Board Meeting. Thursday, September 9, 2004 Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. Kirkwood Community Center. September July 2004

Transcription

1 September July 2004 OFFICERS PRESIDENT: Sally Burgess VICE PRESIDENT: Debi Vetz RECORDING SECRETARY: Cindy Burrows CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Cassie Iken 8822 Rosewood Hills Edwardsville, IL TREASURER: Tom Schulz BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donna Clifford Mary Spillman Allison White STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS AWARDS: Lori Schulz AKC COORDINATOR: Debi Vetz ARCHIVIST: Cindy Burrows CHRISTMAS BANQUET: Debi Vetz Allison White CONSTITUTION, BYLAWS & POLICIES: Sally Burgess EDUCATION, HEALTH & WELFARE: Mary Spillman EQUIPMENT: Donna Clifford MEMBERSHIP: Cindy Onder PUPPY PICNIC: Bobbie Duckworth Sharon Schardan SHELTIE INFO: Charlotte Hulett 7326 Sunridge Lane, Barnhart, MO SHELTIE PEDDLER: Donna Clifford SHOW COMMITTEE: SHOW CHAIRPERSON: OBEDIENCE CHAIRPERSON: SHOW SECRETARY: SUNSHINE: Patti Hittler VIBES EDITOR: Debi Vetz WAYS & MEANS: WEBSITE: Michelle Pitts September Board Meeting Thursday, September 9, 2004 Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. Kirkwood Community Center 2005 NATIONAL LOCAL COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Cindy Lachnit Local Show Chair Publicity Debi Vetz Assistant Local Chair Janice Mitchell Rescue Coordinator Lori Schulz Local Agility Bob Piccirillo Ring Stewards Penny Brcich Local Herding John Burgess RV Parking Sally Burgess Local Obedience Security Advertising Debi Vetz Signs Mary Spillman Awards Banquet Allison White & Charlotte Hulette Bait Mark Iken Souvenirs Debi Vetz Banners Marilyn Marlow, Marianne Glisson & Catalog Marking Rick Thompson Symposium Sandy Ganz Catalog Sales Diane Taylor Tickets Donna Clifford Equipment Tours Cindy Onder Flowers & Decorations Transportation Terri Poirier Grooming Sidney Ganz Trophies Patti Hittler Grounds Clean Up Sidney Ganz Vendors Mary Spillman Hospitality Mary Spillman & Allison White Welcome Packets Nancy McIntyre Hotel Liaison Allison White & Allison White & Debi Vetz Welcome Reception Cindy Onder Local Raffle Official Site Sandy Ganz..... Photographer Coordinator The SHELTIE VIBES is the official newsletter of the Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club. SHELTIE VIBES is published monthly. Non-members may subscribe for $15.00 per year. The Deadline for printing in the VIBES is the 20th of the month. Payments for listings or ads must accompany copy. Display ad for a full page is $8; half page $5. SUPPORT PAGE will run your business card size ad quarterly for $5.00. (MEMBERS ONLY). Send all news, ads, materials, checks, etc., to the Editors. Make checks payable to GSLSSC Claims made in ads or opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily endorsed by the VIBES or GSLSSC. Articles may be reprinted by other club publications as long as proper credit is given the author and this Newsletter. Sheltie head is owned exclusively by GSLSSC for their use only. All other artwork can be used if proper credit is given.

2 OFFICERS AND BOARD NOMINATIONS The Nominating Committee is presenting the following slate for 2005: President: Vice President: Recording Secretary: Corresponding Secretary: Treasurer: Board Members: Sally Burgess Debi Vetz Cassie Iken Donna Clifford Lori Schulz John Burgess Sandy Ganz Allison White Voting will be held at our November meeting and nominations from the floor will be accepted through the October club meeting.. SHELTIE PICNIC A FUN FILLED DAY A big THANK YOU to Bobbie Duckworth and Sharon Schardan for organizing another successful picnic a great time was had by all. A large crowd of adults and children were in attendance making this venue a wonderful public education event for our shelties. Food was plentiful thanks to the grill master for keeping the hot dogs coming, and the weather cooperated beautifully. Many of our clubs previous members came, and of course lots of new puppy buyers wanting to meet other sheltie owners. A great raffle with items that filled up one of the picnic tables. Marilyn organized puppy games with lots of prizes that everyone enjoyed. There were lots of games for owner and dog alike but the bobbing for hot dogs was the hit of the day. News & Highlights UPCOMING BOARD MEETING September 9, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. will be the next Board Meeting. The General Meeting will be rescheduled as soon as possible to another date. The September regular club meeting was held at the Sheltie Picnic on August 29. ANOTHER BIG THANK YOU! Thanks to a real group effort which made our obedience show n go a success. There were many compliments about how well we all worked together and how everyone seemed to have a great time over the weekend. We even had club members making mini bundt cakes (the Schulz family) that went over really well! Thanks to the following club members who literally jumped in and ran the rings all weekend: Mary Spillman, Sally Burgess, Sandy Ganz, Tim Cutshall, Darlene Cutshall, Cassie Iken, Jennifer Iken and Donna Clifford. There were several non club members who were recruited to work this weekend. They were: Pamela Wollenberg, Collette Schuler, Tanya and Murlian Hagan and Richard Green. Their help was greatly appreciated, especially since we were short on help Sunday. Cassie, Jen and Mary helped me hold down the fort Sunday afternoon and with clean up. It was a long weekend but I think we had a successful National fundraiser but we couldn t have done it without everyone listed above and their hard work. Allison White Fundraising Chair Titles Explained From The Various Sanctioning Organizations AN EXPLANATION OF HERDING TITLES American Herding Breeds Association (AHBA) Trial Program: At the trial level, numerical scoring and class placements are given, with a qualifying score required, similar to obedience competitions. Two legs under two different judges are required for each of the three levels. Titles are earned sperately for the different types of stock, with an initial after the title indicatiing the type of stock on which the title was earned. The three levels of HTD have standardized courses with free-standing obstalces. The three levels of HRD involve ranch and farm courses which vary individually in layout while meeting specified requirements. HTD I. Herding Trial Dog I. The started level, standard course. HTD II. Herding Trial Dog II. The intermediate level, standard course. HTD III. Herding Trial Dog III. The advanced level, standard course. HRD I, HRD II, HRD III. Herding Ranch Dog. Levels as above, earned seperately on varying ranch/farm courses. 2 HTCh.. Herding Trial Champion. After an advanced title has been completed, a dog may earn a championship by obtaining 10 scores of 80 or above at the advanced level. Test Program: At the test level, judging is on a pass/not pass basis, with no numerical scoring or class placemets. Legs for the same title may be earned on different types of stock, with small initials after the title indicating the type of stock on which the title was earned. Two legs are required for the titles, under two different testers. HCT. Herding Capability Tested. The first leg of the HCT may be a basic instinct test, with the tester handling the dog. The second leg requires a little additional training and consists of simples passes across the small arena with a stop and recall. For the second leg, as with all tests and trials other than the first leg of the HCT, the dog must be handled by the owner or a handler designated by the owner. JHD. Junior Herding Dog. The JHD also requires two legs, but the legs are identical. The stock are taken around the arena through a simple course. continued on page 3

3 Australian Shepherd Club of American (ASCA) At ASCA trials, numerical scoring and class placements are given, with a qualifying score required. Two legs under two different judges are required for each of the three levels. Titles are earned seperately on each type of stock, with an initial after the title indicating the type of stock on which the title was earned, and may be earned on either or both of two slightly differing standard courses. ASCA has no testing program, but has a Ranch Dog Inspection program where a judge observes the dog at its regular work; if the dog passes the inspection, it earns the title Ranch Dog (RD). There is also a Ranch Trial Dog (RTD) title, earned on a ranch trial course which varies from place to place; a dog previously must have earned an OTD, ATD, or RD to compete in ranch trials. STD. Started Trial Dog. The started level. OTD. Open Trial Dog. The intermediate level. ATD. Advance Trial Dog. The advanced level. WTCh.. Working Trial Champion. The championship is awarded when a dog has earned an advanced title on each of three types of stock (sheep, cattle and ducks) American Kennel Club (AKC) Trial Program: At the trial level, numerical scoring and class placements are given, with a qualifying score required, similar to obedience competitions. For each of the three levels, three legs under three different judges are required. There are three standard courses. Legs for the same title may be earned on different types of stock and on different courses, and titles do not indicate on what type of stock or on what course the title was earned. HS. Herding Started. The started level. HI. Herding Intermediate. The intermediate level. HX. Herding Excellent. The advanced level. HCH. Herding Champion. After an advanced title has been completed, a dog may earn a championship by obtaining 15 points through placing at the advance level, as with the Obedience Trial Championship. Test program: At the test level, judging is on a pass/not pass basis, with no numerical scoring or class placements. Two legs are required for the titles, under two different testers. Legs for the same title may be earned on different types of livestock and titles do not indicate on what type or types of stock the title was earned. HT. Herding Tested. Simples passes across the small arean with stop and recall. Both legs are identical. A little basic training is required. PT. Pre-trail Tested. The stock are taken around the arena through a simple course. AN EXPLANATION OF AGILITY TITLES Perhaps the fastest growing of all the dog sports, agility is fun to watch as well as perform. Although the dog is not tested on obedience skills, the dog must have good basic obedience skills since all levels are performed off leash and in most organizations, 3 the dog is not permitted to wear a collar for safety reasons. The dog must also be familiar with, and know how to safely execute, numerous types of obstacles which fall into 4 general categories: Contact Obstacles (which have safety zones the dog must step in these include the teeter totter, the A-frame, the dog walk), Hurdles of various types, Tunnels of two types, and Miscellaneous (which include Poles a dog must slalom or weave through, and a Table on which the dog must perform a sit or a down according to the judge s instructions). The rules vay slightly from organization to organization, with the AKC being the only organization to restrict its competitors to pure-bred dogs. In most organizations, there are 5 height divisions with the size of the dog determining which one he competes in. One of the challenges of agility is that the course is different each competition, and it s the handler s job to instruct the dog to perform the obstacles in the correct order, correctly, and in most cases, in less than a minute. AKC Agility Titles For all classes, maximum score is 100 points, 85 points are needed to qualify. In the event of a tie the fastest dog wins. Dogs which miss a safety zone, drop a rail on a hurdle, or fail to perform an obstacle, do not qualify. Three qualifying scores must be earned under two different judges to advance to the next level. The requirements given below are an overview - there are more rules. Competition at American Kennel Club Agility Trials are restricted to pure-bred dogs and in this area, are the most prevalent venue of agility competition. NA Novice Agility Requirements: obstacles including the A-frame, dogwalk, teeter, open & closed tunnels, table, broad jump, panel jump, double bar (oxer), tire or window jump. Performed at 2 yards per second or less, 85 points or more, 1 point deducted for every second over standard course time, no more than 2 refusals/run outs permitted (5 point deduction for each), wrong course is 5 point deduction (2 wrong courses permitted). NAJ Novice Agility Jumper (with Weaves) Requirements: obstacles including 6 weave poles, tunnels, and hurdles. Time requirements vary with the size of the dog - maximum is 3 yards per second. 1 point is deducted for every second over course time, no wrong courses permitted, 2 refusals/run-outs permitted with a 5 point deduction for each. Weave poles are not judged but must be performed correctly to qualify. OA Open Agility Requirements: obstacles (obstacles the same as in Novice Agility) plus 6 to 12 weave poles and a triple bar jump; time requirements vary with the size of the dog - maximum is 2.5 yards per second. 2 point deduction for every second over course time, only 1 refusal/run-out permitted (5 point deduction), 2 wrong courses permitted (5 point deduction for each occurence). continued on page 4

4 OAJ Open Agility Jumper (with Weaves) Requirements: obstacles including 6-12 weave poles, tunnels, and hurdles. Time permitted varies with the height of the dog, maximum is 3.5 yards per second. 2 points deducted for every second over course time, no wrong courses permitted, one refusal/run out permitted (5 point deduction). AX Agility Excellent Requirements: obstacles (obstacles the same as in Open Agiity); time varies with the size of the dog, maximum is 3 yards per second. 3 points deducted for every second over standard course time; no refusals/run outs permitted; no wrong courses nor refusals/run outs allowed. AXJ Agility Excellent Jumper (with Weaves) Requirements: obstacles including weave poles, tunnels and hurdles; time varies with the size of the dog, maximum is 3.75 yards per second. 3 points deducted for every second over standard course time; no wrong courses nor refusals/run outs permitted. MX Master Agility Excellent Requirements: same as Agility Excellent but the dog must earn 10 additional qualifying scores. MXJ Master Agility Excellent (with Weaves) Requirements: same as Agility Excellent Jumpers, dog must earn 10 additional qualifying scores MACH Master Agility Champion Requirements: complicated. The dog must earn 750 points (points are earned by completing the course under course time) plus 20 Double Q s. A Double Q is when the dog qualifies in both the Excellent Standard and Excellent Jumpers on the same day. Unlike other agility titles, this one goes in front of the dog s name. A dog may earn multiple Championships in AKC agility - the number of times the dog has met the requirements appears as a number after the title (ie MACH2 means the dog has met the requirements to be an agility Champion twice). NADAC Agility Titles NADAC stands for North American Dog Agility Council. This organization does allow mixed breed dogs to compete. At NADAC trials, a perfect run is a 0 only faults are scored. Unlike AKC, NADAC does not score refusals and run/outs the theory being that you are already being penalized by having to take extra time to fix the mistake. Also different, a dropped rail on a hurdle does not necessarily eliminate you from competition it is scored as 5 faults, but a wrong course is a 10 point deduction so a wrong course means you won t get a qualifying score. Missed safety zones are also 10 faults. Each second and fraction over course time is a fault so if you are 1.33 seconds over course time, you earn 1.33 faults. NADAC added some new games in the last two years: Tunnelers (nothin but tunnels!), Weavers, and Touch n Go. NAC Novice Agility Certificate NJC Novice Jumper Certificate NGC Novice Gambler Certificate OAC Open Agility Certificate OJC Open Jumper Certificate OGC Open Gamblers Certificate EAC Elite Agility Certificate EJC Elite Jumpers Certificate EGC Elite Gamblers Certificate NATCH Nadac Agility Trial Champion USDAA Agility Titles USDAA stands for United States Dog Agility Association. This organization is considered by many competitors to be the most difficult form of agility competition. Mixed breed dogs are eligible to compete. At the Novice or Starters level, only the Standard title is awarded (AD) though the dogs may compete in games at the Novice/Starter level for experience; At the Advanced level, dogs may qualify in the games and move up to Masters level in games for which it has earned qualifying scores at the Advanced level even if it has not yet earned its Advanced Agility standard title (AAD). Once the dog reaches Master Standard level (MAD), it competes in all classes at Masters level. In addition to the usual games: Jumpers, Snookers, Gamblers and Pairs Relay, other miscellaneous classes are sometimes offered just for fun and special classes are often added for the best dogs (ie: Steeplechase). Without a doubt, the AdCH is the most difficult of the agility champion titles to earn! For more information about USDAA competition and rules, visit their website at: (this link will open in a new window). AD Agility Dog AAD Advanced Agility Dog MAD Masters Agility Dog SM Snooker Master JM Jumpers Master GM Gamblers Master PM Pairs Master ADCh Agility Dog Champion 4

5 Guihen s Grooming, Conditioning and Presentation to Win a two day seminar by Linda Guihen Learn how to Groom, Condition and Present your dog in a Winning Way (for Shetland Sheepdogs and Collies) Saturday and Sunday, November 20 and 21, :30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. At The Dog Museum, St. Louis, Missouri Cost: $150 for Groomer (maximum 15 groomers) $100 for Auditors (maximum 60 total) Continental breakfast and lunch included Sponsored by: The Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club Linda Guihen has been involved with Shetland Sheepdogs, Collies, Bearded Collies and German Shepherds for over 30 years. Her accomplishments have included over 800 Best Of Breeds, Multiple Best In Shows and Best in Show Specialties. She has finished over 100 dogs to their Championships that she has either bred or shown for clients. Linda has conditioned, groomed and presented three Shetland Sheepdogs to win the Pedigree Award. For more information contact: Sally Burgess, 9014 Madge Ave, St. Louis, MO sesb131@aol.com, Linda Guihen Seminar RegistrationForm To register, mail this form and your checks made payable to GSLSSC Send completed registration to: Sally Burgess, 9014 Madge Ave., St. Louis, MO I wish to attend as a Groomer Auditor. Enclosed is my $ registration fee. Name Address Phone Number ( ) address Breed of dog: Registration deadline: Friday, November 5, 2004

6 Don t Forget ID Your pets should be wearing up-to-date identification at all times. It s a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area-if your pet is lost, you ll want to provide a number on the tag that will be answered even if you re out of your home. Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time Because evacuation shelters generally don t accept pets (except for service animals), you must plan ahead to ensure that your family and pets will have a safe place to stay. Don t wait until disaster strikes to do your research. Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if no pet policies would be waived in an emergency. Make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it handy. Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home. Check with friends, relatives, or others outside your immediate area. Ask if they would be able to shelter you and your animals or just your animals, if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may have to be prepared to house them separately. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in emergencies; include 24-hour telephone numbers. Ask your local animal shelter if it provides foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. This should be your last resort, as shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched to their limits during an emergency. If You Don t Evacuate If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification. Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies. As the Disaster Approaches Don t wait until the last minute to get ready. Warnings of hurricanes or other disasters may be issued hours, or even days, in advance. Call to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets. Bring pets into the house and confine them so you can leave with them quickly if necessary. Make sure each pet and pet carrier has up-to-date identification and contact information. Include information about your temporary shelter location. Make sure your disaster supplies are ready to go, including your pet disaster kit. In Case You re Not Home An evacuation order may come, or a disaster may strike, when you re at work or out of the house. Make arrangements well in advance for a trusted neighbor to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure the person is comfortable with your pets, knows where your animals are likely to be, knows where your disaster supplies are kept, and has a key to your home. If you use a pet-sitting service, it may be able to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance. After the Storm Planning and preparation will help you weather the disaster, but your home may be a very different place afterward, whether you have taken shelter at home or elsewhere. Don t allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet will probably be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations. For a few days, keep dogs on leashes and keep cats in carriers inside the house. If your house is damaged, they could escape and become lost. Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible, and be ready for behavioral problems that may result from the stress of the situation. If behavioral problems persist, or if your pet seems to be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian. Evacuation Planning: You may not be in a flood zone or have to flee wildfire, but even a hazardous material incident on a nearby street could force you to evacuate. It pays to be prepared! Disaster Supply Checklist for Pets Every member of your family should know what he or she needs to take when you evacuate. You also need to prepare supplies for your pet. Stock up on nonperishables well ahead of time, add perishable items at the last minute, and have everything ready to go at a moment s notice. Keep everything accessible, stored in sturdy containers (duffel bags, covered trash containers, etc.) that can be carried easily. 6 continued on page 7

7 In your disaster kit, you should include: Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first aid kit. A pet first aid book is also good to include. Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can t escape. Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down. Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time while you have taken shelter away from home. Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller pets. These may require blankets or towels for bedding and warmth, and other special items. Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated and to prove that they are yours. Food and water for at least three days for each pet, bowls, cat litter and litter box, and a manual can opener. Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care. Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them, to reduce stress. Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items, and household bleach. Other Evacuation Tips All mobile home residents should evacuate at the first sign of a disaster. Evacuate to the safest location you can that s as close as possible to home. Long-distance evacuation can be a problem when highways are crowded. When planning for hurricanes, identify your evacuation zone and level to determine if and when you would have to evacuate. Be prepared for one category higher than the one being forecast, because hurricanes often increase in strength just before making landfall. Your local humane organization or local emergency management agency may be able to provide you with information about your community s disaster response plans. via CANINE LEGISLATION Before AKC or local fanciers were aware, the St. Louis City Council quietly passed a measure that adds the term guardian to the municipal code wherever owner is referenced. AKC sent a letter to city officials asking that they reconsider the change. Below is the article that appeared in the August 28, 2004 St. Louis Post-Dispatch NAME CHANGE A small change in a St. Louis city ordinance reflects a national effort to update the language used in regard to companion animals. The reasoning behind the change is that people who share their lives with pets are not simply owners, they are also guardians. As a result, all references to pet owners in the city s code have been changed to owner/guardians. As the recently passed ordinance defines the term, an owner/guardian is a person who possesses, has title to or an interest in, harbors, or has control, custody or possession of an animal and who is responsible for an animal s safety and well-being. Rich Stevson of the city s Health Department said that the wording is meant to send the message that people with pets don t just own an animal, they also must provide for its care. Quentin, the basenji-mix who survived the soonto-be defunct gas chamber at St. Louis Animal Regulation Center last year, was named official spokesdog for the guardian campaign by In Defense of Animals ( which led the national effort. According to the Californiabased organization, St. Louis joins 11 other cities, Marin County, Calif., and the state of Rhode Island in switching to the new terminology. via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 7

8 FIRST CLASS MAIL PLACE STAMP HERE 5604 Milentz Ave., St. Louis, MO September 2004 Disaster Preparedness For Pets Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, hazardous material spills-disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. If you think you will never have to evacuate unless you live in a flood plain, near an earthquake fault line or in a coastal area, you may be tragically mistaken. It is imperative that you make preparations to evacuate your family and your pets in any situation. In the event of a disaster, proper preparation will pay off with the safety of your family and pets. If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you when you evacuate. Animals left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed. Animals left inside your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as broken windows. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence. If you leave, even if you think you may be gone only for a few hours, take your animals. Once you leave, you have no way of knowing how long you ll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able to go back for your pets. Leave early-don t wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely with your pets. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be told to leave your pets behind. continued on page 6