February 2017 Newsletter A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT It is with extremely mixed feelings that I report, Joyce Whittal has resigned her position as President of the SKC. She will continue as the Show Chairman thus assuring another great dog show this year. Joyce explained to the Board that this was a very hard decision, but that she wanted to devote more time to her first love teaching, training and showing dogs. While we will miss her leadership on the board, we are excited that she will continue helping new dogs and exhibitors learn to love our sport. As the current Vice President, I move into the President s role. The Board is charged with replacing the VP position and they are actively working on that process. I am looking forward to a continuation of our exciting year. Lure Coursing at Lisa Harmon s has been a fantastic success. Just look at the pictures posted on FB to see the determination on the dog s faces. Thanks to Xinyi and Daniel Scott for the great action shots. We have planned a Guided Walking Tour of Bonaventure Cemetery NEXT MEETING Monday, February 27 6:00pm-Dinner 7:00pm-Meeting Carey Hilliard s Restaurant 11111 Abercorn Street Savannah, Georgia 31419 Meetings are held the fourth Monday of every month April 9 th - 1-3 pm. Please plan to join us afterwards at a dog friendly local eatery for a bite and sip. The Ways and Means group is planning another fund raising Yard Sale for April (Details TBD). Please save your gently used treasures for our sale and plan to join us that day and offer your help and have some fun. NOTE: Georgia State Rep., Keisha Waites is again proposing Breed Specific legislation for Georgia. Among other breeds, Boxers, Great Danes and Huskies will be considered Dangerous Breeds and subject to strict registration and regulations. This type of law, even if based on a good intention, can be a gateway to very detrimental future attempts to control or block serious and legitimate dog breeders and owners. We are all encouraged to contact our local Ga. Representatives to express your opposition and concern for this legislation. (See FB for details) It is with a great eagerness and humility that I assume this role as President and am looking forward to working with this great group in accomplishing our goals and having a ton of fun along the way. -Gigi
January Meeting Minutes Summary The January meeting was held on January 23, 2017. The results of the 2016 Dog Show were discussed. The 2017 Show will be held on December 9th and 10th. Members are encouraged to suggest alternative locations for the 2017 Show. The 2017 Committees were informed, members can sign up to volunteer on any committee. The SKC will be renewing its membership with the Georgia Canine Coalition (a lobbyist group to protect dog ownership rights). 2017 Savannah Kennel Club Committees Show Chair Joyce Whittal Co- Show Chair Gigi Devitt Membership Jackie Tatum Sunshine/ Rescue/ Facebook Lisa Harmon Legislation and RDO Becky Smith Newsletter Jennifer Garner Trophy Chair Rachel Shatz Training Joyce Whittal Rally Vickie Marriott Advertising/ Publicity/ Meeting Programs/ Website Eduardo Rivas Public Education Sandra Kay Trickett SKC Officers President Gigi Devitt Vice President Rachel Shatz Secretary Vickie Marriott Treasurer Jackie Tatum Board Members Eduardo Rivas Susan Walls Becky Smith Jennifer Garner Marcie Bassett 2
Savannah at Westminster This year was quite special for two members of the Savannah Kennel Club, when they received the opportunity to compete at the 2017 Westminster Dog Show in New York City. Patty Smith & GRCHS Bur-Way Trin 2 Raise some Kane DS. Kane is an American Hairless Terrier. He is a silver Grand Champion and the only American Hairless Terrier to ever be a silver Grand Champion. Number one dog AKC all systems for 2016 and so far the number one dog all systems for 2017. He holds dock diving titles and was number one in his breed for Dock Diving 2016 and Conformation titles. He won Best of Breed at Westminster. He was the very first American Hairless Terrier to ever win Best of Breed at Westminster and compete in the Terrier Group there. He made breed history. Marcie Bassett and BISS GCH Cappelli Bulls Argentina Rodo Demon won Best of Breed at Westminster. It was an honor to show there, and even more amazing about getting there, is that Demon is only 16 months old. Marcie co-owns him with Julie Crook, who is also his handler, and also with Shirley Davis. They are so proud of him! 3
UPCOMING EVENTS March 2: Savannah Humane Society will hold a Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic from 2:00-6:00pm. (7215 Sallie Mood Drive) March 27: Savannah Kennel Club monthly meeting, 7:00pm, Guest Speaker- Fetch Canine Rehab, Owner and Physical Therapist, Georgia Bottoms will discuss available treatments to treat dog injuries to include: post surgical (TPLO, MPL, FHO, TPO, etc), soft tissue injuries such as sprains or strains, hip and elbow dysplasia, neurological injuries such as degenerative myelopathy and stroke (FCE), weight loss, wound care, arthritis, joint injuries, and fractures. April 9: Bonaventure Historical Cemetery Walk, 1:00pm, Everyone please plan to join us for this fun Dog walk thru this fantastic old cemetery, beautiful landscape and very interesting historical and quirky tombstones. Join our guides Melynda and Tyler Loomis for a fun afternoon and learn the amazing history behind some of the current residents of the cemetery and its links to the history of our terrific city. We will provide water for the dogs and will plan to go to a nearby Dog Friendly restaurant/ watering hole afterwards. We look forward to everyone join us for a fun afternoon with our dogs and other club members. April 12-17: Peach Blossom Cluster Dog Shows located in Perry at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. Five days of conformation, rally, obedience, agility, barn hunt, dock diving, and lure coursing. Deadline for entries: March 29, 2017 @ Noon. This is definitely an event to attend if you are new to the dog world. For more information go to http://www.peach-blossom.org/ April 24: Savannah Kennel Club Monthly Meeting, 6:00pm, Rachel Shatz will discuss what an AKC Show Supported Entry and Sweepstake Entry are, what it entails, how it helps a show, and prizes given. Sunday, May 7: The Humane Society s 17 th Annual Doggie Carnival, 12:00pm-4:00pm, Forsyth Park. Events include: doggie derby, agility course, doggie pools, and lots of fun 4
BRAGS If you would like to brag about your fur baby in our newsletter, please email Jennifer (jenniferevelyn89@gmail.com) with your name, dog name, and what exactly you would like written. You may also include pictures. (You can pay your $1 at the next meeting) ****** FOR SALE If you have any dog-related items for sale or are looking for any items, please email Jennifer (jenniferevelyn89@gmail.com) your ad to be printed in next month s newsletter. Happy Tails Match the appropriate event with the definition: 1. Dog show where a judge evaluated individual purebred dogs for how well the dog conforms to breed standard. 2. Showcase s dogs that have been trained and conditioned to behave well at home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. 3. Sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by a judge. 4. Sport that mimics the task of working detection dogs to locate a scent and communicate to the handler that the scent has been found. 5. A system of mechanized lures and pulleys that simulate the unpredictability of chasing live prey 6. Dogs and handlers must negotiate an obstacle course while racing against the clock. 7. A maze of straw bales, with plastic tubes hidden in the maze containing live rats in which the dogs must locate the rate and alert the owner. a. Lure Coursing b. Agility c. Conformation d. Scent Work e. Rally f. Obedience g. Barn Hunt Answers: 1) c 2) f 3) e 4) d 5) a 6) e 7) g 5
TRAINING CLASSES Conformation Classes are being offered by Joyce at Carols Pampered Pets Thursdays at 6:30pm. $25.00- Per Class; or $100.00- For 5 weeks of classes. Lure Coursing Fun Days: * 3/4 & 3/5 * 3/18 & 3/19 * 4/1 & 4/2 * 4/22 & 4/23 Saturday Times: 8am-12pm Sunday Times: 2:30pm-4:30pm. Please bring a chair, crate or some means of confining your dog. You might also consider bringing a tent or some type of shade and a snack. Water will be provided for the dogs. If you are interested, please contact Lisa Harmon for more information and directions. CGC (Canine Good Citizen) class will be starting January 31st, including February 7, 14, skip 21, 28 & test on March 7. Cost is $125, preregister at Carol's Pampered Pets, 355-2249. Any questions, let me know. Previous Beginners Obedience a requirement. In March, we will have a CGCA (Community) class for the advanced level. A dog must have a CGC on record with the AKC and be registered with an AKC number, PAL or AKC Canine Partners number. Dates to be announced on the CGCA. 6