GPCA Q1 2012 Bulletin - Great Pyrenees Club of America

Transcription

GPCA Q1 2012 Bulletin - Great Pyrenees Club of America
Bulletin
The Great Pyrenees Club of America
First Quarter 2012
Courtesy of Vern Great Pyrenees
Courtesy of Smudge the Wonder Dog Acosta
The Garden State Great Pyrenees Club
is excited to be hosting the 2012 GPCA National Specialty
Our esteemed panel of Judges include:
Futurity ▫ Maryann Gentzel
Puppy Sweepstakes ▫ Barb Dillon
Veteran Sweepstakes ▫ Peggy Watson
Conformation ▫ Ellen VandenAvond
Special Events include:
Top Twenty and Puppy Invitational
Rescue and Pet Parade
Sunday Regional Judged by Mrs. Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna
Back to Back Obedience Trials, Draft Dog,
and much, much more.
For all the latest information, please check out our web site:
www.2012gpcanational.com or contact Show Chair Karen Justin at [email protected]
English Slip Lead: 6’ leash in a variety of colors (additional colors include
black, camouflage, teal, silver, burgundy) with Running Pyr.
Free-hanging stained glass Running Pyr
approx. 8”x 6” each is an individually
crafted one-of-a-kind work of art and may
vary slightly. Quantities limited.
Contact Victoria or Karen at
[email protected] with item
quantities for shipping costs.
Prices as follows:
Stained Glass
$30
Leashes
$15
Logo T-Shirt
$15
Logo Sweatshirt
$30
Tapestry Totes
$30
Pillows
$35
50 x 68 Blanket
$65
Please make all checks payable to
“2012 GPCA National” and send
orders to:
Victoria Coffman
1893 County Route 1
Westtown, NY 10998
Renowned artist and long-time Pyr
fancier Arlene Oraby’s gorgeous artwork is immortalized on blankets,
totes, and pillows.
Sizes S - 3X. 50/50 Blend
Blanket: full-size 50” x 68” made with
three layers 100% cotton
Pillow: design on front, black on back,
made of a cottonpoly blend 18” x 18”
Sizes S - 4X. 100% Cotton
2
Tote Bag: artwork appears on both
sides of this 16” x 16” cottonpoly
blend tote.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
2012 National Specialty
ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR SALE
AND OUR "WISH LIST"
It’s hard to believe we only have four months left until we
host the National Specialty! We still have items for sale to help
pay for the event. Quantities are limited so please order soon
if you plan to make a purchase. These are all available on the
web site. We may not re-order items once they are sold out,
depending on item and that company’s minimum quantity reorder requirements.
We are still trying to acquire the following:
Carpet Cleaner, Paper Towels, Pooper Scoopers, Dog Biscuits, Garbage Bags, Duct Tape, and Shavings for Ex-Pens. If
you would like to donate any of these items please contact
Karen at [email protected].
Thanks!
Karen
Electronic Distribution of
Premium list for the 2012
GPCA National Specialty
At the conference call on December 8, 2011 the GPCA
Board of Directors approved the request that the 2012 National Specialty Premium list be distributed electronically. All
GPCA members with an email address listed in the directory
will receive an email with the premium list which will include
the all-in-one signup sheet and the rescue/pet parade signup
sheet. All GPCA members without an email address listed in
the directory will automatically be mailed a hard copy of the
premium list. Any person who is emailed and we receive an
undeliverable notice will be mailed a hard copy of the premium list.
Any GPCA member or person may request a hard copy of
the premium list and it will be mailed. To request a hardcopy
of the premium list contact the Superintendent at Barb Budny;
[email protected] or by phone 414-327-5619. The premium list will be available for download from the following
web sites: Show Superintendent www.caper-dogs.com; 2012
National Specialty www.2012gpcanational.com; GPCA
http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/index.html.
Please note the closing date of the show and the all-in-one
sheet is April 6, 2012.
If you have any questions regarding the 2012 National Specialty please don't hesitate to contact Karen Justin at [email protected]. If you need assistance with obtaining a premium
you may also contact Bret Zacher at [email protected].
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
REGIONAL SPECIALTY CHANGES
2012 GPCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY &
GSGPC ANNUAL REGIONAL SPECIALTY
Our Regional Specialty to be held on Sunday, April 29, the
day following the National Specialty, has a judge change. Paula
Nykiel is no longer able to judge for us on that date. We now
have Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna, from California, coming in to
judge our Regional Specialty. Our regular specialty held in May
of each year will no longer be held at the Freehold, NJ site. Our
Annual Regional Specialty will now be held in Augusta, NJ at the
Sussex County Fairgrounds in October of each year in conjunction with the Palisades Kennel Club Dog show. We will have a
Fall Regional at the new site for our Annual Regional Specialties
and the judge selected was Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna. Because neither judge was available on the dates we requested,
we have switched judges and Paula Nykiel will be judging our
October 13, 2012 Regional Specialty. We hope to see you at
both!
Rescue and
Pet Parade
2012 GPCA
National Specialty
Karen Justin
While a National Specialty is, by definition, a dog show,
there have, in the past, been host clubs that have held a
Rescue Parade during the National. We wondered why
the vast majority of Pyrs, your typical companion Pyr home
on the couch, are the only Pyrs excluded from participating in a National Specialty. Therefore, we have decided to
have the first ever Rescue and Pet Parade at the upcoming
National Specialty in April. Please consider entering and
participating in this historic and special event. All Pyrs are
welcome and encouraged to attend whether they are rescue dogs, show dogs, obedience stars, agility enthusiasts,
draft competitors, or have never left the couch. All participants will receive an award and half of the $20 entry fee
will be split between the GPCA National Rescue fund and
the GPCA Health Committee. The entry form, which is pictured on the right, will be included in the electronic premium list which you should be receiving via e-mail in
February. The Parade will be on Friday, April 27, 2012 at
6 p.m.
3
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
2012 GPCA National Specialty
Reservation/Order Form — Deadline is April 6, 2012
All prices are in U.S. Dollars
E-mail:
Phone:
Price Each Quantity
Total
Grooming Space (8’ x 8’): All spaces have access to power and are available from Tuesday $65.00
PM through Sunday. $65 per space regardless of the number of days. All spaces are on a
“1st reserved/paid basis.” Groups wishing to be together must reserve/pay at the same time.
Equipment Rental: If you are flying in or unable to bring your own equipment, we will
make every effort to have available to you, for rent, equipment you may need such as a
Crates, Grooming Table, Blow Dryer, etc. Please contact us for pre-paid prices.
250
RV Parking: Limited RV Parking available on a “1st reserved/paid basis.” No hookups.
30
Banquet (4-course meal): Please specify: Chicken (Chicken Cordon Bleu)
Fish (Stuffed Filet of Flounder)
30
Beef (Roast Prime Rib)
32
12
Box Lunch (specify # needed at $12 per lunch per day): ___Wed ___Thu ___Fri ___Sat
Puppy Invitational/Top 20 Admission/Cocktail Party Wed 4/25
20
Special Events:
includes Hors D’oeuvers, Catalog, and Peoples’ Choice Ballot
All-You-Can-Eat Lobster Buffet Dinner (tax/tip incl.) Fri 4/27
80
See Separate Entry Form
Rescue and Pet Parade Fri 4/27. See PREMIUM LIST to Enter.
20
10
Catalog (National/Regional Combined): Pre-paid pick-up at the show. (Day of show price will be $15.)
20
Marked Catalog: Available by pre-order only (will be mailed after the show).
Trophy Donation: (Donor name as you’d like it to appear: _____________________________________________)
Auction Donation: Please consider donating a special treasure for the Auction. Send donations and descriptions of
the items to Karen Justin, 1893 County Route 1, Westtown, NY 10998 ([email protected] — 845-726-3437)
Catalog Ad: See PREMIUM LIST. All catalog ads must be placed directly with the Show Secretary (Deadline: 4/6).
Health Committee Clinic: SNAP 4Dx Blood Test (Lyme disease, Erlichiosis canis, Heartworm, & Anaplasmosis) No Pre-pay.
Name of Owner: ___________________________________________________ Number of Dogs: ___________
Pay at
Cost: $40 per dog (includes results certificate. Payment to be made at the Clinic payable to: GPCA Health Committee Clinic.
Logo T-Shirt
Indicate # of each size: ____ SM ____ M ____ L
15
____ XL ____ 2X ____ 3X ____ 4X
Logo Sweatshirt
Indicate # of each size: ____ SM ____ M ____ L
30
____ XL ____ 2X ____ 3X
Arlene Oraby Artwork: Blanket: full-size, 3-layer, 100% cotton blanket, 50” x 68”
65
Pillow: design on front, black on back, cottonpoly blend 18” sq.
35
Tote: artwork on both sides, cottonpoly blend, 16” sq.
30
Leash
6’ English Slip Lead with embossed Running Pyr: colors vary
15
Stained Glass Pyr
Free-hanging, hand-made Running Pyr: approx. 8” x 6”
30
The above prices on our Ways N’ Means items are for pick-up at the show. For shipping costs, please contact us.
TOTAL:
Names of others in your party (for hospitality packets and name tags):
Name: ___________________________________________________________
$
State: _____________________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________
State: _____________________________
Please make all checks payable to 2012 GPCA National Specialty.
Check # ______________________ OR
Master Card ____ / VISA ____ # _____________________________________
Expiration Date (MM/YY): _______ CSC/Security Code (on back of card): ______
Name as it appears on the card: _______________________________________
Karen Justin
Questions? Contact Show co-Chairs:
or
or check out the web site
[email protected]
845-726-3437
www.2012gpcanational.com
Mail this form along with payment to:
Name: ___________________________________________________________
State: _____________________________
2012 GPCA National Specialty
1893 County Route 1
Westtown, NY 10998
Victoria Coffman
[email protected]
845-726-3437
The Garden State Great Pyrenees Club hopes to see you soon!
4
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
RESCUE and PET PARADE
NATIONAL RESCUE DISPLAY
2012 GPCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY
Friday, April 27, 2012 – Best Western Inn at Hunts Landing, Matamoras, PA
The GSGPC in conjunction with the GPCA’s 2012 National Specialty would like to invite you to participate
in the 2012 Rescue and Pet Parade to take place on Friday, April 27. All rescue and/or pet owners are invited to show off their dog(s) in this non-competitive event. All who participate will receive an award and have
an opportunity to get a show photo. While you present your dog in the ring a brief biography of you and/or
your dog will be read. Your dog should be clean and reasonably groomed (a bath is not necessary).
This is a great opportunity to meet other people in our breed and see a lot of Great Pyrenees in one place.
Events begin on Tuesday, April 24th and there will be plenty to do and see through Sunday.
The parade will start at 6pm on Friday evening. Please arrive early. Everyone is invited and encouraged
to attend. To enter (pre-entries only, no entries will be taken the day of the parade) fill out the form below
and mail with the $20.00 entry fee. One half of each entry will be divided between GPCA Rescue and the
GPCA Health Committee with the remainder covering expenses. Please return your entry with the fee (payable
to 2012 GPCA National Specialty) by April 6th to:
Beth Britton, 21 Britton Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
The National Rescue Board will be on display at the National for the entire week. If you have a photo or
story to add to the board please send to Beth at the above address. If you have any questions about either
event please contact Beth at (908) 782-5609 or email [email protected].
Owners __________________________________Phone __________________Email __________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________________
Dog’s Name ______________________________Sex ____________________Age ____________________
Acquired from ____________________________________________________________________________
Please tell us about you and/or your dog ______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
5
Great Pyrenees Club Of America
2011 -2012 GPCA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS
OFFICERS
President Carrie Stuart Parks (2012)
Email: [email protected]
P. O. Box 73
Catalda, ID 83810-0073
Phone: 208-682-2831
Vice President Flo Laicher (2012)
Email: [email protected]
RD 12 286 Dixon Road
Carmel, NY 10512-9812
Phone: 845-225-2754
Secretary Kathy Lee (2013)
Email: [email protected]
285 Meadow Ridge Lane
Boones Mill, VA 24065
Phone: 540-334-5213
Treasurer Judy Brown (2013)
Email: [email protected]
436 Center Pointe Drive
Cary, NC 27513-5728
Phone: 919-468-8160
DIRECTORS
Laurie Gottschalk (2014)
Email: [email protected]
6774 N Alpine Drive
Byron, IL 61010-9320
Phone: 815-234-8042
Janet Ingram (2012)
Email: [email protected]
8257 Little River Dam Road
Radford, VA 24141-8047
Phone: 540-731-8692
Jo Stubbs (2013)
Email: [email protected]
3385 Taylor Ave
Bridgeton, MO 63044
314-209-1431
Brenda Weiss (2014)
Email: [email protected]
7985 Saddle Ridge Trace
Nashville, TN 37221-1025
Phone: 615-662-7947
Bret Zacher (2014)
Email: [email protected]
6714 Indian Lane---Long Grove, IL 60047-2001
Phone: 847-949-7997
6
2011-2012 STANDING COMMITTEES AND COORDINATORS
If any member has an interest in serving on a committee, please contact the committee chair.
STANDING COMMITTEES
AKC DELEGATE –
Bob Brown
509-554-1668
[email protected]
AKC S SPORTSMANSHIP
AWARDS –
Bret Zacher, Chair
847-949-7997
[email protected]
AWARDS AND TROPHIES –
Christine Hodel, Chair
319-446-7580
[email protected]
Brenda Weiss, Liaison
615-662-7947
[email protected]
BREED MENTOR –
Tami Green
517-851-4044
[email protected]
BULLETIN –
Bret Zacher, Contributing Editor
847-949-7997
[email protected]
Flo Laicher, Layout and Design
845-225-2754
[email protected]
Jo Stubbs, Layout and Design
314-209-1431
[email protected]
CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP –
Jack Perry
540-788-3647
[email protected]
Kerry Kern Woods
509-925-3339
[email protected]
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS–
Kathy Lee, Chair
540-334-5213
[email protected]
FUTURITY –
Terry Denney Combs
760-949-0318
[email protected]
GAZETTE COLUMNIST –
Gail Knapp
810-736-3288
[email protected]
GREAT PYR SERVICE AWARDS –
Mary Lou Mayer, Chair
817-441-6376
[email protected]
HALL OF FAME –
Judy Cooper
847-381-4175
[email protected]
HEALTH –
Flo Laicher, Chair
845-225-2754
[email protected]
Joan Stuart Ruiz, Vice Chair
509-588-3369
[email protected]
VACANT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION –
Joan Ziehl
540-731-8692
[email protected]
JUDGE’S EDUCATION –
Jean Pero, Co Chair
303-347-0106
[email protected]
Judy Cooper, Co Chair
847-381-4175
[email protected]
JUDGE MENTOR –
Ruth Marcy
907-346-1772
[email protected]
JUDGE SELECTION –
Valerie Seeley
732-530-9288
[email protected]
JUNIOR RECOGNITION –
Ruth Marcy
907-346-1772
[email protected]
LEGISLATIVE –
Bret Zacher
847-949-7997
[email protected]
LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOG Catherine de la Cruz
707-583-7864
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP –
Ilene Agosto
360-576-6857
[email protected]
NOMINATING –
Flo Laicher, Chair
845-225-2754
[email protected]
Nancy Coombs
717-359-9459
[email protected]
Barb Berkesch
330-483-4030
[email protected]
Barbara Koldon
847-438-4430
[email protected]
Mary Lou Mayer
817-441-6376
[email protected]
Kerry Kern Woods
509-925-3339
[email protected]
PERFORMANCE/COMPANION
EVENTS –
Erina Fitzgerald
414-425-8458
[email protected]
PUBLIC INFORMATION –
Mary McGuire
740-743-2002
[email protected]
Tami Green
517-851-4044
[email protected]
PUBLIC RELATIONS –
Carrie Stuart Parks
208-682-4564
[email protected]
RESCUE LIAISON –
Carolyn Yeager
440-463-5583
[email protected]
STUDBOOK DATA –
Mary Ann Feller
503-365-9703
[email protected]
TITLEHOLDERS –
Jo Stubbs
314-209-1431
[email protected]
Judy Brown
919-468-8160
[email protected]
Jean Pero
303-347-0106
[email protected]
VERSATILITY, THERAPY and
DRAFT –
Christine Palmer-Persen, Co Chair
707-838-8587
[email protected]
Judy Skorup, Co Chair
215-721-8521
[email protected]
WAYS and MEANS –
Karen Justin
845-726-3437
[email protected]
Marcy Bankus
847-658-2295
[email protected]
COORDINATORS AND
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
AFFILIATED CCLUBS and SPECIALTIES –
Flo Laicher
845-225-2754
[email protected]
BULLETIN ADVISORY –Janet Weymouth
207-622-1074
[email protected]
Darrell Goolsbee
817-446-0193
[email protected]
CODE of ETHICS REVIEW –
Janet Ingram, Co Chair
540-731-8692
[email protected]
Kathy Lee, Co chair
540-334-5213
[email protected]
CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS REVIEW –
Valerie Seeley
732-530-9288
[email protected]
DATABASE MANAGER –
Stephanie Whitney
423-393-1049
[email protected]
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT –
Carrie Stuart Parks
208-682-4564
[email protected]
Brenda Weiss
615-662-7947
[email protected]
Laurie Gottschalk
815-234-8042
[email protected]
RESCUE REGIONAL
COORDINATORS –
EASTERN UNITED STATES –
Terry Sandlak
727-686-4186
[email protected]
CENTRAL UNITED STATES –
Dave and Sharon Hayes
402-488-8983
[email protected]
WESTERN UNITED STATES –
Pat Wolter
602-295-1049
[email protected]
WEBMASTER –
Karen Reiter
804-795-5318
[email protected]
WEBSITE DESIGN –
Karen Reiter
804-795-5318
[email protected]
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
The Great Pyrenees Club
Of America Bulletin
Submissions
The GPCA Bulletin is published five times a year for members of the Great Pyrenees Club of America to share knowledge toward the betterment of the breed.
All letters to the editor must be clearly identified as such. Letters must be
signed and must include the author’s address. Anonymous letters will not be
published. Letters of questionable content will be reviewed by the GPCA Board
for suitability of publication.
EDITORS
Jo Stubbs
E-mail: [email protected]
FEATURES
Flo Laicher
E-mail: [email protected]
The submission of original articles of interest to GPCA members is strongly
encouraged. Please try to include relevant photos whenever possible.
Bret Zacher (contributing)
E-mail: [email protected]
CLIPPINGS
The submission of newspaper and magazine articles of interest to GPCA
members is strongly encouraged. Please include the name and date of the
publication.
PUBLISHER
The Leader-Herald
8 East Fulton St., Gloversville, NY 12078
ADVERTISEMENTS
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Camera-ready layouts: Because of the switch to electronic publication,
camera-ready layouts are no longer preferred, though they can still be accepted. Layout must fit within 7 1/2 x 10 inch area and is expected to adhere
to professional standards of craftsmanship. Contact the editor or advertising
manager for information.
Joanne Bergen
15752 Zeigler Court, Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 788-4337 • E-mail: [email protected]
PUBLICATION DEADLINES
PUBLICATION
Jan. / Feb. / March
April / May / June
National Specialty
July / Aug. / Sept.
Oct. / Nov. / Dec.
SUBMISSIONS TO EDITOR
Jan. 1
April 1
Aug. 1
July 1
Oct. 1
TARGET MAIL DATE
Feb. 15
May 15
Sept. 15
Aug. 15
Nov. 15
ADVERTISING RATES
Mail or e-mail copy directly to the advertising manager.
AD LOCATION
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
MEMBERS
NON MEMBERS
Inside front cover
Not Available
Not Available
Inside rear cover
$75.00
$140.00
Full page (1 photo)
$60.00
$110.00
*Color Up charge
$375.00
$450.00
Full page (no photo)
$50.00
$ 90.00
Half page (1 photo)
$45.00
$ 80.00
Half page (no photo)
$40.00
$ 70.00
Quarter page (no photo)
$25.00
—–
Eighth page (no photo)
$10.00
—–
New title holder
$55.00
—–
*Color Advertising Guideline
Color advertising request must be made to the Advertising Manager and Editor a minimum of one month prior to
the deadline for Bulletin submission. Color advertising materials must be submitted to the Advertising Manager and/or
Editor, as directed, by the deadline for Bulletin submission. No late submissions will be accepted. The color up charge
is per photo page ad submitted and covers the cost of the color printing and required paper stock. Advertising location requests can be made, but are subject to change based on the Publishers discretion to produce the Bulletin. The
inside covers are not available by GPCA guidelines.
All rates include page layout and typesetting as described by the advertiser. These rates also apply to camera-ready copy.
Only GPCA members may advertise dogs, wins, puppies and studs in the Bulletin. Make checks payable to GPCA.
Payment must accompany advertisement in U.S. funds. Mail all advertising directly to the advertising manager. Acknowledgement will be made upon receipt of all ads.
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE BULLETIN
MEMBERS $8.00 • NON MEMBERS $10.00 • SUBSCRIPTION ONLY $35.00
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Non-camera-ready copy: Submit sketch of layout on 8 1/2 by 11
inch paper. Clearly print or type all copy. Typeface choice will be at the discretion of the advertising manager. Copy may be submitted via e-mail.
Photographs: Black and white photos are preferred. The quality of the
reproduction of color photographs cannot be guaranteed. Do not cut, trim or
otherwise alter photographs submitted. Photos may also be submitted via email, using a standard jpg format. Please provide at a minimum 300dpi for
all photos.
If the advertising manager has any questions about your ad or its layout
you will be contacted for clarification. Final layout and placement of the advertisement is at the discretion of the Bulletin staff.
IN MEMORIAM
“In Memoriam’’ is a free service of the GPCA Bulletin. Submissions are limited
to GPCA members. Include: 1) registered name of the dog; 2) call name of the
dog; 3) dates of birth and death; 4) name(s) of owner(s). Photographs are not
included. Please submit directly to the editor.
REGIONAL CLUB BULLETIN POLICY
The Bulletin will print TWO free pages per year for each regional club affiliated with the GPCA. This page may be a flyer announcing a Regional Specialty,
specialty results or the announcement of a major club activity. Any additional
pages will be considered advertising and will be charged for accordingly. Camera-ready material can be sent to the editor; non-camera-ready material should
be sent to the advertising manager. Articles about club activities should be sent to
the editor and will be published at no charge to the club. Submission of club news
is encouraged, and it will be published in the Club Roundup section of the Bulletin.
The Specialty Calendar is a free calendar of GPCA-supported events. All
submissions should be sent to the GPCA specialty coordinator.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily agree with, the opinions expressed in the Bulletin, either in articles or
in advertisements. Permission to reprint is granted provided no change is
made in copy and credit is given to author and source. A complimentary copy
of the publication containing reprinted material shall be sent to the author c/o
the GPCA Bulletin editor.
7
Editors Note
Hard to believe that we are once again starting a new year, honestly where does the time go? As we leave 2011
behind and move forward into 2012 we would like to remind everyone to keep sending your articles and photos for the bulletin, we love getting the photos of the pyrs that are submitted and your articles go towards making
the GPCA Bulletin the best it can be. If you are not sure if a photo or article is suitable, send it on to us and we
will let you know.
We would also like to remind everyone again (and we will keep doing this until we find that special person)
that the BOD is still looking for permanent editor for the bulletin. We know there is someone out that would make
an excellent editor!
In this issue there is a tribute to the memory of John Hannum, whom we lost back in September, from his wife
Barbara, with some really nice photos of John. We want to thank Barbara for sharing these memories and photos with us.
There is also a look at the Meet the Breed program that was held in New York in November. A big thank you
goes out to our members and their canine helpers who educated over 40,000 people about our wonderful breed.
We want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and wish you and your Pyr friends the best of luck in the
coming year in all that you do!
Team FloJo
Flo Laicher
[email protected]
Jo Stubbs
[email protected]
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
In college, I gave a presentation in speech class using a famous summation to the jury by George Graham
Vest (1830-1904.) Vest was an attorney at the time, and representing a man whose dog was killed by another
man. I don’t think I’ve ever read this tribute to the dog without getting teary. As this bulletin will arrive in your
mailbox somewhere around mid-February, and that means Valentine’s day, I’d like to include the loving tribute
to the dog. After all, that’s why we all are bound together, isn’t it?
“The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him,
the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in
poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow
drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will
lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his
pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and
reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no
higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And
when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold
ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his
head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.”
Now that you’re all mushy and in a pensive mood, don’t forget to make the reservations to join fellow Pyr lovers
at the upcoming National in Metamoras, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Garden State Great Pyrenees club. Mark
your calendars April 24-28, 2012.
We invite your comments and input to our club. Feel free to contact any board member. Our various actions
are posted in the secretary’s report.
-Carrie
8
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
GPCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
4th QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL MINUTES
Thursday, December 8, 2011
President, Carrie Stuart Parks called the meeting to order
at 8:15 p.m. Bret Zacher, Kathy Lee, Flo Laicher, Janet Ingram, Judy Brown, Jo Stubbs, Laurie Gottschalk were present. Brenda Weiss joined the call at 8:32.
Comparative Oncology
#01660 - Alternative Genetic Approaches for Identifying Canine Osteosarcoma Genes
The funding of the three studies totals $7500. 1/2 of the
Ratification
of
Previously
Approved cost, $3750, will be funded by the GPCA HC dedicated
funds; the remainder will be funded by the CHF Donor AdMotions through Email vised
Fund.
Secretary, Kathy Lee, moved to ratify 4 motions previously
Janet Ingram moved to approve the funding of the studies.
approved through email.
The
motion passed unanimously.
-Approval of the 2nd quarter conference call minutes of
6/9/11
Junior Recognition Chair Replacement –
-Approval of the 3rd quarter conference call minutes of Carrie Stuart Parks will write an article for the Bulletin of
9/8/11
her past experience as a Junior Handler, requesting that
-Approval that GPCA become a member of Take the members interested in the position contact her or any
Lead as a specialty club member
Board member. Carrie asked that the Board table both the
-Approval of the revised guidelines for the GPCA Rescue replacement of the committee chair and the approval of
the revised committee guidelines until her article is pubLiaison
lished and feedback of interested members has been reThe motion to ratify passed unanimously.
ceived. Carrie will include in the Q1 2012 President’s
report that upon the resignation of Ruth Marcy, a commitMid Michigan Great Pyrenees Club tee chair is needed.
Vice President, Flo Laicher, reported that she has made numerous attempts over the past 2 years to contact several GPCA Cares Committee Guidelines –
members of the Mid Michigan Great Pyrenees Club, both The purpose of this new committee is to send cards of conthrough email and snail mail, inquiring as to the current dolence to members or member’s families for the loss of a
status of the affiliated club. Flo received no response from member or family member. The committee chair is Laurie
any member she contacted.
Gottschalk. Laurie moved to approve the committee guidelines. The motion passed unanimously.
Judy Brown moved to suspend the club from GPCA membership. The motion passed unanimously. Flo will send a Great Pyr Service Awards –
letter to the President, Tami Green, and the GPCA Regional Flo Laicher moved that approval of committee guidelines be
Rep, Lynn Thigpen, notifying them of the Board’s decision. tabled until Mary Lou Mayer, the new committee chair, has
had the opportunity to complete the process of selection for
Health Committee/CHF Studies the first time. The motion passed unanimously.
GPCA Health Committee Chair, Flo Laicher stated that of
the six studies presented by the Canine Health Foundation, AKC Sportsmanship Awards –
over 1/2 of the Health Committee votes selected the fol- Committee Chair, Bret Zacher, announced that the newly
lowing three studies for funding.
appointed committee consists of six members throughout
#01620 – Clinical and Laboratory Efficacy and Safety the country. Bret moved to approve the committee guideStudies of T-Cell Receptor (TCR)
lines. The motion passed unanimously.
Peptides in Canine Atopic Dermatitis
2016 Nominating Judge’s Ballot –
#01657 – Defining New Therapeutic Approaches for
Carrie Stuart Parks will let Committee Chair, Valerie Seeley,
Osteosarcoma through Genome Wide Screening and
CONFERENCE CALL cont. on page 10
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
9
CONFERENCE CALL cont.
know that the Board is in agreement that the nominating
ballot will not be mailed first class. The form will be printed
in the Q1 2012 Bulletin, followed up with an email reminder to members. The forms could also be made available at national specialties.
Annual Awards Information from AKC –
AKC will no longer be publishing the AKC Annual Awards.
They will notify parent clubs of new titles, however this will
not supply needed information for BIS wins, group placements and high scores for our annual GPCA awards. At
a cost of $120 each, the cost of all needed reports would
be $480 annually. Flo Laicher will research with AKC for
the cost of November and December reports to complete
needed information for 2011, since discontinuation of the
AKC Awards in October. Flo suggested that the Board direct a letter to AKC, going on record as opposing the decision to discontinue the AKC Awards publication. The
letter will specify the Board’s protest of the decision and
cost to parent clubs. Carrie will contact Bob Brown,
GPCA’s delegate to AKC, asking him to speak on behalf of
the parent club to protest the paying these fees; that parent clubs should not be charged for this information. Erina
Fitzgerald, Chair of the Performance and Companion
Events Committee, will be notified of this decision and
asked of participation needed from her committee.
Electronic Mailing of Premium List –
Following the Q3 Bulletin article by Bret Zacher, regarding
emailing national specialty premium lists, the Board received 25 emails representing 32 people. Additionally,
Bret received 87 phone calls from members, not associated
with a request issued by GSGPC for members to let Board
members know of their opinion. Of the phone calls Bret
received, the majority were in favor of electronic premiums
being sent, though represented a small number of the total
GPCA membership.
Flo Laicher moved that the Board allow GSGPC, host club
of the 2012 National Specialty, to distribute an electronic
version with the following provisions: that a hard copy be
sent to all GPCA members who have no listed email address, to those who request a hard copy and to those
whose emails are returned as undeliverable. The motion
passed unanimously.
It was further suggested, by Janet Ingram, that the 2012
National Specialty All-in-One sign-up sheet be published
in the Q1 2012 Bulletin. Flo Laicher stated that GSGPC
can include notification in their ad of the Q1 issue, that
electronic mailing of the premium list will be available.
10
2014 National Specialty Venue –
National Specialty Coordinator, Bret Zacher, announced
that the location for the 2014 National Specialty will be
Vancouver, WA, at the Red Lion on the Quay.
2015 National Specialty Venue –
Bret also discussed that the Purina facility in St. Louis, MO
is being researched and considered as a site for the 2015
National Specialty. Other possibilities in the same area
are the Holiday Inn near the Purina site, Embassy Suites in
St. Louis and the Holiday Inn located in Chesterfield, near
St. Louis. Bret is also pursuing leads in the Kansas City
area.
Other Topics –
Bret Zacher stated that the building of the previously approved trophy cases has been delayed until mid January.
The cases will be built, packed and shipped by the company.
Janet Ingram, per a recent conversation with Jack Perry,
asked who made the Ways and Means GPCA pins. This
will be researched to determine who to use to make future
pins for Continuous Membership.
Laurie Gottschalk stated that the Lifetime Achievement committee guidelines are nearly ready for submission to the
Board for approval. Nancy Wood Taber has designed a
pin.
Following a request by Laurie Gottschalk, Carrie Stuart
Parks will contact Valerie Seeley, asking that she explore
shortening the procedure in determining judging assignments for National Specialties to be less than 3 years
ahead.
Flo Laicher announced that the new Health Committee
website will soon be ready for viewing.
Adjournment – Kathy Lee moved to adjourn at 11:35 p.m.
The motion passed and the call adjourned.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
SECRETARY’S REPORT - 1st QUARTER 2012
Submitted by Kathy Lee
BOARD ACTIONS
A motion was made by Laurie Gottschalk that GPCA
become a member of Take The Lead under the classification of a specialty club member. The motion
passed.
A motion was made by Kathy Lee to approve the revised guidelines for the GPCA Rescue Liaison. The motion passed.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
Email advertising from the following vendors:
Hill Agility, new product line
Chroma, key fobs
Canine College Cruise, March 2012 cruise
Dogs in Review, new dogsinreview.com website
Dogs USA, press release of safe travel tips for dogs
Personalized Pop Up Canopy
Dog World Magazine , canine dental products
A motion was made by Kathy Lee to approve the
minutes of the 4th Quarter Conference Call, held on All correspondence will be kept on file for 30 days
December 8, 2011. The motion passed.
following distribution of this Bulletin issue.
AKC CORRESPONDENCE
PUBLIC INFORMATION/BREEDER REFERRAL
Public information Chair, Mary McGuire, responded
Email letter titled “Your Dog, Your Rights, Protect
to a total of 57 inquiries In the months of October, NoThem Both”.
vember and December, 2010.
Email notice announcing the December 2011 EuAL. 1, AZ.2, CA.9, CO.1, FL.3, GA.4, IL.8, IN.1,
kanuba entries of 4000 dogs and the TV broadcast
KY.1, LA.1, ME.1, MD.1, MA.3, MI. 2, MN. 2, MO.
date of Saturday, February 4, 2012.
2, NE. 1, NV.1, NH. 1, NJ. 1, NY.10, NC.1, OH.8,
OR. 2, PA. 2. SC. 2, TN.3, TX.3, VA.2, VT.2, WA.3,
WI. 3, WV.1,
Percentage of LGD calls for the three months - 36%
Courtesy of Sigrid Undheim
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
11
Applications For GPCA Membership
Applicants for full GPCA membership must secure the sponsorship of two full members, or have
completed two years as an associate member and secure the sponsorship of two full members. Applicants’ names are being printed for the approval of all members, along with the names of the two
sponsors. Applicants for junior membership must also secure two sponsors.
In accordance with GPCA policy, the names of the following applicants for associate membership
are also being printed for the approval of all members.
If any member should have an objection to any of the applicants, set forth the reason in writing
and mail to:
GPCA Secretary Kathy Lee, 285 Meadow Ridge Lane, Boones Mill, VA 24065
Protests must be received within 30 days of receipt of your Bulletin and must be accompanied by
a $100 filing fee, which is refundable if charges are upheld. If no objections are received, then these
applicants will be accepted as full GPCA members.
APPLICANT LIST – FIRST QUARTER
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
Kimberly Kentopp
14520 Peacock Hill Avenue NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(571) 216-2236 or (703) 787-7811
[email protected]
Sponsors: Ellen Vanden Avond
Peggy Watson
Application received October 26, 2011
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Mark Kraus
1522 Oyster Lane
Holly, MT 48442-8363
(248) 762-0744
[email protected]
Application received November 6, 2011
Wendy Kraus
1522 Oyster Lane
Holly, MT 48442-8363
(248) 343-8509
[email protected]
Application received November 6, 2011
A HEALTHY PYR
IS A HAPPY PYR
Please visit our website at
w w w. g p c a h e a l t h . o r g
12
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
DECEMBER 2011
AKC DELEGATE MEETING
TO: GPCA Board
SUBJECT: Report of AKC Quarterly meeting
and Delegate committee meetings
I attended the winter quarter AKC delegates meeting
held in conjunction with the AKC Eukanuba National
Dog Show on December 15 and 16, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Delegate committee meetings were
held on December 15th. I attended the Delegate Advocacy and Advancement Committee meeting in the
morning. Not a lot of business was transacted. There
was continued discussion about cutting the meetings to
three yearly, but no real movement toward that end.
Should the three meetings concept be adopted the rotation of the June meeting would disappear and that
meeting would be held in Raleigh, North Carolina full
time. We are again starting to hear whispers of consolidating the AKC headquarters in Raleigh and eliminating the New York offices. Those in New York are
not in favor of such an action and present any cost
savings as minimal. The 20 year lease has seven
more years so without subletting the New York space
there is time to work on details if it were to go forward.
have thousands of members and deep pockets. The
two AKC Board liaisons for the Parent Clubs Committee, Steve Gladstone and Dr. Charles Garvin, defended the fee addition. AKC contends that an initial
fee to set up the data base for monthly retrieval, a
“reasonable” fee for establishing the software, and
continue with a “nominal fee” to send the report is
what they contend is happening. As you may know,
there are 3 data bases: 1) conformation and obedience; 2) performance; 3) companion. Purchased annually each section of the data base is $120 or $360
for all. Purchased quarterly each report is $280 or
$840 for all. If the reports are purchased monthly,
the reports are $105/month or $1260 for the year.
The AKC Board folks indicated that the new report is
breed specific and arranged by dogs within the
breed. They recommended that some GPCA club
member who is IT savvy write a program that will categorize each dog that appears in the annual report
and have that program customized to meet the clubs
needs. It is safe to say that none of the parent clubs
at the Parent Club Delegates Committee meeting approved of the “money maker” for AKC.
Another note that affects our National Specialty is
that the specialty catalog will be available on the day
In the interest of saving money the AKC cancelled of the first e vent.
the participation of staff liaisons with each delegate
There was also talk of CGC becoming a recognized
committee. Staff presence is beneficial at a number of
committee meetings. To help the AKC Board make award and there is a possibility of a second level
staff presence financially more palatable, the group award that might be a suffix award. Nothing is setof committees offered to cut the committee participa- tled at this time.
tion stipend by $50. AKC Board vetoed this and at
The Delegate Forum was a Q and A with potential
this time we have unhappy committees and an unBoard Candidates for the March Director election. A
happy board.
formal Q & A with the 7 board “wanabees” occurred
Thursday afternoon I attended the Parent Club Del- Friday morning before the delegate meeting. In my
egate Committee meeting and there was discussion of opinion, this is a very thin crop to select from. At this
the data charge imposed on Parent Clubs by AKC. moment, I have no idea who I will vote for unless you
None of the clubs represented were in favor of the (the board) direct me specifically. The AKC quarterly
new fees. Initially, it was to go into effect for data dis- meeting was called to order at 1020 AM on Decemtributed in November and December, but that has ber 16th at Orlando, Florida. Following the Chairbeen postponed until January 2012. This idea em- man’s report, Presidents report, and Financial Officers
anated from the AKC Board of Directors and is a “one report, we took up previous business. Jim Stevens, fisize fits all” which was pointed out that not all clubs nancial officer, said that we were still hemorrhaging
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
13
money, but that the level of registration losses was less. A reading of a proposed amendment to the Rules
‘This was the last chairman’s report from Ron Menaker Applying to Dog Shows would allow the awarding of
who has lead AKC for the past 8 years. He is term a three point major at a National Specialty designated
by the Parent Club for reserve winners dog and relimited out next March.
serve winners bitch providing there were at least twice
We voted on a proposed amendment that would the number required for a 5 point major in the region
eliminate the prohibition of a person employed by in which the event is held. I am inclined to vote in
dog food, dog remedy, or kennel supply companies to favor of this change unless you instruct me otherwise.
become delegates. I voted “no”; the amendment
There was also a reading for a Beagle Field Trial
failed.
change and I usually vote for these if the Beaglers
The AKC is again attempting to modify the number want them.
of groups and the location of breeds within those
groups. Five amendments to the Rules Applying to In new business, I read a statement prepared by the
Dog Shows were read to be voted on in March. This GPCA Board about your staunch opposition to the
change will increase the number of groups to eleven. new data charges so that it is part of the meeting
There will be three working groups: Working Utility, record. I received applause in the meeting and affirMolosser, and Working Spitz. The Great Pyrenees has mation from others after the meeting. I don’t know if
been placed in the Working Utility Group. This group there is a ground swell of resentment to the new
also includes Berners, Kuvasz, Newfs, St Bernards, charges, but I expect to ask each candidate to the
and Anatolian Shepherds and maybe later Slovensky board if they favor the new data charges and use that
as criteria for or against my vote in March.
Cuvac.
The meeting was adjourned at 1225 PM.
The Working Molosser group includes Leonberger,
Tibetan Mastiff, and the following that may be recognized at a later date: Caucasian Ovcharka, Central The dog show was held in a new convention center
Asian Shepherd Dog, Estrela Mountain Dog and in Orlando. The center is so large that the 4000 dog
Spanish Mastiff. A number of these are “the big white show only occupied a small corner of the facility. The
show is contracted to this convention center for the
dogs of various mountain ranges”.
next 5 years. Meet the breeds becomes more imIf you don’t feel as a board that the Working Utility pressive each year. I must congratulate the Pyr folks
Group is best for Great Pyrenees categorization, that put together our club display. It was very profesplease in a timely manner send your arguments for sional and very classy. We can all be proud of our
reclassification to : Dr Tom Davies, Group reclassifi- entry in the meet the breed’s project. As before, the
cation committee; Dr. Robert Smith, group reclassifi- dog show has an international flavor to it with a comcation committee; Dennis Sprung, AKC President; and petition between the top dogs in over 40 countries and
Ron Menaker, Chairman of the Board. You would the presence of a large number of foreign judges adneed to act now before the vote in March, but realize judicating at the show.
that the AKC Board of Directors can control the reformation of the groups. I am inclined to vote against Respectfully submitted,
this expansion of groups and the location of Great
Pyrenees unless you instruct me otherwise.
Bob Brown
GPCA Delegate
GPCA Website
GPCA Webmaster Karen Reiter has created a website for the GPCA.
It can be accessed from the AKC Website. The address is:
clubs.akc.org/gpca
E-mail Karen at: [email protected]
14
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
National Specialty GPCA
Regions and Rotation
At the September conference call the BOD accepted
Specialties will rotate in the following sequence: Rethe recommendations of the National Specialty Fu- gion 1 to Region 2 to Region 3 to Region 2 to Region
tures Committee for the regions and specialty rotation. 1 etc.
The regions are:
Region 1 includes the following states: ME, NH, VE,
MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA WV, NC, SC,
GA & FL. Clubs in this region include PFNE, Garden
State, Penn Dutch, Western PA, National Capital,
Metro Atlanta and Florida.
Since 2011 was held in the new region 2, 2012 will
be in new region 1, and 2013 will be in region 2
again, it was determined that the rotation for the upcoming specialties would be as follows:
2014 –
region 3; 2015 – region 2; 2016 – region 1; 2017 –
Region 2 includes the following states: ND, SD, NE, region 2; etc. In terms of the selection of potential
KS, OK, TX, MN, WI, IA, IL, IN, MI, OH, MO, ARK, judges for the 2016 specialty, this event will be held
TN, KY, AL, LA & MS. Clubs included in this region in the new region 1.
are Heart of Ohio, Chicago, Metro Milwaukee, North
Star & Dallas Fort Worth.
Region 3 includes the states of WA, OR, ID, MT, CA,
NV, CO, WY, AZ, NM , UT, AK & HI. Clubs located
in this area include Mile High, AZ Pyrs, Enchantment,
Alaska, Columbia Cascade, Puget Sound, GPAW,
GPC of So. CA, GPC of CA, & Sierra Pacific.
D O Y O U H AV E
A R E S C U E
S T O R Y ?
We would like to feature stories about
rescue Pyrs in each issue of the
BULLETIN. We can only do so with
your help. Photos with the story
would be wonderful.
Please submit them to: Jo Stubbs at
[email protected] or to Flo Laicher at
[email protected]
THE DEADLINE FOR THE Q1 ISSUE OF THE BULLETIN IS
JANUARY 1, 2012. ANY QUESTIONS???
In Memory
Abby Yabba
Dabba Doo
“Abby”
4/1/00 – 12/8/2011
Owner: Roberta
& Jeff Faulk
CONTACT JO OR FLO
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
15
Nominations sought for 2016
National Specialty Judge
Dear GPCA member:
In accordance with current GPCA National
Judge Selection Procedures, it is time for GPCA
members to submit nominations for the judge for
the 2016 National Specialty which will be held in
the new Region 1. Region 1 includes the following
states: ME, NH, VE, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE,
MD, VA WV, NC, SC, GA & FL. Clubs in this region include PFNE, Garden State, Penn Dutch,
Western PA, National Capital, Metro Atlanta and
Florida.
THE PROCESS
Prior to the Final Ballot, a Nominating Ballot listing the eligible judges is included in the Bulletin.
Members then indicate which judges they prefer.
This Nominating Ballot will then be compiled by
the Judge selection Chairperson into a Preliminary
Ballot to be sent to the Database Coordinator.
Only one nominating vote is necessary to include
an individual on the preliminary ballot.
The Preliminary Ballot will be sent out by the
Database Coordinator, voted on by GPCA memGPCA members may submit up to three (3) bers, and returned to a non-Pyrenees person for
nominees, and each affiliated Regional Club may tabulation.
submit up to five (5) nominees.
The tabulator will determine from the PrelimiPlease PHOTOCOPY the enclosed page and nary Ballot the top seven judges, and a Final Ballot will be sent to each member by first-class mail.
VOTE.
This ballot must be returned to the chosen tabulaA NOMINATION FORM FOR GPCA MEMBERS
tor by the specified date, and the winner will be
AND A SEPARATE NOMINATION FORM FOR
announced at the 2013 National Specialty.
affiliated Clubs are included.
Please send your nominations, which will make
For your information, those judges ineligible to
up the Preliminary Ballot, no later than May 1,
judge the 2016 show because they have been se2012. Nominations not postmarked by this date
lected as judges in the years prior to 2016 are:
will not be counted.
Mrs. Jean Fournier (2011), Ms.Ellen VandenAvond,(2012), Ms. Karen Justin (2013), and Thank you for participating in the judge selecMr. Vince Chianese (2014). Foreign judges are tion process.
eligible for nomination but are subject to AKC approval. A list of judges licensed to judge Great
Valerie Seeley
Pyrenees as of December 2011, and who have
Judge Selection Chairperson
judged Great Pyrenees at least 10 times in the 15
year period preceding the Specialty, is included
in this issue of the Bulletin for your convenience.
This list also includes breeder judges, but does not
include foreign judges who are eligible for nomination. Please feel free to check the AKC website
for eligible Judges that are not listed.
16
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
JUDGES FOR THE 2016
NOMINATION PROCESS
Barbara Dempsey Alderman
Carolyn Alexander
MaryAnn Alston
Ralph (Sonny) J. Ambrosio
Carl Anderson
Christine Anderson
Joan Anselm
Dr. Klaus Anselm
Sheila R. Balch
Constance Barton
Gary Bassett
Dr. Carmen Battaglia,
Peter A. Baynes
Maxine V. Beam
Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine
Catherine Bell
Eva Berg
William Bergum
Dr. Robert J. Berndt
Alberto Berrios
Terry Berrios
Rita Biddle, Esq.
Michelle Billings
Edd Biven
David Bolus
Dr. Louis Grant Bond
Donald M. Booxbaum
Loraine Boutwell
Patricia Leakey Brenner
Jim C. Briley
Mary Ann Brocious
Barbara A. Brooks
Frandel Brown
Judith A. Brown
Dr. Robert Brown
Valerie Johnson Brown
Mildred Bryant
Donna J. Buxton
Kenneth A. Buxton
Harriet Campbell
Lee Canalizo
Dany Canino
Beverly Capstick
Donald F. Carmody
Robert Caswell
Bonnie Linnell Clarke
Houston Clark
Mrs. Houston (Toddie) Clark
Victor Clemente
Dana Cline
Clay Coady
Jon R. Cole
Dorothy N. Collier
John T Connolly
Nancy Coombs
Whitney Coombs
Annella Cooper
Doris Cozart
Jeraldeen Crandall
Anitra Cuneo
William Cunningham
Judith Daniels
Roberta Davies
Lowell K. Davis
Mrs. Lowell (Arlene) K. Davis
Pete Dawkins
Denise Dean
W. Everett Dean Jr.
Lisa DeRoulet
Dr. Anthony D. DiNardo
Sheila DiNardo
Nancy Dinkfelt
Dr. Kennety A. Doeg
Charles (Chuck) E. Doran Jr.
Lynn Marie Doran
JoAnn K. Dutton
Don Dvorak
Beverly Eichel
James Ellis
Dr. Peter P. Emily
Sondra Joy Esporite
Marcia Feld
Fred Ferris
Robert Fetter
Madeleine B. Fish
Dr. Daniel W. Fleitas
Anne Fleming
Linda Foiles
Mrs. Robert S. Forsyth
Pamela Foulk
Dr. Linda Fowler
Donna Francis
M. Joan Frailey
James E. Frederiksen
Peter Gaeta
Edna (Katie) Gammill
Roger D. Gifford
Dr. Donald A. Gill
Steven Gladstone
Theresa(Terry) Goldman
Tomas Gomez
Mrs. Tomas (Alane L.) Gomez
Judith Goodin
Dr. Ralph Graaf
Dr. Richard F. Greathouse
Tamra Green
Sulie Greendale-Paveza
Vincent T. Grosso
Henry L. Gregory
Joseph E. Gregory
Rick Gschwender
Mabel (Jinx) M. Gunville
Barbara Ankers Hannum
Dawn Vick Hansen
Judy A. Harrington
Clinton M. Harris
Paula Hartinger
Roger R. Hartinger
Patricia Hastings
Eugene W. Haupt
Fay Dorval Haupt
Carolyn Herbel
Dr. Ruby Hertz
Patricia A. Hess
Albert Holabach
Douglas R. Holloway Jr
William Hossler
Christina Hubell
Stephen J. Hubbell
Nelson R. Huber
Warren D. Hudson
Theresa Hundt
Arley D. Hussin
Dr. Robert A. Indeglia
Helen Lee James
Meredith Johnson-Snyder
J. Donald Jones
Victoria Jordan
JUDGES cont. on page 18
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
17
JUDGES cont.
Keke Kahn
Dr. Sophia Kaluzniacki
Jane G. Kay
Dr. Steve Keating
Norman B. Kenney
Dr. Gail Knapp
Dr. Alvin W. Krause
Sharon Krogh
Linda Krukar
Gay Kuehnel-Hisatake
Patricia W. Laurans
Ronald Lambert
Richard Lashbrook
Edeltraud Laurin
Betty Regina Leininger
Ralph Lemcke
Dr. Eric Liebes
Nancy Liebes
Carl Liepmann
Joan Luna
Audrey Lycan
Edward F. Lyons, Jr.
Larry Mackai
Susan A. Preston Malinowski
Ruth Marcy
George E. Marquis
P. Levi Marsman
Marjorie Martorella
Frank L. McCartha
Karen S. McFarlane
Charlotte Clem McGowan
Edward P. McNamee
Ronald H. Menaker
Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna
Brian Meyer
Cindy Meyer
Dennis Morgan
Patricia Mowbray-Morgan
Linton Moustakis
Michele Mulligan
Vincent Mulligan
George Murray
Patti Widick Neale
Dr. William Newman
Garry Newton
Helene Nietsch
James Noe
Beverly M. Nosiglia
Paula Nykiel
18
Charles L. Olvis
Betty Lou Parris
Betty Jo Patrick
Wallace H. Pede
Roland Pelland
Dr. Gerard Penta
Jean Pero
Michele L. Polimeni
Sheila Polk
Angela Porpora
Dr. Roger Pritchard
Col. Joe B. Purkhiser
Kay Radcliffe
John C. Ramirez
Anne Major Rapport
Dr. Lee Anthony Reasin
Maredith Reggie
Jay Richardson
Karen Riddle
Lenora M. Riddle
Linda M. Riedel
Nikki Riggsbee
Eric J. Ringle
John Ronald
Jane Roppolo
Nancy Russell
Rita Rynder
William Sahloff
Lois Sanford
Mrs. Andre B. Schoen
Francine W. Schwartz
M. Ann Schwartz
Joan Scott
Robert Sharp
William Shelton
Robert Shreve
Jan E. Sigler
Nancy D. Simmons
Lawrence J. Sinclair
Mrs. Lawrence (Janet) Sinclair
Robert Slay
Christie Smith
Dr. Harry Smith
Judith A. Smith
Patti A. Long Smith
Polly (Robert) D. Smith
Dr. Robert D. Smith
Sharon Smith
Dr. Arthur Sorkin
Dr. Gary Sparschu
Wanda V. Spediacci
Beth G. Speich
Dr. Ronald Spritzer
Thomas R. Squicciarini
William C. Stebbins
Kathleen Steen
Robert Stein
Wilner (Doug) Stitt
Faye Strauss
John A. Studebaker
Evie Sullivan
Joe Tacker
Richard T’ang
James E. Taylor
Terry W. Temple
Ruth Tessendorf
Donovan Thompson
Debra Thornton
Thomas Tracy
Dr. Elizabeth Trainor
Jane E. Treiber
Charles E. Trotter
Patricia Trotter
Lee Trowbridge-Goertz
Marcia P. Tucker
Roger Tuepker
Mrs. Lesli R. Valiunas
MaryLu VandenAvond
Joyce A. Vanek
Robert L. Vandiver
Beverly Vics
Chris Walkowicz
Marion D. Ward-Fanning
Jerry M. Watson
Sharol Candace Way
Col. Jerry H. Weiss
Doris Elaine Werdermann
Sharon Weston
James R White
Paul F. Willhauck
Wendy G. Willhauck
Henry (Hank) J. Williams
Adrian Woodfork
Burton J. Yamada
Joan Zielinski
Stan Zielinski
Ruth H. Zimmerman
Jeanne D. Zuver
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
NOMINATION FORM
For 2016 National Specialty Judge
REGIONAL CLUB
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
RETURN TO: Valerie Seeley
JUDGE SELECTION CHAIRMAN
242 Woodland Drive
Lincroft, NJ 07738
MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN May 1, 2012
__________________________________________________________________________________________
NOMINATION FORM
For 2016 National Specialty Judge
GPCA MEMBER
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
RETURN TO: Valerie Seeley
JUDGE SELECTION CHAIRMAN
242 Woodland Drive
Lincroft, NJ 07738
______________________________
MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN May 1, 2012
__________________________________________________________________________________________
NOMINATION FORM
For 2016 National Specialty Judge
GPCA MEMBER
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
RETURN TO: Valerie Seeley
JUDGE SELECTION CHAIRMAN
242 Woodland Drive
Lincroft, NJ 07738
______________________________
MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN May 1, 2012
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
19
MEMORIES OF JOHN HANNUM
Barbara Hannum
John Hannum was
raised in Michigan
and at the age of 14,
his family bought
their first Great Pyrenees. She was a 4
year old bitch, bred
by Paul Strang. Her
name was Castellan
Corette. She was
sired by Cote de
Neige Pataud out of
Basquerie
Belle
Jeanne. John and his
father showed at
whatever local shows they could find. I have a letter
from Mary Crane, addressed to John, dated April
1952, discussing how the east coast shows would provide better competiton in the breed. She also talks at
length how difficult it is for a bitch to win Best of Breed
over a mature male. There is a lament of the cost of
entries having gone from $4.25 to $7.00 at some
shows.
John loved dog shows, and was a founding member
of the Mid Atlantic Stewards Association, and the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders. For almost 20 years he was the show chairman for
Chesapeake Kennel Club of MD. He was a long time
member of The National Capital Great Pyreness Club,
and a member of GPCA for over 45 years. He was
approved to judge by AKC in 1984. He was eventually approved to judge most working breeds, Vizslas
and Junior Showmanship. He especially loved to
judge the juniors. He judged the GPCA Naional Specialty in 1994 with an entry of 167 dogs.
John loved to cook and created dishes for friends
and family. He had 3 original recipes published in
Gourmet Magazine, one of which was created for the
regional Vizsla club’s annual specialty show.
John had an intense sense of humor and a big loud
laugh. Always full of fun, he was generous with his
hugs.
Many years later, after graduating from the Naval
Academy and getting a Masters degree in Chemistry,
John was able to start living with Pyrs again. He was
mentored by Frankie Glover of Barqueill Kennel. She
helped him aquire a show quality bitch puppy from
Quibbletown Kennel. John felt that this was the foundation of his breeding program, and always appreciated what he learned from Edith Smith.
20
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Oconomowoc/
The 2011 National & Regional Specialty
Commemorative Photo CD is still available
and
I’ll see YOU at the 2012 National Specialty!
!
“These photos capture incredible moments of joy, happiness and good times.”
“A loving tribute to our breed and our club.” “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”
Order info + see more photos + testimonials at www.GreatPyrPhotos.com
Contact GPCA member Debra [email protected]!!!Satisfaction So Guaranteed!
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
21
22
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
30 years ago
JAN./FEB. 1982 GPCA BULLETIN
President: Whitney Coombs
Vice president: Sonya Larsen
Treasurer: Janet Roberts
Secretary: Betty Wade
Directors: Judith Bankus, Robert Brown DVM, Mary
Crane, Michael Floyd, Carolyn Hardy
An article on Pyrs as flock guardians appeared in
the October 1981 issue of Progressive Farmer. The
story told of ranchers in Texas and New Mexico
whose flocks experienced dramatic drops in livestock
losses after they used Pyrs as guardians.
Mary Lu VandenAvond wrote a tribute to her first
Pyr, Molly Chien Of Basquaerie: “Late on the afterBulletin editors: Steve Berman, John Cobb
noon of Dec. 5, 1981, while all the younger VandenAvond children were hanging up their stockings for
HIGHLIGHTS
St. Nick to fill, Don and I and Don Jr. went to feed the
The popular Mark Trail comic strip, which educated dogs and found Molly, our very first Great Pyrenees,
readers about the wonders of the animal/bird/fish age 13 1/2 , dead in her run. Thanks to John Cobb,
world around us, had a recent Sunday segment de- who sold her to us, starting us on the road to owning
voted to Great Pyrenees.
this wonderful breed. Molly was loved by all.”
INTRODUCING A NEW PUPPY:
a View from France
By John Cobb
(Note: Many Pyr breeders have kennel brochures available for customers. First-time Pyr puppy buyers receive information from breeders to help raise their pups. Such
brochures usually give breed information, an explanation
of the kennel’s breeding program and tips on how to raise
the Pyr to be a credit to you — and the breeder. Steve
Berman started an article on kennel brochures, but response to his request for such literature was disappointing,
and the story is in limbo. This past summer we imported
another pup, this one from the kennel of Dr. and Mme.
Jacques Millemann in France. The brochure which accompanied the pup is interesting, and the basis for this article.)
“You have just bought a Great Pyrenees as a companion.
If you deserve him, he will be happy and will make you
happy in return. I will then consider you my friend.”
So wrote the doctor in the brochure (translated into English for the non-French-speaking new owners) which accompanied the pup on his long (and expensive) flight from
Strasbourg to Chicago.
The French look on their dogs first as companions, secondly (maybe thirdly) as show and/or breeding animals.
They feel you must love, enjoy and really appreciate your
Pyr before you would consider doing anything more than
keeping him as a pet and companion. (After all, the French
“He is a quiet dog, lovely and clever fellow who really say, if the dog isn’t near perfect in your eyes as the owner,
promises to become a very great dog.”
why would you ever consider breeding or showing such a
That was the description Dr. Millemann gave on the pup specimen?)
Additional comments include:
he was sending. He earlier said that the dog had symmetric badger markings. There was no claim that he would be
“A dog and his master form a team. For that twoa show ring candidate, although the pedigree included an headed team to go happily in the same direction, I
impressive lineage of Foix, Pontoise, Poeymayou and think I should make some introductory comments. Even
Brand Baou — among the prominent Pyr kennels in France with a Great Pyrenees the man must be, and stay, the
over the years.
boss. Man, or woman, you must have the time and
PUPPY cont. on page 24
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
23
PUPPY cont.
space to let your four-legged friend run free and show
him your affection. You will need personal authority —
an acute sense of humor, great tenacity, in a word,
you will need a hand of iron in a velvet glove. A
strong trustworthy fence will prove equally useful. You
can adorn it with a sign to please your insurance man.
I prefer, personally, a sign saying ‘Efficient guard
dogs on duty’ to the traditional and unimaginative
‘Beware of dog.’
to question your authority over him. His taste for independence, his sense of humor and his stubbornness
will make it hard work for you. BE FIRM. Impose yourself! Don’t let him disarm you by making you laugh.
Never let him openly rebel against you, otherwise one
day he’ll want to become boss of the whole family,
and he might well bite to achieve this ambition. REMEMBER, YOU HAVE TO BE THE LEADER OF THE
PACK! Never think twice about using abrupt commands. If need be, seize him by the muzzle and shake
him severely; what you can easily do with the pup is
three months old may prove more difficult with a 50kg
(110 pound) wild beast. If you bear in mind that a
good education is better than bad training, you’ll be
proud of your dog’s intelligence and looks and you’ll
be able to trust his good temper, his affection and his
devotedness. Remember, a hand of iron in a velvet
glove.”
“Your new friend needs as much affection as he
needs food and space. A born autonomist, he’ll like
the taste of freedom, running away from home if need
be. Try to spare him temptations and dangers by taking him for frequent short walks off the lead as often
as possible; then he won’t feel so much like going off
on his own. For a dog, ‘coming back’ must mean coming back as soon as he hears his name, and every
time. You must start teaching him that at an early age.
Using his curiosity, his greed, his affection even, you’ll
soon succeed, and then you’ll reach total obedience.
patches appear on the nose, lips or eye rims. It is
often found in white dogs with no markings or other
colors. It is a sign of degeneration and can be found
along with other such signs, deafness for example.”
“The Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog, also called
‘Patou’ in its native mountains, always has been, and
remains, a mountain lord, not only in gait and appearance, but also in temperament. He is a dog with
a long history and has hardly changed in appearance
from the early days. He has been the defender of medieval castles, the faithful guardian of the domains of
Lourdes and Foix, the inseparable companion of Gaston Phoebus, Comte de Foix and Prince de Bearn (a
renowned expert in dog matters), the savior of
Charles VI, king of France when his life was threatDr. Millemann then comments on “hereditary taints,” his
ened by a bull, and later the playmate to the heir ap- list established after long discussions with experienced
parent, son of Louis XIV; and yet, he never disdained breeders and from his own experience as a vet. He cites
being the protector of the shepherd and his flock
lack of pigment where the nose, the lips and the eye rims
against bears, wolves or tramps.
are gray or even pink, and not black as stated in the Stan“Your puppy has only just been weaned, and he has dard.
only just left his brothers, sisters, mother and breeder.
“This fault can be temporary, for lack of iodine,
Now, in strange and new surroundings he might well
iron,
cobalt or copper or melithion, not enough suncry a littler. LET HIM CRY! For a day or two or worst
of all a whole night. Don’t waiver! Any visit to soothe shine or bad hormonal condition of the dog. It may
him will be understood as a nice break, and such a happen, too, where the liver function is disturbed. On
pleasant event may well induce him to carry on using the other hand, you have dogs who never dis-pigment.
As the lack of pigment is considered a very serious
what he’ll soon learn is a trick.”
fault by the Standard and as it is hereditary, it is adON EXERCISE
visable not to breed from deficient dogs.”
“The golden rule to remember is that your dog is
He also talks about bare patches.
building up his skeleton during the first year of his life
and his muscles after.
“This is another even more serious fault. Pink
In conclusion the doctor states:
“If you have fed him sensibly, if you have taught him
to behave himself and he has had the exercise he
needs (not too much of it too early though) then you’ll
be proud of your companion and can’t think of yourself without a Great Pyrenees. I expect I can now con“Who’s boss? You can only educate a Great Pyre- sider you the happy owner of a Great Pyrenees
nees. His natural intelligence will very soon lead him Mountain Dog and my friend.”
24
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
GCH CH Framboise
Alpine’s Wind Rain
And Fire
“Mariah”
Owners: Peggy
and Stephen Hughes
Multiple group placer
Bronze Grand Champion
Top 20 Pyrs Breed
and All Breed for 2011
(through Oct. 31)
CH BigRig’s
Wilder Than Her
“Rosie”
Owners: Debbie
and Bill Wilkerson
and Darrell Goolsbee
Made cut for bitch specials
at 2011 GPCA
National Specialty
Also showing:
BigRig Spookin’ The Horses, “Fred,” owned by Darrell Goolsbee and Larry Cupp
BigRig Fergie, “Fergie,” owned by Christian Coleman
Paid advertisement
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
25
Making Mom & Dad Proud!
CH Pyrless Keep On Truckin’ HOF x CH Framboise Stormy Weather
Born April 6, 2009
Breeders: Darrell Goolsbee, Larry Cupp & Peggy Watson
GCH CH BigRig’s
Cadet Polar Bear
“Polar Bear”
Owners: Dianne
and John Fidler
Group Winner
Multiple group placer
Best in Specialty Show
Top 20 Pyrs Breed
and All Breed for 2011
(through Oct. 31)
GCH CH Framboise
BigRig Four On
The Floor
“Stella”
Owners: Valerie and John Austin
and Peggy Watson
Award Of Excellence
2010 AKC/Eukanuba
National Championship
26
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Karen Conley
As some of you may be aware, Karen has decided it is time to pursue new activities. She has been an extremely valuable member of the health committee for the past 6 years. During her tenure as vice chairman
she has built on previous health committee programs and introduced new ones.
She expanded the health survey outreach to send surveys to new GPCA members and to owners of dogs
with new titles. She has improved the items available through the health committee store and initiated mailing thank you notes to the donors to the health funds. She also took an active role in the health clinics and
seminars that are held in conjunction with the national specialty.
Always a strong proponent of the OFA’s CHIC program she was one of the health committee members who
actively supported and developed the CH for Health Award and served on the screening committee. Communication and education were extremely important to her. She organized a mail group of members of the
GPCA affiliated clubs and sent health information to this group six times a year. She also was instrumental
in developing a Meet the Breed program in conjunction with the GPCA Public Information Committee. Health
committee brochures have been made available to the GPCA Public Information Chairman, GPCA Rescue coordinators and the Meet the Breed program.
The health committee would like to recognize all the hours that she has devoted to our work. I’m sure that
you all join us in thanking her.
While no one has come forward to take over all of the tasks that she undertook as vice chair, a number of
health committee members have volunteered to take over parts of her work. Jean Pero will take over the
health committee store and fund raising activities. Jan Waitz has come forward and will be providing the
health information to the affiliated club reps. Joan Stewart-Ruiz has expanded her role and will write the notes
to our donors. She will coordinate the brochure and flyers, and serve as the contact person for the Longevity,
Health Awards and Meet the Breed Programs. I’ll be taking over the responsibility for the clinics and seminars held in conjunction with the national.
The health committee website has been rebuilt. I’d like to thank Joe Bruns for donating his time and talent
in accomplishing our new look. Please visit www.gpcahealth.com .
Flo
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
27
ADDRESS CHANGES
12/1/2011 – 1/18/2012
Ingrid Wegele
6255 N Camino
Pimeria Alta #93
Tuscon, AZ 85718-3640
Phone# 520-822-4649
Check Us Out
On The Web!
clubs.akc.org/gpca
2011 Health
Awards
Yelah What Goes Around Comes Around (D)
Owners: Terri Newbauer and Nicole Bertrand.
Breeder: Terri Newbauer. SILVER (cardiac, patellas,
hips, elbows)
Ch. Yelah's Leap Of Faith (B)
Owner/breeder: Terri Newbauer. SILVER (cardiac,
patellas, hips, elbows)
Yelah's Let Your Glory Reign (B)
Owner/breeder: Terri Newbauer. SILVER (hips, elbows, patellas)
Ch. Yelah's Seas The Moment (D)
Owners: Terri Newbauer and Nicole Bertrand.
Breeder: Terri Newbauer. SILVER (cardiac, hips,
patellas, elbows)
Yelah's Takin It To The Limit (B)
Owner: Terri Newbauer. Breeder: Nanette Holmes.
SILVER (cardiac, hips, patellas)
Pyr Shire's Idril Legacy O'Bard & Monsoon (B)
Owner/breeder: Florence Laicher. SILVER (hips,
patellas, elbows, shoulder)
Ch. Pyrpressure Un Jeune De Fierte Valle D'Aspe (D)
Owners: Lorraine Stevens and Glenn and Merry
Johnson
Breeder: Chea Michaels GOLD (shoulders, hips, cardiac, thyroid, elbows, Glanzmanns thrombasthenia,
CMR)
Ch. Yelah's In A Blaze Of Glory (D)
Owners: Terri Newbauer and Nicole Bertrand
Breeder: Terri Newbauer SILVER (hips, cardiac,
patellas)
Courtesy of Joan Ziehl
28
Star Award
Breeder: Terri Newbauer (note: Terri previously was
awarded solo owner award)
Owners: Terri Newbauer and Nicole Bertrand
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Longevity Awards 2011
The following Pyrs are still with us:
Name
Age
Owner
Breeder
14y2m
Heather Rossback
Jean Boyd
& Carol Doyle
11y
Linda Carr
Jeri Shelton
Summerhill Once & Future King
10y4m
Elizabeth Pettit
Lynn Gomm
Mistry Odina Fairest Fiona
10y5m
Mary Fodness
& Joan Laguna
Kim Lasley
Age
Owner
Breeder
Lady
11y2m
Jack & Judy
MacDonald
unknown
Pyr Shire’s Hunan of Valinor,RN
11y3m
Flo Laicher
owner
Frosty
12y
Gene Milgram&
Vicky Owens
Linda McComas
Collette Marie O’Neill
13y
Deborah O’Neill
unknown
12y5m
Deborah & Casey
O’Neill
Terri Newbauer
Rivergroves Beignet
Chatfield JJ Bubba Dawg
The following Pyrs are no longer with us:
Name
Yelah Coco Chanel Pleasure
Ages for all of the above dogs were calculated at the time that the application was received.
The applications were received during 2011.
I My
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
29
GPCA Health Committee
OUR DONORS – 2011
Many thanks to the following persons who have supported the Health
Committee’s endeavors over the past year:
Adams, Sandra Lee
Allard, Raymond & Madeleine
Atwood, Lee & Sue
Blevins, Susan
Bowden, Don
Brady, Joyce
Burstow, William
Caluducan, Saturnino
Colberg, Elaine
Comer, Robin
Coombs, Nancy & Whitney
Dalton, Rhonda
Denney-Combs, Terry
DePhillips, Carmela
Dickey, Tommy
Fennemore, Lorraine K.
Ferguson, Jerry & Carolyn
Gartland, Betsy
Galbraith, Susan
Gleason, Brenda
Goldstein, Debra & Harvey
Goolsbee, Darrell
Grau, Sharon
Grimshaw, Cheryl & Frances
Hohmann, Betty J., M.D.
Horton, Sandra
Houseknecht, Denise & Douglas, Robyn
Hughes, Stephen & Peggy
Johnston-Lorino, Laura
Justin, Karen & Coffman, VIctoria
Kintsfather, David & Nancy
Kippax, JoAnn & Arielle
Kirby, Kathy
Kornberg, Susan Klein
Knutson, Patricia L.
Laicher, Florence
Laperriere, Guy & Lavergne, Nicole
Lee, Steve & Kathy
Lewellen, Linda
Liles, Kathy
MacDonald, Jack & Judy
Macrokanis, George & Augusta
Magnani, Al
Marsh, Debbie
Marsh, Pricilla
Meredith, Eunice
GPCA Health Committee 2012
30
Miller, George & Howard, Gayleen
Miller, James & Monica
Miccio, Cynthia
Milgram, Gene
Moore, Carolyn & Paul
Moench, Margaret
Moriarty, Dr. Sue
Olsen, Randi
Oraby, Arlene & Philip
Parks, Carrie Stuart
Pevik, Mette
Preston- Malinowski, Susan
Ruiz, Victor & Joan Stuart
Salerno, Kim
Salls, Jay
Sanford, John & Donna
Satterfield, Brenda
Schultz, Dr. Jeffrey & Elli
Schrieber, Linda
Seeley Valerie & Robert
Sharpe, Nicole
Solstad, Karen
Sorensen, Nancy
Spears, Allison & Michael
Stephens, Terry & Chris
Stewart, Marcia
Parks, Carrie Stuart
Taylor, Lisa
Thigpen, Lynn; Knapp, Dr. Gail &
Cunningham, Karen
Thell, Marilyn
Tregear, Toni
Tyler, Kay
Vidmar, Diana
Watt, Mary McEwen
Waitz- Brody, Jan
Warmack, Larry & Betty Wade
Webber, Patricia
Weir, Kathi
Wells, Thomas & Ann
Whitney, Stephanie
Wood, Thomas
Woods, John & Kerry Kern
Wooster, Eric & Elise
Wong, Sylvia
Wagner, Mary
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
FOR 2011: GONE BUT
NOT FORGOTTEN
Donations “In Memory Of Linda Weisser”
In addition to the many donations received
with GPCA dues, there was a special fund
raising effort in memory of Linda Weisser.
This list of donors reflects those who have
made donations through November 10,
2011. A total of $1414.00 was raised in
her memory. Thank you all.
Jan Waitz- Brody
Karen & Doug Conley
Karen Houle
Flo Laicher
Kathy Liles
Arlene Marquardt
Lawrence Weisser
Carolyn Yeager
Great Pyrenees Club of Puget
Sound
Arlene Oraby For Barbara & Michael Rosenback “In
Memory of Hawk”
Toni Tregear “In memory of Tug & Queenie Bear”
Jan Waitz-Brody For Karen & Doug Conley “In Memory
Of Andy”
For Flo Laicher “ In Memory of
Thomas”
Flo Laicher “In Memory of Thomas”
For Jan Waitz “In Memory of Emmy”
For Wendy Blumberg "In Memory of Simone”
For Karen Justin & Victoria Coffman “In Memory of Cupid”
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
OFA CHAMPION FOR HEALTH PROGRAM:
Purpose: Recognize Great Pyrenees with outstanding accomplishments that are also healthy representatives of their breed
and are shown to produce likewise.
Eligibility: Nominated dog must have a CHIC number; person submitting application must be a GPCA member & be a
breeder or owner of the nominee; completed application documenting significant achievements of the dog in conformation,
performance, production, HOF award for show or obedience, draft dog, LGD, Therapy dog, Versatility or other significant
achievements. Final selection by Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. A $100.00donation to the CHF; Engraved medallion,
& Plaque provided by the OFA will be awarded at the National Specialty Award Banquet each year.
FMI: Joan Stuart- Ruiz, Program Administrator @ [email protected]
HEALTH RECOGNITION AWARD PROGRAM:
Purpose: Encourage breeders & companion owners to perform health screenings; recognizes those owners who submit passing results; Awards are: Gold (5 exams), Silver (3 exams): Star award for owners/breeders with multiple dogs achieving a
gold or solver award.
Eligibility: Owner is a GPCA or GPCA Affiliated Club member; submit completed application & health certification results;
recognizes the breeder & owner of the dog. Dogs with a CHIC number may be eligible, but must submit an application.
FMI: Darrell Goolsbee, Program Administrator @ [email protected]
LONGEVITY AWARD PROGRAM:
Purpose: Honor those Great Pyrenees who have reached the age of 10 years or over; currently living or no longer with us.
Eligibility: ANY Great Pyrenees whose age can be verified is eligible; verification of age can include, but not limited to AKC
registration papers; Adoption contracts; and Veterinarian or third party confirmation. A completed Health Survey, in addition to the application is required.
FMI: Flo Laicher, Program Administrator @ [email protected]
REGIONAL CHIC/DNA COLLECTION PROGRAM:
Purpose: Increase Great Pyrenees DNA readily available for research; promote the inclusion of the Breed in large studies
by having significant numbers of dogs collected and ready for use; storage of specimens is free because of GPCA participation in the CHIC program
Eligibility: Regional Clubs hosting a Regional Specialty; the Health Committee will provide all supplies & forms. All incurred
costs paid. Nominal $5.00 fee per dog collected for OFA submission.
FMI: Flo Laicher, Program Administrator @ [email protected]
MEET THE BREED PROGRAM: (joint venture Public Information & Health Committee)
Purpose: Provide Breed Specific literature to Regional Clubs & Rescue organizations participating in Meet the Breed (Public Education) events at no cost.
Eligibility: Participation in Meet the Breed events; completed order form 3 weeks prior to event to insure receipt of materials is requested.
FMI: Sandra McCrady, Program Administrator @ [email protected]
Go to www.gpcahealth.org for all applications and complete program descriptions
GPCA Health Committee 2012
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
31
3 W43,ĞĂůƚŚ3ŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞ3^ƚŽƌĞ3Ͳ3ϮϬϭϭ
'
W 4 3,
, Ğ Ă ů ƚ Ś 3
Ž ŵ ŵ ŝ ƚ ƚ Ğ Ğ 3^^ ƚ Ž ƌ Ğ 3ͲͲ 3Ϯ
ϮϬϭϭ
Sweat Shirt
Grooming Smock
Crew neck 50/50 blend; 1î
ribbed cuffs & waist band; art
work on left pocket area
Lt. Yellow or Wine
Round neck, snap front, 2 front
pockets, long sleeve /cuffs, artwork w
on left, Cotton/poly poplin
Lt Blue or Wine HC-SJ02
Med, L, XL, 2X $34.00
XXL $36.00
HC-SW01
$27.00 SALE
Med, L, XL,2X
$$
27.00
CLOSE OUT!
Easy, Breezy
PyrJamas !!!
*3PC Special * Buy your
PyrJamas with a matching
Grooming Smock and
SAVE! HC-SJ0
Durable, light weight cotton/poly
poplin easy care fabric in a roomy
design perfect for dog grooming,
training or just relaxing! The
pullover top has one patch pocket
and side vents. Pants have a
drawstring waist and one back
pocket. Lt Blue or Wine
HC-SCS02
2 Pc Set in Med L, XL,2X $45.00
$36.00 SALE
CLOSE OUT!
20.00
Sommelier Wine
Traveler
NEW ITEM!
Dk. Brown Leather like; includes 1
corkscrew, 1 wine pourer, & 1 wine
bottle Stopper Holds one bottle of
Wine; bag tag with laser imprint of
H. C. logo ( 2 1/8 ì x 1 3/16î) Size:
4 ì diameter x 14 ì high HC-WS11
PRICE: $30.00
$
30.00
Luggage Tag
Logo on front, Personal ID on back,
fits most business cards as well.
$5 each or 3/$12
HC-LT
NEW ITEM!
Grooming Apron
Full length: 7 oz; 65% polyester/ 35% cotton twill; stain
resistant visa fabric 2 large pockets; 2 extra long waist ties;
1 Åg adjustable neck strap with buckle for adjustable fit
Made in USA; logo across chest Colors: Royal Blue, Forest
Green HC-GA11
$
18.00
St. Roch reprint &
legend Note Cards
blank inside 6 cards with 7 envelopes *
includes 1 free ticket for St. Roch Oil
painting HC-SRN
ONLY $10.00
2011/12 RAFFLE ITEM
Original gilt framed oil painting of St. Roch by artist Kim
Salerno. HC-RFSR
Tickets $5 ea or 3/$12
32
$
Reflections
Note Cards
$8.50
per pack of 6 with 7 envelopes.
HC-NC07
NEW ITEM!
Rain Poncho
StormTech Self-Packing ( 1 size adult) Water
resistant 100% nylon taffeta outer shell; Logo on left
chest; Poncho packs into self- fabric pouch;
lightweight; quiet soft shell fabric ñbutton down sides
Colors: Royal Blue , Forest Green HC-RP11
$
22.00
Support your Health Committee! For
yourself or others, our GREAT pyr
products make wonderful gifts!
Order on-line or mail order.
Visit the GPCA Health Committee Store at:
www.gpcahealth.org
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Preparing for the inevitable:
When it's time to say goodbye
For those of us who think of our dogs as friends and fam- important part of your family.
ily members, facing the fact that they won't live as long as
we do can be almost unbearable. It's easy enough to put
COPING WITH THE LOSS OF YOUR DOG
out of your mind when your dog is young, healthy and full
of vigor - but when you have a senior dog that has a poor
Every dog owner recognizes that their loyal companion
quality of life due to terminal illness or is in constant pain,
will die someday. That day always feels like it's far off, but
you're going to have to address the situation.
it can happen suddenly and unexpectedly or it may be anIf cost isn't an issue, you might want to consider home- ticipated as a result of old age or an illness. Either way, it
based hospice care, which is offered through some veteri- can be very difficult to face.
nary hospitals and volunteer organizations. The way pet
Feel the loss. It's okay…
hospice works is that care for a terminally-ill dog is proIt's perfectly normal to feel a profound sense of loss when
vided at home rather than in a clinic. While it might not
your dog dies. Feeling and expressing yourself at this time
necessarily extend the life of your dog, it can be helpful in
is a mark of respect to your dog. It's not trivial. You've spent
preparing you and other family members for your dog's
some wonderful years together. Try writing your feelings
imminent death.
down "stream-of-consciousness" style in your journal or
Difficult decisions
write a letter to your dog. Get the emotions out of you. You
Without a doubt, the hardest decision you will have to may feel anger, guilt or the sense of being extremely alone.
make as a dog owner is whether or not you will have to put Acknowledge this. If you bury your pain and just get busy,
your old friend to sleep. In many cases, euthanasia (carried you won't have a chance to work through the loss and it
out by means of painless injection) is the fairest way to offer will inevitably surface later, quite unexpectedly.
your dog a quick and painless end.
Reminisce about the best days you spent with your dog,
If putting your dog to sleep is something you're consid- like when you first brought him home or took your walk in
ering, it's a good idea to discuss the process with your vet the park. Make a photo collage of his life and think about
well in advance. Decide where and when the procedure his character and the moments when he was at his happiwill take place, which family members will be present, and est. It will help you to fully appreciate everything he conhow the remains will be handled. You'll also want to dis- tributed to your life.
cuss with your family how they'd like to say their goodTake the time to grieve your constant
byes. In some cases, veterinarians will actually come to
companion
your home and perform the procedure, which can take
Grieving the loss of your dog takes time. You'll most likely
much of the edge off saying good-bye. Your dog can stay
experience a range of emotions as time goes on: first dein the comfort of his own bed, in his own home. What's
nial and shock, then anger, guilt, depression and lonelimore, you don't have to deal with the clinical environment
ness. Then finally, the clouds will part slightly and you'll
of the vet's office or pass through a crowded waiting room.
begin to feel a sense of acceptance and hope. These are
Grief and bereavement counseling
the normal stages of grieving. You may also find that down
If a family member is having trouble adjusting to the loss the road, if something else in your life upsets you, emoof a dog, you may want to ask your vet for a referral to tions surrounding the loss of your dog, will bubble up to the
local grief counseling services or pet loss support groups. surface and you may feel like crying. You might not unYou can also find information and help on the Internet, such derstand where the intensity of this emotion came from.
as The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) at Just know that this is perfectly normal after a loss like this.
http://www.aplb.org.
Tell your friends and family the story of
The nicest thing you can do for your dog—and for your- your dog
self—is to never forget that he was a dear friend and an
Every time you tell those you love the story of your dogGRIEVING cont. on page 34
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
33
GRIEVING cont.
who he was, what his best tricks were, how fun-loving he
was, or a funny moment-the more solid and grounded you
will feel. Repeating this "story" is therapeutic and it helps
to immortalize him. Be sure that you share this with someone who won't belittle your grief over the loss of your pet.
Don't downplay how much your dog meant to you or how
much you miss him, in order to put on a brave face. Talk it
out with someone - cry even, as long as you feel comfortable. The release will be helpful. If you don't have family
or friends who understand your loss, or if you need more
support, speak with your vet in order to find a pet loss
counselor or support group. You may just need to be with
others who are more empathetic.
Is it time for a new puppy?
The truth is you may need some time to grieve the dog
you've just lost, so getting a new dog right may not be the
best idea for some individuals. Filling "the void" with a new
dog when you're still grieving can cause resentment. The
new dog won't "take the place" of the dog you just lost.
You need some time to create the space for a new dog in
your life.
• Join a pet loss support group, especially if you feel extremely sad or angry. Expressing your sadness may be
easier with others who have experienced pet loss.
• Accept that you may never totally get over the loss. You'll
always remember your dog and the wonderful times you
shared.
Explaining your dog's death to a child
You may be hesitant to tell your child about your dog's
death, because you want to shield him or her from emotional pain. While that's understandable, keep in mind that
children can deal with death surprisingly well if it's discussed in an honest, straightforward manner.
Simply explain that all living things must come to an end,
and unfortunately, pets don't live as long as we do. One
term you should avoid using is "put to sleep." A child might
misinterpret the meaning of this, and be afraid of going to
bed. It may also help the grieving process to encourage
your child to share their favorite memories. Your child may
even want to have a funeral for the dog. Memorializing
your pet can make it easier to say goodbye.
Remember, the sorrow is real and everyone deals with it
differently. There is no right way to grieve. Be patient. And
We all bring dogs into our lives knowing that they will know that there is no timetable for healing-the grief process
probably not outlive us. Yet when a beloved dog dies, takes as long as necessary.
we're often unprepared for the overwhelming sadness it
brings.
GRIEVING THE DEATH OF A DOG
Losing a dog is especially painful because the bond you
share with him is unique. A dog loves you unconditionallyhe doesn't care if you got that promotion or how you
looked at your high school reunion. For some people, a
dog's death can hurt more than losing a relative or friend.
That's why it's important to go through the process of
mourning, just as you would for a human relationship.
• Acknowledge that your dog's death is a huge, sad event.
Don't downplay it, or feel that it's not important because
"he's just a pet."
• Experience and express feelings of sadness, anger, or
guilt about the loss. Know that tears, anger, and sometimes fear can be part of the process.
FINDING SUPPORT WHEN
YOU'RE GRIEVING
Words alone can never truly express the grief you feel
when a cherished companion passes away. This is a time
of emptiness, sorrow, and questions. It's also a time when
you need to reach out and find someone to listen, to give
sage advice, to offer support and compassion.
That's why reading articles about grief and loss are seldom enough to help some people find their way through
this period. It takes human interaction and a level of understanding that you can't get from an article—no matter
how insightful and well written. Fortunately, help is probably closer than you think, so don't be afraid to reach out
and find it.
Where to find help
• Talk to friends who can empathize-surround yourself with
There are two nearby sources of help and compassion
people who understand your grief and avoid people
to turn to when you're grieving the loss of a beloved dog:
who don't.
your vet and your friends. Your vet is a trained professional
34
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
When a dog experiences the loss of a dog companion,
and he or she may have a list of local support groups or
grief hotlines. And your friends can be a fountain of com- he is also mourning the loss a fellow pack member and
passion—after all, they knew your wonderful canine com- that dog's previous pack position. Your dog might now be
panion and they considered your pet a part of their
a leader without a follower, or a follower without a leader.
extended family.
That's why it's important for you to help your dog find a
In addition to those two immediate sources, you can eashealthy, new position in your home.These simple guidelines
ily find a wide variety of support organizations on the Internet. A good number of these groups were formed by can ease the pain after a loss
dog lovers who, like you, lost a beloved pet. Some are proDistract him. Take him for walks, bring him on car trips
fessional organizations run by veterinarians and trained or invite friends—canine and human—over to visit. Also,
grief counselors. Others are services that provide ideas and
consider buying dog puzzle toys specially designed for
inspiration. You'll also find groups that have a spiritual
mental stimulation. Spend 15 minutes brushing him or givcomponent or a religious outlook.
ing him a massage. He'll start looking forward to the new
Here are a few of the many resources you'll find on the
routine.
Internet:
Teach him new tricks. Even though your dog is older, he
The Maryland-based Animal Love and Loss Network
(www.alln.org) "seeks to bring together those who are can keep learning for his entire life. Set aside a few minmourning the injury, illness or loss of an animal compan- utes each day to teach him a new trick - such as fetching
ion. We also represent and support those who are work- certain objects. Or introduce him to a new activity like
ing to end the exploitation and suffering of all animals."
catching a flying disc or agility, if he’s still physically active.
Animals in Our Hearts (www.animalsinourhearts.com) The sense of accomplishment that training brings can give
states their point of view this way: "Animals and their love
your pooch a new lease on life.
stay in our souls, once we've let them in. And we are better for it, more complete, more whole, more compassionReward good behavior - ignore bad behavior. During
ate, and often transformed."
your dog's grieving process, don't give him any attention
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement when he's excessively barking, whining, or howling—it will
(aplb.org) is staffed with professionally trained volunteers only reinforce this negative behavior. Praise him when he
in pet bereavement counseling.
is sitting or resting quietly.
If you need someone to speak to about your loss, the Pet
Don’t rush into getting a new dog. Older dogs often
Loss Web site provides a long list of hotlines at www.petloss.com/phones.htm. They also feature a comprehensive don't like changes in their environment, and adjusting to a
list of organizations and bereavement professionals at new pet can add stress at an already stressful time. It's imwww.pet-loss.net/links.shtml. And this is just the tip of the portant to allow your dog the time to adjust to life without
iceberg. So, as you can see, there is no need to go it alone. his companion—you may find he actually thrives on his
Help and compassion is as close as a friend, your vet,
own.
and—if you need additional support—the organizations
Be patient. The old saying "time heals all wounds" aplisted on the Internet
plies to your dog, too. Don't worry if your dog doesn't im-
HELP FOR YOUR GRIEVING DOG
When your dog loses the companionship of another dog,
it can be heartbreaking. Although no one truly knows how
much dogs understand about death, it's clear that they can
experience loss very deeply and often become depressed.
Just like humans who have lost a loved one, many dogs
stop eating, lose interest in their favorite activities, and become lethargic or sleep excessively.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
mediately respond to new activities or extra attention. Just
be patient and he'll come around eventually. And try to be
upbeat and positive—because if you are, he’s more likely
to feel that way, too.If you are worried about your dog's
behavior, speak to your veterinarian. He or she may suggest medication to help ease your dog's anxiety. In the
meantime, attention, affection, and activity are the best
medicine you can provide.
35
Meet the Breeds
Three Years Young
By Priscilla Marsh
On November 19th and 20th the Garden State
Great Pyrenees Club represented our wonderful breed
at the Javits Center in New York. This event draws
enormous crowds of young and old alike. The AKC
takes great effort to educate the public on the multiple
breeds of cats and dogs. These animals bring wonderful joy to our lives.
were all weary from the excitement. As tired as I was,
I drove home knowing the public experienced the best
of what our breed has to offer. It was a memorable
weekend for every age that walked through those
doors during this two day event in November
Our booth entertained a packed house and rarely
did anyone have a chance to take a breather. I am
grateful to all the help I received from Flo Laicher,
Karen Justin, Jan Waitz, Diane Travis, and Arlene
Oraby. Without them and the tireless efforts of Estee,
Devon and Fleur – our canine volunteers, we would
not have had such a shining event. I say thank you to
all who participated.
The patience of the dogs with the forty thousand
spectators who came through the door was amazing.
The dogs tolerated many pats on the head and hugs
from total strangers. It takes a very special dog to endure the rigors of the two day event.
On Saturday we had the added attraction of two –
three month old puppies, Cupcake and Cookie. These
adorable Pyr puppies entertained the crowd all afternoon and always with a wagged tail to boot. Thank
you goes to Karen for bringing these cute pups. It is so
important for the public to realize that these beautiful
pups grow into the adult size of Estee, Devon and
Fleur.
The booth looked great and touched on our breed’s
history and purpose. I enlarged two photos taken by
Janet Ingram. These photographs were taken in the
Pyrenees Mountains in September. Many people were
amazed and appreciated learning about our breed
which still performs its “age-old task” in the region it
came from.
Passion and energy run wild as you walk through
all the many breeds’ displays. The participants’ dedication to preserving and protecting their breed is felt
wherever you turn. At the end of the second day we
36
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
$SLFWXUHVD\VDWKRXVDQGZRUGV«
Our newest Champion
,
Ch :\GWUDN¶V Cloud Nine
Bred by:
Wydtrak Great Pyrenees, est. 1967
Maria J. Church Davis
Littleton, MA
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Owned and shown by:
Harmony Goodrum
Hoopeston, IL
37
HER GUARDIAN ANGEL
By Debbie Wilkerson
On April 6, 2009, a little white puppy was born
that would become a guardian angel. This little angel
was a Great Pyrenees who would be named BigRig’s
Cadet Polar Bear. He came to live with John and Dianne, and their bonding began.
Over the next year, Dianne and Polar Bear spent
hours together at the dog park, water splash days and
started his dog show career together. During this period, Polar Bear was never far from her side as they
began building their life and memories together.
Dec. 28, 2010, was a cold and wet night in Waco,
Texas.
On the way home from celebrating Christmas at
their farm, John and Dianne along with their Pyrenees
Polar Bear were involved in a terrible car accident.
John was banged up, and Polar Bear was bruised but
fared well. However, Dianne was not that lucky. Her
injuries were numerous and life-threatening. Suffering from a broken neck, lacerated intestines and numerous other injuries, things look grim for her. After
surgery and some recovery time in Waco, Dianne was
brought back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for many
more months of hospitalization and rehabilitation.
During this period her will to fight off infection and
healing issues waned, and sometimes she was overwhelmed.
begin to try and converse with them as they would ask
questions about him. We talked to her daily about her
Polar Bear, how he missed her and needed her to
come home. We reminded her about his show accomplishments and how she needed to work at getting
herself ready for his upcoming shows. We continued
to bring more pictures, show ribbons and videos, and
started telling her that if she worked hard at getting
well enough to go to the rehabilitation center, we
would make sure that she and Polar Bear would reunite in person there at the center.
Finally, after much pain and hard work, Dianne
went to the first rehabilitation center. Unfortunately,
the facility did not allow Polar Bear to come see her
there. Again, the motivations began to keep her uplifted using her Pyrenees as one of the main topics of
conversation.
However, her guardian angel was not far away …
While watching Dianne in the hospital it became
apparent to me that I had to find some real motivation
for her so she would work at healing to survive these
injuries and setbacks she was experiencing. There was
one thing in her life that we knew made her smile and
laugh on a regular basis. His name was Polar Bear,
that one-time little white Pyrenees puppy she grew to
love.
A member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Great Pyrenees
Club, Emily Chou, made a poster-size picture of Polar
Bear, which I took to her room and put up on the wall
at the end of her bed. Although her eyes were
swollen, black and blue and stitched in places, she
was able to see his beautiful face smiling at her from
the moment she opened her eyes every day. The picture drew the attention of the nurses, doctors and visitors who came into her room, which forced her to
38
Polar Bear and Dianne are reunited during a visit
outside her rehab center.
Photos by Debbie Wilkerson
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
As Dianne improved at this facility, it was decided
she would be moved once again to another one to advance her even more toward regaining movement and
use of her total body. At this point we began talking
to her about actually going in person to Polar Bear’s
dog show upcoming in a couple of months in Forth
Worth, Texas, as another new motivation. Once she
was moved to this new rehabilitation center the plans
and phone calls began, making arrangements to
bring them together finally, face to face, after months
of separation.
Polar Bear had been living with his handler, Jeanie
Ayala, during this period of healing for Dianne.
Jeanie was most agreeable and supportive of reuniting the two of them, and upon the arranged day and
time, the doors of the center opened, Dianne was
brought out in her wheelchair, and Jeanie brought
Polar Bear to her. Her guardian angel approached the
wheelchair. There could be no doubt in a person’s
heart of the love between Polar Bear and his human
when he saw her sitting there. Finally he knew Mom
was OK. He so very gently approached her wheelchair, climbed up to her lap, put his paws on the edge
of the chair and stuck his big beautiful nose in her
face, and the smooches began! He seemed to understand to be gentle and careful with her, knowing she
needed him to be cautious. Now, her guardian angel
who saw her through the struggles of each painful
day, having to learn to eat once again, working to become mobile, was finally there at her side. As the visit
continued, he slept at her feet and never left her side.
smile on her face and her goals to move forward fresh
in her mind. As Jeanie brought Polar Bear for their
visits during this time, it became apparent to us how
much harder Dianne was working in therapy and how
much happier she was becoming.
Our next mission was to get Dianne out of the center and back home so she could indeed be at Polar
Bear’s next dog show. Again, after weeks and weeks
of very hard work and dedication with physical therapy, the day arrived. Time to go home. Her homecoming came one day before Polar Bear’s show in
Fort Worth. On show day, along with the assistance of
her husband, John, Dianne sat ringside in her wheelchair and watched her guardian angel win in the ring
that day.
As I write this story in December 2011, one year
past the accident, I am proud to report that Dianne
not only attends each and every dog show of her
Pyrenees but does so with only the assistance of a
walking cane.
To date, Dianne still says Polar Bear is her continued inspiration and motivation to keep pushing forward as she continues her therapy and recovery on
a daily basis.
A guardian angel at her side? Most definitely. No
doubt about it.
After their visit, a corkboard hung at the end of her
bed full of pictures of their reunion to help keep that
Photos by Debbie Wilkerson
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
39
Nail Grooming 101
Nail clipping is a regular part of grooming. Your
Pyr’s nails should just touch the ground when it walks.
Trim nails once or twice a month or the quick, which
refers to the tender blood vessels and nerve endings
which extend into the nail, will lengthen. Shorter
“quicks” make for easier clipping.
Use a sturdy, large clipper. If your pet store doesn’t
carry a tool that you think will do the trick, keep shopping. A sharp, strong clipper makes all the difference.
Start at the tip of the nail and snip a little at a time to
avoid cutting the quick. When you start to see pale
pink tissue near the top—stop. Use a coarse nail file
to smooth edges. Trim the dewclaws more; they wear
down less rapidly.
On white nails, the quick is the pink section. If you
can’t see it easily, grab a mini-flashlight to shine
through your Pyr’s nail. It is the dense core that light
doesn’t shine through. If you do nip the quick and the
nail bleeds, apply pressure using styptic powder, cornstarch, or baby powder.
If you are uncomfortable with this task, ask your veterinarian or groomer to demonstrate proper nail trimming. When you are comfortable, your Pyr will be,
too. If your Pyr does not want to hold still, ask someone to pet him or her while you trim. Never try to trim
the nails if the dog is not in a stay position.
Praise is important. Treats don’t hurt either!
Courtesy of Jo Stubbs
Courtesy of Melissa Metzler
40
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Curbing Night Barking
By Rose Stremlau & Stephen Herbster
Carolina Pyrnews Editors’ note: Every now and again, an see?" and look at the window with him for a moment. Usually,
exhausted Pyrent contacts us asking how to curb night bark- we see nothing.
ing. This is our response based on our experience with
A few times, we've seen something we didn't want to...like
Leonidas.
a drunk driver who hit our neighbor's mailbox! We want Leo
Leonidas was a night barker, and he still is to a much to guard us, so it is important to validate him with praise and
smaller degree. When we first adopted him, he barked sev- treats when he does a good job. After a moment of looking
eral times each night for ten or more minutes at a time. In with him, we say in that same calm, reassuring voice, "Thank
part, he was responding to the noises in our neighborhood. you, Leo Pyr. Good work. That's enough. Okay, back to
Lots of owls and nocturnal critters make their home in our sleep." We walk him back to his sleeping place, wait for him
yard, and Leonidas liked to "talk" to them. At that time, we to lay down, pat him on the head, and go back to bed.
also had two separate neighbors who were either coming
In other words, instead of trying to stop the behavior totally
home from or leaving for work in the middle of the night. Leo
because it is annoying to those of us who work and have to
would bark at them as well.
get up, we appreciate that he's working. Signaling that he's
Stephen, my husband, is a very light sleeper. All of this done his job and can go back to sleep has worked over time.
made for frustration, and shooshing and yelling didn't quiet We noticed improvement within weeks, and now, he might
Leo down. We found that white noise doesn't work either. Pyrs bark for a few minutes once or twice each week. I think he
have such good hearing, and it didn't fool Leonidas like we began to understand that many of things he was barking at
wanted it to. After talking with Martha and our trainer, both (like the evil, hated owls and the normal car noises), were not
of whom encouraged us to work with our dog’s temperament, concerns to us, and this method communicated that we apwe began to appreciate that Leonidas thinks he is doing his preciated his alert but that it wasn't needed for that thing. Or
job by barking at night. So us yelling at him for “working" this thing. So he slowly but surely stopped barking at those
just confused him. It might have made him think he wasn't things.
working hard enough, or he might have thought that our
His "vocabulary" increased, and he understood what not
yelling was joining in with him.
to bark at. As a result, he barks a lot less. He'll bark at new
Pyrs are hardwired to protect their flock regardless of what or strange things. We're ok with that. We also do something
time it is. To some extent, they still will want to do that even like this during the day. He barks like a mad dog at a few
when they are couch guardians. When we go to sleep, Leo things, and we want to discourage that overreaction. When
thinks he clocks in. We can’t change hundreds of years of ca- the mailman drives by and he flips out, we go to the window,
nine evolutionary adaptation. Instead, we changed our re- look out with him, calmly say, "Oh, okay, its the mailman. I
sponse, and it worked over time to reduce this unwanted see. Thank you, Leo, but he's okay," and gently lead him
behavior. We created a night time routine for Leonidas. He away from the window to a rug where we have him lay down.
gets last outs, a biscuit, we set the house alarm, and then we He gets petted when he is calm. At first, he didn't calm down
walk with him to his favorite sleeping place, which is as far right away. Now, when we go "rug," he usually will settle
away from stimulating noise as possible. After he lays down, down after he's thanked and removed from the stimulation. By
we sing him a good night song. Yes, we sing him a short lull- doing that during the day, we're reinforcing that when we acaby, the same one each night. Our trainer didn't suggest that knowledge his alert but say it is okay, we mean "thank you for
specifically, but she did say that clearly indicating to him that being a Pyr and take a break." He's now ok with the mailit is time to sleep is important. It is communicating "you don't man, but he still wants to fight the UPS guy. Why he's learned
need to work now."
the one is okay but not the other, I have no idea?! It is a work
We've done this for two years, and if Leonidas doesn't get in progress, and each overreaction is a chance to work with
his "sleepy Pyr" song as we prepare for bed, he sulks and him to create a new outcome.
whimpers. Every now and again, when we’re tired and don’t
Once we learned what to do and calmed down because
follow our routine, it is inevitable that I’ll just crawl into bed we realized we could teach him, our attitude changed, and
and start to relax before Leonidas will start throwing a tantrum then his behavior changed. We are now able to communiand crying in his bed. If I get up, go to him, sing him his song, cate our preferences to him. There are a few things we want
and give him a good night hug, he settles right in and quiets him to bark at--like people we don't know walking on our
right down. He’s almost always asleep before the song is over. property, so when he barks at them, we praise him and give
If he barks during the night, we let it go for a minute or
two. Now, he usually quiets himself, but when we started this,
he didn't. If it seems like he won't stop, one of us gets up and
goes to where he is barking, which is usually one of our front
windows. Then, we calmly say "What's up, Leo? What do you
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
him a treat at the window so he knows he's being a great
boy. None of this is quick fix. Pyrs are smart and stubborn, but
they respond well to affirmation and clear signaling of right
and wrong in a way that works with their hardwiring and not
against it.
41
IF DISASTER STRIKES
WILL YOU EVCACUATE? WHERE WILL YOU GO? WHAT ABOUT YOUR PYR?
Hurricanes, severe storms, tornadoes, floods, as well as heavy snows, major fires, earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions can all create severe situations. We could be driven from our homes, or left stranded in our homes
without electricity, food or water for days or weeks. Non weather-related emergencies, such as environmental hazards and possible acts of terrorism should also be taken into consideration. If your area is affected,
are you ready? What is your plan?
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Purchase a weather alert radio and be aware of area warnings. Keep cell phones fully charged. Before
loading up the car and heading to your local emergency shelter, find out what the rules are. Many shelters
will now take dogs during evacuations, but is there a limit in size or number of dogs allowed? Those shelters may require that dogs be kept in crates, often in other areas of the facility, and in some shelters, pets will
be in separate buildings all together. Is your Pyr ready? Do you have a crate? Is your dog crate trained?
How will your dog react to these stressful circumstances? Is your pet microchipped? Many animals lost during disasters have been reunited with their families due to being chipped. Do not rely on dog tags! They can
come off of the animal’s collar and get lost.
WHO TO CALL
Make a phone list of friends, relatives and neighbors to notify each other of circumstances and verify plans.
In making your plans, consider that family members may be in different locations at the time of emergency.
WHAT TO TAKE
Make a list of items for each family member to be kept in a backpack near the appropriate door. Keep each
pack supplied with dry food and bottled water to last several days, dry clothing, necessary medications and
any other supplies necessary for that family member. Include instructions in each pack. Designate a pack
that will have important papers, radio, batteries, basic tools, first aid kit, fully charged cell phone and a copy
of your evacuation plans.
WHAT TO TAKE FOR YOUR PET
Fit an appropriately-sized waist pack comfortably around the pet’s neck as a “collar pack” that contains
collar and leash, medications, veterinary information and written identification including where you will be,
phone and contact information in case you are separated from your pet. You might include a small amount
of food and water. Remove excess belt material that may be hanging freely. Wearing the collar pack may
take some getting used to. Beginning in short time increments, let your dog wear the pack, gradually increasing the time so your dog will be used to wearing the pack should the need arise. If yourdog will be crated
once at your destination, you might want to take along a clip or two so the pack can be clipped to the dog’s
crate once settled and comfortable.
WHERE TO GO
Map a plan from each direction of your home, neighborhood and city in the event your most frequently traveled route is not accessible. List where you will go, the route you will take and share this plan with your
phone list members. Consider the location of hospitals, emergency clinics, veterinary hospitals and emergency
clinics, gas stations, restaurants and friends’ homes. Locate hotels that take dogs, and check with those that
normally don’t. Some will change their policy during emergencies. Consider listing points of assistance at
specific intervals from your home, such as every 5 or 10 miles.
PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED: GREAT PYRENEES CLUB OF AMERICA, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE, 2007
42
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
IF DISASTER STRIKES
IN THE CAR
Keep a backpack or container with nutrition bars, water, first aid kit, medications, radio, flashlight and batteries, basic tools, blanket, dry change of clothes and shoes, in case you are stranded. In case your pet is
with you, include dry pet food, extra water, daily medications, written identification and contact information
as well as veterinary information.
HAVE MULTIPLE PLANS
Create several plans in the event your primary plan is not possible. Instruct family members what to do if
the family is not together during an emergency. List several alternatives as to how your pets will be taken care
of if family members are not able to get home for several hours or days. If you are not able to take your pet
when evacuating, what plans will you make for their care?
WHAT IF YOU AREN’T EVACUATED
You might not be evacuated, but you may still be without electricity, water and phone service. Roads to your
area may not be accessible. Check your pantry. Stock dry foods and canned goods that can be eaten without heat or refrigeration, shelf-life milk, etc. Keep some items stored in a high area to remain dry should flooding occur. 3 gallons of bottled water per day per family member is the recommended amount of water to have
on hand. Don’t forget food and water for the pets! Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much
as possible. In the south, it is suggested that these items can last up to 3 days if kept cold, possibly longer in
colder climates. Store home emergency items together: include medications, radio, flashlight and batteries,
possibly a small, battery operated TV, battery operated fan(s), important papers, basic tools and any other
essential items. Have tarps and roof fasteners, duct tape, hammer, nails and plywood sheets ready for temporary repairs. Keep cell phones charged, just in case. In your pet’s “collar pack” include identification, medications and veterinary information in case your pet gets lost. For multiple animals, consider locating a used
horse trailer and generator where they can be kept cool or warm, depending on the season.
A note regarding generators: NEVER operate a generator in any enclosed area! Placing a generator in the
garage with overhead door raised does not provide enough ventilation. Generators must remain outside, fully
ventilated while operating.
MOST IMPORTANT – MAKE A PLAN
Until a basic plan is made, there is no plan. Not having a plan leads to panic, confusion and frustration.
WHO TO CALL
List phone chain members including friends, relatives and neighbors to notify of circumstances and verify plans.
1.
_______________________________
5.
_______________________________
2.
_______________________________
6.
_______________________________
3.
_______________________________
7.
_______________________________
4.
_______________________________
8.
_______________________________
PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED: GREAT PYRENEES CLUB OF AMERICA, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE, 2007
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
43
IF DISASTER STRIKES
WHAT TO TAKE
List supplies for each family member’s backpack. Include instructions, dry foods, water, medications, important papers, radio, batteries, basic tools, first aid kit, cell phone and a copy of your evacuation plans.
PACK #1:
PACK #2:
PACK #3:
PACK #4:
For your pet’s “collar pack”, include collar and leash, medications, veterinary information, written identification including where you will be, phone and contact information in case you are separated from your pet.
You might want to include a small amount of food and water in the pack, or take separately.
PET PACK #1:
PET PACK #2:
WHERE TO GO
List area hospitals and emergency vet clinics, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, friends’ homes, etc. Consider
listing points of assistance at specific intervals, such as every 5 or 10 miles from your home.
NORTH:
EAST:
SOUTH:
WEST:
PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED: GREAT PYRENEES CLUB OF AMERICA, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE, 2007
44
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
IF DISASTER STRIKES
NOTES:
WHAT CLUBS CAN DO
Gather and distribute informational brochures and local information to the public at club events, such as
dog shows, fun matches, pet fairs, pet walks and rescue events
Hold educational clinics at meetings and events, instructing how and what to prepare for family and pet
safety and evacuation
Name an Area Coordinator who can monitor a weather alert radio for warnings and be contacted for information and needed assistance.
Establish a Disaster Preparedness committee, and determine specific responsibilities through your region/state
Create a phone chain among your members, notifying area dog owners of an alert, to follow up after the
alert has expired to determine assistance needed, if any
Assist by providing information specific to your area, such as location of shelters taking dogs, hotels and
boarding kennels accepting dogs, materials and supplies to have on hand
Have members store basic supplies for distribution prior to and following a weather system, such as: bottled water, nutrition bars, dry/canned goods, dry dog food, feed and water bowls, collars and leashes, cleaning and paper products, Ziploc bags, flashlights, radios, batteries, battery- operated fans, tarps and roof
fasteners, hammers and nails, duct tape, plywood sheets, crates, ex-pens, etc.
Assist in rescue and temporary relocation of dogs should evacuations require such measures
Establish a follow-up plan at specific time increments, .e:
8-12 Hours Following
24-36 Hours Following
48-72 Hours Following
1 Week Following, etc.
AREA/REGIONAL CONTACTS:
PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED: GREAT PYRENEES CLUB OF AMERICA, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE, 2007
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
45
EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW IN LIFE
I LEARNED FROM MY RESCUE PYR
If you truly don’t want to do something, don’t. Sometimes the treat just
isn’t worth it, no matter who is giving the command.
Find unexpected moments to play during each day.
A little dirt is the sign of a life well-lived.
Even if you can’t fix something that is bothering you, you can take a nap.
When something is really, really important, make lots of noise until it is
fixed.
Rest and affection are as essential to life as food, water, and shelter.
Everyone, no matter how big and snarly, likes hugs.
Dance with glee when life gives you treats.
Being gentle doesn’t mean you aren’t tough.
There’s no reason to be scared of what you can see, sniff, and pee on.
Maya the rescue Pyr has learned the joys of play.
Photos by Courtenay Stark
Courtesy of Carolina Pyrenews
Rescue Tails
CAROLINA PYRS GIVE RAVE REVIEWS TO THE RUMPUS AT THE RIVER
On October 1, over sixty Pyrents and Pyr lovers gathered for CGPR’s second annual fall social. We were honored to have
over thirty Pyrs in attendance, and they truly were the guests of honor. Although the weather was a little chilly (by human standards) the Pyrs were totally content.
No, that’s not a postcard but some of the Pyrs and their people posing on the hill at the US National Whitewater Center.
Photo by Lisa Chess
46
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
A WRINKLE IN TIME...read on.
The Indian Solid Gold (Curcumin) and the Solid Gold SunDancer Dog Food
The best dog food that you can buy for your dog is the Solid Gold SunDancer. It has no grains
and no gluten. To control gas production, and maybe bloat in dogs, SunDancer uses tapioca and quinoa, called the Food of the Future. The meat is chicken and fish, all the Oriental dogs, the Arctic dogs,
and dogs from England, Scotland, Ireland and water dogs, such as labs and poodles, were fed a fishbased diet and sea vegetation, such as in our Sea Meal, which is always fed with our dog food. Retrievers,
terriers and spaniels, were originally from England are included. Sea Meal is effective against allergies and
scratching.
Curcumin is the root of the turmeric plant, and is in our SunDancer dog food, Curcumin has a 4,000
year old history in India for helping a wide variety of health problems. Dr. Oz on TV frequently talks about
curcumin. Edgar Cayce, the sleeping prophet, said the two greatest gifts from God to Man are curcumin and
olive oil.
The Jan. 2003 issue of Cancer Research declared that curcumin has the ability to “suppress
proliferation of cancer cells.” The October 2010 issue of “Nutrition and Cancer” indicated that curcumin
makes chemo more effective.
Recently, a breeder of Dalmatians talked with our sales person about using our SunDancer dog food.
He had been feeding a cheap, crappy dog food. He decided to continue to feed the inferior food and buy
curcumin/turmeric in a health food store and add it to the dog’s food. BIG MISTAKE!
About a month later he called our store. He asked, “Have you ever seen a yellow Dalmatian?” He had
one.
He had overdosed on the curcumin. First of all, curcumin has to be cooked at a low temperature and
must be mixed with oils to release the active properties.
He rushed the dog to the vets. He never told the vet what he had done. So after extensive and expensive
test, on the liver and kidneys, costing over $350, he called us.
We put the dog on our non-curcumin Holistique Blendz dry dog food. Holistic does not mean natural or
organic. It means that the whole body works together-mind, body and spirit. See the previous information on
problems with white, near white or light colored dogs. White dogs absorb more ultra violet light (photo-aging)
which may depress the immune system. Holistique Blendz is only 18% protein from fish, to spare stress on the
organs. It is particularly effective on dogs with tear stains. Most of the tear stains are on white or light color
dogs. So dropping the protein to 18% helps.
Sissy has an 18 year old Dane mix. She was all gray on the muzzle. After six months on the SunDancer,
the black came back.
Now for our cute story – “A Wrinkle in Time”
It was during WWII, Sissy, the owner of Solid Gold, lived in N.J. Her father worked for the army
getting hard to find products. One summer, he was transferred to New Mexico. Sissy and her mother went there
for the summer to be with him.
In the cool of the evenings, the kids would go to a local stable to play with the horses. The kids loved to
groom the horses. Sissy’s favorite was Fury, owned by Mr. O.
Mr. O. told Sissy that if she would give Fury a daily brushing, he would teach her how to ride. So the
entire summer was a delightful experience. Eventually, the summer came to an end, and Sissy returned back
home.
It was several years later, after the war was over, that Sissy was reading
the paper. She saw a familiar photograph. She asked her mother why Mr. O’s
picture was in the paper.
Her mother smiled, it was a picture of Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, the
Father of the Atomic Bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Just a Wrinkle
in Time
Solid Gold Holistic Animal Nutrition Center
1331 N. Cuyamaca, El Cajon, CA 92020
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Ask your local pet store for a free catalogue. If they don’t
have a SunDancer catalogue, call us at (619)258-7356,
M-F, 10am to 5pm Pacific time. Or e-mail us at sarah@
solidgoldholisitc.com. You can also visit our website at
www.solidgoldholistic.com.
47
Samson’s Sooper Dooper Pyr Treats
Mary and Gary Gambrell
brought these delicious homemade snacks to the fall Carolina social. The Pyrs loved
them and asked us to run the
recipe in the newsletter so
their humans could make
them.
Ingredients
1 pound pork or beef liver
1 cup self-rising corn meal
1 cup self-rising flour
Samson knows how to be the life of the
party: wear something fun and bring
something tasty to share.
2 heaping tablespoons garlic
Water
Pam spray
Kitchen items
Measuring cup and spoons
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Bake until
mixture thoroughly browns and has risen nicely and
separated from side of cookie sheet. It’s really hard to
overcook. Let cool. Hold dog back. Cut like pieces of
fudge into 1” cubes. If pieces are still pink in the middle, put them back in the oven.
Storage
Keep treats in the refrigerator. If your puppy can get
in the fridge, hide them well. We find that these treats
Mixer and large mixing bowl
last 10 days or so. Each batch makes far more than a
8” x 12” cookie sheet with 1”sides
10-day supply. Freeze pieces that are not for immeClothes pins (you will need them)
diate use. We bust up each batch into baggies. When
the baggy in the fridge is about to go empty, pull one
Knife, mixing spatula
out of the freezer. Let frozen treats thaw in the fridge
for around 24 hours. Trust us; make a double batch at
Finding liver: If they have fresh liver at your meat a time. We usually use a large cookie sheet that is 12”
counter, great! Otherwise, we usually find it pre-pack- x 17” x 1”.
aged in the frozen case where fish and Bubba Burgers are. Garlic: We use chopped garlic that is in the
jar. Most all dogs just love garlic, and it’s good for Reprint permission from Carolina Pyrenews Volume 3,
Issue 3, Fall 2011
them. Don’t be afraid of adding too much.
Blender or food processor
Puree liver in blender or food processor with 2/3
cup water. Mix all ingredients with 1/4 cup water in
a large mixing bowl. Mix to consistency of cake or
brownie mix. Spray cookie sheet with Pam. Make sure
you spray the sides as well. Spread mixture on cookie
sheet. Put clothes pins on nose(s). That aroma wafting
through your kitchen is not bacon or cookies.
48
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Tales from the Rainbow Bridge
Chapter 3
by LJ Mercer
Pete and Sugar settled down, side by side, in the doublewide crater she had dug for them. Sugar prided herself on
her ability to dig a crater suitable for any occasion - there
was the special small crater she had dug for Charlie to
sleep in; one deep in the roots of the old oak that she had
dug for Toby so that he could be comforted by the protection of the roots when he had his terrible nightmares about
that awful day; her own personal favorite - a deep crater
right under the shade of the lowest branches of the old oak
- and her latest, and possibly her best, creation, a doublewide with an impression on either side of a shallow root,
so that Pete and she each had their own space, but could
commune across the root as the mood took them.
She had very quickly got over her grumpiness about the
lack of information about the trip to the Snowy Mountains
after Pete had talked to her about the difficulties of shift
work, and never knowing more than a day in advance just
how much of an influx of new dogs he could expect. Plus,
as he said, he could turn up for his shift with a plan in mind
only to discover that everything had changed. Dogs in the
other life had recovered, or had worsened in their condition, and he just had to go with the flow and deal with what
being the Gatekeeper threw at him. "Make a plan", he
said, "and then throw it in the trash can just before you
clock in!"
don't believe you've yet seen a 'happening', have you?"
"A 'happening'? What's that?"
"Sugar, its the most wonderful thing you'll ever see. All
of us here at the Rainbow Bridge, we're just waiting, passing time, waiting for our humans to collect us and cross the
Bridge with us.
“You see, Sugar, we dogs can't cross the Bridge without
our humans, and in the other life they last much longer than
we do so sometimes we hang around here for a very long
time. But eventually the day comes when our human leaves
that other life and passes through these fields on their way
to the Bridge. As they walk through the fields their dogs
gather round them, greet them, kiss them, jump into their
arms, greet them in whatever way they think best - and
then they all cross the Bridge together into whatever happens next."
Just this evening, Pete had told her that he thought they
might have to put off the trip until closer to Christmas.
"Because at Christmas," he said, "all plans go on hold.
No human wants to lose their beloved partner at Christmas, so the vast majority of them do whatever they can to
keep their dogs with them at least until the New Year. Unless, of course, there's a tragic accident - in which case the
emergency crew jumps into action. You might get the impression that Gabe's permanent entourage of beautiful
boys is a waste of space, butyou should see them when
there's an emergency. They are a sight to behold - direct"Wow!" said Sugar, "that sounds absolutely awesome.
ing traffic, comforting the wounded, escorting the deWhat
does happen next?”
parted. And all that vanity serves a purpose - imagine that
“No dog knows that, Sugar, because no dog has ever
you're wounded, hurting, not sure what's going on, and
suddenly a beautiful creature with a halo created by the returned to tell the tale.”
setting sun reflecting on his long hair turns up and suggests
Sugar thought about that for a moment.
you follow him - why wouldn't you!"
“But Pete, it doesn't tell me about you, and why you and
Sugar nodded - why indeed. "But Pete," she said, "tell Gabe have been here 'since Forever'!"
me more about you. Gabe said you and he had been here
"Here's the flip side Sugar," Pete replied with a deep
'since Forever', but what did he mean by that?"
sigh, "if your human passes before you do, you're
"Well, Sugar, you've only been here a short time and I screwed. You wait and wait and wait, but your human has
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
49
already crossed the bridge so there is no-one to escort would have dragged him all the way home if he could only
you. So you find a job, and punch the clock and wait and have managed to climb that last fifty feet that I couldn't get
hope."
down."
"Hope?" said Sugar, "hope for what?"
"Hope that a loving human will adopt you between the
other life and the Bridge. Doesn't happen too often, Sugar,
so we just deal with it."
"Pete," said Sugar, "are you telling me that your human
passed before you did?"
Pete sighed again, a very deep sigh, and pushed his
nose into the soft earth of the crater.
"Sugar, there's a lot you don't know about me. I think
Gabe told you I worked in Search and Rescue?" She nodded, slowly, and Pete sighed again and paused for a few
moments before continuing.
"Then let me tell you the rest of my story. It was a very
long time ago, in Switzerland. My partner, Hans, picked
me out from a prime litter of purebred St Bernards. I remember hoping and hoping that he would pick me, and I
kept pushing myself forward and licking at his hands. I
wasn't the biggest and strongest of the litter, but I was
smart, and I knew from his scent that he was a good man,
and that he was the one for me. I don't know why he chose
me in the end, my brothers were bigger and stronger, but
I guess I was persistent enough that he finally noticed me.
He took me home with him, and I just loved him from that
moment on. Of course the training for Search and Rescue
was tough, very, very tough. You have to be able to survive below-freezing temperatures for long periods at a
time, and at the same time be able to scent life under the
snow. But, oh boy, the satisfaction of finding life under the
snow, and digging down to release it. You can't even
begin to imagine the joy it gives you.
"Hans and I worked together for years, we were an
amazing team. Of course, it wasn't just the two of us, we
used to live for months on end in a cabin in the mountains
with a group of other humans and dogs, always on the
alert for Search and Rescue calls, it was wonderful. But
then the day came when Hans and I went out on the last
rescue mission of our tour of duty. The entire team was
with us, of course, but we were in the lead.
"I didn't leave him though. I stayed there, barking and
barking encouragement at him long after everyone else
gave up. And when the moment came, I howled at the sky
in outrage. I think I went a little mad for a while, certainly
I didn't go back to the cabin in the mountains for a couple
of weeks and when I did, everyone was very wary about
approaching me. But finally, I calmed down and tried to
accept what had happened. I kept working with Search
and Rescue for the rest of my other life, but it wasnever the
same. I mean, I don't know if you can understand this
Sugar, but I was brilliant at the job but it didn't have the
same meaning for me.
“So when my time came, I wasn't sorry. What I hadn't
realized at that time was that Hans had long since crossed
the Bridge so I would have to wait here for an eternity."
"But you know Sug, eternity
isn't so bad here! Every so
often I get to take my trips to
the Snowy Mountains so I can
remind myself of where I
came from and how much
meaning it had. Hey, did I
remember to tell you that I
even used to do the "cask of
brandy around the neck"
thing? Man, that used to
make me laugh - I mean I
know it was a lifesaver for the
humans but do you think I ever got a taste???"
Pete laughed, then sighed again and pushed his nose
into the soft earth of the crater. "You sure do dig a nice
crater, Sugar," he said.
Sugar placed her paw over Pete's. She didn't need to
say anything. Her admiration for him was boundless and
left her speechless. But a thought was playing in her mind.
She would chew on that thought for a while, but in the
meantime the sun had set and it was time for the Northern
“Hans took a misstep and fell into a crevasse in the Lights nightly show so she needed to call her pack to order
mountain. We tried. We all tried. I managed to get and marshall them to the shores of the Great Lake ...
halfway down but then it became impossible. The humans
in the group climbed down as far as they could, but they
© LJ Mercer.
couldn't make it either. Hans had broken his leg and
www.pyrhome.blogspot.com
couldn't climb up, I kept barking and barking at him to encourage him to at least get part way up so that I could get
a hold of him and drag him the rest of the way - Sugar, I
50
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
TO MAKE FOR YOUR DOG
DO DOGS DREAM?
You've probably seen it happen—your sleeping dog suddenly
lets out a woof as his legs begin to twitch. Is he dreaming?
By now you may have made your New Year's resolutions. But
Many scientists say there is evidence to support the idea that
have you made resolutions that will help make your dog happier and healthier in the year to come? Here are a few easy-to- dogs do, in fact, experience dreams. Researchers using an eleckeep resolutions that will get the New Year off to a great start. troencephalogram (EEG) have tested canine brain wave activity
during sleep. They've found that dogs are similar to humans
Healthier diet: You know how you feel after eating the wrong when it comes to sleep patterns and brain wave activity. Like hufoods: the feelings can range from guilty (at the least), to bloated, mans, dogs enter a deep sleep stage during which their breathuncomfortable, and worse. If you feed your dog "junk food" or ing becomes more irregular and they have rapid eye movements
a low-quality diet he may not feel guilty, but it could upset his di- (REM). It is during REM sleep that actual dreaming and, often, ingestive tract and impact his overall long-term health. So play it voluntary movements take place. Dogs may move their legs as if
safe and make sure you keep him on a healthy diet consisting of they are running, whine or whimper as if excited, and breathe
food that provides all necessary nutrients for his stage of life. rapidly or hold their breath for short periods.
And if your dog has special health concerns, ask your vet about
Not all dogs dream equally. Research suggests that small dogs
food that is specially formulated to address his needs. In addidream more than larger dogs. A Toy Poodle may dream once
tion to making wise choices about the food you offer your dog,
every ten minutes while a Golden Retriever may only dream once
you should also make sure that he doesn't have access to peo- every 90 minutes. Dreaming also seems to occur more frequently
ple food (or toxic substances) that are around your house. And, in puppies. This may be because they are processing huge quanneedless to say, tell your children and guests not to feed your tities of newly acquired experiences.
dog table scraps or anything else that isn't part of his healthy
What do dogs dream about? Since no dog has ever told anydiet.
one about a dream he's had, we can only guess. It's likely that
More exercise: Has your dog's lifestyle been on the lazy side? dogs dream in a similar fashion to humans, replaying the everyDoes he spend more time lying around than running about? It's day activities that make up their existence, like chasing, playing,
up to you to get him out and about and active again. The dog and eating.
park is calling—and it's saying, "Pay me a visit and run, jump,
If you've ever been tempted to wake your dog during a dream,
catch, fetch, frolic, and play." And if the weather is cold or rainy, try and resist. It's best to "let sleeping dogs lie." Dogs, like hufind your dog's favorite toys and engage him in a nice indoor mans, need uninterrupted sleep for healthy mental activity.
play session. Not sure how active your dog should be at his
lifestage? Ask your vet for some advice and guidelines.
CANINE BODY LANGUAGE:
Wellness checkups: When was the last time your dog visited
the vet's office for a regular health examination? These exams
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
are essential. Even if your dog seems well, your vet can identify
Dogs can communicate with other dogs through a series of sigconditions in their early stages and suggest appropriate treatment. So if your dog hasn't been to the vet lately for a wellness nals, including a variety of facial expressions, body postures,
checkup, make an appointment now. Regular checkups are es- noises, and scents. Your dog will use his mouth, eyes, ears, and
even his tail to express his emotions. By reading the combination
sential.
of body signals, you should be able to work out who is top dog
Better oral care: Did you know that four out of five dogs over in any confrontation or situation.
the age of three may develop gum disease?* Most people don't
realize the connection between gum disease and general over- Big=Aggressive
A dog that feels brave or aggressive will try to give the imall health. Studies indicate that the bacteria associated with gum
disease may also impact heart, kidney, and liver health. So check pression of being a larger, more powerful animal. He will stand
your dog's mouth for these telltale signs of gum disease: constant tall with his ears and tail erect and thrust his chest forward. He
bad breath, red, swollen gums, and difficulty chewing hard food. may also raise the hairs around his neck and along his back (his
If you notice these symptoms, tell your vet immediately. Your vet hackles). Aggressive dogs may also wave their tail slowly and
will help you develop a daily oral care routine for your dog. To growl.
get your dog started on the road to better oral care, you can Small=Submissive
feed him DENTAL style treats every day. These treats have been
A submissive dog, on the other hand, will try to appear small
proven to reduce tartar buildup-a contributor to gum disease- and puppy-like. Adult dogs will chastise puppies, but they don't
when used as part of a daily oral care routine.
attack them. A submissive dog's approach to a more dominant
canine or human is likely to be from the side, crouching near to
If you haven't already noticed, these New Year's resolutions
the ground with his tail held low and wagging enthusiastically.
for your dog are also ones you could make for yourself: eat betHe may also try to lick the hands or paws and face of the domter, get more exercise, and see your doctor and dentist regularly.
inant dog or person. If this isn't appeasing enough, he might
After all, wellness is for everyone in your family, whether they
then roll onto his back to expose his stomach, or even involunhave two legs or four.
tarily pass a small amount of urine.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
51
The many meanings of tail wagging
Communication—canine style
One pattern of behavior that's characteristic of dogs and familiar to almost everyone is tail wagging. Most people recognize that loose, free tail wagging indicates pleasure or
friendliness. Exaggerated tail wagging, which extends to the entire rump, is sometimes seen in subordinate dogs, as well as dogs
with very short tails.
Dogs can communicate with other dogs through a series of signals, including a variety of facial expressions, body postures,
noises, and scents. Your dog will use his mouth, eyes, ears, and
even his tail to express his emotions. By reading the combination
of body signals, you should be able to work out who is top dog
in any confrontation or situation.
The tail, however, is also an indicator of other emotions. A tail
A dog that's feeling brave or aggressive will try to give the imwaved slowly and stiffly, in line with the back, expresses anger. pression of being a larger, more powerful animal. He will stand
Clamped low over the dog's hindquarters, it's a sign that the dog tall with his ears and tail erect, thrust his chest forward, and may
is afraid. Anxious or nervous dogs may stiffly wag their droopraise the hairs around his neck and along his back (his hackles).
ing tails as a sign of appeasement.
He may also wave his tail slowly and growl.
Facial expressions—and more
A submissive dog, on the other hand, will try to appear small
and puppy-like. Adult dogs will chastise puppies, but they don't
attack them. A submissive dog's approach to a more dominant
individual is likely to be from the side, crouching near to the
ground with its tail held low and wagging enthusiastically. He
may also try to lick the hands or paws and face of the dominant
dog (or person). If this isn't appeasing enough, he might then
To successfully read his mood correctly, you must watch for roll onto his back to expose his stomach. In this position, some
other body signals at the same time. The narrowing or half-clo- dogs will involuntarily pass a small amount of urine.
sure of the dog's eyes indicates either pleasure or submission,
Tales the tail tells
but when his eyes are wide open, he's signaling aggression.
One pattern of behavior that's characteristic of dogs, and faEye contact: Who blinks first
miliar to almost everyone, is tail wagging. Most people would
In the wild, the pack leader can maintain control simply by
recognize that loose, free tail wagging indicates pleasure and a
staring at a subordinate dog. The two animals will continue to
general friendliness. Exaggerated tail wagging, which extends to
stare at each other until one challenges the other, or until one
the entire rump, is seen in subordinate dogs, as well as dogs with
lowers his head and turns away. If the staring continues after the
submissive dog has looked away, he will feel confused and may very short tails.
The facial expressions of your dog will tell you a lot about his
mood—whether he's anxious or excited, frightened or playful, or
any one of a vast range of emotions he may express. His ears
prick up when he's alert or listening intently, but are held back
or flattened onto the head when expressing pleasure, submission, or fear.
bite out of fear. If eye contact is not broken, the dominant dog will
The tail, however, is also an indicator of other emotions. A tail
reinforce his threat by snarling, growling, or even attacking.
waved slowly and stiffly, in line with the back, expresses anger.
You should not try to outstare your dog if he has aggressive or Clamped low over the dog's hindquarters, is a sign that the dog
nervous tendencies because this could provoke an attack. Nev- is afraid. Anxious or nervous dogs may stiffly wag their droopertheless, regular, gentle eye contact reassures the dog and re- ing tails as a sign of appeasement.
inforces your relationship.
Ears, eyes, and lips
Smile, we're communicating
The facial expressions of your dog will tell you a lot about his
mood, whether he's anxious or excited, frightened or playful, or
any one of a vast range of emotions he may express. His ears
prick up when he's alert or listening intently, but are held back
or flattened onto the head when expressing pleasure, submission, or fear. To read his mood correctly, you must watch for other
A dog will indicate his desire to play by raising a front paw, body signals at the same time.
or by performing the play bow, which is often accompanied by
The narrowing or half-closure of the dog's eyes indicates either
barking to attract attention. Other gestures include offering a pleasure or submission, but when his eyes are wide open, he inplay object or bounding up to another dog to invite a fun and tends to be aggressive. In the wild, the pack leader can maintain
friendly chase.
control simply by staring at a subordinate dog. The two animals
will continue to stare at each other until one challenges the other,
or until one lowers his head and turns away.
Submissive dogs may appear to be "smiling" when they open
their mouth to show their teeth in a lop-sided grin of friendliness.
In the snarl of aggression, however, both lips are drawn right
back to expose most of the teeth, and may be accompanied by
a growl.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR
DOG’S BODY LANGUAGE
One of the reasons dogs make such good pets is the remarkable way they can communicate with humans. Pet dogs see us as
an extension of their own canine family, and are very quick to interpret our moods and intentions. An understanding of how dogs
communicate with other dogs will help the observant owner correctly figure out the message their pet is trying to convey.
52
You should not try to outstare your dog if he has aggressive or
nervous tendencies—this could provoke an attack. Nevertheless,
regular, gentle eye contact reassures the dog and reinforces your
relationship. Submissive dogs and those of certain breeds, notably Labradors, may appear to be smiling when they open their
mouth to show the teeth in a lop-sided grin of friendliness. In the
snarl of aggression, however, both lips are drawn right back to
expose most of the teeth, and may be accompanied by a growl.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Playtime
5. Carry his comforts: If possible, bring your dog's bedding,
A dog will indicate his desire to play by raising a front paw or bowl, regular food, and favorite toys with you.
by performing the play bow, which is often accompanied by
6. Take a break: On a long car ride, stop every two or three
barking to attract attention. Other gestures include offering a hours during the day for your dog to take a bathroom break,
play object or bounding up to another dog to invite chase.
have a drink of water, exercise, and experience the new enviNow that you know more about your dog's rich and varied ronment. Frequent stops are also recommended at night.
body language, you may understand him better than ever. And
Finally, before planning your trip, check out
that can lead to an even closer relationship.
www.dogfriendly.com for a comprehensive listing of hotels,
WHAT YOUR DOG'S YAWN REALLY MEANS
In the language of dogs, the yawn is often used as a calming
signal. It's a way of saying, I've had enough and my patience is
running out. For example, in a training session, your dog may
yawn to deal with frustration and to give himself a mental break.
The next time your dog yawns while you're training him, try
showing him you got the message by reducing your intensity or
changing your approach.
A yawn may indicate anticipation or stress, too. Your dog may
yawn repeatedly when he's waiting in the vet's office as a way
of dealing with nervousness. Sometimes dogs yawn in anticipation of something enjoyable, such as a walk—this is a way of
controlling his enthusiasm.
campgrounds, restaurants, and theme parks across the country
that will treat your dog like a top dog.
HAPPY TRAVELS WITH AN OLDER DOG
There's no need to leave your senior dog at home. If your dog
has been accustomed to traveling all his life, he can be a rewarding travel companion well into his Golden Years. In fact,
older dogs are mellower and tend to be better hotel guests than
younger dogs. The only type of travel that may be too hard on
an older dog is air travel in the cargo compartment of an airplane. Unless your older dog is small enough to ride with you in
the passenger section, he will likely be more comfortable staying
at home. Travel Checklist Before you go, be sure to read up on
dog-friendly hotels, resorts and events. If there is a place you'd
like to stay at, don't hesitate to call them and ask if they accept
dogs. Also, many websites and travel guides are frequently updated with information on pet-friendly travel.
Of course, there are times when a yawn is, well, just a yawn.
The best way to understand the real meaning of the gesture is to
look at the situation. If he yawns while stretched out comfortably
Before you go, make sure you pack your dog's "suitcase" with
on his bed, he’s probably just tired. If you're training or playing
with your dog and he yawns, he may be asking for a little break. the things he'll need to stay healthy and comfortable on the road.
Food and water bowl Regular food, water and treats Collar and
leashes - including identification tags with your permanent and
temporary addresses and phone number A supply of your dog's
TRAVELING WITH BIG DOGS
medication - be sure to write down the name and dosage so it
In a recent survey by the pet travel website BringYourPet.com, can be replaced if necessary Plastic bags or newspaper Dog
47% of owners said they travel on vacation with dogs over 40 brushes/combs Pet crate if he uses one Favorite toys Flea and
pounds, and 78% have booked rooms in pet-friendly hotels. tick repellent, tweezers for removing ticks.
Trends like these have made the hospitality industry take notice,
and more travel destinations today welcome dogs. Before you Dos and Don'ts
Now that you're ready to hit the road, here's some travel adhead out with dog in tow, take a look at these smart ways to
vice
to help make travels with your pet hassle-free. Do avoid exkeep your pooch safe and happy-no matter how you travel.
otic food. Cajun-style beef chunks might seem delicious, but they
6 tips for an easier trip:
could upset your dog's stomach, giving him gas, or worse, diar1. Tag him: If your dog gets lost in an unfamiliar place it can rhea. Stick with your dog's regular food. Don't give your dog
be disastrous. Be sure his collar is secure, and that your address food for about four hours before a trip if he has a tendency to get
and phone number appear clearly on his tags. Also affix your queasy. Also, your dog shouldn't have anything to drink for two
cell phone number to the tags with strong tape. Carrying a cur- hours before you set off. Instead, give your dog frequent sips of
rent photo of him is a good idea, too. It is also strongly recom- water or ice cubes during the trip. If necessary, ask your vet
mended that you have your vet insert an identification microchip about products that treat carsickness in dogs. Do keep your dog
under your dog's skin.
on a leash whenever you are in unfamiliar territory. Don't ever
leave
your dog in a car alone. He can suffer from heatstroke
2. Pack his papers: Ask your vet for a health certificate that
which
can be fatal. Do make a pooch-only area in the back of
provides proof of updated shots. Some lodging destinations and
your
car.
A pet crate is the best and safest way for your dog to
all boarding locations require it. Vets can also prescribe mild
travel.
You
can also try a car seat harness designed for dogs. Eisedatives if your dog gets car sick, or if he feels nervous on an
ther
way,
it's
a good idea to put down a plastic tablecloth - the
airplane or boat.
cloth side will stick to the seat and the plastic side is easy to wipe
3. Take a long walk before you go: A recently exercised dog down if messes occur. Do give your dog a break about every
will be in a more relaxed state for the trip, and is more likely to three hours to let him stretch his legs and have a toilet break.
sleep.
Make breaks more often if necessary. Do leave your dog with a
4. Limit food before takeoff: Don't feed your dog for at least competent person if you can't take him with you. Be sure to leave
six hours before plane travel. Some people recommend eight or the dog-sitter with your vet's contact info, your dog's feeding
even a full 24 hours. Do, however, make sure your dog has ac- schedule, medicines and activity schedule
cess to water.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
53
Dogs: Wolf, Myth, Hero & Friend
by Susanna B. Hecht, PhD; Blaire Van Valkenburgh, PhD; and Robert K. Wayne, PhD
Sniffing out the facts and exploring the relationship between the National Science Foundation. The exhibition premieres at the
our two species
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on October 13,
No observer can help but remark upon the incredible variety 2002, and over the next five years is scheduled to travel to San
of sizes, shapes, temperaments and behaviors of the dog—from Diego and San Bernardino, California; Seattle; Mesa, Arizona;
the one-pound Chihuahua to the 200-pound Mastiff; the stubby- Omaha; Washington, D.C; Milwaukee; Philadelphia; Cleveland;
legged, placid Basset Hound to the long-legged, fleet Grey- and Chicago, with more cities to be announced.
hound. Nowhere else in the animal kingdom does so much
The evolutionary history of dogs begins some 40 million years
morphological diversity exist within a single species.
ago in North America, when Hesperocyonines, looking like a
In large measure, the 400 or so breeds of dog extant today are cross between a fox and a weasel, emerged from the soup of
products of human breeders, who, as Charles Darwin pointed carnivores. Hyena-like canids, the Borophagines, or “boneout nearly 150 years ago, have selected consciously and un- eaters,” with bone-crushing jaws, followed and persisted until
consciously for specific physical and behavioral traits. But dogs around 2.5 million years ago, when the last one vanished.
are also the products of 40 million years of canid evolution
through natural selection. The forces of evolution created the
unique physiological and behavioral characteristics— the senses,
physical abilities, social and individual behaviors and brains—
that made the wolf the ideal progenitor of the dog. Those attributes resonate in human myths from around the world that ascribe
to canids wild and domestic central roles in the creation of humans, guarding the dead or guiding them to the afterlife and
serving as intermediaries between humans and nature.
Various legends of the dog as a fell beast and spreader of violence and disease are also widespread, reflecting a less exalted
place in human affairs. But it is the diversity and malleability of
canid characteristics that have made dogs indispensable allies of
humans for more than 100,000 years—longer than any other
domestic animal.
From an evolutionary perspective, the diversity found in the
domestic dog echoes trends in wild canid evolution, albeit on a
much different time scale. Rising from a common ancestor, new
species of wild canids spread over millions of years into nearly
every type of habitat on Earth. Today, 35 species of canids are
found on every continent but Antarctica. However, centuries of
persecution to protect domestic livestock and harvest furs and
trophies, along with habitat destruction, have brought several of
those species, including the African wild dog and the little
Ethiopian wolf, close to extinction. Other species, like the gray
wolf, have been extirpated from much of their historic range. Yet
the dog, the coyote and some foxes continue to flourish. The signal difference is that dogs have evolved almost exclusively
through artificial selection by humans while wild canids have
evolved through natural selection.
The ancestor of today’s canids arose in North America 8 to 12
million years ago and looked like a fox. Within a million years,
that animal crossed the Bering land bridge into Europe and diverged into a number of new species, including the gray wolf,
which later migrated back into North America. Some 3 million
years ago the first ancestral dogs and cats reached South America by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Finding a paradise full of
prey and free of competing predators, the canid invaders soon
radiated into several new species, each adapted to South America’s unique habitats. Alone, the voracious, diminutive bushdog
of today’s Amazon rainforest brings down pacas larger than itself. The maned wolf is often called the “fox-on-stilts” because of
the disproportionately long legs that allow it to peer over the tall
grass of the pampas. The hoary fox and the crab-eating fox also
emerged at this time.
The 35 species of living canid include the gray wolf (the
largest), the coyote, the jackal, the African wild dog, the
Ethiopian wolf, the fox, the dhole and the raccoon dog. Although
so closely related to the gray wolf as to be the same species, we
continue to call the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, a separate
species because it is nearly always reproductively isolated, is
subject to artificial selection and only exists in the wild as a feral
animal, like the dingoes of Australia.
Dog breeds, however, are not considered separate subspecies
because without human interference they freely interbreed, within
size constraints. Most breeds were created during the past 200
years, not nearly enough time to cause a significant genetic divergence. Artificial selection by humans only involves concentrating
traits
already
present
in
the
wolf/dog
genome—morphological characteristics like size and coat color,
and behavioral features like herding, hunting, retrieving or
guarding. In addition, certain types of genetic exoticism—
dwarfism, giantism, and neoteny, or the retention of juvenile features into adulthood—have been fixed through selective
breeding.
The full details of canid evolution, including development of
the dog, remain unclear because of the incomplete nature of the
fossil record, but what we do know reveals how a remarkable
group of predators evolved and what they have meant to the natural and built worlds. In an effort to capture this rich story, the
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has created an What Makes Diversity Possible
interactive multimedia exhibition exploring canid evolution and
The genetic, dietary, physiological, behavioral and social flexthe role of dogs in human societies. As scientific advisors of ibility of canids, combined with a relatively unspecialized dental
“DOGS: Wolf, Myth, Hero & Friend,” we will be working on a structure that allows them to be generalist eaters, has made them
book to accompany the exhibition.
adaptable to different habitats and to human societies.
The exhibition and national tour is made possible by PediCanids cover much of the dietary field, from the highly cargree® Food for Dogs and is supported by a generous grant from nivorous wolf, dhole and African wild dog to the insectivorous
54
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
bat-eared fox and the largely frugivorous raccoon dog of Japan.
There are also generalist munchers, like foxes, coyotes and, of
course, dogs. Yet even the wolf will eat grass and fruit, though
perhaps not as much as dogs, and feed on prey ranging from
moose to mice.
Africa, Eurasia, North America and Australia. This art shows
them used for hunting and ceremonial purposes. Compared with
wolves, these dogs possessed a foreshortened face, crowded
teeth, a smaller brain, reduced bulla—the bony case surrounding the ear —and a prominent “stop,” or break between foreCanids can do that because, on the whole, their teeth have not head and face.
evolved to perform specialized tasks, like crushing heavy bones
But there is new evidence that the archaeological record does
(in the hyena) or grinding grasses and grains (in herbivores). not tell the full story of the dog’s origin. Research by one of us
Canids have in addition to the distinctive canines, carnassial (Robert Wayne and colleagues) on mitochondrial DNA, inherited
teeth for shearing and molars for crushing—a sort of broad- through the mother and involved in the cell’s energy system, inbased dentition that allows them to consume a wide variety of dicates that genetically the dog split from the wolf perhaps over
foods. In domestic dogs, tooth size is reduced, as are jaw 100,000 years ago and today differs in genetic (DNA) compostrength and overall relative size, probably as a result of relaxed sition from the wolf by no more than 1 percent. This finding sugselection for these attributes relative to wild canids. Still the dog’s gests that behavioral features may have been key in the
varied and sometimes eccentric culinary choices reflect the abil- domestication process and indicates that for much of the history
ity of canids to adapt to the available food.
of anatomically modern humans, there have been dogs.
Social Animals
Nearly all canids form pair bonds. Larger species, like wolves,
African wild dogs and dholes, hunt cooperatively, while many
of the smaller fox-size canids do not. However, packs may form
even in relatively antisocial species when there is a resource like
a garbage dump or when prey is too large for a single individual; thus, coyotes tend to form packs and hunt cooperatively
when deer are abundant. In other cases, coyotes may be nearly
solitary and not form pair bonds, for example in tight quarters
of cities, where prey is small and extended families are not practical. Pack size also varies among wolves, depending on the food
base. When deer-size prey or larger is scarce, wolves tend not
to form packs. This kind of social flexibility is key to surviving in
diverse and changing environments.
The Domestication Question
Evidence suggests that ancient human hunters and gatherers
had great respect for the abilities of top animal predators, like
wolves and big cats, not least because they sought the same prey
and probably scavenged each other’s kills. Proximity combined
with the similar social structure of human clans and wolf packs
doubtless created opportunities for humans to tame wolf puppies
and for wolves to grow more accustomed to human encampments and activities. Wolves scavenging around the camps could
also have warned of other predators and even driven them away.
Mutual tolerance and respect, combined with the proto-dogs’
willingness to submit to human direction, could well have set up
the dynamic relationship that has changed and flourished
through many human cultures and adaptations. Certainly the
The social nature of wolves provides the evolutionary template similarities between the wolf’s pack structure and the extended
for dogs. Wolves are highly social and live in a complex society families of early humans made it easy for proto-dogs to fit into
maintained by systems of communication, cooperation, and ag- human societies.
gressive and submissive behaviors. They exist in small family
Proto-dogs may have remained unchanged in appearance for
units consisting of a single reproductive (dominant or alpha) tens of thousands of years, perhaps until what we know as the
mated pair and their adult offspring from consecutive years. domestic dog began to appear in the fossil record. We know that
Some packs may also contain non-relatives or “strangers.”
many European travelers described the dogs of the Inuit and
Generally only the alpha pair reproduce, while adult offspring
assist in all aspects of pack life including hunting, provisioning
and guarding of offspring, defending pack territories, and attending to the den. Such packs maintain territories and aggressively repel interlopers—so aggressively, in fact, that interpack
aggression may be the largest cause of non-human-induced mortality among wolves.
many North American Indian tribes as indistinguishable from
wolves. That might reflect not only a lack of selection for traits
we identify with dogs but also the intermingling of dogs and
wolves. In this view, the look of proto-dogs began to change in
places where people started to establish more permanent settlements and change their ways of living at the end of the last Ice
Age.
These wolfish behaviors are a kind of pre-adaptation for
human/dog relations. Dogs can be readily submissive to their
owners, but show various degrees of aggression toward
strangers or territorial interlopers. They form long-term bonds
with humans, as they would often do in a pack or with mates,
and show cooperative and altruistic behavior, sacrificing for humans just as they would for kin.
Dogs Extend Our Abilities
The key to the dog/human relationship doubtless lies in the
way dogs extend human abilities while providing companionship. At an apparently early date, humans learned to breed dogs
for certain characteristics—trainability, sociability, size and coat
color among them. They also began to create dogs who concentrated certain inherent wolfish talents and were thus even
more
valuable as hunters, guardians, warriors or herders. By
How Old Is Our Oldest Friend?
7000
B.C., Egyptian tombs show hunting, herding, war and
Exactly when the dog split off from the wolf and hitched its fuguard
dogs, as well as esteemed pets.
ture to that of humans is subject to debate, as are the reasons humans and wolves joined forces. The earliest archaeological
Dogs extend virtually all human senses. They detect odors at
evidence of dogs dates from 12,000 to 14,000 years ago. By concentrations that are 1,000 to 100 million times lower than
8,000 to 10,000 years ago dogs were found throughout the what humans can perceive, and they perform better than any
world, their presence increasingly recorded in early rock art from machine. Today, dogs are used to detect explosives, guns,
W O L F, M Y T H , H E R O & F R I E N D c o n t . o n p a g e 5 6
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
55
W O L F, M Y T H , H E R O & F R I E N D c o n t .
money, drugs, underground oil and water leaks, contraband
agricultural products, termites, and almost as many objects as
one can imagine. Dogs continue to find game and humans, including people trapped in rubble, and even to track endangered
species.
Dogs see better at night, dusk and dawn than humans, and
they can recognize moving objects at up to 540 meters (900
yards). Humans created gaze, or sight, hounds thousands of
years ago to take advantage of the dog’s ability to see and run
down large, fast prey, like gazelles and deer. Dogs hear over a
much broader range of frequencies than humans, which enhances their value as watchdogs and as helpers for the hearingimpaired.
All canids exhibit both skeletal and physiological adaptations
for running, and some species/breeds are better built for running than others. In the wild, canids run to catch prey and to
avoid predators. For millennia, humans have taken advantage of
the dog’s ability to run for hunting, hauling and sport racing.
Canids are also highly vocal, communicating through barks,
bays, yodels, yelps, whines, growls and howls, with domestic
dogs being the champion barkers. When it comes to howling,
though, many of them come up short, and some dogs lack even
a full range of barks. Humans do not always understand or appreciate these vocalizations in their house dogs, but these sounds
are important in hunting and guard dogs, and dogs understand
their meaning.
Looking at the work dogs perform and the companionship they
provide, it is easy to romanticize their place in human society.
Numerous myths and legends from many cultures attest to the
importance of dogs and various wild canids—they are presented
as creators of the world or of men, bringers of fire, healers,
guardians or guides to the underworld, the inseparable companions of gods as well as men.
The Deadly Relationship
But there is a dark side to human interactions with canids. Despite enjoying a popular fascination among many groups, wild
canids have long been subject to persecution on the grounds that
they kill livestock and threaten people. The slaughter has decimated wolf populations around the world, even while it has
failed to suppress coyotes, who are expanding their range
through much of North America. Other wild canids continue to
suffer from hunting and habitat loss. Negative images, like that
of the big bad wolf in the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood,” are
nearly as common as positive portrayals.
Dogs, too, have suffered persecution as spreaders of rabies
and killers of livestock—in some areas dogs have long killed
more livestock than wild predators, who are more frequently
blamed. Millions of dogs are abandoned and abused each year
or sacrificed in research. In some parts of the world, health officials continue to slaughter tens of thousands of stray dogs during rabies epidemics, despite the presence of a vaccine. Even
without the fear of rabies, dog bites remain a major public health
problem in the United States and other countries, serving as a
constant reminder that for all of his virtues, the dog, like every
canid, often acts with his teeth.
a problem for that imperiled wolf as well.
At the behest of their human companions dogs have served
heroically in war; in fact, prior to the invention of firearms, they
were a lethal part of any arsenal. But war dogs have also been
turned to torture and brutality—against Native Americans during the Spanish conquest, for example, or runaway slaves or innocent civilians and protestors in many nations. Once popular
sports, bull and bear baiting and dog fighting are now generally
considered cruel spectacles, although they persist as illegal blood
sports.
Final Thoughts
The dog’s attributes, including its sagacity, so highly praised in
the 19th century, have helped it remain the chief, enduring animal companion and helper for humans. Whether pulling sleds;
tracking endangered Florida panthers; assisting disabled people as their eyes, ears, stabilizers and guardians; protecting
flocks and property; locating disaster victims or explosives; playing Frisbee; appearing in a show; or bringing joy to someone’s
life, dogs continue to figure prominently in human society. They
also continue to serve as a vital physical and spiritual link between the tame and the wild, human society and nature.
As scientific advisors of the exhibit by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, we have attempted to present a full
portrait of the rich history of human’s best friend and the rich,
natural family of canids from which it came. We recognize that
it is a story without end as scientists, veterinarians, historians,
archaeologists and anthropologists continue to fill in the often
significant missing details and as humans continue to shape dogs
to new purposes through breeding and training. We have a responsibility to dogs and their wild cousins that we cannot ignore,
for in ways nearly too numerous to count, they have helped us
get where we are. They bring balance to our lives and to the natural world, and they provide an insight into the mechanisms of
evolution itself.
Susanna Hecht, PhD, is a geographer who began her studies of canines with
feral dogs; she is a professor at UCLA and author of several books and dozens
of articles. Blaire Van Valkenburgh, PhD, is professor and chair of the Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology and Evolution at UCLA; she is an expert on
the evolutionary history of the dog family. Robert K. Wayne, PhD, a worldrenowned researcher, includes among his accomplishments genetic studies that
suggest a very early origin of dogs; he is a professor at UCLA in the Department
of Organismic Biology, Ecology and Evolution.
Originally appearing in Issue #20, Fall 2002
Source URL http://www.thebark.com/content/
Dogs: Wolf, Myth, Hero & Friend
Published on The Bark (http://www.thebark.com)
Reprinted with the permission of the Author and the
Bark
Dogs can also spread diseases like parvovirus and distemper
to their wild cousins, a particular problem for endangered canids
such as the Ethiopian wolf. Hybridization with domestic dogs is
56
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Specialty Calendar
DATE
SHOW
LOCATION
SUPERINTENDENT /
SHOW SEC.
*1/27/12
GPCASC
San Bernadino, CA
Eileen Parr
Bernie Ducker
(530) 401-1025
3/3/12
PFNE
W. Springfield, MA
MBF
Cheryl Young
(518) 756-9321
3/24/12
DFWGPC
Fort Worth, TX
Onofrio
Darrell Goolsbee
(817)446-0193
4/24 to
4/28/12
GPCA National Specialty
Matamoras, PA
CAPER
Karen Justin
(845) 726-3437
*5/18/12
SPGPC (2 shows)
Vallejo, CA
MBF
Jackie Schumacker
(916) 395-4215
*6/22/12
C-CGPC & GPC of PS
Canby, OR
Onofrio
Lee Goertz & Jon Lea
(360) 263-4740
CAPER
Mary Lou Mayer
(817) 441-6376
Kathy Lee
(540)334-5213
*4/10 to
4/13/13
GPCA National Specialty
Pottsboro, TX
INFORMATION
* Pending AKC Approval
Regional Specialty Results
Quarter 1 2012
Corrections from the Q4 2011 issue:
AOM: CH Alderbrook Cuvee Pinot Gris; Owners: Moya Courtney
& Jeffrey Lateer
Garden State Great Pyrenees Club 5/28/11 conformation
judge: Mrs. Shirley Limoges
AOM: CH Pyrsrus Dream Out of the Blue; Owners: Kristina &
Roland
Trinka
Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Club 8/6/11 BOS: CH.
Cabochard Salty Dog of Andorre, Owner: Bonnie Stout Bestos
Best Bred By Exhibitor: Sunburst Klondike White Gold; Owner:
Mary Ann Kenniger Sweepstakes AM only
GREAT PYRENEES CLUB OF CALIFORNIA
SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
AM Judge: Mr. Burton Yamada
Judge: Mrs. Dianne Smalley
Best in Puppy Sweeps: Karolaska Long Time No See; Owner:
see above
BOS Puppy Sweeps: Karolaska Positively Timeless; Owner:
BOB: GrCH Honor’s Promise of the Future; Owners: Bernadette Kimberly Kentopp
Ducker & Karen Bruneau
Best in Veteran Sweeps: CH. Rivergroves No Doubt; Owners;
BOS:CH Karolaska Tor Ruby of Shadowrun; Owner: John Marcella & Frank Vincentz, Alexis Harman & John Payne
Parke
Second Finalist Veteran Sweeps: CH Euzkazle Nostalgic
BOW & WD: Karolaska Tor Hermes of Shadowrun; Owner: Moonlight; Owners: Terrie & Chris Strom
John Parke
PM Judge: Mr. Robert Slay
WB: Karolaska Long Time No See; Owner: Kimberly Kentopp
BOB: see AM show
SD: GrCH R Pyr Euzkalzale Apache Sage!; Owners: Terrie
BOS: see AM show
Strom, Terry Denney-Combs & Leo Nunez
BOW
&
WD:
Karolaska
Positively
Timeless;
SB:GrCH Cuvee’s Estate Grown Claret; Owners; Moya CourtOwner:
see
above
ney & Jeffrey Lateer
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
57
GREAT PYRENEES CLUB OF METRO
MILWAUKEE OCTOBER 15, 2011
WB: Cuvee Fruit of the Vine; Owners: Moya Courtney & Jeffrey Lateer
SD: see AM show
SB: CH.
see above
Alderbrook
AM Judge: Mrs. Mary Ellen Mayer
Cuvee
Pinot
Gris;
Owners:
AOM: see select dog am show
AOM: see select bitch PM show
Best Bred By Exhibitor: same as the am show
MILE HIGH GREAT PYRENEES CLUB, INC
SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
AM Judge: Mrs. Barbara Dillon
BOB: Gr.CH Calurian Ailo Mountain Sage, RA; Owner: Nancy
Wood Taber
BOS: CH Tip’N Chip’s Let Freedom Ring; Owners: Laurie &
Stephanie Gottschalk & Marcy Bankus
BOW & WB: Suepyr’s April Love’s Spoofer; Owner: Judi
Woolever
BOB: Gr.CH Rivergroves Star Sapphire; Owners: John
Hanover, DVM, Joan Hanover & Jean Boyd
BOS: CH. Valle D’Aspe Deluge De’Couleur; Owners: Chea
Michaels & Jo Stubbs
BOW & WB: Oneida’s Medicine Maiden; Owners: Brigitte
Doxtator & Angela Aleska
WD: Tip’N Chip’s Pride and Prejudice: Owners: Judith Cooper
& Michael Costa
SB: GrCH Tip’N Chip Let Freedom Ring; Owners: Laurie &
Stephanie Gottschalk & Marcy Bankus
Best Bred By: Oneida’s Medicine Maiden; see above
Best Junior: Colt Haas
AM & PM Obedience Judge: Mrs. Catherine Peters
High Score In Obedience: Bonnie Blue Sunshine Davis; Owners: James & Desiree Davis
AM Sweepstakes Judge: Ms. Laura Johnston-Lorino
Best In Puppy Sweeps: Rivergroves Diamond Fire and Ice;
WD: Cherlyn’s Playboy; Owners Leigh Flores & Cheryl Owners: Rick & Erina Fitzgerald
Grimshaw
BOS Puppy Sweeps: Oneida’s Meadow Song; Owners: Brigitte
SD: GrCH Pyrpressures Rouge Blanc Et Bleu; Owners: Glen, Doxtator & Angela Aleska
Merry & Jonathan Johnson
Best Veteran Sweepstakes: CH Whitehope Wizard’s First Rule,
SB: Gr.CH Framboise Alpine’s Wind Rain and Fire; Owners: RA; Owners: Richard & Erina Fitzgerald
Peggy & Stephen Hughes
PM Judge: Mrs. Penny Urban
AOM: see select dog
BOB: GrCH Tip’N Chip Let Freedom Ring; Owners: see above
Best Veteran: GrCH Aquilon Double Jump For Joy; Owners: SB
Sandy McCrady & Barb Hayes
BOS: Tip’N Chip’s Pride and Prejudice; Owners: see above
Sweepstakes AM only
WD
Judge: Mrs Judy Mears
Best in Puppy Sweeps: Supyr’s April Love’s Spoofer; Owner:
see above
BOW & WB: see BOW & WB above
SB: GrCH Rivergroves Star Saphire; Owners see above BOB
Junior Show – offered am only
BOS Puppy Sweeps: Pyrpressure American Classic Moby Dick;
Owners: Glen Johnson & Eileen & Richard Oertll
PM Obedience – no qualifers
Best in Veteran Sweeps: CH Starmount Spark of the Rockies;
Owner; Sue Cole
Best in Puppy Sweepstakes: see above same placement
PM Judge: Mrs. Jane Treiber
BOB: CH Pyrpressure L’Orgueil; Owners: Glen & Merry Johnson
BOS: see AM show
BOW & WB: see AM show
WD: see AM show
SD: see BOB AM show
SB: see AM show
AOM: see WD
Best Veteran: see AM show
PM Sweepstakes Judge: Mrs. Susan Reuter
BOS Puppy Sweepstakes: see above same placement
Veteran Sweepstakes – no entry
I hope that you have enjoyed reading the results of the local
specialty shows. I began reporting on these results in the hopes
of inspiring those of you who chair these events and your exhibitors to report the results to the Bulletin. This issue will be the
last one in which I will report the results. I am hoping that going
forward you will submit the results with photos. There is no limit
on the number of pages that local clubs can use to report their
activities. The deadline for the next issue is April 1, 2012.
Flo
Best Junior Handler: Abbygail Chrysler
58
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Bulletin Index
2011 issues
Article, author, issue
Misc. (Numbers, symbols, etc.)
2010 AKC titles, GPCA Obedience/Performance Titles, Show
Statistics; Third quarter
2010 OFA Champion for Health; National Specialty
2010 OFA Health Clearances and CHIC numbers; Third quarter
2011 Health Committee Meeting Summary; Flo Laicher; National
Specialty
2011 GPCA National Specialty Parade of Rescue; National Specialty
2011 GPCA National Specialty Results; National Specialty
2011 GPCA National Specialty Thoughts from the Co-chairs;
Rick Fitzgerald and Bret Zacher; National Specialty
2012 GPCA National Specialty Hosted by the Garden State
Great Pyrenees Club; Karen Justin; Fourth quarter
A
Agility “Time 2 Beat” Titling Class Launches; AKC; First quarter
AKC Delegate’s Report, December 2010; Dr. Robert Brown; First
quarter
AKC Delegate’s Report, March 2011; Dr. Robert Brown; Second
quarter
AKC Delegate’s Report, September 2011; Dr. Robert Brown;
Fourth quarter
AKC Gazette column, The Really Awesome Power of the Breeder;
Gail Knapp; Second quarter
AKC Gazette column, White Coats and High Heat; Gail Knapp;
Third quarter
AKC Grand Champion Program Adds Achievement Levels; AKC;
Third quarter
AKC Humane Fund Seeks Canine Heroes for 12th Annual
Awards for Canine Excellence; AKC; Second quarter
AKC Introduces New Therapy Dog Title; AKC; Third quarter
AKC Introduces Preferred Agility Championship Title; AKC; Second quarter
AKC Launches New Breeder of Merit Program; AKC; First quarter
AKC Launches Grand Champion Ranking System; AKC; First
quarter
All Over Tails, Stories and Rescue Tails from Around GPCA; Third
quarter
Along for the Ride; Rick Wells; Fourth quarter
Animal Assisted Therapy and Activity (AAT&A): 2011; National
Specialty
Annual French Trip to the RACP and Tarbes Expositions, Our;
Carol Savage; Fourth quarter
Austin to Boston, From (2 dogs, 2,000 miles); Augusta Macrokonis; First quarter
Second quarter
Board of Directors Conference Call Minutes, June 9, 2011; Third
quarter
Board of Directors Conference Call Minutes, Sept. 8, 2011;
Fourth quarter
Breeder, The (poem); author unknown; Second quarter
Bulletin Index 2010 Articles; First quarter
C
“C” is for Cirra, a Great Pyrenees Story; First quarter
Can DNA Deciper the Mix; Jane Brackman; Third quarter
Clinical Trials: the Risks and Benefits; Joan Stewart and Jan
Waitz-Brody; Third quarter
Continuous Membership for 2011; National Specialty
Crufts Dog Show March 2011; Carol Savage; Second quarter
D
Deadline for Applying for Versatility and AAT&A Titling Awards
is April 1, 2012; Christine Palmer-Persen; Fourth quarter
Decoding the Dog Genome; Mark Derr; Third quarter
Deconstructing the Gene Pool; Jane Brackman; Third quarter
Diflucan (fluconazole) and Liver Toxicity; Valerie Seeley; Fourth
quarter
Dog’s Fairy Tale, A; Linda Mills; Second quarter
Dog Show Slobs (reprint); Theodore E. Paul Jr.; Second quarter
Dues Must Be Paid by October 1st – No Exceptions; GPCA; Third
quarter, National Specialty
F
Foster Tails, Sugar … A Magnificent Old Girl; Linda Mercer; Second quarter
French National 2010; Ans van den Berg; Second quarter
French Trip to the RACP and Tarbes Expositions 2010, Our;
Carol Savage; Second quarter
G
GPCA Annual Awards; National Specialty
GPCA Bulletin – Electronic Format; Bret Zacher; Third quarter
GPCA Hall of Fame Class of 2010; National Specialty
GPCA Health Committee donors, Health Awards, Longevity
Awards; first quarter
GPCA Health Committee Health Survey summary; Catherine de
la Cruz; Second quarter
GPCA Health Committee National Seminar and Clinic Report –
2011; National Specialty
GPCA Health Survey Summary 2010; National Specialty
GPCA National Specialty Futures Report; GPCA committee; National Specialty
B
GPCA Rescue statistics 2010; Third quarter
Bequest to the GPCA; Bret Zacher; Third quarter
GPCA Service Dog Awards; Mary Lou Mayer; Fourth quarter
Board of Directors Conference Call Minutes, Dec. 9, 2010; First
GPCA
Treasurer’s Report; National Specialty
quarter
Board of Directors Conference Call Minutes, March 10, 2011; Great Escapes; compiled by Linda Mercer; Second quarter
Great Pyrenees 2010 Performance Results; Erina Fitzgerald; Na-
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
59
tional Specialty
Pyrenees Gemstones; Carrie Stuart Parks; First quarter
Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs – 2011; National Spe- Pyr’N Around the Great Pyrenees National; Karen Justin; Nacialty
tional Specialty
H
Harry, Bella and a Wet Raccoon; Cynthia Nesser; First quarter
Harry’s Fault, It’s, a rescue story; Judy MacDonald; Second quarter
Historical Preservation of Your Pyrenees Artwork, Records and
Memorabilia; Whitney Coombs; Third quarter
Home Cookin’ for Pyrs; Sherry Bennett-Nichols; Third quarter
R
Remembering Crufts 2005; Ans van den Berg; Second quarter
Rescue Tale, A; Carol Preiss; Fourth quarter
Responsible Dog Ownership Days; AKC; Second quarter
Road to Rally, The; Lori Fricker; Fourth quarter
Romantic History of the “Dog of the Shepherd of the Pyrenees,”
A (reprint); Natalie Winslow; First quarter
I
Importance of Being Well Bred, The; Linda Mercer; Third quarter
Introducing the AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award; Bret
Zacher; Fourth quarter
S
Search and Rescue: New Versatility Title Opportunity; Third
quarter
Service Awards; National Specialty
Sheep and LGDs: Evidence of an Ancient Relationship of Trust?;
Keith T. Weber with J. Bret Taylor; Fourth quarter
J
Sit! Stay! Come And Perform! (obedience report); Erina FitzgerJudge Selection Committee, The; Valerie Seeley; National Spe- ald; First quarter
cialty
Story of Star, Bailey, & Big John, The; Valerie Seeley; Third quarJuvenile Renal Dysplasia; Catherine de la Cruz; Second quarter ter
Story of Wolf, a Pyr I Once Knew, The; Jackie Wood; First quarter
L
Lend Me a Pup (poem); author unknown; Second quarter
Linda Weisser and the GPCA Health Committee; GPCA Health T
Committee; Second quarter
Tales from the Rainbow Bridge; Third quarter
Tales from the Rainbow Bridge Part 2; Li Mercer; Fourth quarter
M
Things You May Not Know; Fourth quarter
Maintaining a Healthy Weight; Purina; Third quarter
TUGA, The Unofficial Guide to Acronyms; Second quarter
Marwell’s Mickey Sean, The Flying Pyr (reprint); Ruth A. Marcy;
Third quarter
V
Memorial to Bubba; Dina Porro; Second quarter
Versatility Titles: 2011; National Specialty
Minutes: GPCA Annual Meeting; National Specialty
Veterans in the Show Ring; Terry Russo; Second quarter
Minutes: GPCA Board of Directors Meetings; National Specialty Veterinary Corner, Demystifying Cancer; Dr. Vanessa Pisano,
Murder at the National Part II, an Interactive Murder Mystery; DVM; Second quarter
Carrie Stuart Parks; First quarter
Veterinary Corner, Senior Dogs; Dr. Vanessa Pisano, DVM; Third
Murder at the National Part III, an Interactive Murder Mystery; quarter
Carrie Stuart Parks, Second quarter
Vice President/Affliated Club Report Summary for 2010; Flo
Laicher; National Specialty
N
National Specialty Show – Electronic Premiums and Judging Pro- W
grams; Bret Zacher; Third quarter
What’s New with the Historical Preservation Committee; Joan
Nominating Committee Selects Atwood, Ingram and Stuart Ziehl; Second quarter
Parks; Fourth quarter
What Turns a Pup into a Livestock Guardian Dog? Catherine de
Notes from the Treasurer; Judy Brown; Third quarter
la Cruz; Third quarter
Notes on People in the Pyrenees (reprint); Paul D. Strang; Fourth What You Always Wanted to Know about Ticks and Tick-borne
quarter
Disease and Never Thought to Ask; Janet Jarnefield; Fourth quarter
Z
O
Zoo Pyrs; Gheni Platenburg; Second quarter
Obituary: Charlotte Perry; Fourth quarter
Obituary: Jack Magoffin, Second quarter
Obituary: Linda Weisser; Second quarter
P
Pet Therapy: a Great Activity for Your Great Pyrenees; Pam Croy;
Fourth quarter
Prairiesong Anais d’Hiver; Stephanie Whitney; Fourth quarter
60
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
GPCA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Ilene Agosto, Membership Committee Chairman
11604 NW 27th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98685-4418
Phone: (360) 576-6857 Email: [email protected]
(Please use a separate form for each person)
❍ Associate Membership
APPLICATION FOR:
❍ Regular Membership
(open membership, no voting rights)
(full membership, 2 sponsors required)
❍ Junior Membership
(for ages 10-17, no voting rights)
Date:
Name:
Occupation:
Street Address:
City, State & Zip Code + four:
Phone: (
)
If you own Great Pyrenees, how many?
E-mail:
Where did you acquire your Great Pyrenees? (ie, if from breeder,
please state so + name, rescue organization, etc):
Please indicate the names of any dog clubs/organizations of which you are or have been a member:
What are your interests and activities in Great Pyrenees?
If you breed, how many litters per year?
If you show, how many shows per year?
What talents or skills would you like to share with the club?
By paying your dues, you agree to abide by the GPCA Constitution & Bylaws and understand and accept that ALL members of the Great Pyrenees Club of America abide by the Code of Ethics. (online at http://clubs.akc.org/gpca)
I am not under suspension by the American Kennel Club, and if I become so, I will notify the GPCA Secretary:
Signature & Date
GPCA member sponsors (required for Full & Junior Membership; not required for Associate Membership). Sponsors
must be full members for three years, have known the applicant for one year and must reside in different households.
1. Name, printed:
Signature:
2. Name, printed:
Signature:
Send this form and the appropriate dues amount to the Membership Chairman listed above. Make checks payable to the GPCA.
All applications will be acted upon 30 days after the applicant's name is published in the GPCA Bulletin.
Dues: $40 for 1st applicant ($30 annual dues + $10 initiation fee), $25 for 2nd family member in a household ($15 annual dues
+ $10 initiation fee). Applicants that wish to receive their GPCA Bulletin 1st class, (recommended), include a surcharge of $10 for
US Families, $12 required for Canadian addresses, $25 required for overseas addresses.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
61
GPCA: 20
Futurity Nomination Form
Date of Nomination:
Nominator’s Name:
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
❍
LITTER NOMINATION
❍ Breeder is a Member of GPCA
Breeding Date:
❍ Affiliated Club:
Sire:
AKC Reg. No.:
Dam:
AKC Reg. No.:
Owner of Sire:
$5 Fee For Litter Nomination
❍
PUPPY NOMINATION FEE:
$5 For pups nominated by four months old. $10 For pups four months and under five months. $15
For pups five months and under six months — maximum age for puppy to be eligible.
Whelping Date:
Sex: ❍ Male ❍ Female AKC Reg. No.:
AKC Registered Name:
Sire:
Dam:
Name of Breeder:
Name of Owner at the time of judging:
NOTE: Any changes in information which will be included in the Futurity Stake Catalog from that previously
provided the Futurity Director must be received by same prior to close of entries.
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SECTION ON ALL SUBMITTALS AND KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR OWN RECORDS.
Signature of Breeder, Owner or Agent:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Send fee of $5.00 (see fees for pups over four months old) and complete eligibility of litter or puppy nomination for the Futurity. Make checks payable to:
GPCA Futurity Fund
Mail form with fee to the Futurity Director:
Terr y Denney-Combs
14755 Yucca Street
Hesperia, CA 92345-3319
Questions? Call the Futurity Director at (760) 949-0318 or E-mail: [email protected]
PM:
62
Check Number
AMOUNT: $
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
Items From GPCA
GPCA membership pins
$20
GPCA pamphlets
$2 donation
New combined pamphlet includes sections on:
• History of the Great Pyrenees
• Is This the Breed for You?
• Buying a Puppy
• Care, Feeding and Early Training
• Official Standard of the Breed
• GPCA Code of Ethics
Single copies only:
• Futurity Stakes Policies
• GPCA Constitution and Bylaws
GPCA decals
$3.50
TO ORDER, MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO GPCA:
Pamphlets: Tami Green
3811 Milner Road; Stockbridge, MI 49285
Pins and Decals: Karen Justin
1893 Country Route 1; Westtown, NY 10998-3904
Constitution and Bylaws: Valerie Seeley
247 Woodland Drive; Lincroft, NJ 07738
Futurity Stake Forms: Terry Denney-Combs
14755 Yucca St.; Hesperia, CA 92345
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Available from the membership chairman:
Ilene Agosto
11604 NW 27th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98685
TITLE HOLDER BOOKS
(Pictures and three generations of all Pyrs receiving titles for that particular year)
Years 2003-10
$20 each
Years 2001-02
$18 each
Years 1994-2000
$17 each
Years 1988-93
$15 each
Years 1983-87
$10 each
Years 1970-82
$8 each
Years 1967-69, 1960-66, 1950-59
$12 per set
TO ORDER, MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO GPCA:
Judy Brown
436 Center Pointe Drive; Cary, NC 27513
VERSATILITY BOOKLETS
Available free from GPCA Versatility Committee
Send self-addressed 6’’ by 9’’ envelope with $0.83 postage to:
Christine Palmer-Persen
2847 Mark West Station Road; Windsor, CA 95492
GREAT PYRENEES STANDARD
VISUALIZATION AND COMMENTARY
The Judges Education Committee is pleased to announce that the GPCA's Illustrated Standard (called the Standard Visualization and Commentary) is now available to all owners, fanciers and breeders. This 49-page booklet provides a visual
portrait of our Standard plus a written explanation of what the Standard means. It
is a vital learning tool for all of us who want to understand more about our breed
and exactly what the Standard requires of the correct Great Pyrenees.
A copy of the Great Pyrenees Visualization and Commentary has been mailed
to all persons approved by the AKC to judge our Breed, Group and Best In Show.
Now you can purchase your own copy for only $5.00.
Just send your request and check to:
GPCA Judges Education Committee
Jean Pero
2385 South Miller Court
Lakewood, CO 80227
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Bulletin • First Quarter 2012
63
GPCA
Bulletin
Stephanie Whitney
762 Highway 113
Rogersville, TN 37857
DATED MATERIAL — PLEASE RUSH
Courtesy of Beth Smith