August - Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley

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The
August 2014
the newsletter of the
Bernese Mountain Dog Club
of Nashoba Valley
the club for new england berners & their families
Steady,
as she goes!
Summer
Picnic II
photos
page 7
Sage demonstrates one of her Core
Exercises for owner, Margot Burwood;
New Hartford, CT. Read about the
benefits of Core Exercises on page 11.
inside this issue...
Calendar of Events...............................2
Fall Fun Day Preview..........................3
Tunbridge, VT Supported Entry........6
Summer Picnic II..................................7
Rescue Notebook..................................8
Birthdays, Congrats, Brags................10
It’s A Good Thing...............................11
Where are they now?..........................12
CALLING NEW MEMBERS!
We’d like to get to know you! One of the fastest ways
to meet other members is by volunteering... for
anything! The other is the New Member Showcase...
and it’s fast and easy! Complete the quick summary,
hit submit, email your pic and you’re done!
http://bmdcnv.org/newmember.html
Please complete your submission by the 20th to be
included in the next Issue of the Berner Blatt.
BMDCNV
Calendar of Events
~ 2014 ~
September 13:
BMDCNV Hospitality Tent and Gathering
Cranberry Cluster
Falmouth, MA
2015 Nominating Committee Information
Beth Atkinson; Bolton,
MA has been selected by
the BMDCNV Board to
Chair the 2015 Nominating
Committee.
In accordance with our
bylaws, we are looking
for two more members to
serve on the Nominating
Committee and two
alternates.
BMDCNV Board
positions open for 2015 are: Vice President, Secretary,
and three Directors. If you are interested in serving on
the Nominating Committee, serving on the Board, or
would like to put forward a member, please contact
Beth Atkinson at [email protected].
October 18 & 19:
BMDCA Draft Tests
Westford, MA
October 19:
BMDCNV Fall Fun Day
Westford, MA
November 7-10:
BMDCNV Retreat Weekend
Ocean Park, ME
FMI: www.bmdcnv.org/events.html
Join Us at the Cranberry Cluster!
Falmouth, MA • Saturday, September 13
Judge: Mr. Carl Gene Liepmann
Entry Deadline: August 27, 2014
Premium List at:
http://www.infodog.com/prm/155/prm155.pdf#pagemode=bookmarks
the
BMDCNV
President
Marge Bumen
207-351-5988
[email protected]
Vice President
Alise Burbridge
781-749-5253
[email protected]
board of directors
Secretary
BMDCNV
HOSPITALITY
TENT
This is not a BMDCNV
supported entry
Directors:
Pat Buickerood
978-433-5267
[email protected]
Karen Fox • 860-436-4292 • [email protected]
Treasurer
Martha McCormick • 860-456-8881 • [email protected]
Bruce Hallden
860-613-2646
[email protected]
Sue Mahan • 978-386-7292 • [email protected]
Jean Michael • 508-947-6503 • [email protected]
Anya Wittenborg • 781-316-2364 • [email protected]
2
The Berner-Garde Foundation was established to collect, maintain and disseminate
information about genetic diseases observed in the Bernese Mountain Dog. The
Berner-Garde Foundation is comprised of a
voluntary Board of Directors, several committees and, at its core, a computerized
database. The database contains information which has been compiled over many
years from voluntary submissions of data
from owners and from other public sources
of information, including the Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF).
any one individual. By pooling data, it is possible
to identify common concerns that would not be
discernible from more limited information based
on only a few dogs. This is why the breed-specific
database is so valuable.
SAVE THE DATE!
BERNERGARDE COMES
accomplish the Berner-Garde Foundation’s
Fall Fun Day Tomission,
all BMDs must be included in the dataTOMountain
FALL
FUN
base. If you own a Bernese
Dog please
Sunday, October 19, 2014
make it your responsibility to voluntarily submit
DAYthe dog
data on each dog, regardless of whether
will beMA
bred. Reporting should begin at the time of
Westford 4-H Fairgrounds, Westford,
birth. Every breeder is encouraged to submit data
Th
Information in the Berner-Garde Foundato collect, maintain and disseminate information
tion database is available to all owners,
Wellness
about genetic diseases observed in the - Health
Berneseand
Mountain
Dog clubs, both national
Bernese Mountain Dog. The Berner-Garde
and international, veterinarians, research- Enternot-forthe raffle to
win
this
beautiful
Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt,
ers and other appropriate users who are
draws for
profit corporation.
Wilczek Woodworks cart (see pageworking
9). to reduce genetic disease in the
BMD.
on every puppy born. Periodically, review your
dog’s data in the database to update and check for
accuracy. Data submissions are made on line at
the Berner-Garde website or forms can be requested from the Berner-Garde File Manager.
• Berner Garde - On-site Operator and Repository
Blood Draw (A Vet will be on-site 10am-2pm for blood
• Celebrating Our Veterans
• Win the Cart!
the BG Repository).
• Enter your dog in Berner - Garde. (A BG operator
• BMDCA Draft Test - A real treat
to watch
ourthe Berner-Garde
Access
is through
Founwill be
on-site to enter your dog(s) data in BG. in preparation
berners at work!
dation’s website at www.bernergarde.org.
data requested, here’s a sample of the date entry
Research proposals are handledfor
on the
a case
The BGF serves those who need support and in-by-case basis by the Board of Directors.
http://bernergarde.org/db/BG_DogSubmission.aspx)
The
mission of the Berner-Garde Foundation (BGF) is
to ensure that all Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMD)
have a long and healthy lifespan of twelvefourteen years.
For more information:
formation on BMD health issues. Most individual
breeders choose to have small kennels, making it
difficult for them to collect adequate data for
breeding decisions. The Berner-Garde Foundation
facilitates communication among breeders and
aids in the identification of carriers of inherited
problems.
Breeders can
reduce
— Excerpted
from
Patgenetic
Longdisease
emailin03.17.14
their dogs by considering the health status of sibat thebred.
same time they are se1. Why should I enterlings
my and
dog?offspring
He was never
lecting for good temperament and type. Only by
Your dog likely hadworking
siblings and
those breeding
to his relatives
or purchasing a
together
and sharing
information
openly can any long-term control of genetic
puppy from a relative,
may
find
that
information
helpful.
disease be achieved on a breed-wide basis.
History of Berner-Garde
Some Berner - Garde FAQ’s
http://bernergarde.org/home/BGFpamphlet_June2014.pdf
To accomplish
this goal, the incidence of several
serious hereditary diseases must be decreased
Excerpt
from ItThe
- Garde
Pamphlet - June 2014
and, over time, eliminated.
is theBerner
hope of all
who
know and love a Berner that the work of the BGF
The
Berner-Garde
Foundation
will lead not
only
to an understanding
of geneticwas established to collect,
disease(s)
in an individual
dog, but also
in the
maintain
and
disseminate
information
about genetic
BMD breed as a whole.
diseases observed in the Bernese Mountain Dog. The
Berner-Garde Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, not-forprofit corporation.
2.My Berner was a rescue and I don’t know the pedigree, should I enter her?
Every Berner, rescue or not, has a spot waiting for them in Berner-Garde. If we
have some disease widespread enough for research, info about your affected
rescue dog may helpful.
The Berner - Garde Database
The database contains information compiled from years
of voluntary data submissions from owners and other
public sources, including the Orthopedic Foundation
for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration
Foundation (CERF).
3.My Berner has passed away, will she be removed from Berner-Garde?
No; entries are never removed from the database. She will always have her place
in Berner-Garde, and it’s that very history that makes the database so valuable.
4.My Berner bloated and had surgery for a ruptured cruciate, do you want that
for the database, as well as her death from cancer?
Yes, every bit of health information helps give us a better picture of the health of
the breed, as well as helping breeders make more informed choices.
The Mission and How You Can Help
The mission of the Berner-Garde Foundation (BGF) is
to ensure that all Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMD) have a
long and healthy lifespan of twelve to fourteen years. To
accomplish our mission, all BMDs must be included in the
data base. If you own a Bernese Mountain Dog please make
it your responsibility to voluntarily submit data on each
dog, regardless of whether the dog will be bred. Reporting
should begin at the time of birth, but can be done at any
point in time.
5.I’m looking for a puppy, and there is no health information for the dam or sire families. Does that mean they were all healthy?
Not necessarily, it simply means there is no health information; the absence of
health information does not mean the absence of health issues.
Berner-Garde, A Tail Of Love
About the Repository
— Excerpted from an email by Carol Lynn Fox~AZ
A number of genetic diseases afflict our breed, such as
cancers, orthopedic problems and reproductive problems.
Research on these diseases has been hampered primarily by
the lack of samples and insufficient medical information.
BGF has created a resource of pedigree and current medical
information (stored in the BGF data base) with available
DNA and tissue (stored in a repository) for as many BMDs
as possible, to facilitate BMD health research.
The Berner-Garde Foundation and Michigan State
University have established a repository that collects,
stores and maintains DNA and tissue samples from a large
population of BMDs, whether affected with a disorder or
not, along with pedigree and medical history information.
FMI or to volunteer to help with administration,
form:
Your berner’s information obtained at death and recorded in Berner-Garde,
touches countless families and dogs, past, present and future. It provides health
information to researchers we raise money to support.
One necropsy Berner - Garde entry is a gift for the entire breed and effects:
• 10 littermates and families + 20 half siblings by Dam = 30 dogs and families
• +33 half siblings by Sire = 63 dogs and families
• + all offspring of dog, + all offspring of littermates, + all offspring of half
siblings
And on, and on, and on. If you are honored to share your life with a Berner,
and particularly one chosen for breeding, you are encouraged to strongly consider
supporting the breed with your entry in Berner - Garde.
3
please contact Karen Fox - [email protected]
3rd Annual BMDCNV Retreat Weekend At Oceanwood
November 7 - 10, 2014
Oceanwood Camp and Conference Center • Ocean Park, Maine
Reservation Form is on Yahoo Group
site: https://groups. yahoo.com/neo/
groups/BMDCNVmembers/files.
Select: 2014 BMDCNV Retreat
Weekend Registration Form.docx
http://www.oceanwood.org/facilities/
REGISTER ONLINE
http://bmdcnv.org/retreat.html
After August 1st - $250 per person. $80 deposit will hold your reservation.
Deposit due by October 1st. Balance due by October 15th.
See Registration Form for Final Payment (cancellation/refund/forfeit) information.
REGISTER BY MAIL
Send your Reservation Form & check
made out to BMDCNV to Melissa
George • 237 Rand Hill Rd.
Alton Bay, NH 03810
Payment must be received before you can be
listed for preferred housing.
LODGING: We will house retreaters in Mitchell & Holt halls as well as the cabins.
There are small & large cabins (large ones must be shared). Large cabins have a
common space and a refrigerator. All cabins have electricity and heat.
THINGS TO DO: Last year we offered: rally, obedience, carting, conformation,
grooming, and a talk on therapy dogs. You are able to do as much or as little as you
want. The schedule also allows time to enjoy the beach and the walking trails.
~All Meals and Events are included ~
the
BMDCNV
Berner Blatt
Editor
Linda Botti
[email protected]
Breeder Referral
Program
Megan McTavish
[email protected]
Facebook Editor
Karlo Laforteza
[email protected]
Historian
Vacant
[email protected]
chairpeople
These dedicated chairpeople provide essential services to you, our membership. Please
feel free to contact them with your questions, concerns, suggestions, requests for help
or offers of help. Our mission is to provide the best for Berners and their families.
Membership
Jim Todhunter
PO Box 5213
Framingham, MA 01701
[email protected]
Public Education
Martha Phelps,
Diane Smith
& Karen Allen
[email protected]
Rescue
Linda DeCelles
Gib Otten
1-877-4BMDCNV (toll free)
[email protected]
Volunteer
Coordinator
Martha Phelps
802-368-7656
[email protected]
Membership List Admin.
Jim Todhunter
Jeff Nowak
[email protected]
Puppy Referral
Laurel Crowley
[email protected]
Training Resources
Paul Emerson
508-243-3922
[email protected]
Ways & Means
Judy HartmanWeb Page Retail
Lynne BaileyBlatt Custom Orders
[email protected]
Members List
Moderator
Sharon Brady
[email protected]
Regional Club Rep (RCR)
Karen Fox
[email protected]
4
Trophy Chair
Donna Bennett
[email protected]
Web Master
Mimi Englander
[email protected]
BMDCNV Veteran’s Day Weekend
Berner Retreat
Registration/Payment Form
EVENT DATES: 11/7/14 - 11/10/14
Rates: $250 pp ($199 pp before 8/1/14)
$80 pp deposit will hold your reservation.
Includes all meals, lodging & events!
Name: ________________________________________________ Cell: _________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________ Cell: _________________________________
Mailing Address: _______________________________________Home Ph: _____________________________
City: ________________________ State: ___________ Zip: _____________ # of Dogs Attending: ___________
Name(s) of Dog(s): ___________________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
Special Dietary or Housing Needs: (handicapped/vegetarian, etc.)______________________________________
Housing Preference: (first come, first serve basis)
Rustic Cabin______ Double Room in Main Lodge _______
If you are willing to share a cabin or room, please list the name of the person(s) with whom you wish to share
(larger cabins (3 bedrooms) must be shared): ________________________________________________________________
Events you wish to participate in: ________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Housekeeping & Notes about Oceanwood:
to that specific location – regardless of who else may have been there
with you. Any property damage, such as stains that require excessive
cleaning, will be charged to the BMDCNV and we will in turn, charge
you.
*Oceanwood is a summer camp and conference center, with facilities
that are dog friendly. Oceanwood is a dry campus. There are miles
of trails, and it’s just 2 blocks to the ocean. The community is very
dog friendly, and is a seasonal community. Dogs should be leashed
on the main area of camp and throughout the neighborhood. There
are trails that reach to the Goosefare Marsh and the Rachel Carson
Wildlife Preserve. These are protected lands. Dogs are allowed offleash, but be respectful of our neighbors and the wildlife. Maintain
verbal control, or leash your dogs. Dogs are allowed at the beach
anytime, and may also be off-leash there. Be mindful of other dogs,
and make sure your dog is safe at all times. Keep off the dunes at the
beach (these areas are protected by law).
*Crates in rooms and x-pens outside may be set up for the comfort
of your dogs and management of multiple dogs. Dogs may be in
your room, but must be crated when unattended. Any barking issues
that require us to contact you will require your immediate attention.
Please do not leave a “barker” unattended – you know who you are!
*Park in designated areas only. Vehicles may not be driven on the
lawn areas. Areas closer to doors may be used for loading/unloading
zones.
*Mail completed form with deposit of $80/person, payable to
BMDCNV: Melissa George, 237 Rand Hill Road, Alton Bay, NH
03810. Please mark your envelope with the word “RETREAT” on the
outside. Any questions about the event may be directed to Matthew
and Melissa at [email protected].
*While they welcome our canine companions, they have basic
expectations for owners. They expect that you will *always* clean
up your dog’s waste (even in the woods!) and properly dispose of
it. There are groups of people that utilize Oceanwood’s property on
a year-round basis. There will be trash cans around the property, as
well as a dumpster behind the dining hall. Please – honor this very
basic sanitation request.
*Final payment is due October 1st. Your deposit will be refunded if
you need to cancel prior to October 1st. The club will retain deposit if
you must cancel anytime thereafter. Anyone who does not pay their
balance by October 15th will forfeit their reservation and deposit.
After October 1st you will need to pay entire balance at time of
reservation.
*Any area identified as “no dogs allowed” means just that. Please
respect these minimal limitations. Whoever was housed in a
particular building will be held directly responsible for any damage
Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _____________ Deposit: $80 enclosed
YES ______
Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _____________ Deposit: $80 enclosed
YES ______
5
BMDCNV Supported Entry
Green Mountain Dog Club
Tunbridge, VT
Saturday, July 12
Judge: Col. Joe B. Purkhiser
Best of Breed
21 GCH TRULLI’S LITTLE LION MAN
Owner: Michael Lella, Hamburg, PA
Breeder: Michael Lella
Best of Winners
9 ZERMATT’S MATTEO VON EDELWEISS
Owner: Ann Davis, Danby, VT
Breeder: Erin O’Malley
Best of Opposite Sex
20 CH BACKCOUNTRY PANDEMONIUM TDX NAP RA
Owner: Beth Atkinson & Wendy Bennett, Bolton, MA
Breeder: Wendy Bennett
Select Dog
19 STEADFAST BRIGHT JUPITER
Owner: Dorri Poppe, Saugus, MA
Breeder: Dorri Poppe
Winners Dog
9 ZERMATT’S MATTEO VON EDELWEISS
National Specialty 2018 News
Host Hotel Search is Underway
W
e’re on the
search for the
appropriate location
to hold our 2018
National Specialty,
which will be hosted
by our club. While
historically, we’ve held
our specialty at the
Cowne Plaza in Rhode
Island, it’s important
to conduct a thorough
and comprehensive
search based on our
Martha McCormack and co-pilot
current needs. Host
Hotel Requirements
for our location are below. The search committee invites
and welcomes your thoughts, ideas and recommendations in
preparation for presenting to the Board in September.
And a gentle reminder for all... as helpful as so many are, I
must emphasize that only search committee members represent
the club when contacting potential sites. Communication other
than by committee members could confuse and negate future
negotiations with our selected site.
Owner: Ann Davis, Danby, VT
Breeder: Erin O’Malley
Thank you!! - and email us... we are listening!!
Winners Bitch
16 ALPENSPIRIT CHANCES ARE
Committee Members:
Owner: Maureen & Jack Wilson &
Mylene Turbide, Hyde Park, VT
Breeder: Mylene Turbide
Best Veteran
8 REDBARN’S HEAVEN SENT ANGEL.
Owner: Diane C Caldwell, New London, NH
Breeder: Diane C Caldwell
OBEDIENCE
Advanced Rally Title
Tennescott White Mountains Moriah BN RA CGC
Dan & Buffy Bell; Reading, VT
Committee Leader:
Buffy Bell; Reading, VT - [email protected]
Sue Nowak, Martha McCormick, Adam Conn,
Sue Mahan
Host Hotel Requirements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6
Major Airport within 60 miles.
Guest rooms @ Host Hotel 200 rooms
600+ dogs
Hotel must be VERY Dog Friendly and hopefully
have hosted a dog event
Banquet Seats 500-600
Ring Space - Conformation, Obedience, Draft etc.
On site RV & adequate parking
Grass/trees/good potty areas
Indoor or outdoor
BMDCA requires show April-May - Our historical
week would be April 23-28 2018.
Consider mud season, black fly season & temperature
Summer Picnic II at Dog Mountain, VT - 07.27.14
I would like to thank
everyone for making our
first annual Dog Day
Afternoon such a success!
We could not have done it
without all your support!
...A special thanks to Cory
Manning for “manning”
the grill and helping set up
and his wife Tressy who
could not be there this
year, but was an integral
part of the planning
process. Thank you club
for your support! Cheers
and tail wags to all!
— Heidi Henderson,
Killington, VT
Bill and I would like to publically thank
Heidi Henderson for organizing a wonderful day at Dog Mountain. Even the
weather was perfect. There were great
people, great dogs, and great food!
— Barbie Beck-Wilczek & Bill Wilczek;
Littleton, NH
Many thanks go out to Heidi for the
very successful gathering at Dog
Mountain. I’m guessing that there were
20-30 Berners all enjoying the pond,
the walk and everyone’s company. It
could not have gone any better!
— Buffy and Dan Bell; Reading, VT
...thanking Heidi for organizing the
Dog Mtn event. It was a wonderful
day for Berners and humans alike.
It is such a special place–a dream
place for dogs. We’d like to
propose that the Dog Mtn picnic
become an annual Club event!
— Gib Otten, Linda DeCelles &
Lucy the Berner; Rowley MA
7
Rescue Notebook
Lizzy was treated by
the shelter’s veterinarians,
who discovered that she
was positive for Lyme
disease and infected with
heartworms. The shelter
staff called Berner, Inc.
and asked if we could
find a place for Lizzy
to recuperate from the
extensive treatment
EDUCATION & RESCUE
she would need for
heartworm. After that she WE ARE THE RESCUE ARM OF THE NASHOBA CLUB
would need to be spayed
(fortunately, Lizzy did not
become pregnant when she was roaming). And after that,
she would need a home. Our RI rescue coordinator, Marjorie
Cottle went to the shelter to evaluate Lizzy and found her to
be a typically sweet and friendly Berner. Our next step was
to find a foster home for Lizzy while she recovered. As fate
would have it, Marjorie had run into a Berner, Inc. adopter,
John Lee, who with his wife Susan Silvia had adopted their
Berner, Poppy from us. Marjorie told John about Lizzy, and
John said that he and Susan had been talking about fostering
a Berner. John, Susan and Poppy went to visit Lizzy in the
shelter, and all got along well. Now Lizzy is recovering in
their home and receiving
the love and care
she needs.
Lizzy: Our New Foster
by Linda DeCelles, Berner Inc. Rescue Chair
Y
ou’ll recall
“The Essex
Berner” who was
running loose in
Massachusetts
last winter. Lizzy’s
story is similar
to his. Lizzy was
running loose in
Rhode Island for
several months.
Several people
had been feeding
Lizzy and
trying to lure her
Lizzy
into their homes
and barns, but she always ran away if anyone got too close. At
last she was caught in a humane trap by an Animal Control
officer and brought to a shelter. Her owners were located,
but they no longer wanted her. This came as a surprise to the
shelter’s volunteers, who became devoted to Lizzy and her
warm and winning Berner personality.
It’s Summertime for Rescue Girl Sienna!
S
ienna was adopted by BMDCNV members Daryl Bichel
and Dave Elliott last winter. You may recall the “Vermont
Five” Berner girls who were rescued from deplorable
conditions after being stashed in an unheated home. Now
Sienna lives in a very different kind of home: Daryl and
Dave’s B & B in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Sienna helps
out greeting guests but also has time to play. Daryl says: “She
is doing so well and is admired by many for her beauty, her
sweet and docile
disposition, her
dedication to me,
her big feet and
the many cute
things she does.”
Sienna likes to garden!
iGive.com
®
$725
earned to
date!
Change online shopping for good.
In 2008, the BMDCNV membership established a 501(c)
(3) charitable organization to address the needs of the everincreasing number of Berners being relinquished by their
owners and to educate the public in the responsible care of this
wonderful breed. The work of BERNER,
Inc. is supported by the generous
donations of people like YOU!
Please consider honoring the
achievements or the life of your
dog (or of a friend or family
member) with a tax-deductible
donation either by Paypal on the
web site, or by mail to:
BERNER INC NEEDS YOU...to Get
Donations from retailers you shop with on-line!
When you register with igive.com and designate
Berner, Inc as the cause you’d like to support,
ALL your on-line purchases will automatically
generate a donation from the retailer to Berner,
Inc.... at NO cost to you!
It’s quick... It’s easy... and FREE!
BERNER, Inc. P.O. Box 1221
Arlington, MA 02474
Learn more at http://igive.com//Q6w2UJmt
8
Back-to-Back
Draft Tests
Middlesex County
Back-to-Back
4-H Fairgrounds,
Draft Tests
Westford, Massachusetts
Middlesex County
October 18 & 19, 2014
4-H Fairgrounds,
Contact Bill Wilczek ([email protected] or 603-444-0824)
to sign up to be a Steward —
Westford, Massachusetts
ANYBODY can do it! Lots of hands make it fun, and it’s a great way to get close to the action and see what drafting
October
&information
19, 2014can be found at
is all about. Saturday
night YOUR
will include a VERY
tailgate partyOWN
and everyone
is
welcome. 18
More
WIN
WILCZEK-BUILT
www.bmdcnv.org.
“WIN” (Want-It-Now) CART!
WIN YOUR VERY OWN WILCZEK-BUILT
“WIN” (Want-It-Now) CART!
A very generous friend of Berners has donated a two-wheel cart for a special raffle to support the Fall Draft Tests. The puppies
in the photo are NOT included! The other photo shows the exact cart taken to pieces for easy transport and storage. See more
details here: http://www.wilczekwoodworks.com/win_carts.php
Raffle tickets are $5 each or six-for-$25. Tickets can be purchased online at Paws-N-Shop or by sending your check payable
to BMDCNV to Elizabeth Malcolmson, 145 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01966. You can also pledge your intent to purchase
tickets at [email protected].
The drawing will take place on Sunday, October 19th, 2014, after lunch, during the Fall Fun Day and prior to the end of the
Draft Test. You do NOT need to be present to win. This is a “Win-Win” — you could get a cart of your very own for just a few
dollars AND support the expenses of the draft test! Thank you in advance!
Tickets can be purchased online at Paws-N-Shop:
http://shop.bmdcnv.org/product/raffle-tickets-for-cart
LOCAL
ACCOMODATIONS
________________
A block of rooms
at the Holiday Inn
Boxborough has been
reserved for those
attending the Draft Test
October 17 - 19.
Online reservations:
Bernese Mountain Dog
Club of Nashoba Valley
Phone reservations: call
1-800-Holiday and use
group code - BMD.
the BERNER INC board of directors
President & Director - Alise Burbridge
Treasurer & Director – Tom McKinney
Clerk & Director – Anya Wittenborg
Director – Dawn Flaherty
Director – Linda DeCelles
Director – Beth Atkinson
9
Birthdays, Congratulations and Brags...
Happy 8th
Birthday,
Bobby!
We’re so grateful
you “found” us!
— Love, Dave,
Mimi, Jesse
and Sophie;
Littleton, MA
CH Purple Fugitive Spring Auf Southwind BN RN CGC
“Pomegranate” completed her AKC Companion Dog title on July 2,
2014 at the Holyoke Kennel Club obedience trial in West Springfield, MA.
This is Granate’s third title so far in 2014, and she’s not done yet! http://
i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn36/catfoody/5_Granate/WinPhotos/Granate_CD_
Whitney_HKC_zpsca32205c.jpg
— Adam Conn; Maynard, MA
Sydney with my granddaughter, Katie, as flag bearer, and me, ready to
do a “parade” as part of the opening for the 4th of July agility trial. Our
club, SCAT - Southern Connecticut Agility Team - hosts five CPE (Canine
Performance Events) agility trials each year, mostly in Hamden, CT.
— Margot Burwood; New Hartford, CT
Berner Helps Mother Nature
By Gib Otten and Linda DeCelles
On our property we find many nests after the
parent birds and their offspring have left them. This
season we found something special. Woven among
the twigs, grasses and mosses of two birds’ nests
were strands of silken black, brown and white hair—
Berner hair! We brush our Berner, Lucy, in the back
yard. Her hair drifts off on breezes into our woods. And some of it
came back—worked into birds’ nests.
One nest was clearly a chickadee’s nest. Chickadees use grasses
and other soft material like moss in their nests. Lucy’s soft Berner
hair became part of their construction. They had built the nest in the
bluebird box after the bluebird family had left. After the chickadees
left we found their nest had been squared to fit in the box.
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The other nest we think belonged to chipping sparrows. They
make round, sturdy but delicately woven nests of small twigs—and
Berner hair! We found the nest on the ground after the wind had
blown it from a tree. Lucy’s hair was an integral part of the weave.
Depending on the season, Lucy likes to make “nests” of dirt,
sand or snow for herself. Now we can say she makes nests for
birds, too.
It’s a good Thing!
Monthly Health Tip for keeping our Berners in tip-top shape!
Always c onsult with your veterinarian regarding any significant change in weight
and before beginning a diet and exercise pl an for your berner.
Core Exercises... improving stability and strength in your Berner
excerpt from slimdoggy.com
day living. It is helpful
both physically and
mentally, and can be
particularly good for a
performance dog post
injury and to decrease
the potential for injury.
Like a person just starting
out with a new physical
activity, it is important
to not over do
it initially. Just
a few minutes
can provide a
good workout,
especially when Margot Burwood’s Sage participates
in core exercise class.
the dog is
standing on the moving obstacles. In the pics
where Sage is sitting, she
also stood on the items, but I had her sit a lot,
too, to give her a break, as this was her first core
class in quite awhile.”
Reference the website http://slimdoggy.com/
benefits-of-core-exercises-for-your-dog/ to learn
about designing a core exercise program for your dog and
guidelines for progression.
C
ore work, although fairly well integrated into the
human fitness industry’s vernacular, is somewhat new
to the canine fitness world. Many people still think of
their dog’s exercise solely in terms of how long their walk
was. The fact is, your dog can greatly benefit from having a
strong core. These benefits include:
• Improved strength & athletic performance
• Improved balance
• Reduced injury risk
• Improved muscle tone
• Improved support of vital organs
Your dog’s core
workout is all about
engaging their
core for stability
purposes, which,
when held under
tension for time
or when held
under physical
duress (like when
moving above or
through obstacles) will build a functional strength that will
markedly improve your dog’s physical abilities. Think of
your dog’s core like a pilates student thinks of their core: a
set of inter related muscles that work together, like a corset,
to provide stability, strength, and protection of the spine
and internal organs.
Margot writes... “It involves using a variety of obstacles
(your imagination is your limit) that require motor
planning in new ways, and which challenge and help
improve balance, coordination, and confidence. Many of
the obstacles move in one way or another, which brings in
muscle use that wouldn’t necessarily occur in every
Paws ‘N’ Shop
Euro Style oval sticker
Choose “BMD” or “CART”
BMD
$5
each
Suitable
for exterior
application
CART
includes postage
Order on-line at:
http://shop.bmdcnv.org/
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Where are they now?
BK (Burger King) loves Wyoming.
Especially the snow and mountains!
Kelly Cornell McCartney and Marge Bumen visited in Jackson Hole to
catch up and discuss old times, when Kelly served as Rescue Chair for
Nashoba Valley.
Kelly continues her rescue work in Wyoming with "Dog is My
Copilot", a non profit organization dedicated to saving animals. Their
efforts decrease the number of animals killed in shelters and increase
shelter adoption by flying groups of animals to areas where they are
more adoptable. Our wonderful Stanley, now living with Dawn &
Jerry Flaherty and 3 other dogs from Florida were rescued by Kelly
and brought to Nashoba to be rehomed. Thanks to Kelly, so many
dogs have a new life and a great family to love.
FMI: http://www.dogcopilot.org/
BMDCNV
P.O. Box 5213
Framingham, MA 01701
Berner - Garde will
be at Fall Fun Day
Don’t miss this chance to
enter your berner!
See page 3 http://www.bernergarde.org
Contact
[email protected]
to receive an electronic color
issue of the Berner-Blatt
Join us on
BMDCNV
BERNER Inc.