Butler Dog Training Association Trainer s Tales BDTA Web Site: President s Message. May 2014 Volume 76 No.

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1 Butler Dog Training Association Trainer s Tales BDTA Web Site: May 2014 Volume 76 No. 2 President Betty Scarnato President s Message Vice-President Sam Abbott Secretary Jeanette Nestor Treasure Kerry Hornyak Director of Training Nancy Kieffer Board of Directors Kim Colella Regina Beilstein Georgia Slater Dari Harding Editor Georgia Slater 137 Sharon Drive Butler, Pa Dear Club Members, I want to thank everyone who helped make our Obedience Trial a wonderful, fun experience. The comments from exhibitors were very positive. Unforunately we did not have quorom at o meeting, so we held a brief information meeting. The financials for the trial should be completed by next month, we are hoping to at least brea even (perhaps wishful thinking). We will soon turn our attention to the Agility Trial in July an then Fun Day. The building committee will be meeting again and would like to remind you to be sure to pas on any possible building possibilities to them. There are many opportunities to be active with your canine companion so be sure to read the newsletter to the end so you don't miss anything. My mind is on my upcoming vacation to Camp Gone to the Dogs; it will be here soon and I still have much to do to get ready. I am praying and hoping for a safe trip and excellant weathe and I extend that prayer to all of you who have activities planned. Have a great month. Betty, Chewey, Wickett and Archie

2 Sit Happens.Or So They Say.! Well, the little Circus Dog has gotten her first catch of the Spring season. Critters, beware!! Sprite and I have a routine in the morning. I m blessed to be able to work from home, so my day starts about 4:45 AM.staying in one s pajamas at that time of the day is one of the perks. Anyway, the littlest angel usually doesn t wake up until 6:30 AM. At that time, we make our first check of the yard on lead, then it s breakfast, and time for her nap! Around 9:30 AM, it s really time to go back out.sprite unleashed. Of course, now it is pouring this particular morning and she is standing under the deck roof. As I run back in to get the phone, I hear her nails scrambling across the deck. I find Sprite and a bunny are flying around the magnolia tree at a dizzying pace. As the bunny tires, he decides to launch himself across the yard to the huge quince bush (which is now really a tree). It s ringed with a short picket fence and the two crazed beasts are likewise throwing dirt and mud everywhere as the chase is on. Still in pajamas (and did I say it was pouring?), I inch my way under the bush not believing Sprite has slipped my grasp every time around! The death chase ends as the bunny jumps inside the picket fencing and Sprite flies after him. I find myself finally grabbing my dog and lifting her by her neck (positively as possible, of course!) to get her to release her prize.only to see the bunny now stuck in the slats of the picket fence. Sprite finally has no choice but to drop it! She is dragged off to the bathtub as I pray the big pleading eyes of the bunny close quietly or see a way out of its pitiable situation. As I close the door to the bathroom so the Circus Dog has no means of escape, she gives a dutiful body shake so now the mud, mulch and quince petals attach to three walls and the shower stall!! I take a quick look out the window to find the bunny has disappeared. A quick doggie bath and blow-dry has Sprite semi-white again. No bunny in sig now, but the Circus Dog will not leave her post at the window.rabbit patrol is hard work! Sadly, the bunny did not survive its wounds and I am sad to know that it must ve suffered some. Realizing this happens often in the wild doesn t make it any more comfortable in our civilized domesticated world. As I write this, it has been a week since the incident and Sprite is back to patrolling the yard off leash, but we are much more diligent at walking the yard thoroughly before she is permitted to check it out herself. And so, welcome to the Spring and Summer challenges of critters and insects, ticks and toads, snakes and other creatures. A fair warning to all creatures who cross the Puff-coated Kentucky Yelper s path..beware! (Sprite is now watching Barn Hunt videos on YouTube!) As we start into the warmer months, enjoy these lovely sunny days with your canines.but always be on the alert for the unexpected! Laugh with your dogs! Nancy & Sprite

3 Obedience Day/Time Length Cost Puppy Class BDTA Club Building Thursday 6:30-7:30pm 6 Weeks $60.00 BDTA Bldg Beginner Class BDTA Club Bldg. Monday & Wednesday 7:00-8:00pm 8 Weeks $80.00 BDTA bldg. ($10 discount if attended BDTA Puppy Novice Class Tuesdays 7:45-8:30pm 4 Weeks $75.00 (No discounts) Includes price of CGC/TDI test Advanced Class Tuesdays 6:45-7:45pm **No Advanced class on meeting nights All Month MEMBERS ONLY Agility Class No classes available at this time ****Senior Citizen Rates - $10 discount for any class Obedience Classes All BDTA Members: You must register for all BDTA classes by sending the applications and deposits to: Obedience - Sande Winters, 430 Mushrush Road, Butler, PA If you have any questions or need Application forms, call Sande at or Nancy at Classes fill up very quickly and applications are taken as they are received. Deposits required for class registration will be half of the total class fee (this applies to members also). The Training Building is available to all members. If you need a key, please see one of the board members. With the privilege of using the building comes the responsibility of cleaning up after use. It's very difficult for instructors and assistants to come into the building and discover that a room needs cleaned before students arrive. So please use the vacuum cleaners and also the other cleaning supplies for spilled drinks, etc. Please wipe the mirrors clean. Please d not leave food or treats on the windowsills or any place that will attract critters. Our customers deserve a clean place to train and so do our members. Please be sure to turn lights off, leave the furnace setting on low or off during the warmer months and make sure all doors are locked! Everyone is responsible for keeping our facility clean and this will help spread the duties among us. BDTA Meeting Notice The next Membership Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday June 17 th at 7:15PM There is no Advanced Class on Meeting Nights!! We encouraged all Provisional Members to attend meeting nights. It s a good way to meet others in BDTA and we get to meet YOU!

4 Therapy Visits FACILITY CITY DAY OF THE WEEK TIME Irene Stacy Mental Health Center Butler 2 nd Tuesday of the Month And Last Wednesday of the Month 10:00 am 10:00 am Sunnyview Butler 1 st Thursday of the Month 6:30 pm VA Hospital Butler 2 nd Thursday of the Month 1:00 pm Valencia Woods Valencia 2 nd Thursday of the Month 6:30 pm Shelbourne Assisted Living Butler 3 rd Wednesday of the Month 6:30 pm Butler Memorial Hospital TCF Butler 3 rd Thursday of the Month 6:00 pm Passavant Retirement Center Zelienople 3 rd Thursday of the Month 6:30 pm Concordia Adult Day Care Cabot Last Tuesday of the Month 10:30 am Lowrie House Butler Last Wednesday of the Month 6:30 pm Saxony House Saxonburg First Wednesday of the Month 10:30 am Elmcroft Saxonburg Third Wednesday of the Month 10:30 am Butler Hospital Psychiatric Butler Second Wednesday of the Month 2:30 pm If you would like to learn more about Therapy Dogs or how to become a Therapy Dog, please contact Nancy Kieffer ( ). Submissions for the next newsletter will need to be in by the Friday following the meeting June 20 th is the next deadline) Submissions should be sent to chocomistmom@zoominternet.net or sent to: Georgia Slater 137 Sharon Drive Butler, Pa Chocomistmom@zoominternet.net BDTA Canine Ambassador Program Please contact Bernie Abbott, Public Education Coordinator at , for more information concerning the Canine Ambassador Program. There are local Boy Scout, Girl Scout, YMCA and Elementary Schools that need to learn more about dog safety, pet management and dog training. Bernie can help arrange the dates/times necessary to meet with these groups. WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND PROMOTE OUR CLUB

5 Special Announcements Welcome New Members: Kathie Rivers and Sue Yaras Our new Provisional Member(s): Ann Naar and her Cairn Terrier Meggie Current Provisional Member(s): Please take time to get to know them and welcome to our club. Jodi Johnston is our provisional member s liaison for the Club. She will be keeping in contact provisional members so they can make an easier transition to Club membership. If you have any questions call: MEMORIAL PLAQUE There are many places available on our Memorial Plaque at the Training Building. Please remember, this is a wonderful way to remember our dogs that have left us for the Rainbow Bridge. If you would like to purchase a spot on the plaque, you can pick up applications at the club or contact Cherry Sauers at The Slate of Officers for 2014 are as follows: MISCELLANEOUS SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2014 President - Betty Scarnato Vice President - Sam Abbott Secretary - Jeannette Nestor Treasurer - Kerry Hornyak Director of Training - Nancy Kieffer Board Members - Cheryl Sanson (new) Linda Arnold (new) Georgia Slater (2 nd year) Regina Beilstein (2 nd year) Voting will be held at the June members meeting.

6 THANK YOU Thanks to all members who sent me a birthday card. You made my day Casey Casali Thank you to everyone for their cards, thoughts and prayers as I recover from my recent hip replacement. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it is to know someone is thinking of you when you need it most!!! V ickie Sliker I want to say thanks to all for the visits, calls and cards during my recent shoulder surgery. It certainly helps when you are confined to your home to get these bright moments. Georgia Slater In Sympathy. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Karrie Hickey on the loss of her dear lab Remington who will be missed deeply by family and friends. That ll do, Dog,.your work is done..he took my heart and ran with it, and he s running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his, forever. ~Patricia McConnell Thoughts and prayers also go out to member Lisa Szafranski and her family on the loss of her dear senior her Rottweiler Nina. She will be missed by all who knew her. Nina had worked as a therapy dog for many years. All that our dogs might bring into our lives pales before this challenge to learn how to love each other as they love us. It is the work of a lifetime, to be sure, but we ve chosen well when we choose to keep our cold-nosed angels at our side for the journey. ~Suzanne Clothier

7 Calendar of Events May 31 st (Saturday) Butler Pet EXPO Butler Farm Show Grounds Noon-3:00 PM June 13 th (Friday) Camp Lutherlyn Therapy Dog visit 10:00 AM 3:00 PM August 14 th (Thursday) Butler Community Night Butler Farm Show Grounds 4:00 PM-8:00 PM Hounds About Town The next off-site Members Class will be on Tuesday, June 24 th. We will meet at Alameda Park at 6:30 PM at the Odd Fellows Shelter. We will be trying something new.called a dog parkour class. It will combine movement, exercise, low stress obstacles, and confidence-building. We are going to have fun and, hopefully, have tired dogs for the ride home. Please bring some great treats and water for your dog. (If it rains, we will try to reschedule.) This class is for anyone who wants to try something new with your dog.young dog or a graying senior.no special skills are needed.

8 Membership Dues Renewal ***Important information concerning your membership renewal*** Adult Membership $40 Jr. Membership $20 Family Membership $40 for 1 st member, $30 for each additional member Payment Schedule is as follows: If dues are received by June 15 th, there will be the following discount: Adult Membership..$30 Jr. Membership.$15 Family Membership.$30 for 1 st member, $25 for each additional member If dues are received between June 16 th -July 15 th, full payment is due: Adult Membership.$40 Jr. Membership..$20 Family Membership.$40 for 1 st member, $30 for each additional member If dues are received between July 16 th -August 15 th, there will be a late fee: Adult Membership.$50 Jr. Membership $25 Family Membership.$50 for 1 st member, $35 for each additional member After August 15 th, you will be asked to re-apply for membership. Please note that payment must be received by the above dates, not postmarked!!!!!!! ***If you are a Provisional Member as of June 1 st, you have recently paid dues and therefore, you are not required to pay this year. If you have been voted into full membership as of June 1 st, you must pay this year s dues.**** ****Please return this portion with your dues to:**** Kerry Hornyak P.O. Box 369 East Butler, Pa Membership Renewal Form Please let Kerry know if any of the information below is new (such as a new or address since last year.) Your Name Address Phone # address Please write the total amount you are paying in the correct space: Adult Jr. Family

9 Please remember to look at the up-to-date Members List on our website. Check to see if any corrections need to be made and send those to Georgia Slater at We will be updating the listing as often as possible. (You might need to Refresh your screen (F5) in order to get into the members listing.) We have the newsletter posted on the web site. There is a change in the password. You can access it by taking the following steps: 1. Go to this URL address (webpage) : 2. The Username box, type in bdta member (this is case sensitive - must be all lowercase letters) 3. In the Password box, type in BDTA2010 (this is also case sensitive - ALL CAPS - and that is a zero, not the letter o) 4. Click on the "May" link. If you need to download Acrobat Reader there is a link at the top of the page. Acrobat reader is a free application for rea