Warmest congratulations on the 20th anniversary of Goodnewsforpets.com, Lea-Ann! I remember fondly having lunch with you at a Mexican restaurant on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City in 2000 when you told me about your idea for a website featuring positive news about companion animals, the pet industry and animal health. I thought it was a wonderful concept then and it has proven to be a great success ever since!
It was my absolute pleasure to be the first editor of Goodnewsforpets and later a contributor. I have another fond memory of writing a column on Miss P. the Beagle’s Westminster win from my perspective as a Beagle breeder – and writing it at the airport while waiting for my flight home from the Western Veterinary Conference.
I appreciate Goodnewsforpets giving me an opportunity from time to time to talk about the unsung heroes of dog breeding – the hobby/show breeders who have dedicated their lives to bringing healthy, stable dogs focusing on preserving the qualities to perform the function that breed was originally developed to do. For people interested in a purebred, purpose-bred dog, go to a local dog show and talk with these breeders who deeply care about the health and wellbeing of their chosen breed.
I’m also proud that Goodnewsforpets was founded right here in my hometown, Kansas City, Missouri. (Yay, Chiefs!) I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work with you through the years. We’ve had many adventures together at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the Dog Writers Association of America dinner, veterinary conferences and I use what I learned from you in my career to this day. And, through you, I’ve met people who have become good friends including David Frei, Steve Dale, Ranny Green – all greats in their own right. And I love your birthday cake from Three Dog Bakery founded by longtime friends Mark Beckloff and Dan Dye. Like Goodnewsforpets, another success story that started in KC.
Bravo on creating and sustaining this wonderful resource for all of us who love and work with dogs. Wishing you many more years of success with Goodnewsforpets.com!
Publisher’s Note: We are honored and grateful to Julie Lux, the first editor of Goodnewsforpets.com for this special post in honor of Goodnewsforpets.com’s 20th birthday. Julie is currently Vice President, Public Relations of FLM Harvest. She can be reached at jlux@flmharvest.com.
Julie Lux Former Goodnewsforpets Editor Named Tenth Germinder20 Power of Pink Honoree
