PLEASE NOTE: The newsletter is reprinted here in an abbreviated version because much of our content is protected by copyright, which prohibits Internet distribution. Many articles also appear here in a format other than as published. ~Editor
d The Doublehandler
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The official publication of The German Shepherd Dog Club of Southern New Hampshire Vol. I, III Summer 2005 |
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Those doggone floors! By HILLARY NELSON, Monitor columnist A few years ago, we had our house evaluated. The appraiser liked many things about it – its Shaker provenance, the Corian countertops and custom-built kitchen cabinets, the rolling hayfields outside our windows. One thing she did not like was the shocking state of its wide pine floors. We’d hidden the dogs away over in the barn, as we often do when strangers are expected. Even old friends find our ancient terrier mutt and enormous Swiss mountain dog a daunting pair. Walk into my house unannounced and Curly, the small one, goes snarling and snapping straight for the feet, while Lola, the big one, barks loud enough to shake plaster loose from the ceiling (not that she’d ever bite - she shuts right up the minute you start patting her thick head). In short, my dogs are both fabulous watchdogs and big pains in the butt. And so, when company comes, we toss them out in the back yard or pack them off to the barn. But the appraiser was not fooled by their absence. She walked about, sighing and shaking her head as she examined the floor and the long, deep claw marks etched through the polyurethane right down to the raw wood. “You have a Big Dog, I see,” she said, using a tone I imagined she reserved for homeowners who’d tried to cover up that there was arsenic in the well or an ineradicable species of termites in the woodwork. She jotted something in red ink, underlining the notation three times with great energy. After she was gone, I sat my husband down. “We’ve got to do something about the floors. It’s been eight years since we last had them done. If we wait any longer, Lola’s going to scrape her way down to the joists.” But he was stubborn. He explained that doing the floors would cost thousands of dollars and that Lola would only mess them up again the second they were refinished and since Swissies live an average of only 10 years, if we waited another couple of years, (FLOORS, PAGE 4) |
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For decades, or for as long as the Select title has been bestowed anyway, the number awarded has been left to the judge’s discretion, which could mean up to 15 or more. But recently, parent club officers have decided to limit the number to 10. We don’t pretend to understand the reasoning – or rather the politics – behind the maneuver. But we have signed the petition asking to revert to ways of old. Here’s why: Since the change limiting Selects to 10, some handlers’ fees have increased to an amount greater than six months mortgage payments. We submit that those kinds of egregiously negligent fees have arisen because, well, there are only so many handlers available. Every person who has a dog to show now needs one of those soon-to-be wealthy people. In effect, handlers can charge whatever they wish and it will be paid. On its face, that essentially means that folks with more cash to spare have a competitive edge. If you can’t afford to pay, how will you show? Or win? In our estimation, that kind of politicking is enough to force a good number of folks out of showing dogs in the country’s most prestigious event. And we have no assurance that it will stop there. Some may argue that this is the way of the world. We say it does not have to be accepted by the masses. If you get the chance, sign the petition. With enough signatures, we may remind our esteemed leaders just how many people are not nouveau riche – but still have dogs worthy of winning. - Becky Tsaros Dickson, editor |
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Features: In every issue: Pg 3 * ‘Two Selects, twice as nice’ Pg 3 * ‘Two Selects, twice as nice’ Pg 5 * Brags, Litter Box, events Pg 9 * ‘Lessons from the Masters’ Pg 6 * Stud of the Month Pg 11 * POP QUIZ! Pg 7 * Doggone good recipes Pg 12 * Hip Dysplasia by breed Pg 7 * Guess who? Pg 13 * 4 Paws GSDs Make a Difference Pg 8 * GSDCSNH minutes Pg 15 * An update on ‘Selects’ Pg 18 * Board-O-Gram Pg 22 * ‘The Last Word’ |
The Doublehandler Summer 2005 2
2005-06 Officers and Board of Directors
Officers
President Emily St. Hilaire, Leashlady1@aol.com
Vice-president Becky Tsaros-Dickson, GretchAnya@aol.com
Treasurer Wendy Mendelsohn, Theotherm@hotmail.com
Secretary Karen Harms, Nikirie98@aol.com
Board of Directors:
Mark Carbonneau AMCarmar@comcast.net
Frank and Luann Goodall Aivas@mail.com
Heidi Kuell Crownptshepherd@yahoo.com
Holly Whitney Holly@hbeng.com
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The Doublehandler Publication Info
The Doublehandler is published quarterly. Brags, articles, events, recipes and other information are welcome. Please email contributions to: GretchAnya@aol.com.
Publication schedule: Date Deadline Jan 1. Dec. 1 April 1 March 1 July 1 June 1 Oct. 1 Sept. 1 Brags and In Memoriam Both will be published free of charge. In Memoriam submissions may be up to one page in length, but are subject to editing for space considerations only. Litter announcements We are happy to publish announcements of both new puppies and bitches in whelp. Please provide the full names of the parents and where prospective buyers can reach you. Note: We reserve the right to edit as necessary. Recipes Any and all canine cookie recipes are accepted. They are not edited for content, but may be held for future issues due to space considerations. Please include where the recipe originates, especially if it’s your own. Advertising At this time, The Doublehandler only accepts ads from current members. Acceptable sizes are as follows: Full page 9.5 x 7.5 $20 Full column 9.5 x 3.75 $15 Half page 4.5 x 7.5 $10 Quarter page 4.5 x 3.75 $5 Business card 2 x 3.5 email the editor
Please submit all items to: Becky Tsaros Dickson, 627 Battle St., Webster, NH 03303; or email GretchAnya@aol.com. For more information about the German Shepherd Dog Club of Southern New Hampshire, please contact Karen Harms, corresponding secretary: (603) 330-5138 or Nikirie98@aol.com.
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The Doublehandler Summer 2005
Editor’s note: This is the third and final installment of Emily’s article about the experience of having two dogs earned Select titles. Part three picks up on Saturday afternoon. At this point, Cindy has already gone Select at the Canadian National, but no one’s sure if Lucas is still lame.
Two Selects, twice as nice
By EMILY ST. HILAIRE
Lucas is walked and groomed and looks quite nice if I do say so myself. This is the longest lunch break. The Ontario Provincial Police are doing dog demos – the same as last year. Lucas is sick of me brushing him.
Okay, here we go. The ring is clear and all the males are lining up. Lucas is third in the ring by catalog order, so I hand him to Frank, who hands him to Alan, as I run to the other end of the ring – just in time to double him. He is ready to roll. That was a good pass. He isn’t lame and is looking great! The judge now breaks all the males into groups; Lucas will be in the first group. All the other groups are sent out of the ring. All the dogs are set up.
Frank is trying to get Lucas’s ears from out front. Lucas is looking at him. The first dog is out for his individual. I wish people would leave me alone and quit saying how much they like Cindy (he, he, he); I am trying to concentrate. Now it’s Lucas’s turn. Loose lead temperament test – no problem. Now, the set up and he is facing me so that’s easy. And the exam. Down and back. Nice. And here we go. This is his time to shine.
Please, Lucas, don’t limp. Your fans are watching. Perfect. Very nice – and his fans were watching. I could hear them. Okay, now to wait while the judge does the exams on the others in this group. Some nice males in this group. Maybe we can make the first cut. PLEASE.
All the individuals are done. Around they all go. Go Lucas Go! Whew, that was nice. Frank get his EARS. I call over the walkie-talkie for him to steal the “Blues Clues” squeaky toy that’s on a chair down that end. He heard me. There he goes, Lucas is very interested in Blues Clues. Whatever works.
The judge is moving dogs around. There goes a couple from the back of the line up front. YA, YA. He moves Lucas up a few as well. Maybe we made the first cut. He likes him a little anyhow. Our group is let out of the ring.
Lucas goes back into his crate for a break and a power bar. We can rest a bit. But I want to have Lucas out moving around so he doesn’t stiffen up.
I will have to double Justice (a male who has been on “The Hill” being conditioned for the last
month and a half). Justice’s group is in. Lucas and I go down to the far side of the ring with Tina (KymSouix) to double her dog, Justice. Except Justice doesn’t seem to hear us. So I jump up near the ring and SCREAM at him. Better. NO, NO LUCAS. I DON’T WANT TO PLAY NOW. (Lucas jumps all over me.)
Justice’s group finishes and he also has been moved up a few dogs. Everyone is called back into the ring and the judge looks at each group. Then he gaits them around. Lucas’s group is gaiting. Now they are set up – Frank, get his EARS. I run down so Lucas can see me.
We get into the good group. The others go to the other side. Now we can wait a bit while the judge makes his cuts from the other groups. Looks like we made the first cut. Wheeew. The judge works the cut group and excuses them. The “saved ones” from each group are set up and the judge walks around looking at them. He takes a few from the front of a couple of groups and starts to make a line. Come on. Look at Lucas. YES, he is moved into the good group and so is Justice.
“Please, Lucas, don’t limp. Your fans are watching.”
But now Justice and Lucas are right beside each other. Lucas in front. The judge works the dogs that are behind Justice and excuses them. God, we made another cut. Fourteen left.
OH NO! He only kept 12 bitches. We are not safe yet. The judge works the front of the line, then he looks at the back group from about the fifth dog. Lucas is ignoring me so I grab a foot ball out of some ladies lap in front of me and get his attention. (The lady laughs.) Then I toss her back the ball and run off to double him around the ring again with the group.
Oh please DON'T LOOK at LUCAS NOW – he is lame. I don’t think he saw. He didn’t make another cut; just smiled and went to the front of the line. He works the first two or three a bit then waves his hand front to back. WOW LUCAS WENT SELECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I fly down to get Lucas and run him out to his crate. Then I turn and find Frank, who walks up to me screaming “HE DID IT.”
Are those just the tears in MY eyes I see? Frank’s got some running down his face, too.
WHAT A DAY! j
(The 2005 Canadian National is scheduled for September. Here’s to another series of articles from Emily – hopefully about a similar win.)
The Doublehandler Summer 2005
(FLOORS, continued from page 1)
she’d die and then we could get the floors refinished
What can I say? My husband’s a New Hampshirite born and bred, as thrifty a Yankee as you’re likely to meet. Still, there was something about his practicality that gave me the karmic willies.
I’m a superstitious woman for an agnostic, which I chalk up to having read a lot of mythology when I was a kid. I have this half-formed notion that there are bored and cynical demigods lounging about on the clouds, eavesdropping on mortal conversations and itching for the chance to play a nasty joke on some hapless human. Saying out loud that you’re going to wait for the dog to die to refinish the floors seemed to be begging for divine retribution from Loki or Coyote or some other notorious trickster. I knocked on wood and let the conversation drop.
Cancer
But apparently someone was listening that day. Several months later, Lola collapsed from internal bleeding, her spleen ruptured from undiagnosed cancer. In retrospect the cosmic joke is obvious: It cost almost precisely the same amount to have Lola’s spleen removed – a procedure the vet explained would save her life for the moment but would probably have little effect on the spread of her cancer – as it would have cost to refinish the floors. But I didn’t notice that fact as I stood in a haze of shock and grief, passing my credit card over the counter of the emergency clinic.
The life expectancy for a dog with splenic hemangiosarcoma is 19 to 65 days, maybe a couple of months longer with chemotherapy. But chemo would have involved long trips to Massachusetts, and the possibility of anemia, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. We decided to let Lola’s life end on its own schedule, and to keep her as happy and comfortable as we could in the meantime.
You know, it’s not until you’re faced with a pet’s loss that you realize not just how much you truly love it but also how much you need it. Dozens of studies have shown the beneficial effects of pets. Pet-owning heart-attack victims are more likely to survive. Seniors with pets have better health and higher rates of activity. Stroking an animal can lower blood pressure for both the petter and the pet.
Dr. Aaron Katcher, an author of Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship, believes the physiological benefits of touch are at the heart of animal-human relationships. He notes that the word “pet” means both a companion animal and the action of stroking.He has observed that in Western societies, where men are less likely than women to touch other humans (and so reap the physical and psychological benefits of such contact), in veterinary waiting rooms there is no difference between how often men and women stroke their pets.
“Saying out loud that you’re going to wait for the dog to die to refinish the floors seemed to be begging for divine retribution.”
Most important, he notes that “the process of giving care to others, the acts of nurturing, touching, holding, protecting, giving food, and guiding, evoked the same feelings, and the same physiological events as being nurtured. In its most simple form, when we care for others, we feel as if we are cared for.”
Which is all to say when we love, we feel loved in return.
Desperate
I am a woman who sits alone in a room all day writing. Most days, if it weren’t for my dogs, I wouldn’t walk out the back door or venture into the woods. I’d never smell the scent of wood smoke rising from the sap house, or trace otter tracks along the dam, or notice when the swallows come back in the spring. I am a woman who needs a dog a lot more than she needs a shiny floor.
I am as agnostic about alternative medicine as I am about religion. But I was desperate. I took Lola to a homeopathic vet. She prescribed herbs, exercise and a special home-cooked diet. It took me hours to shop and cook Lola’s food, never mind to package it for the freezer and clean up afterward. Between the groceries and the herbs, the bill was close to $200. Okay, I thought, we can manage this for a few months.
The thing is, you don’t think about cancer and special food and the cost of ruined furniture and rugs and shoes when you bring that adorable ball of fluff home. It adds up. Churchill’s, a pet insurer in Britain, estimated recently that it costs about $38,574 to keep the average dog over its lifetime. That’s the average dog. Big dogs, like Lola, cost a lot more - a Great Dane racks up a whopping $61,424 over its lifespan, a figure high enough that I wonder if they threw the cost of floor refinishing into the calculation.
It is now 455 days – 15 months and counting – since Lola’s spleen burst. Considering that the odds of surviving for even a year with this cancer is down around 6 percent, (FLOORS, PAGE 8)
The Doublehandler Summer 2005
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EVENTS · Lakes Region Kennel Club will host a two-day all-breed/ obedience show (includes rally); July 13-14 at the Hopkinton, NH, Fairgrounds. · Cheshire Kennel Club will host its all-breed/ obedience trial Aug. 7 in Keene. · Pioneer Valley Kennel Club will host an all-breed/obedience show (includes rally) Aug. 8 in Greenfield, Mass. · GSDC of SNH will host a specialty/obedience trial Sept. 10 at the Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth; Judge Al Engelman. The following day, the Androscoggin Valley GSDC will host a specialty at the same location. · The GSDC of Central Mass will host a specialty show and obedience trial Oct. 8 at the Worcester County 4-H Center in Spencer, MA. Entries: $24. |
Bragz
- Stonewall’s Twin Cam Traveler took a four-point major on May 1 under Judge Dan Smith. This was Kammie’s first major, bringing her total points to eight. YAHOO! Kammie is owned by Brenda Payne and Lori Hathaway.
- BrownHill-Kysarah’s Odyssey took a three-point major under Barbara Lopez June 5 at the Southern NJ GSDC. Odie, owned by Becky, Emily and Frank, now has five points. The same day, GretchAnya’s Matinicus v Jantar (aka Mattie), owned by Becky, took Best Puppy in Sweeps!
- UCDX Jantar's Lightning Strykes UD, FM, finished his Utility title in style on May 7 at the York County Kennel Club in Acton, Maine, earning first place. Stryker is owned by Kariena Clark.
- Nikiree’s Dream Genie placed first in a large class of quality 12-18 bitches on May 1 at the Rhode Island specialty under Judge Dan Smith. Molly is owned by Holly Whitney and Karen Harms.
- At the Vacationland Dog Club shows in Maine on May 21 and 22, Andy and Kariena Clark were busy: UCD V Babs von Batu Sch 1 earned two novice legs and third place. The same day, UCDX Jantar's Lightning Strykes UD, FM earned a bumper leg in the Utility Ring, taking first place.
- BrownHill-Kysarah's Piece A Ash, OFA went Winners bitch and Best of Winners at the GSDC of London specialty for 5 points. And her mom Am Ch/Can Sel Ch Brown Hill's Hearthstone, CD, OFA, went first VERY Senior Puppy (yeah, that’s Veterans) and Best of Opposite sex over seven lovely female specials at the same show.
- Can Ch Nikiree's Midnight Mayhem, TC took Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best f Breed at the Vacationland Dog Show on May 22.
Pet dogs versus show dogs (A little humor)
Pet dogs raid the garbage. Obedience dogs are very food motivated.
Pet dogs shed. Show dogs blow coat.
Pet dogs are in heat. Show dogs come into season.
Pet dogs run around the house. Show dogs show tremendous reach and drive.
Pet dogs stand. Show dogs stack.
Pet dogs get a bath. Show dogs are groomed.
Pet dogs beg for treats. Show dogs animate for bait.
Pet dogs jump the fence. Obedience dogs demonstrate problem solving intelligence.
Pet dogs bark at other dogs. Agility dogs show excitement before showing.
Pet dogs are hyper. Show dogs are high-drive.
Pet dogs steal socks and laundry. Show dogs show natural retrieving ability.
Pet dogs find and chew up their owners’ shoes. Show dogs are practicing scent articles.j
- Author unknown
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Litter Box j Emily and Frank announce the birth of NINE April babies. Dam: Can Ch BrownHill-Kysarah's Request, OVC (aka Tweety). Sire: BIS AOE Select CH Kismet’s Sight For Sore Eyes, HT, ROM, OFA (aka Dallas). Five males and four females. For more info, call (603) 529-2458. j Expecting: Nala has been bred to Can Ch Clint. For more info (due in July), contact Becky at (603) 746-6847 or GretchAnya@aol.com. j Also expecting: Genie has been bred to Nikiree’s Summer Premiere. For more info, contact Karen at Nikirie98@aol.com. |
For Sale
j 30-foot fifth-wheel camper with slide-out. $10,000, negotiable. We are looking for an 18- or 20-foot equipment trailer. Call Jim and Jill Cuddihy at (603) 654-2103
Northeast Futurity Bragz
Nikirees Summer Premiere went 1st Senior Dog, then on to BEST IN FUTURITY! Judge Nancy Harper made him work very hard, but boy he deserved it. Handled by The Girlz (Leslie/Donna); bred by Karen Harms and co-owned with Marilyn Rossi-Smith. “Emmett” is out of Stonehedge Indian Summer x Sel Ch Lucas. Nikiree’s Dream Genie, Emmett's half sister, also went Reserve Best Opposite! “Molly” is out of Willow Hill’s Yourwishisgranted x Sel Ch Lucas. Owned by Holly Whitney and Karen Harms.
The Doublehandler
Summer
2005
Stud of the month

Cross Timber’s Hardee
Debonair’s Preferred Stock Topa, OFA
SEL CH Amber’s Surprise v Olympus
Am/Can CH Bertalan’s Altair, TC, OFA
SEL Am/Can CH Woodhaven’s In Search of, ROM
AOE SEL CH Bertalan’s Miss Sassafras, CD, TC, OFA
Rosehill’s Flame
Am CH/Can SEL CH BrownHill’s Willow V Kysarah, ROMC, TT, HIC, OFA
Farmil’s Samuri
CH Farmil’s Desert Storm, TC, OFA
Cherettes Chelsea of Farmil
Can CH Brown Hill Valco’s Clean Sweep, TC, ROM, ROMC, OFA
CH Dolmar’s Montego, ROM, OFA
CH Valco’s Key Largo v. Schokrest, CD, TC, OFA
CH Schokrest’s Pacific Dancer, OFA
“Lucas” is an easy breeder who loves to have ladies visit. He is a proven producer, earning his Canadian ROMC this year. (The ROMC is a bit different than the ROM, as the animal must have at least three progeny with OFA or OVC certified hips and elbows, as well as at least one working title, five or more champions and additional qualifying winners.)
Lucas’s progeny include 11 Canadian Champions, at least two Can CDs, one Can TD and one Can herding title. Most of Lucas’s dates have been bitches from Canada. His American kids are also doing well. One needs a couple of single points to finish, with limited showing. Four others have points and three more are certified search and rescue dogs. He also has many youngsters just beginning to show who have already earned multiple best puppy wins.
The best part of Lucas is he is just a FUN dog. Whether he is hanging out at the farm or in the pool hall with Frank in Canada, he is our happy, fun-loving guy.
For more information, contact Emily at (603) 529-2458 or Leashlady1@aol.com.
Editor’s note: One “Stud of the Month” will be featured per issue. To submit your boys, please email the dog’s name, three-generation pedigree and photo to GretchAnya@aol.com, or mail the info to Becky Tsaros Dickson at 627 Battle St., Webster, NH 03303. Submissions cost $5, which helps offset the cost of The Doublehandler’s distribution. j
The Doublehandler Summer
2005
Gimme
cookies!
This issue’s recipe comes from Hillary Nelson of Canterbury, New Hampshire. Nelson feeds the diet to her Swissie, who suffered a ruptured spleen resulting from undiagnosed cancer. Nelson’s holistic vet recommended the prepared meals.
The life expectancy for a dog with splenic hemangiosarcoma is 19 to 65 days, maybe a couple of months longer with chemotherapy. It has now been 455 days – 15 months and counting – since Lola’s spleen burst.
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4 cups ground chicken or turkey
6 cups cooked brown rice
8 eggs
1 cup tofu
4 cups highly-colored vegetables, like carrots, spinach, collard greens, parsley, beans, broccoli, lightly steamed and chopped
2 tbsp cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp evening primrose oil
6,000 mg fish oil
2 tbsp dried kelp
1,000 mg calcium
3 tbsp bran (wheat, rice or oat)
Mix everything together in a large bowl. Put into a baking dish or two and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, until firm like meatloaf.
The original recipe says a 50 lb. dog will need about 6 cups of mix a day, 3 cups in the morning and 3 cups in the evening. For my 105 lb. dog, this was too much and she put on weight. She gets about one firmly packed quart per day, divided into two meals.
The original recipe says use organic ingredients if possible - which is very expensive. I don’t, and my dog’s done very well. Also, because she’s so big and eats so much, I make a huge batch of this twice a month and freeze it in two-meal portions which I thaw once a day in the microwave (or leave to thaw overnight on the counter).
Here’s how I make it:
Bake about 15 lbs of chicken (I buy what’s on sale - legs and thighs are usually cheap and sometimes you can get two chickens for the price of one.) In the meantime, cook two 2 lb. bags of brown rice. Let rice and chicken cool. Pick chicken off the bone and shred with your fingers (I include the skin). Throw away the bones, or make yourself some chicken stock.
Wash and chop two big heads of collard greens and steam lightly. This can be a similar amount of broccoli, carrots, etc. During the summer and fall, I grow things in my garden for this - kale is easy to grow and works well). Mix together the chicken, including any pan drippings, rice, four packages of tofu (crumble with your fingers), two dozen eggs, vegetables, a few good glugs of olive oil, a handful of kelp meal sprinkled over all.
If I have bran, I use it, but I think the brown rice and veggies have lots of fiber in them, so don’t worry about it. I just use my hands to mix it up. Then put it into four to five baking dishes and bake at 350 degrees until set, about a half hour.
Then scoop it into freezer containers - I use quart sized yogurt containers which will hold about 2.2 lbs of mix. Pop in the freezer and defrost as needed.
I give my dog her primrose oil and calcium with her other supplements separately.
This recipe will feed her for two weeks and costs about $35 to make.
Also recommended is adding to each meal these amino acids: 1,000 mg L-Glutamine, 1,000 mg Arginine, 500mg Methionine, as well as a good vitamin supplement. And of course your dog has access to lots of water, filtered or spring if possible.
Editor’s note: For more information about canine hemangiosarcoma, log onto eattheapple.com/ginger/. The Web site includes more recipes and survival stories.
The
Doublehandler Summer
2005
(FLOORS, continued from page 4)
she’s something of a miracle dog.
Sometimes as I prepare her special diet, when I am elbow deep in chicken carcasses and she sits drooling outside the kitchen door waiting for supper, I am convinced she faked the whole thing just for the food.
And as for the floors, I have announced to the trickster gods that I am sick of waiting for the dog to die and I’m having them redone this summer. Here’s hoping they’ll let Lola hang around long enough to mess them up again.
(Hillary Nelson lives in Canterbury, New Hampshire. This article originally appeared in the Concord Monitor on March 13. It appears here with permission. The writer also passed along the recipe from Lola’s vet, at the Holistic Vet Center in Concord, NH. It appears in this edition on page 4. She writes: “Someone could make a fortune selling this stuff out of freezers at natural foods stores and upscale pet supply places.”)
GSDCSNH meeting minutes
March 20, 2005, at Heidi’s house.
General meeting was called to order at 1:42 p.m. Minutes of the last meeting were read. Becky made a motion to accept; seconded by Holly. All in favor.
Treasurer’s report: Beginning balance of $2,885.08, paid $184 for ribbons for both shows. Ending balance of $2,700.97.
Secretary’s report was done. Spare newsletters passed out to vet’s offices. Are working toward putting newsletter on the club Web site. Would like classified ads, $1 each.
September show: Pease has allowed us to use their facilities. Al Engelman is the breed judge. Pease will supply a Port-A-Potty at no charge. Will keep trying to find an obedience judge.
June show in Massachusetts, at the Singletary Rod and Gun Club; will try for obedience next year. Will try for a combined mailing with Bay State.
New application: Diane Benoit, second read and vote. Diane was voted in as a new member.
Next meeting at Becky’s on April 10 – Canadian National video. Brags were done. Had a great demo from the SAR organization. Wendy made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Holly. All in favor; meeting adjourned at 2:34 p.m.
April 10, 2005, at Becky’s house.
General meeting was called to order at 1:18 pm
The minutes of the last meeting were read. Frank made a motion to accept, Karen seconded and all were in favor.
Treasurer’s report: Beginning balance of $2,700.97; ending of $2,755.06. Send $50 to AKC for September Show and will send a check to Fireman’s Insurance on Monday for $183.00.
Secretary’s report: Received a signed letter back from Sandra Walker for the September show. Also got a letter saying the June show has been approved. Received a letter from the GSDCA to sponsor a national trophy. Will ask Wendy what we usually do. Got a new application from Tim Dumont and family.
Committee reports: Parade - Derry is very willing to have us come. The parade starts at 11 a.m. We need to be there by 10 a.m. at the Hood Commons (Shaw’s Plaza). The club meeting will follow at Holly’s house.
We will bring a handout about the club with applications, dog cookies. Karen will do the flyers. Luanne will get the dog cookies. We will bring water bottles for dogs.
Nominating Committee: finished report given to secretary.
Newsletter needs a stud dog, litterbox announcements, brags etc.
Puppy education classes: For German Shepherds only. We need a place to have it. Feed store? Vet? Rotating locations. E-mail ideas to Emily and Karen. Brenda will call Sendaishi.
Bylaw Committee: Becky will e-mail Mark regarding the by-laws.
Match: Aug. 7 or have an afternoon match, after the Cheshire show, or Saturday Aug. 6. Need location. Pat Scribner, Mark Dickson, Andy/Kariena Clark, Shirley Rand (Rally) obedience judges. Breed: Debbie Wells, Sally Robbins, Lori Hathaway, Steve Roda.
Match Committee: Emily, Holly, Karen.
Sept. Show: Al Engelman, breed judge; Sandra Walker, obedience, juniors. Will be held at Pease AFB.
Susan Sullivan regarding Herding day in Mass - Introduction to herding, Vet Talk, Organize TDI test, Karen will call Linda Heath.
Temperament test: Try to get the same woman from Virginia.
Vet talk: signs and symptoms of bloat. What are they comfortable talking about that relates to the GSD.
Agility day: Pet sitting services? Does anyone know of anyone?
Karen motioned to adjourn, Holly seconded, all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45pm.
May 31, 2005, at Holly’s house.
General meeting was called to order at 1:24 pm. The minutes of the last meeting were read. Frank motioned to accept,
Heidi seconded, all in favor. No President’s report.
Treasurer’s report: Beginning balance of $2,755.06; ending $2,245.91. Firemen’s won’t insure if we use a starter pistol for our Temperament Test, so we will not do a TC this year.
Secretary’s report: Passed around flyers received. Got approval for September show in the mail from AKC.
Shows: Sandy volunteered to be breed steward for June show. Armbands? Call Jim Brown to see if they are going to set everything up (ring and grill). Frank will cook if needed. Trophies are ordered – Four trophies are not yet spoken for. Holly got some people at the meeting to sponsor some. Frank will purchase burgers, hot dogs, etc., for grill. Karen will call Jim regarding set up. September show: Need breed and obedience stewards. Entries will go out mid-July. Need a trophy chairperson; Holly volunteered. Purina is also sponsoring both shows. They will have a booth and bring food samples. All in favor of doing the same trophies for September.
Puppy play day: Sendaishi (in Manchester) is willing to let us use a room for a fee. Luanne’s vet may be willing to let us use room for play day as well.
Match: I think Shannon called Pease and they said we could use the grounds. I need to call and try to find a judge. Pat Scribner cannot do obedience. We will try others.
Shannon has stepped down as VP due to health issues. The nominating committee results read: Emily, president; Becky, vice president; Wendy M., treasurer; Karen, secretary. Board of Directors: Frank, Luanne, Mark, Heidi and Holly.
Next month’s meeting will take nominations from the
(continued next page)
floor. At the July meeting, we will vote. We need a Match Chairperson. Need to read (2nd time) applications for Heide Reiss and Tim Dumont, both were voted in as new members. Luanne found the name of a new judge, Mr. Thomas Cohen from Alfred, Mass.
Bylaw Committee - no news.
Club Calendar - Luanne can get a discount at Wal-Mart. Will try to get Linda Heath for a TDI test. Brags were done. Bring dogs to a nursing home in June or July? Frank motioned to adjourn, Tara seconded, all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 2 p.m. j
Hip Dysplasia by Breed |
|
Statistics compiled by OFA from 1974 through 2004
Spread the news and help dispel the myth that a GSD’s “back slope” correlates with hip dysplasia. If that were true, “straight” backed dogs would not be far ahead of our breed.
|
Breed |
Rank |
Number of Evaluations |
Percent Excellent |
Percent Dysplastic |
|
BULLDOG |
1 |
333 |
0.0 |
74.8 |
|
PUG |
2 |
288 |
0.0 |
60.4 |
|
OTTERHOUND |
3 |
251 |
0.0 |
51.4 |
|
DOGUE DE BORDEAUX |
4 |
201 |
0.5 |
50.7 |
|
NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF |
5 |
124 |
0.8 |
47.6 |
|
ST. BERNARD |
6 |
1878 |
4.2 |
46.7 |
|
CLUMBER SPANIEL |
7 |
534 |
3.2 |
45.7 |
|
SUSSEX SPANIEL |
8 |
191 |
1.0 |
43.5 |
|
BOYKIN SPANIEL |
9 |
1614 |
0.9 |
39.6 |
|
CANE CORSO |
10 |
314 |
6.1 |
37.6 |
|
BASSET HOUND |
11 |
149 |
0.0 |
35.6 |
|
ARGENTINE DOGO |
12 |
109 |
3.7 |
34.9 |
|
AMERICAN BULLDOG |
13 |
1099 |
4.7 |
32.8 |
|
FRENCH BULLDOG |
14 |
268 |
1.1 |
32.5 |
|
FILA BRASILEIRO |
15 |
536 |
7.5 |
28.7 |
|
NORFOLK TERRIER |
16 |
124 |
0.0 |
27.4 |
|
LOUISIANA CATAHOULA LEOPARD |
17 |
246 |
8.5 |
26.8 |
|
ENGLISH SHEPHERD |
18 |
172 |
7.0 |
26.2 |
|
NEWFOUNDLAND |
19 |
11572 |
7.0 |
26.0 |
|
BLOODHOUND |
20 |
2239 |
2.3 |
25.8 |
|
AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER |
21 |
2071 |
2.0 |
25.0 |
|
BULLMASTIFF |
22 |
4052 |
3.6 |
24.4 |
|
MAINE COON CAT |
23 |
870 |
4.4 |
22.6 |
|
CHINOOK |
24 |
240 |
5.0 |
22.5 |
|
CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER |
25 |
10043 |
11.0 |
21.7 |
|
AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER |
26 |
433 |
4.4 |
21.7 |
|
SHILOH SHEPHERD |
27 |
290 |
5.5 |
20.7 |
|
ROTTWEILER |
28 |
84017 |
7.8 |
20.5 |
|
GOLDEN RETRIEVER |
29 |
105516 |
3.4 |
20.3 |
|
CHOW CHOW |
30 |
4488 |
6.6 |
20.0 |
|
NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND |
31 |
3245 |
6.6 |
20.0 |
|
GORDON SETTER |
32 |