APONC's Birth
"A Founder's Perspective"
by Thomas Wason
 

In May of 1987, Loana and I did our first dog show. Betty Augustowski had talked Loana into showing Korby, her first PON, at a Rare Breed Match in Horseheads, NY. There we met Herb and Dorene Zalis and Larry and the late Jane Brown. I was impressed by their willingness to show us what to do. From this early meeting two new, long and dear friendships were started. Shortly after this we went to another local match and it was obvious the "show bug" had bitten Loana.

That fall we went to Timonium, MD, for a show and joined Betty and Kaz Augustowski, Larry and Jane Brown, and Herb and Dorene Zalis as the PON contingent. At this time we were the total PON show group. In prior discussions, Loana had made it known that she felt strongly that it was time to start a PON parent club. As all of us agreed, Betty would move to quickly incorporate us as a non-profit organization in Maryland and we would elect our first officers. Therefore, in a meeting of the eight of us that day at the show, APONC was born.

In January of 1988, New Year's Day to be exact, a Supermatch was held in Allentown, PA. As usual the eight of us were there to represent the PONS. That night in a motel room there was a meeting and we discussed the breed. The two major concerns being batted around were (1) how to promote the breed and at the same time prevent its exploitation and (2) how to get more people to show.

In April of 1988 we held our first official annual meeting. The officers were officially put into office and the Board of Directors was elected. We then were officially on our way and APONC was in the baby steps of becoming a club which belongs to and is run by all its members through our constitutional system.

Therefore, APONC's first goals were to try to both promote the breed in positive ways and get more people involved in showing, and really, at the same time we wanted more and active people in the club. To this end we have become successful as there were 19 PONS shown in Conformation in 1991 at our national specialty in Washington, DC, as well as others in obedience. These people not only showed their dogs, but all sat together, shared stories and helped each other. It is in the best interest of the PON and APONC to have as many people show their dogs as possible because it lets other people see and experience our wonderful breed. (Note: A newsletter was later started to connect all of us across the country -- both those who show and those who enjoy their PON as a pet.

APONC has also been working hard to make sure that no one exploits the breed in any way, especially selling puppies just to make money. While we have not been 100% successful (as is nearly impossible in the dog world), I am very proud of the group of breeders who belong to APONC and the ethical and moral way in which all of them have conducted themselves. The unethical have been removed and have chosen to venture out into their own club formation.

All in all, APONC has grown in solidarity, numbers, breeders, competitors, and pet people (all those who love their PONS since the cool fall day in Timonium and we all, officers and members, should be proud of the work APONC has been able to do. It was formed as a club run and owned by its members from its inception. I hope that the next eight years bring as much or more success.

The final goal of APONC is for the American Kennel Club to recognize the PONS in the herding group. The FCI and Polish Kennel Club will be very happy.

The opportunity of APONC breeders and exhibitors to show their PONS all over the USA will be only the beginning of allowing Americans to see and possibly own one or more of these magnificent creatures.