Congratulations on your win! Tell us about your experience and expertise, and how this relates to your entry. What target audience did you write for, and why?

I have owned, shown, and bred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for 30-40 years, and I am currently licensed by the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club USA to judge Cavalier Specialties. I spent 44 years as an educator, so when I retired I decided to turn my efforts to educating the public about dogs, and Cavaliers in particular. I found YouTube to be a perfect vehicle for this, and I currently have a YouTube channel (about my dogs, of course) with 36,000 subscribers and over 16 million views. I am pleased to have an outlet that serves a worldwide audience of dog fanciers.

What prompted you to submit this specific entry? Why do you think it struck a special chord with the public and the judges—and with you?

We have been conducting egg hunts every Easter with our Cavaliers, ever since we discovered that dogs love hard-boiled eggs, and will sniff them out with great alacrity. I’ve been recording and publishing videos of our Cavalier Easter Egg hunts since 2011, and they have gotten progressively more sophisticated as my videography and editing skills have grown.

I spent my career teaching Mathematics, which is notoriously among the most boring of subjects … at least according to my students. The only way I could combat that mindset was to approach my classes with a sense of humor, and that proved to be quite successful for me. While many topics I have covered about dogs in my videos required a serious tone, the Easter Egg Hunt productions have lent themselves very nicely to a tongue-in-cheek approach. From the feedback I have received from my viewers, I believe they appreciate my humorous attempts at video entertainment. Apparently, the DWAA judges concurred.

How big a part do dogs played in your personal and professional life? Was there a particular dog that sparked your interest in interacting with the public? Tell us about this dog[s] in your contest entry.

I met my first Cavalier more than 45 years ago; on the same night I met the woman who would become my wife. Had it not been for Katie (the human) and Winston (the canine), my life would certainly have been vastly different. A succession of dozens of other Cavaliers has shaped my life since then, and every single one of them has been an inspiration to my creativity in video production. We currently have a total of 9 Cavaliers, all co-owned with our daughter and granddaughter, who share responsibilities for their care, training, and housing.

Five of those 9 compete for the grand prize in this video, ranging from the puppy Sherlock to the 14-year-old senior Dylan, who is a retired AKC Champion show dog. The star of this video turned out to be the 3 ½ year old Ruby Cavalier Bella, who turned in an impressive performance as the reigning 2024 Easter Egg Hunt Champion. Unfortunately for Bella, she is still pursuing that elusive second major for her AKC Championship.

What part have people played in your association with dogs? Family? Friends? Peers? Do you have any favorite writers or graphic artists? How have they influenced your career?

Without the support and common interest of my wife, daughter, and granddaughter, I don’t see how I could have shown, bred, judged, or done videos about dogs without them. They are truly my support structure.

When you consider both your personal and professional canine-related achievements, which one stands out the most? And why?

I hope you don’t think I’m pandering when I say that winning my fourth Maxwell award represents a pinnacle in my career as a YouTube influencer. However, recognition from such a distinguished group of experts in dog publications and being selected from among a stellar group of beautifully produced entries is indeed an unforgettable honor.

What is the driving force that sparks your work?

Maybe I’m just a ham at heart, but nothing keeps me going like the laughing emojis I see when I read the comments on my YouTube channel, and I realize that I am reaching and influencing an audience not just in the United States, but in Europe, Asia, Australia, and who knows where else.

What ongoing or future canine projects do you have planned? Are they personal or professional or both?

At this stage of my life, at the advanced age of 81, I intend to slow down my breeding program, but I will stay active in dog shows - especially judging - and produce videos as long as I can come up with new ideas.

What would you recommend to those who wish to enter a Spoken Word category in next year’s contest?

When you are dealing with audio or video entries, I believe it’s important to avoid trying to be something you are not. Be yourself, be genuine, be relaxed, and most of all - if it’s possible and appropriate - be funny.

To conclude this interview, what thoughts would you like to add?

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone in DWAA who make it possible to continue the tradition of awarding Maxwell medals, and especially to the many judges who volunteer their time to ensure that these awards represent the highest of standards.