ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Vicky Barnett in Los Alamos has two male GSP rescues looking for
good homes. 4 - 6 months old, littermates. (505) 626-9116.
The club has a new Tritronics launcher for club members to check
out a week at a time. See Mike McMullan.
LOST AND FOUND:
At the field trial in February, Mike M. lost two pair of leather
(deerskin like) gloves and he's hoping that one of our club
members picked them up. Likewise, Mike found a pair of similar
gloves that are not his.
CONGRATULATIONS:
At the YGSPC Spring Field Trial Mike Prairie's Luke won a three
point retrieving major in Amateur Gun Dog. Bruce Bostelman's
Tasha placed 2nd in Amateur Gun Dog. Ernest Gonzales's pointer
pup Texas debuted with a 3rd place in the Open Derby at the YGSPC
trial.
The following weekend at the Weimaraner Club of Albuquerque's
spring trial Mike McMullan's "J" won the Open Limited
Gun Dog and received two retrieving points and $112 for his
efforts. Mike P's Luke took 2nd in the Amateur Gun Dog and
Ernest's Texas walked away with another 3rd place in the Open
Derby.
MEETING MINUTES FROM 2/12/01:
Members present: Daniel M., Wendy G. Cecil M, Mike and Jill M.,
Linda S, Tom Loomis, Bob and Rose F, Ernest G, Ron U, Cynthia B,
Tammy and Mark Krueger.
Meeting called to order at 7:20.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. March 10 - 11 Hunt Test. Sean Baldwin is the Chairman, Jack
Kelley, food chair; Sean, water wagon; gunners, Tom, Daniel and
Cecil.
Bird pen - Sean will coordinate with Mike. The loss of birds at
the field trial was reviewed.
2. At the last meeting the club voted to buy q bird launcher and
a Tritronic remote receiver & box for $250. (Please see
Announcements)
3. Spring Field Trial - It went well but was very stressful. We
need more support from members or the club may not do another
horseback field trial. Terry Chandler has been supportive of
Yucca. Phil Mathiowitz spent much of the trial complaining,
therefore, the motion was made by Mark Krueger, 2nd by Mike
McMullan and passed by the club to remove Mr. Mathiowitz from our
mailing list.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Cost: If you have an email address, please give it to Mike
Prairie who will email the newsletter. (Note: newsletters will be
posted on the YGSC website at www.angelfire.com/nm/ygspc
Minutes continued on page 2
Continued from page 1
2. Mark will contact Doris to ask her to continue doing the
newsletter.
3. Water wagon - is leaking again. Bob F. will reweld the cracks
in the tank. After the hunt test, we need volunteers to make
supports for the tank.
4. Weim club asked if YGSPC would be interested in teaming up to
do field trials together. Discussion followed. Cecil asked: What
about changing dates of YGSPC field trial. How does the Weim club
feel about that? Discussion followed.
5. Recognition of the winners at YGSPC spring trial. Ernest
Gonzales, Mike Prairie and Bruce Bostelamn. (Please see trial
results)
6. Tent - reevaluate what type of tent the club needs. "Wall
Tent" Please keep an eye out for tents and notify club
officers if one becomes available.
7. Launchers - discussion about how the club will use the
launcher. How to prevent problems rather than solving them as
they arise. The club will have a training day for using the
launchers on Saturday, April 7, 2001.
8. Clay Pigeon Launcher - The club has decided that the launcher
is to be used only at club events and will not be used by
individuals.
9. NGSPA - Frank Alexander asked if Yucca would be willing to
join NGSPA so he can be a proxy member. Group discussion found
hat there was no real benefit to its members and declined. Linda
Stake made the motion to decline and Tom Loomis 2nd the motion.
Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
EDITORIAL:
As many of you know, I have a passion for bird dogs. Over the
past few years, while pursuing different activities with my dogs,
I have had the opportunity to meet many people. There have been
field trialers, NAVHDA members, show folk, and just plain foot
hunters. We all shared the common ground of our love for dogs. My
life is richer thanks to the many individuals I have met.
However these folks often forget about the common ground and tend
to condemn each other and their respective dog activities. I find
this so sad, because if you really think about, the dedicated dog
owner is a very small fraternity. We need to make the effort to
value everyone involved with dogs. It shouldn't be the foot
hunters against the field trialers. It shouldn't be the NAVHDA
versus all-age, walking versus horseback, or any of the other
divisions some see as important. We need to enjoy the sport in
all its manifestations and work together to preserve it.
With that said, I urge everyone to come out and support Yucca's
upcoming Hunt Test. Even if the testing is not your cup of tea,
you will hook up with a lot of nice people who have the same
interest as you - BIRD DOGS.
-Doris J. Schoenfelder
OBITUARY
It is with heavy heart that I inform the club of the passing of
Jill and Mike McMullan's horse Blaze. Blaze passed away on March
1, 2001 and will be greatly missed.
Over the years, the McMullan's have been generous enough to let
Blaze be ridden at the numerous club events. Blaze was a kind
soul who tolerated riders from beginner to advanced to just plain
awful horsemanship. He never complained and could always be
counted on to get the job done. We'll miss that big red horse and
know that from now on the pastures will be green and plentiful
for him.
Thank you Mike and Jill for sharing Blaze with us and letting us
see just how special he was.
Obituary
Geronimo's Charmin" Willetta
"Willie"
"Willie" was born November 7, 1999, and died November
21, 2000, from a little known disease called "Streptococcus
canisis", which is extremely toxic and deadly.
"Willie" came to live with Robert and Dee Snider on
February 4, 1999. "Willie" was a very loveable German
Wirehaired Pointer and was loved much in return, by not only her
owners, "Doc" and Dee Snider, but also those she came
in contact with. She had accomplished much in her short lifetime.
At 11 mos she had earned a Prize I, (110) points) in Natural
Ability with NAVHDA. She had one leg towards her CD in Obedience,
two legs towards her Junior Hunter title, six points and two
majors towards her Conformation Championship. She learned about
hunting very quickly from observing "Jackie" in the
field. She was happy, mischievous, she'd look you in the eyes and
look so innocent, and of course give many kisses, as if to say,
"I'm sorry, I won't do it again". "Willie"
will be and is greatly missed by family and friends.
WILLIE'S DISEASE
I'll present a short history of the acute disease that suddenly
took our "Willie" from us.
On November 15, 2000, she was placed in care of a friend for
transportation to Tucson, AZ for a dog show. The breeder/handler
received Willie on November 18, 2000, in good condition. She was
shown November 18, 19, and 20, receiving two show majors on
November 19 and 20.
was transported by the handler to her home in California with
plans to return to Phoenix, AZ the following weekend for a show.
The next morning, November 21, she showed signs of stiff legs and
profound depression. She was immediately taken to a very skilled
veterinarian who did diagnostic tests and preliminary treatment.
Nothing upon presentation gave a clue as to the cause of the
illness. The veterinary owner was unable to help with the
diagnosis. Despite vigorous treatment, Willie passed away in less
that 10 hours on the evening of November 21, 2000.
Dr. Snider believed he had read an article about a similar
disease condition, but initially was unable to fine the article.
A telephone conversation with Dr. Brad Finnwich, at Kansas State
University, referred to an article published in 1996 by Dr.
Prescott of the University of Guelph in Canada.
Special staining of the histopath showed Strep origins, which is
believed to have been the cause of her death.
A search of literature has been able to gather the following
information. Sources available upon request.
1. It is a canine disease with the method of transmission
unknown. It will not affect humans. It is contagious from dog to
dog, but to our knowledge, the dogs exposed were not affected.
2. It's a very acute condition caused by toxin produced Strep
canis.
3. It can affect the central nervous system, respiratory track,
digestive track and some cases of flesh eating condition.
4. The condition is normally diagnoses as severe pneumonia or
poisoning unless cultures are taken. The organisms can be
detected by special stains of the histopath tissues.
5. Penicillin is the drug of choice for the treatment along with
good supportive care. No vaccine is available.
As a tribute to our beloved German Wirehair
"Willie", we will be glad to act as the clearing house
for information. We are submitting "Willie's" tissue
samples to Dr. Prescott for further study of this fatal disease
condition.
Dr Robert L. Snider
REMINDERS:
This will be your last newsletter, unless dues for 2001 have been
paid. Dues are payable in January. A club is only as strong as
its members, so please continue to support Yucca. Please mail
your dues to Mike McMullan, 10708 Glendale Ave NE, Albuquerque,
NM 87112
6:30 p.m. Monday March 12, 2001 is the next club meeting. It will
be held at the Golden Corral on Montgomery and Wyoming. Come
early, eat dinner, and enjoy the company of fellow dog
enthusiasts.
AKC Hunt Test is Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11. We need
your support so that we can continue having these events.
On Thursday, May 10, 2001 is our Specialty Show. Once again, we
depend on the membership for support. We need club members to be
in attendance, if only to watch. We also need donations for
trophies. If you would like to make a donation, please send Mike
McMullan a check along with a note stating that it is a trophy
donation.
JUST FOR FUN
TOP TEN REASONS WHY DOGS ARE BETTER THAN MEN:
10. As long as you feed 'em and pet 'em, they're happy
9. Can get 'em neutered and they hardly notice.
8. Can't "go out" without your permission
7. Consider it a privilege to lick your feet.
6. Don't think there's any such thing as "too many pairs of
shoes.
5. Clean up their own food spills plus everyone else's.
4. Don't even remember who their old girlfriends were
3. Think hairy legs make you more appealing
2. Think you smell so g-o-o-d without perfume
1. Aren't too proud to beg.
YUCCA GERMAN SHORTHAIRED
POINTER CLUB OF ALBUQUERQUE
