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| It is with a heavy heart and many tears that I write this tribute to Margaret Rovensky. For those that didn't know her I'd like to give a sense of who she was and for those that did know her, a chance to remember a truly special lady. Margaret was the ultimate poster-girl for the adage never judge a book by it's cover. At first glance she appeared quiet, tiny, almost fragile looking. Oh how appearances can deceive, and heaven help the poor soul who underestimated her! Her petite form housed a heart a mile wide, boundless generosity and the physical strength to tote around twelve foot fence posts. She was sharp, quick-witted, exceedingly well written and very well read. A woman with the uncanny ability to debate on any subject at any time form alternative music lyrics to theology. She had a memory like a computer and never forgot birthdays, anniversaries, your cousin's name, pedigrees or which dog did what at which show... both hers and yours. She had a good sense of humor, a great love of cooking and entertaining, pride in her family and dogs, and an inexhaustible spirit. No matter how late we kept her up, come six am she'd be up and about and more likely than not cooking one of her special breakfasts for the lot of us bleery-eyed souls. Win or lose, she had fun and it showed in the smile on her face. She was the absolute embodiment of true show spirit. She always had time for newcomers and junior handlers alike, and was a great ambassador for the breed. She had the innate knack of making people feel welcome even when she had arrived late, could find no space to set up in the grooming area and was frantically grooming two or three squirming Poms on her knees under some bleachers. I can remember several times watching Margaret's determined stride, bemused newcomer in tow as she set off to locate someone who had the breed or information they were looking for. Her distinctive crossed arm stance and big smile was a familiar sight outside of the junior ring. Many, many times at least one youngster would be sporting a Pomplace pom on the end of their lead. I remember a show where some school children came on a Friday afternoon, and handed out hand crafted and colored ribbons made of paper to the dogs of their choice. Although she received many "CKC legitimate" ribbons that weekend including several BOB's it was the homemade ribbon for "the cutest dog" that was carefully placed in her ever present black leather carryall, the show ribbons tossed in the tack box to deal with later. That black satchel was a marvel. She never went to any show without it, and from it's depths she could produce premium lists, club application forms, contact info for fundraising, marked catalogues, clippings from papers and articles that she had read and tucked away for sharing with the person she had thought of while reading them, and reams of pedigrees that she already knew by heart. I cannot think of Margaret at a show and not think of that black bag, either within easy reach at her set up, or on the seat of the motorhome taunting me with it's mysterious depths and more often poking me in the butt as I slid over to make room for yet more company! Margaret was an energetic member of several clubs, the Canadian Kennel Club, Pomeranian Club of Canada, and most recently to Prairie Wynd Canine Club. she was a dedicated member of the CKC, always ensuring that the rest of us had send in our memberships, referendums and ballots. She served several terms on the executive of the PCOC and kept the members informed of the happenings in her region and to quote her friend Lynda Nelson re: Margaret's role in PWCC, "...she did not hold an executive postion in our club as yet, but ran it quietly from the sidelines." A bang-on statement about the woman we all knew and loved. Unpretentious and very, very, efficient. Together with her husband Don, she got her first Pom in 1990 and they started showing around 1995. Their first kennel name was Mardon which they later changed to Pomplace. Although I don't have the exact data, her son Weylon approximates that they finished around a dozen Champions with the CKC, and around five UKC Champions as well as at least one Grand Champion, most if not all from their very own breeding. She has won Breeds and placed in Groups but will most likely be remembered in the Winners or Best of Winners classes as she concentrated her energies on showing and finishing rather than Specialing. She was a multiple Best Of Show winner in the UKC winning at least four that I can think of. Margaret entered her first UKC sanctioned event in 1999 with her homebred boy Shadow and walked off with not only a new Champion but three back to back Best of Show awards. I wish I had been there. I am certain it was without a doubt the proudest "dog moment" in her life. From then on, she was hooked and became not only an exhibitor and emphatic supporter of the venue, but in March of 2001 became a UKC all breed judge. In October of 2003, she apprenticed, passed the requirements for, and became one of only three Canadians licensed by the UKC to judge American Eskimos. Margaret was looking forward to her first international judging assignment in March of this year where she had been approved to apprentice for American Pitbull Terriers. Had she a chance to complete this apprenticeship she would have been the first Canadian UKC APT judge. January saw her attaining her UCK Junior Handlers Judging License - again the only UKC judge in Canada to have written and passed this exam. Margaret will be sadly missed by her husband Don, sons Weylon and Warren (Bobby-Joe) and all of her friends near and far. In summary, Margaret was the woman who touched our hearts, challenged our minds, and made us laugh. Goodbye Margaret, I am sure you're keeping an eye on us and will meet us all again, likely with a hug and a handful of clippings that you have been saving for us freshly dug out from your new black briefcase. | |
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