The Scramble NEW CLASS TIMES HAPPY NEW YEAR. ``If you want the best seat on the couch...ask the dog to move. Contributions to The Scramble: Officers

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1 The Scramble February 2008 Contributions to The Scramble: Contributions are due on: March 15 (for April issue) June 15 (for July issue) September 15(for October issue) December 20 (for January issue) Send them to: Toni Ginnetti (Editor) 207 N. Greenwood Ave. Park Ridge, IL or HAPPY NEW YEAR The new year brings some new looks for Windy City Agility Club, from our board of directors to our newsletter. Longtime board member and Scramble editor Barb Krynski gave many years of ideas, service and elbow grease as a board member, and catalogued the club s activities and our members accomplishments, joys and sorrows. She leaves those posts but not her active participation in Windy City with our abiding thanks. Synoma Hays was elected to succeed Barb, while I will be chronicling the club s activities in the Scramble. We ll try to keep you abreast of club news through our board s monthly work. We ll celebrate your successes, try to address your concerns and questions, help you with training tips, and hopefully help you to get to know one another. When issues arise affecting our companions from laws to food shelf worries we ll try to find the most up-to-date information to keep you informed. Most of all, we want you to share in the words and pictures of our club. Tell us your stories, from agility training to those everyday life matters that make your dog such an amazing friend. Toni Ginnetti Board of Directors Officers Aliss South, President Chris Eastwood, Vice Pres. Donna Wykowski, Secretary Lou Bogart, Treasurer Directors Paul Glombowski Synoma Hays Gail Kalina Sonja Lund Anna Ogawa Nancy Reyes Karen Schaubel NEW CLASS TIMES The next Windy City class sessions begin March 6 with a revised schedule. The goal of the news times is to help bring the latest class time for Intermediate II to a more reasonable finishing time. The change involves only 15 minute earlier start times. BEGINNERS: 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. INTERMEDIATE I: 7:25 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. ADVANCED CLASSES: 8:20 p.m. to 9:05 p.m. INTERMEDIATE II: 9:10 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. There also will be a new ``weave pole class for those who want extra training time for that equipment. The class will be a separate instruction from regular classes. Information will be available at upcoming class sessions. ``If you want the best seat on the couch...ask the dog to move.

2 February 2008 Page 2 BRAGS AND WAGS Congratulations to those who won legs and titles recently. There were special ``victory laps for Nancy Saia and Sheba and Barb Krynski and Nikki after the teams earned U-GRACH titles at WCAC s November trial. Both teams won all their legs at WCAC trials. Barb s young fox terrier Trixie earned her NA, NAJ and OAJ between October and December how s that for ``fast. Slow and steady has been the motto for Reteif and Aliss South, whose titles now number 16. Teif may be the most ``titled Akita in the breed s history at least in memory. Jan Long s sheltie, Rebel, earned his NAJ title with Barb Krynski s handling help. Marianne Fieseler has another cocker spaniel champ in Whiskey, who joins cocker spaniel brother Coffee as a U-AGI title holder. Chris and Susan Eastwood teamed to lead Zell to her U-AGI title in November. Loretta Marchese s Maggie earned her AKC Rally novice title in February with a first place finish at the Chicagoland Shetland Sheepdog Club s specialty event. Loretta s Brandy also earned her first novice leg. Toni Ginnetti s Bowie was right behind Maggie in second place, earning his AKC Rally novice title as well. Canine Cookies For those who like to bake their own, Bullwrinkle.com is a recipe source for lots of varieties. Here is one: HOMEMADE HEALTHY DOG BI- CUITS 1 3/4 C plain flour 2 tsp. toasted wheat germ 1/2 C brown sugar 1/4 C sesame seeds Rind of one lemon 1/2 tsp. butter or margarine 1/2 C ground walnuts 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Combine all ingredients. Knead until thoroughly blended. Divide into six parts. Roll each into a log. Wrap loosely in wax paper. Freeze. When needed, thaw and slice into 1/2 inch slices. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 12 minutes. Makes 6-8 cookies per log. TRAINING TIP! Here s a reminder about a ``basic at any stage of training: stay consistent. Windy City board member and longtime trainer Nancy Reyes says it s the most important ``basic to follow. From puppy issues to advanced work, maintain a consistent approach to get the best result for your dog. And keep it short and positive, she adds. A few five-minute sessions a day are much more productive than a few hour-long sessions a week. Make it a happy experience as much as you can and end on a high note with successful behavior to keep things exciting for your dog and fulfilling for you. ``I wish I could be the person my dog thinks I am.

3 Remembering... Saying good-bye has been a too-often sorrow for our members recently. Our thoughts go out to Chris and Susan Eastwood, who lost Lea their border collie, and Kim DeBenedictis, who lost her papillon Pebbles, both in December. Page 3 For Pebbles March 20, 1991-December 14, 2007 She was my first dog, the dog that started it all. She was my first obedience dog. My first agility dog. Thru her, I met all of you And my life was made rich. To my princess Diva.Though we never know where Life will take us We know it s just a ride on the wind. And we never know when death will shake us, And we wonder how it will feel. So goodbye my friend, I know I ll never see you again, But the love you gave me thru all the years Will take away these tears It s okay now, goodbye my friend. Life s so fragile and love s so pure, We can t hold on, but we try. We watch how quickly it disappears, And we never know why. But it s okay now You can go now Goodbye my friend. (Linda Ronstadt) Lea Our Agility Trainer By proud parent Chris Eastwood Lea taught us more about agility than anyone else. When we started agility in 2000 with Abby, our wacky Aussie (`wacky Aussie...a redundancy??), I took on the role of primary handler. After running our first trial, I was hooked, and Susan was, too. What to do? Get another dog, of course! Susan poked around the internet and found her heart dog a red and white border collie in a foster home in the middle of Iowa (apparently there weren t enough rescue BCs in Illinois!) Lea found her place in our pack, and apart from a brief career as a back yard escape artist, settled in well. She had strong herding instincts (and I regret we didn t do more with her in that area) and proved to be an ``out-of-the-box agility dog. While never the fastest runner on course, she had a consistent, fluid running style, and her A-frame performance was a thing of beauty. When Susan s knees went bad and Abby quit competing in AKC Masters, it was just Lea and me going to trials on the way to earning her AKC Masters titles. Those of you who have competed know what bonding effect those long trial weekends can have, and she and I grew very close. She was very literal in her handling response and impressed upon Susan and me the true need for clear and ``honest cues. When we were in synch and pushing was when I ve experienced some of the best highs agility can offer. With Lea I truly felt I was doing the ``dance with my dog. She was a true Border Collie at heart, a farm girl who loved to be outside as much as possible in any kind of weather. Her red fur bleached out in the summer time when she would spend hours remotely herding the little kids in the back yard two houses over [thru two fences!] In the wet weather, all her white fur would turn black with mud, and she was perfectly happy spending hours in the cold and snow, reluctantly coming in when we would finally force her to give up her post. In the end, even though this has been one of the hardest losses for me, I envy her the way she left us. It was a cool fall evening, after she d had a good meal and time messing around with her humans and canine siblings, shooting us her sly grins (``I know I know more about just about everything than you do ) and wagging her flag tail in the sunset light. When we found her later, she was lying peacefully in the spot she loved, where she d been keeping track of the world around her as a good herder should. She s with Bingo, Chellie and the cats waiting at the Bridge now..but we still see her every day. ************************** WHERE S FIDO? Yes, there was a time when Fido was a popular dog name. It comes from the Latin word for faithful, meaning ``I am faithful. Pretty appropo. But in 2007, these were the most popular dog names, according to a survey by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI): Males: 1) Max; 2) Buddy; 3) Rocky; 4) Bailey; 5) Jake; 6) Charlie; 7) Jack; 8) Toby; 9) Cody; 10) Buster Females: 1) Bella; 2) Molly; 3) Lucy; 4) Maggie; 5) Daisy; 6) Sophie; 7) Sadie; 8) Chloe; 9) Bailey; 10) Lola ``In dog training, the word `jerk is a noun, not a verb.

4 February 2008 Page 4 CANINE BLOAT: AN UPDATE Canine bloat [more properly known as gastric dilatation-volvulus] remains a deadly condition of concern to all dog owners. Though large-chested breeds are considered at highest risk, veterinary specialists remind that smaller dogs, including dachshunds, and even cats can face the condition. Puppies are also at risk if they over-eat, but the normal victim are adult dogs 2 to 10 years old. Most cases occur at night, between 6 p.m. and midnight. The most important thing to remember is getting a dog to a vet as soon as possible if you suspect your dog is bloating. Time is essential because the consequences of delaying almost invariably leads to death. The signs can be mild to severe, but in general a dog that is restless, changing positions frequently or panting a lot could be at risk. A dog that tries to vomit but doesn t bring up anything can be another sign. Other signs can be a swelled abdomen, rapid breathing or panting, drooling, whining or whimpering or pale membranes inside the lower eyelid or cheek. Bloat occurs when gas builds up in the dog s stomach, causing it to twist called torsion. The condition cuts off the blood supply to a portion of the stomach and all of the spleen, leading to shock and death within hours. Purdue University s veterinary school is one of the leading institutions in the country researching the causes and prevention possibilities around bloat. Here are some of the prevention suggestions offered to reduce risk: Divide food into two or three meals daily, or feed ``free choice so the dog doesn t gorge. Make sure fresh water is always available so the dog can drink small amounts frequently and doesn t develop extreme thirst. After heavy exercise, give limited access to water until the dog s excitement and breathing return to normal. Avoid exercising the dog strenuously for an hour before meals and two hours afterward. Avoid high-calcium diets for mature dogs. Feed a kibble that doesn t have fat or a rendered meat meal with bone listed among the first four ingredients. Many vets recommend wetting kibble so the dog won t be as likely to gulp water after eating. However, Purdue research has found this to be counterproductive if the kibble contains citric acid. Increases the risk. Just be watchful, especially if your dog has been under unusual stress or has ingested garbage or debris that could contain foreign bacteria. Get you dog to a vet immediately if you suspect bloat and be sure your vet doesn t dismiss your concerns. An x-ray is a must, and surgery mandatory if the stomach is turned. Better to go through a false alarm than the worst possible ending. For more information, the Purdue University veterinary school s website is: [Source: Downeast Dog News.] Don t use a stand that elevates the food and water bowls. This used to be considered a preventative measure, but research has found it actually ************************************************ PICK TO CLICK! You can help dogs and cats, too with a simple click of your computer. By going to The Animal Rescue Site [ and clicking on the designated box on the home page, you help fund food for shelters around the country and at no cost to you. Remember to click daily. There is also a ``shop with a variety of items, from apparel to jewelry to gifts, often on sale and with shipping deals. And all of it helps fund shelters. While you re at it, click on the five other website links you ll see to help literacy, the rainforest, children s health, breast cancer research and hunger.

5 February 2008 Page 5 WHAT IF??? If I didn t have a dog I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated. All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture and cars would be free of hair. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn t sound Like a kennel. When the doorbell rings, I could get to the Door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there. I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable. I would have money...and no guilt to go on a Vacation. I would not be on a first-name basis with six Veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grand kids through College. The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, stay, leave-it/her/him alone, and NOOOOO! My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers. My house would not look like a day care center, with toys everywhere. MacKay My pockets is celebrating would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash. I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E. I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside. I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/ cat ties them down too much. I d look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading ``mud season. I would not have to answer the question ``Why do you have so This??? many animals? from people who will never have the joy of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they ll ever get. How empty my life would be! ABOUT VACCINES The American Veterinary Medical Association has come to accept a schedule of rabies vaccination on a three-year basis rather than annually. The AVMA still recommends annual check-ups for pets, and semiannual visits for older pets. Here is a guideline from Dr. Jean Dodds, a veterinarian in Santa Monica, CA, who has published an advisory: Distemper: Initial inoculation 9 weeks, 12 weeks, weeks. [Can have numerous side effects if given less than 8 weeks.] First annual booster at one year. Studies indicate re-administration may not be necessary, with immunity lasting 7 to 15 years. Parvovirus: Initial inoculation at 9 weeks, 12 weeks, weeks. First annual booster at one year. Re-administration not needed, with studies indicating duration of immunity 7 years. Rabies: Initial inoculation 24 weeks or older. First annual booster at 1 [given 3 to 4 weeks apart from Parvo booster]. Killed three-year vaccine recommended [although state requirements could dictate otherwise.] VACCINES NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DOGS: Distemper and Parvo for puppies six weeks or younger. Corona [rare disease only affecting dogs less than 6 weeks.] Leptospirosis [Rare. Risk of vaccine outweigh benefits.] Giardia [Efficacy of vaccine not substantiated by studies.] Dr. Dodds recommends avoiding vaccination for females during estrus, pregnancy or lactation. ``I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent, devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source. Doris Day ``Dogs lives are too short which is really their only fault.

6 A three-way tie of winners of the Cookie-toss competition: [L to R] Jill Hillock and Todd; Nancy Saia and Spike; Karen Tay lor and her Dobie. THANKS FOR ATTENDING OUR HOLIDAY PARTY IN JANUARY. AND THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELPED IN THE PLANNING AND PREPARATION INCLUDING BARB KRYNSKI, DONNA WYKOWSKI [GREAT GOODIE BAGS!], NANCY REYES [WHO KNEW SHE FLEW IN A CHINOOK CHOPPER!!] SONYA LUND [LOVE THOSE RAFFLES!] AND ALISS SOUTH [GOOD JOB READING ALL THOSE AWARDS!]

7 February 2008 Page 7 ANOTHER NUMERO UNO A 15-inch beagle, call name ``Uno, was the first of his breed to win the Westminster Kennel Club best in show award this month. Superb achievement, right? The highest conformation honor in the country, to be sure. Maybe even in the world. But the beagle who stood out in the agility ring is a female named ``Squiggles. Born in 1991, she made her mark in the agility ring, earning the highest of AKC titles and competing even to the age of 15. AmCH MACH 10 Starbuck Torbay Rave On UD her certified name was bred by Starbuck Torbay Beagles of Brush Prairie, Washington. Her handler, Marietta Huber, trained and competed with her as recently as She is believed to have been the oldest dog competing in agility at that time. Squiggles competed in two international competitions, and in 1998 she was part of the U.S. gold medal-winning team that competed in the World Agility championships. As of 2006, Squiggles ranked 11th among all dogs on the all-time agility list. THE NOVELTY OF IT ALL Albert Payson Terhune ( ) was an author, journalist and dog breeder who wrote more than 30 dog books, most of them about the adventures of collies from his Sunnybank Kennels in New Jersey. The best known was ``Lad: A Dog, published in 1919 and made into a movie in The bloodline of those Sunnybank dogs is still present in some rough collies today. WEBSITE WATCH: If you re an on-line shopper, here are a few sites to look for products for your pets: Carries the usual equipment and has occasional sales. Offers individual pieces and some ``combo packs of the most-used pieces. Good options for at-home practice. Complete catalog of items, including the company s own brand of food, which is listed among the favored brands by The Whole Dog Journal. Good prices on a number of items in a complete catalog. Complete catalog with competitive pricing and free shipping on a number of qualifying purchases. A Dog s life? A man s life isn t as complete without one.

8 Class Schedule and Upcoming Events THURSDAY EVENING INDOOR CLASSES (Held at For Your Canine, 4233 United Parkway, Schiller Park) Session 1: January 10, 2008 February 21, 2008 Session II: March 6, 2008 April 17, 2008 Class Times: Beginner: Class Times: Beginner 6:30 to 7:15 pm, Intermediate I 7:25 to 8:10 pm, Advanced 8:20 to 9:05 pm, Intermediate II 9:10 to 9:55 pm. WCAC BOARD MEETINGS Meetings are at For Your Canine, Inc. on the second Friday of each month, but the March meeting will take place March 7. Members are always welcome. Quiet and well behaved dogs are also welcome. For more information, call , ask any Board member (names are on the cover page), or visit our website at Windy City Agility Club c/o Toni Ginnetti 207 N. Greenwood Ave. Park Ridge, IL INSIDE THIS MONTH: NEW CLASS TIMES NEW WEAVE POLE CLASS AND.. -Tributes -Bloat: an update -Canine Cookies -Brags and Wags COMING NEXT TIME: Pet insurance-is it worth it?