29, March 1 and 2 in KICKS, Inc., Regional Sports Facility, 1310 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake. Trial secretary is Robert Olsen of Glen Ellyn.

Specialties:ŒThe Great Pyrenees Club of Metropolitan Milwaukee will hold breed Specialties March 1 and 2 at the Greater Racine Kennel Club Grounds, 6320 Six-Mile Road, Caledonia. Marcia Feld of Libertyville will judge conformation and Junior Showmanship on March 1.

New classes:ŒNorthwest Obedience Club has new class sessions starting the week of March 3 in the training center at 735 Industrial Drive, Cary. Contact Beverly at MCKBAM@Gmail.com or call (847) 639-3377. A class will also start at 1 p.m. March 3 for handlers who don't want to compete, but just want to continue working with their dogs.

• A new two-session class at District 214 Community Education on Maximizing Veterinarian Experience (No. 5308) will start March 11. It is for dog and cat owners interested in topics including animal health. For information or to enter, go to www.ce214.org, call (847) 718-7700 or stop in between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. The classes will be held at John Hersey High School, 1900 E. Thomas St., Arlington Heights.

Shih Tzu meeting:ŒThe next meeting of the Chicagoland Shih Tzu Club will be at 8 p.m. March 4 in the Arlington Heights Public Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. (at Euclid). Call Diane at (847) 438-7077 for more information.

Volunteers:ŒDon't forget to advise your local dog club if you are willing and able to volunteer for this year's Pet Show March 14-16 at Arlington Park Racecourse.

Holiday leftovers:ŒIf you have items from various holidays which you have no storage space or use for, contact Vivian at (708) 839-0826. NISA (Northern Illinois Samoyed Assistance) plans to have a garage sale for these items at the club's 2008 Sam-O-Rama.

Whatta thrill! A beagle hound won! Dave's and my first purebred dog was a beagle. Of course, I'm referring to Uno, the Best of Show the Westminster Show of Champions.