The Sunnybank Gathering: For the Love of a Breed

HPPR_February_2014_Newsletter.doc
HPPR Newsletter, October 2014 Volume 2, Issue 10
The Sunnybank Gathering ................ 1
Thank You Packers! ........................... 3
The Range Ranch Mystery ................ 4
Faux PAWS ......................................... 5
After the Inheritance ...........................6
Find Us On Facebook .........................7
Our Wishlist.........................................7
Halloween Dog Treat Recipe ..............7
The Sunnybank Gathering: For the Love of a Breed
By Mary Hickerson
No other breed has a Sunnybank, and no other breed an
Albert Payson Terhune. So say the many Collie breeders,
owners, and aficionados who gather each August at
Sunnybank in Pompton Lakes NJ, the home of the famed
Sunnybank Collies Lad, Wolf, Bruce, Jean, Fair Ellen, Gray
Dawn and so many others. The annual Gathering is a
combination AKC-sanctioned dog show and fund raiser for
the Collie Health Foundation, a memorial for departed
canine companions, an auction, lunch on the grounds, and
the chance to meet dozens of beautiful Collies, all in honor
of Albert Payson Terhune’s memory.
Sunnybank is the estate, owned by the Terhune family
On Pompton Lake at Sunnybank
since 1865, where Albert Payson Terhune wrote many of
the novels and stories that made him rich and famous. Though Terhune never became a critically acclaimed writer, he
was an extraordinarily successful one known all over the U. S. and abroad for his stories featuring Collies. Three great
loves dominated Terhune’s life: his wife, his dogs, and his home. Biographer Irving Litvag says of Terhune (in The
Master of Sunnybank) that even long after he and his wife and his dogs were gone, “in some ineffable way he
transmuted his loves into the hearts of other people so that they loved them almost as intensely as he did.” The first
Sunnybank gathering in 1972, the hundredth anniversary of Terhune’s birth, dedicated a monument to Terhune, and
much has been done since then to restore parts of the famous grounds.
Terhune’s love of Collies began with a dog his parents acquired, probably to serve as a watchdog. This was Lad, who
became the famous Collie featured in Terhune’s stories, the first of which was published in January 1915. The Collies in
Terhune’s stories were noble creatures capable of taking on enemies, having great intelligence and ability to
understand the people they loved as well as to, in Litvag’s words, “reason out the consequences of [their] own actions.”
The stories were immensely popular, and publishers immediately sought more of Terhune’s work. In 1919 the book
Lad: A Dog was published and became even more wildly popular, going through 82 printings. Children especially loved
the Collie stories, and Terhune was besieged by fans who wanted to visit Sunnybank and meet the dogs.
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc.
939 W. Bayfield St.
Washburn, WI 54891
715-373-2222
ourhelpingpaws.com
[email protected]
Cont'd on Page 2
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Helping PAWS Pet Rescue October 2014
The Sunnybank Gathering (Cont'd from Page 1)
Terhune was a prodigious writer and one of the most popular in the America of his time. Several of his books sold over
a million copies at a time when the population was much smaller than it is now. Litvag notes that during the 1920s,
when Terhune’s writing was vastly popular, he earned over $100,000 (at the time $5,000 was considered a handsome
amount). His books were so well-known and widely distributed that he received 200-300 letters a week from fans of his
work. Many of his books and stories remained in print until 40 years after his death, and the stream of visitors to
Sunnybank continued as well.
In 1917, Terhune began breeding Collies, at first, so that there were replacements for his dogs as they grew older. The
Sunnybank Kennel existed for 23 years, producing 49 litters and 147 puppies. Because of Terhune’s fame as an author,
it soon became a status symbol to own a Sunnybank Collie. Many more people claimed to own a Sunnybank Collie than
there were actual dogs of Sunnybank descent. Terhune also showed certain of his Collies, though on a limited basis.
Terhune for a time served on the board of directors of the American Kennel Club, but he had an ambivalent attitude
toward breeders, believing that too many of them produced dogs “bred and raised after the formula for raising and
breeding prize hogs or chickens . . . dogs bred to bring out certain arbitrary
‘points’ which count in show-judging.” Such breeders, he thought, ignored
the heart and soul of a dog, focusing instead on appearance.
For the Terhune family, and for so many children and adults around the
nation, Sunnybank was a magical place. In his writings, Terhune always
called it The Place and spoke of its peaceful aura; the “fire blue lake”; the
glorious golden Collies that roamed the grounds; the trees, flowers, and
bushes carefully collected, planted, and cared for by two generations of
Terhunes; and the Jersey hill and lake country. When the first generation
of Terhunes saw Sunnybank, Albert’s mother described it thus: “A lake,
blue and tranquil as the heavens it mirrored; green slopes, running down
to the water; wooded heights . . . and around, as far as the eye could
reach, mountains...billowing, range beyond range, against the horizon...”
Terhune never tired of writing about the house and grounds and the love
he and his wife had for The Place and for the Collies who lived there with
them.
A memorial stone inscribed with a
recreation of the Sunnybank house,
covered in wisteria vines.
After Terhune and his wife died, he in 1942 and she in 1964, the Sunnybank
house and grounds fell into disrepair and ruin, to the dismay of people who
believed the estate should be preserved as a memorial to Terhune and
recognition of the Collie breed. In the late 1960s, supporters started a
national campaign to save the land from being subdivided and the house from
destruction. The plan to save the house did not succeed, but the grounds
became the Terhune Sunnybank Memorial Park, administered by the Wayne
NJ Department of Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with the Terhune
Sunnybank Memorial Fund. Memorial Fund supporters continue to donate
money and countless hours of labor toward lovingly restoring what remains
Memorial to Collies buried in this spot
of Sunnybank. Projects such as recarving and resetting headstones on the
on the grounds of Sunnybank; erected
dog graves, rebuilding masonry around the lily pond, building a new gazebo,
courtesy of the Terhune Sunnybank
resurrecting the remains of the rose walk with wisteria vines, rebuilding the
Memorial Fund
puppy kennel, restoring Lad’s grave, replacing the sun dial, erecting
monuments and installing benches, replanting the grounds, etc., have recreated much of the magic of Sunnybank,
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minus the house and outbuildings.
Cont'd on Page 3
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue October 2014
The Sunnybank Gathering (Cont'd from Page 2)
Today, though Sunnybank is much smaller than its original size, it retains the strangely
peaceful aura, and those who go there are transported back to the days when Collies
lived there with the Terhunes, when the house and grounds were lush and lovingly
cared for, and when the Terhunes and their Collies were known all over America. Still
today visitors come to Terhune Sunnybank Memorial Park to enjoy the trees, bushes,
flowers, and lake, and each year in August a group of Collies and the people who love
and treasure them bring Sunnybank back to life. Surely Albert Payson Terhune would
be pleased to see what Sunnybank is today as well as what it was yesterday.
A Collie greets passersby at
The Gathering
Enjoying the lake at
Sunnybank
On the Sunnybank grounds at The Gathering in August 2014
Thank You Green Bay Packers!
The people and animals of Helping PAWS Pet Rescue would like to express their gratitude to the Packers organization
for their donation of a Packers Commemorative Football. We were able to raise $379.00 raffling off this ball. The
drawing was held at a local sports bar during half time of the 2014 season opener between the Packers and Seattle.
The event provided excellent exposure for our organization, while showcasing the kindness and generosity of the
Packers organization.
Money generated by this raffle is being used to partially fund a spay/neuter program that focuses primarily on pit bulls
whose owners could not, otherwise, afford to have their dogs fixed. Nationwide, pit bulls represent over 50% of the
dogs that are euthanized at shelters. Adoption alone cannot deal with this issue, which makes the Packers’ donation an
important part of the solution.
Thank you from Helping PAWS Pet Rescue.
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc.
939 W. Bayfield St.
Washburn, WI 54891
715-373-2222
ourhelpingpaws.com
[email protected]
3
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue October 2014
The Range Ranch Mystery
By Judy McCalla
We all like a classic whodunit. Was it Professor Plum in the hall with a lead pipe?
Or perhaps it was Mrs. Peacock in the library with the candlestick. However,
when internet service mysteriously disappeared at Range Ranch, suspicion
immediately turned to five, ostensibly virtuous suspects: Joy, Faith, Hope, Love
and Sweet Charity.
Over the years, Range Ranch has hosted dozens - perhaps even hundreds - of
playful, mischievous, foster kittens but none had managed to shut down
communications with the outside world. At least that was the case until recently
when internet service abruptly came to a halt due to significant cable damage.
The cable was examined and found to have many tiny needle-like punctures. Claws? Teeth? Both?
The prime suspects were interviewed but even Hercule Poirot
would have been stumped by these five. No one had an alibi and
everyone was pointing the paw at someone else. Since all were
amply supplied with the necessary weapons (claws and teeth),
kitty forensics was unable to identify the culprit. According to Joy,
Hope had been seen hanging around the computer earlier in the
day. Love remembered that Charity had once said that computers
were the tools of the devil since people couldn’t operate them and
play with her at the same time. Faith was certain that the butler
did it.
Eventually, it became obvious why none of the “virtue” kittens had been
named “honesty.” The humans at Range Ranch have declared that the
case will remain open until it is solved, but those familiar with the
situation are convinced that this is one mystery where we will never know
whodunit. And though our story doesn’t have a solution, it does have a
happy ending. Several of our virtuous little suspects have already found
wonderful new homes and the others will be going to stay at Mrs Naas’s
classroom until they also find perfect forever homes. We can only hope
that while they are there, someone keeps a close eye on the electronics!
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue,
Inc.
939 W. Bayfield St.
Washburn, WI 54981
715-373-2222
ourhelpingpaws.com
[email protected]
4
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue October 2014
Faux PAWS: socially awkward or tactless acts, especially those that violate accepted social pet
norms, standard customs, or the rules of petiquette.
I am an Olympic hurdler in training. When my goofy foster
sister, Lola, and I are dashing around the yard, she often
gets in my way. Not wanting to break my stride to
accommodate a girl, I just leap over her. I do this
repeatedly and you should see how unnerved the wuss gets!
But, what do you expect from a silly Golden Retriever!
-- Wilson
Do not be deceived by my "miniature" size, as I have a
gargantuan appetite. At the ripe old age of 11 years, I
ate one of my owner's size 15 leather shoes. Mom and
Dad counted 70 pieces of leather that came out one end
or the other, and then I needed surgery to the tune of
$2,300 to repair the problem. One down, one to go, as
I need to find the mate to that shoe.
-- Wild Thing
There is no sport involving balls that I don't love.
Occasionally, the lure of a good ball game caused
me to escape from my yard, and I was lucky that
we lived near a golf course. I was always sooooo
overjoyed to see all these people wanting to play
ball with me! So, I would pick up their ball and
gleefully return it to them with a happy, smiling
face. Occasionally they were surprised, but
pleased, to see me returning their ball, but other
times they got really nasty. The man in the pro
shop would even call my mom and tell her to come
get me from the golf course. Humans are so fickle!
-- Rex
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc.
939 W. Bayfield St.
Washburn, WI 54891
715-373-2222
ourhelpingpaws.com
[email protected]
5
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue October 2014
After the Inheritance...A Rescue
By Debbie Franks
A few months ago, I wrote about inheriting a relative's pet
and trying to help the animal blend into your life.
When my father-in-law passed away, we knew we had no
other choice than to take in his Siamese cat, Yuki. Why?
Because Siamese are one man/family cats and have been
known to die from a broken heart (so to speak) after a
beloved owner has passed away The problem? We were a multi-DOG household and several members of our fur family
were definitely not cat lovers. Fortunately, my husband's shop was in a building separate from our house. He "did it up
grand" in order to make Yuki comfortable. It all worked out just fine.
Then, we inherited my sister-in-law's dog, Summer, after my sister-in-law was in
an automobile accident which resulted in severe head trauma. We had hoped
that Summer would eventually be able to go home. That hope has been dashed
as my sister-in-law will live out her days in a long-term care facility. So, now we
must do what is best for Summer.
When Summer arrived at our house, she had been through the wringer. She was
in the car at the time of the accident and, surprisingly, was not injured. Then she
was whisked off to animal control to spend the weekend. Fortunately, a friend of
my sister-in-law worked with a local animal rescue group and was able to pull
Summer out. She then spent three days with that lady, was then handed off to
my husband, then driven four hours to a strange house (ours) which was full of
dogs she had never met (she was an "only dog"). I don't know about you but I would be dazed and confused at that
point as well.
That was four months ago now. How time flies. Summer's house soiling problems are pretty much solved, she is eating
well, initiates play with two of the dogs in our house. But, although the fights have lessened greatly, they are still
occurring too often. She mostly reacts when she feels in a situation where there is no way out. Sometimes I have no
idea what the cause is. No blood has been shed (yet) and, they seen to be more noise than anything, but you can't
discount the yelps of pain when one of them gets nipped. But all of the fighting brought us to a tough decision. Summer
is happier being the queen of the house. The "one and only" dog.
So, now what? My husband and I talked extensively to be sure we are doing what is right for all the dogs. We confirmed
that it was best to find a forever home for Summer where she could be spoiled, with undivided attention, as the only
dog in the house. As someone who has been involved with rescue for many years, I knew what we had to do. I
contacted our local rescue.
Fortunately, our local rescue has a rehoming program for situations like ours. So we will work with the rescue to find
Summer the best home. She is sweet, playful, affectionate, smart... and deserves a home where she can "let it all hang
out".
Cont'd on Page 7
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc.
939 W. Bayfield St.
Washburn, WI 54891
715-373-2222
ourhelpingpaws.com
[email protected]
6
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue October 2014
After the Inheritance..... (Cont'd from Page 6)
Giving up an animal is extremely difficult. But there is nothing to be ashamed about if you do it correctly. Leaving your
pet in a shelter where they could be put down just because there just isn't enough room is the wrong way to do it.
Working with a rescue who wants your pet to have a long and happy life is the best choice for both of you. And that's
what we want for Summer. As much as I love her, she deserves better than what we can give her. She deserves the best
home in the world. But that is the one thing I can't give her. I'll cry my heart out the day she leaves. But I'll know she is
much better off because of the hardest decision I've ever had to make. And I'm not ashamed about it. If you're ever in
this position, you shouldn't be either.
Find Us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Helping-PAWS-Pet-Rescue-Inc/136862926387348
Our Wishlist
Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup rolled oats
2 large eggs
¾ cup canned pumpkin
3 Tbsp peanut butter
½ tsp salt
¼ cup water
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350º F
2. Combine all ingredients in mixer and mix until the ingredients are well combined.
3. Flour your work surface. Roll dough to ¼" thickness.
4. Cut into pieces 1" to 1.5"
5. Bake for 25-35 minutes, depending on the size.
Originally posted on www.barbaricgulp.com; also posted on Pinterest
Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc.
939 W. Bayfield St.
Washburn, WI 54891
715-373-2222
ourhelpingpaws.com
[email protected]
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