| July
1998 Newsletter - Volume
2. Issue 19
Select
an Article
MB-F has a philosophy that what is
good for all-breed clubs, specialty and obedience clubs and all
exhibitors is good for MB-F. For us over the years the philosophy
has remained true. In the early 70’s we persuaded the AKC to
allow us to accept telephone entries on the basis that a credit
card was legitimate cash and that we would keep master entries and
signatures on file. The computer became the only way to go and now
we could not live without it and maintain the low costs involved
in dog shows.
Everyone has benefited from this
beginning. Fax machines were used in our dealings with the AKC
during this early period and were just becoming useful. They were,
however, too slow for entries and were abandoned at the time.
Later, when the technology caught up and they became faster, the
same logic applied as it did with Dial-N-Entry.
Recently MB-F introduced Internet
entries online and the success has been phenomenal. It has been
made available to all exhibitors and clubs and it greatly
simplifies the entry situation. There have been other instances
too numerous to mention where our philosophy has paid off for
everyone, but what we are about to introduce will truly make the
show chairperson’s nightmares become sweet dreams.
Are you ready for this? Hold onto
your seat! We’re going to take you into the immediate future and
beyond. Beginning right now we are introducing the MB-F Show
Person’s Show planner. A short time ago we introduced as a first
step, the Premium List copy submitted online. It is for all clubs
to use regardless of who the superintendent is. The second step is
“The Judges Available System” and other steps will follow in
the near future.
The Judges Available System works
this way:
1. The InfoDog web site helps your
club select available judges based on the AKC rule of 30 days and
200 miles.
2. Access your Club’s home page.
InfoDog has a complete list of home pages for all clubs
superintended by MB-F and for all other clubs to apply for with no
obligation on their part. It’s free. Club Home Pages can be
accessed through the Calender of Shows, searching panels by show
name or directly at http://www.infodog.com/clubs/########.htm
where ######## is the eight - digit AKC event number.
3. At the bottom of each individual
club home page is a box where at least four letters of a judge’s
last name may be entered and submitted. The InfoDog system will
find and display a list of all matching judges’ names. The list
is clickable to display the breeds your selection judge is
licensed for and eligible to judge, as well as possible conflicts
within 30 days and 200 miles.
By the time you read this
information the system will be expanded to include the number of
dogs in each breed at the previous year’s show plus the tools to
submit a complete new panel online to your InfoDog home page. A
newly dedicated secure server for this club informational use only
has been made available with backup. The general public, nor other
clubs, nor superintendents (including MB-F) will have this
information available at any time. It is strictly for your
club’s use. InfoDog at your request and at the completion of
your panel selection and coded release will provide you with a
stream of screened data that you may print and e-mail directly to
AKC for quick approval.
The entire system will be password
oriented and will only be available to your club. The password
will be known only to you. We suggest not more than two club
persons have this access. In the event it is lost, strayed or
stolen a method will be available for you to make a change.
Can you imagine? No more tedious
arithmetic and waiting for an answer? This free InfoDog tool
available to all clubs will take the guesswork out of planning a
panel for a dog show, and will help resolve any Judging Program
overloads.
Infodog really does do (almost)
everything except take your dog into the show ring.
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If
I Ever Get Like That
by Dorie Crowe
Very often at shows we encounter a
situation that stirs the full range of emotions- aggravation,
irritation, depression, pity, sympathy, empathy. This situation is
one on which everybody has an opinion, but no clear, viable
solution. And, above all, they don’t want to be the one to
handle it.
Getting older. Can’t get around
without help. Too ill to stand up. Past our prime. “Round the
Bend.” Completely dotty. Unaware of our surroundings. Whatever
your favorite euphemism, we see it and are up against it often.
Yes, we are referring to those
cases in which an exhibitor, handler, club member, judge,
superintendent, whomever, has reached the point when everyone
around him/her believes and/or knows with certainty that person
should no longer be out every weekend in charge of a dog, a
vehicle, club duties, a ring, a show. And, for every one of these
situations there are as many or more opinions on what to do and
who should do it.
Well, what do we do? Mostly we talk
about it.
What should we do:
In the case of an exhibitor we know
is ill or just can’t do this weekend after weekend anymore -
can’t take care of the dog in a show situation, can’t drive
the car/van, etc., can’t walk across the grounds, can’t see
the dog in the ring?
In the case of a judge who
obviously is ill or has no clue of what’s going on around
him/her, can’t keep track of classes, won’t admit any
infirmity?
In the case of the handler whose
knees are shot, who can barely make it around the ring without
huffing and puffing, won’t admit any infirmity?
In the case of the club member who
must be watched every minute and can no longer do any of the jobs
within the club for various reasons?
In the case of the superintendent
who can barely get out of a car, won’t admit to any infirmity,
only remembers what it was like back..?
Maybe we should first investigate
just what makes these folks need to continue past the obvious time
to quit, or at the very least, let some of it go.
We know that in some cases this
sport is truly the only support system or “family” some of our
folks have. Dog Shows are where they are most comfortable and they
have no other interests. Should this really be? Should we be
examining a way to keep in touch with these folks or have
something meaningful for them to do during the week so they
don’t feel the need to be out every weekend just to get that
“human contact” so necessary for everyone to thrive?
In some cases it’s our
“friends” who keep us doing our job in the sport after we are
no longer able to perform it the way we really want and should.
They protect us from the “outside,” cover for us and shield us
from those who would really be our friends (those who understand
we would be better served if we were helped to realize we aren’t
performing the way we should).
We know in some cases, walking dogs
around the ring is the only source of income. Should this be
beyond a reasonable length of time? Should we be examining
presenting programs of insurance, investment, IRA’s, Keogh’s,
etc.? If not programs, should we be making available information
on where to go to get this type of planning into the forefront of
their thinking? Shouldn’t it be done while they are young enough
to formulate a plan that will enable them to do some of the things
we all would like to do at some point (such as not really HAVE to
work or take a pleasure trip without having to worry about making
the mortgage payment, etc.)? Should the various handler
organizations develop some type of program that our handlers who
would like to quit could and still make a living? Could these
handlers be teachers for our juniors, for the new handlers coming
up? Figure Skaters go to coaches so their skills can be refined
and developed. Kids go to sports camps to refine and develop their
skills. Could our professional handlers do the same thing?
We know in some cases, judging dogs
every weekend is the only source of income. And, again, it’s the
major support system of friends. And, if they’re not out every
weekend how would they stay in touch? Should this be? Should we be
offering the same types of information noted above? Should there
be some sort of program that gets these people on tape or in print
or in some sort of mentoring or education program while they can
still give us the benefit of their experiences and knowledge and
that does not require them to be out weekend after weekend after
weekend? Should judges’ associations have programs set up that
will involve these folks? Could they be educators; speakers;
advisors; consultants?
It may seem farfetched, but I know
of cases where there has actually been a plan in effect in case
someone in this shape died while “on the road”. Is this the
type of situation we want to subject exhibitors to while in the
ring; clients; the club while they are your hosts; the
superintendent who is responsible for the smooth running of a
show? Exactly what is the glory or benefit to the sport or others
in the ring in collapsing while running `round the ring or going
over a dog? What is the benefit to the sport or the exhibitor in
judging a dog you can’t see or you can’t bend over or stand
long enough to stack or to examine or you can’t remember once it
goes to the end of the line?
One of the saddest things said at
shows is “They used to be.” or, “This is the only thing that
keeps him going.”. Why can’t we figure out how to keep this
knowledge and experience in the sport with the respect due so we
don’t have to hear “They used to be..”? Why can’t we help
figure out what can be done so they don’t feel they must
endanger themselves or others in their determination to be at a
show? We aren’t heartless people we want the best for everybody
- most especially for the person in this situation. Why aren’t
we using the knowledge of these folks who have been involved in
this sport through the years in an advisory or delegate capacity?
Many of us say, “If I every get
like that, tell me it’s time to quit.” But how many of us are
willing to listen? How many of us are willing to tell our best
friend it’s time they quit? How many of us have put our friends
in the position of having to develop an emergency plan because we
insist on going out weekend after weekend? How many of us have had
some type of surgical procedure or medical intervention of some
type and start right back long before the doctors say we should?
Have we reached a point it’s necessary to mandate such things as
common sense?
Our kids must have physicals in
order to play sports. Should our exhibitors have to certify on
their entry forms they have had a physical in the last year?
Should AKC or the judges’ associations require judges produce a
doctor’s certification they have had an eye exam and a physical
in the last year and there’s no physical reason they can’t
withstand the demands of judging?
I had a grandmother who used to
say, “You get old if you live long enough.” She was “old”
when I first heard her say it. I’m in my 50’s and my take on
what’s “old” used to be whatever my age plus 15 years, but
now seems to change every five years or so. My daughter thinks
I’m older than dirt. It’s all a matter of perspective - - and
good genes. But all these situations are not necessarily about
“old”. I’d stack some 80-year-olds against some 40-year-olds
and come out a winner. It’s not a case of the “Young Turks”
Vs the “Old Guard”.
What it IS about is individual
capability. It’s about being physically and mentally capable of
doing what’s required. If we just are not capable of doing the
job anymore, without having many concessions exercised
specifically for us, what in our nature keeps us from admitting
it? What does it take to get us to cut back?
Is it strictly ego oriented? Is it
fear? My grandfather worked with a man who never took a vacation.
When he asked the man, “Why? Don’t you think we can get along
without you for a week?” The man replied, “No, I’m afraid
you’ll find out you can!” Is that it?
Would it be easier for us if there
were a progression of activities and levels of involvement that
could keep us active in the sport, contributing meaningfully,
keeping respect, but letting some of it go? Would the sport
benefit? Definitely. Could we benefit? Definitely.
Will we do anything except talk and
commiserate about these situations? Probably not - - not until
we’ve lost too many chances to preserve the wealth of history,
experience and knowledge that crosses our paths every day.
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Guy’s
Corner
By Guy Walton
Our May Newsletter contained an
article on junior showmanship by Fred Lyman which was excellent.
Fred has given me permission to expand on his with my own opinions
(some of which will be controversial).
I go back to the 60’s and 70’s
when juniors made their entries at shows (as Fred stated) and the
classes were judged by multi-breed handlers who knew all
techniques and tricks of showing various breeds.
What do we have now? In my opinion,
we have a sad state of affairs. We have limited approved judges
doing junior showmanship. These are people, for example, who
applied for say five breeds and they awarded them only one
considering them not qualified for the others. Then as a sweetener
they award them junior showmanship. This is ridiculous and
ludicrous. On one hand, they are deemed only qualified in one
breed and then on the other hand are given all-breed status in
junior showmanship.
Some of these judges never handled
their own dogs (used handlers/agents); how does the American
Kennel Club expect them to know the correct handling techniques
for each breed? As a result, I see junior showmanship judges
evaluating dogs and not techniques of the handlers. Case in point,
why should we as superintendents have to send junior showmanship
judges a list of the breeds entered under them at a show? Reading
standards doesn’t give information on stacking, gaiting,
baiting, tabling, hands on, hands off, etc. (also with today’s
wholesale substituting what good is this list if most are replaced
with a different breed?)
Many things gripe me. For instance,
watching judges going up and down a line and continually going to
two dogs checking and rechecking toplines, shoulders, bites, etc.
Now try to convince me they are judging handlers and not
conformation. Another case in point, how often do you see a junior
with an obedience pet quality dog or an ILP dog and if so, have
you ever seen them win? Actually, inexperienced judges can cause
damage or injury to the dogs. Nonsense you say! Well what about
forcing the jaws of a Pekingese open and breaking or fracturing
its jaws? I can go on and on with this.
I remember when watching junior
showmanship was really interesting. Florida and Georgia had a hot
bed of top junior handlers [the late Ricky Koester (became a
professional handler and a judge.), Cheryl Wine (now Stevens who
is the daughter of former professional handlers Faye and Ray
Wine), Joey DePoo (father was a handler), Kevin Swick (son of
Betty Swick of Boston Terrier fame), Allen Harper (now a group
judge who’s parents have been prominent in Jacksonville Dog
Fanciers Association as is he), Katie Gallagher (daughter of Pat
Gallagher of Irish Setter fame who became a multiple sporting
breed judge. Katie became one of the first of her peer group
licensed to judge junior showmanship.), Davin McAteer (prominent
handler and his brother, Randy, also a handler), Ricky Smith (son
of Ann and Dick Smith professional handlers from Georgia. Ricky
was probably the most talented with the best hands just like his
father. His father handled sporting dogs better than anyone I have
ever seen and that’s a mouthful, but he never utilized his
skills.)] There were so many more. These kids were graded on their
skills by knowledgeable handlers. Our kids today don’t have that
advantage.
What can we do? Fred suggests maybe
going back to the old system. I can endorse that, but I would
prefer a more radical change. First, I would grandfather in the
present junior showmanship judges (with the requirement that they
be graded by field reps or committees and those not deemed
qualified have their privilege revoked.) I then would not approve
anyone new unless they had substantial proof of broad savvy of
extensive breeds (ex-handlers, etc.). I know you’re going to
say, but, “Guy, we have a tough time finding junior showmanship
judges now.” Most multiple group and all-breed judges turn down
junior showmanship assignments.
Well, let’s see what we can do
about this. One way would be to offer an incentive like an
additional fee above their regular fees (there are many out there
that are dependent on their fees). Another way, which I don’t
particularly embrace, would be for the American Kennel Club to
require multiple group and all-breed judges to accept a number of
assignments within a period of time. I would also make a provision
that, should a conformation/obedience judge also doing junior
showmanship overload, junior showmanship cannot be taken away.
Secondly, I would go back to
multiple group and all-breed handlers. Again, you’re going to
say why would handlers give up potential handling fees? Well, pay
them their fees with the understanding that junior showmanship
that day be the equivalent of their prime dog and that it would
not curtail them from showing at that show, but not allow them to
attend pre-show dinners.
I have much more, but I’m going
to stop here for now. We have got to improve junior showmanship
judging and reward properly and enhance the integrity and
expertise of these future handlers and judges through these
classes.
What about limiting junior
showmanship dogs to those which are entered in junior show only?
That would take care of the conflict problem. If not, limit the
dogs to those that are not titled or major pointed. If parents
want their kids to learn how to handle, then buy them a good
friend (dog) non-conformation quality dog to learn with (the
toughest thing to do is make a bad dog look good). On that
subject, Rufus Copeland was the best bad dog handler I ever saw.
If you had a dog nobody else could finish, Rufus could finish it.
I have broached this subject with a
number of old time handlers now turned judges and they have told
me stories about junior judges totally missing handlers the day
after they had judged the same juniors. The last one to tell me
this was Corky Gauger last week.
We need multiple breed and
all-breed judges and handlers to step forward and give back to the
sport which has given them pleasure, financial security, ego
satisfaction, comraderie etc.
That’s enough, folks.
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A most formal man. A Princeton
graduate made evident by every spoken word and mannerism. Always
the perfect gentleman but with a wry sense of humor. He accepted
his nickname (Billy) with the perfect knowledge that it was
offered respectfully. Few men that I have known in my lifetime
have been held in such high esteem. His knowledge of dogs, the dog
world, his grand way of life, his demeanor his staunch
conservatism certainly set him apart in all circumstances. Billy
was much to be admired for his strong sense of what was right and
proper but he also had an ornery streak in him that led him into
many extraordinary situations. That is what this article is all
about.
Everyone who has ever known Billy
has a Billy story. I have several and as Billy and I became better
acquainted and occasionally dined together he would always entice
me into telling stories of what he had done to me in the show
ring. This gave him the greatest pleasure, as though he was
hearing the stories for the first time and not as a perpetrator
but rather as a spectator. Bless him, he could laugh at himself as
no other could.
I have many incidents concerning
Billy and his deep powers of concentration. Here are a couple of
the best:
Many years ago in the 1950s when I
was a handler I had a string of dogs on the Carolina Circuit. In
the string 1 had nine Poodles consisting of three of each Variety
- - a dog, a bitch and a special. The show was in a tobacco
warehouse with a leaky roof. It had rained the night before and
the show building had puddles of water on several areas of the
building floor. One of those areas happened to be Mr. Kendrick’s
ring. (At that time I wasn’t presumptuous enough to call him
Billy).
Mr. Kendrick was undaunted by the
water but he wasn’t about to let his Poodles go traipsing
through puddles of water. He summoned a Mansfield Superintendent
attendant and told him to bring a table into the ring, two feet
wide and four feet long, The attendant complied and Billy (I’m
beginning to know him better) placed four dogs (Toys) on the
table, However, that left eight dogs still on the floor. Without
hesitation Billy recalled the attendant and ordered two more
tables delivered post haste. With the entire class 38 inches above
the floor Billy began judging. At about this time A.D. Mansfield
happened to walk by the ring. He rose straight to the top of the
building and flew into Billy’s ring and a real serious
conversation ensued with the result that two of the tables were
removed from the ring. Billy then, with a very haughty attitude,
proceeded to continue his judging with four dogs at a time on the
table. But this did not happen until he made Mansfield send
attendants into the ring to mop up the water. The crowd that had
been gathering to watch the performance now cheered for Billy and
conversation became focused on, “This is one of Billy’s
days” and for me it certainly was.
I showed eight Poodles in that ring
without a win receiving only 2nds, 3rds and Zips. Finally it came
down to one dog - - a very nice silver toy special which had won
several groups and a couple of bests in show. My competition was
Annie Rogers, at that time, with a special white bitch and another
young lady unknown to me with a black dog. As we entered the ring
Billy became deeply engrossed in following Annie and the other
young lady with their black and white dogs. He seemed to
completely ignore that I was even in the ring. When the dogs were
examined on the table all at the same time he went over Annie’s
and moved it; then proceeded to examine the black dog and move it.
He then left the table and took the two dogs to the other side of
the ring and spent considerable time moving and further examining
them while I stood at the table waiting my turn He then as an
after thought looked up and saw me with my silver male still on
the table.
He walked over to the table and
said to me, “Where’s Richard?” meaning Annie’s helper
Richard Bauer. I replied, “I don’t know”. He snapped back,
“ I don’t know what you two guys are trying to pull but
you’ll not get away with it. That’s Richard’s dog.” I
replied, “Mr. Kendrick this is my special not Richard’s”, He
turned and walked away grumbling, “You’re not going to get
away with it”. He then walked straight away to Annie and
pronounced her Best of Variety and the other young lady Best of
Opposite Sex. I left the ring bare handed and confused and headed
for my crates. Annie came out of the ring bursting with laughter
and said, “Wait until you hear this, you won’t feel so bad, as
he handed me the Best of Variety ribbon he said, ‘Poor Tom, he
can’t win with his own dogs and he can’t win with Richard’s
either’.”
With that my only thought was
‘another day in the life of Billy Kendrick and another Billy
story.’ It didn’t end there, however, he never missed an
opportunity when we were in the company of others to have me
relate the story and he thoroughly enjoyed it. So did I. It will
always remain in my memory, as will other episodes to come later.
In this new section of our
Newsletter we would like to introduce to you some of the MB-F
Superintending family. Within the following months we will be
featuring some of our new as well as familiar faces and giving
you a little background information on each of them. This issue
features some newcomers to this side of the sport.
W. HENRY ODUM, III
One of MB-F’s newest trainees is
Henry Odum. Henry was born and raised in Covington, Newton Co.,
Georgia, where his father bred, owned and showed Quarter and
Tennessee Walking Horses.
After college graduation (BA,
Biology and Chemistry, Emory University) he moved to Northern
Virginia, where he first bred, owned and showed Basset Hounds,
followed by Border Terriers and Brussels Griffons. He also did
graduate course work at George Washington U and Physical
Oceanographic Training and numerous skills-enhancing courses at
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Henry had
more than 30 years of experience as an oceanographer/information
specialist with the National Oceanographic Data Center and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In addition, Henry has been owner
and President of an independent insurance agency and a licensed
Realtor for more than 20 years. An owner, breeder and exhibitor of
purebred dogs since 1965, Henry has also been active in organized
kennel clubs for more than 16 years. His experience at various
times includes Old Dominion Kennel Club (Show Chairman, Board of
Directors, Corporate Liaison, Match Chairman, Publicity Chairman);
American Brussels Griffon Association (Board of Governors, AKC
Delegate); Potomac Basset Hound Club (President, Independent
Specialty Show Chairman, Board of Directors, Secretary);
Represented the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders in
discussions of breed-specific legislation with local and state
legislators. Henry was an elected member of the AKC Delegates
Parent Club Committee and a member of the AKC Board Nomination
Committee (Class of the Year 2000). Henry is also a Charter Member
of the recently formed Potomac Hound Club (a Group club).
A man who has yet to meet a
stranger, Henry presently resides in Alexandria, VA and has two
Brussels Griffons (Philip, 11 and Mikey, 6) to help keep him
amused.
MARY JANE CARRBERRY
Mary Jane has been “in dogs”
since she was a child - they had Wire Fox Terriers. After
Graduating in 1972 from St. Bernard College in Alabama with a
degree in P.E., and Graduate School at Rutgers in New Jersey, she
went to work for the State of New Jersey as a teacher. She works
at the DHS Regional School, Somerset Campus - a school for
disabled children with a 12-month program.
Mary Jane began showing dogs, her
own Airedales and Welsh Terriers, after graduating from college.
She also worked for Guenter Behr approximately seven years at
shows and in his kennel, to learn the handling business.
In 1985, Mary Jane went on her own
as a professional handler, specializing in Terriers. She was a
Certified Professional Handler and still maintains her membership
in PHA. She has also bred Norwich and Border Terriers and
presently owns two Border Terriers and three Norwich Terriers (all
retired Champions).
In the summer of 1997, she retired
from professional handling and came to work at MB-F as a
Superintendent trainee. “It was a move I’m glad I made, as I
am totally enjoying working in this new capacity.”
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Women
And Dogs
TOP FIFTY REASONS
DOGS ARE BETTER THAN WOMEN...
(Now it’s equal time for the men.)
1. Dogs love it when your friends
come over.
2. Dogs think you sing great. 3. Dogs don’t care if you use
their shampoo.
4. Dogs don’t cry.
5. A dog’s time in the bathroom is confined to a quick drink.
6. Dogs don’t expect you to call when running late.
7. The later you are, the more excited dogs are to see you.
8. Dogs will forgive you for playing with other dogs.
9. Dogs don’t notice if you call them by another dog’s name.
10. Dogs are excited by rough housing.
11. Dogs don’t mind if you give their offspring away.
12. Dogs understand that farts are funny.
13. Dogs love red meat.
14. Dogs appreciate excessive body hair.
15. Anyone can get a good-looking dog.
16. If a dog is gorgeous, other dogs don’t hate it.
17. Dogs never need to examine the relationship.
18. Dogs like it when you leave lots of things on the floor.
19. A dog’s disposition is the same all month long.
20. Dogs don’t shop.
21. A dog’s parents almost never visit.
22. Dogs understand that all animals smaller than dogs were made
be hunted.
23. When a dog gets old and starts to snap at you incessantly, you
can....
24. Dogs don’t hate their bodies.
25. Dogs love long car trips.
26. Dogs understand that instincts are better than asking for
directions.
27. Dogs like beer.
28. You never have to wait on a dog. They’re ready to go 24
hours day.
29. It’s legal to keep a dog chained up at your house.
30. Dogs luuuuv trucks!
31. No dog ever bought a Kenny G, Cher, Streisand, Tesh, or Yanni
album.
32. No dog ever complains about weight gain.
33. Dogs never criticize you when you’re wrong.
34. Dogs agree you have to raise your voice to get your point
across.
35. Dogs never expect gifts.
36. Dogs never worry about germs.
37. Dogs don’t want to know about every other dog you ever had.
38. Dogs like to do their snooping outside - as opposed to in our
wallet, desk, and the
back of your sock drawer.
39. Dogs have little use for flowers, cards, or jewelry.
40. Dogs don’t borrow your shirts.
41. Dogs don’t let magazine articles guide their entire lives.
42. Dogs would rather you buy them a hamburger dinner than a
lobster dinner.
43. Dogs would rather you rub their tummy than their feet.
44. Dogs enjoy heavy petting in public.
45. Dogs find you amusing when you’re drunk.
46. Dogs can’t talk.
47. Dogs aren’t catty.
48. Dogs not only don’t mind having to go in the woods; they go
and go and go.
49. Dogs never complain about finding a woman’s hair on the
furniture.
50. Dogs seldom outlive you.
25
Thoughts to Get You Through Any Crisis
1. Indecision is the key to
flexibility.
2. You cannot tell which way the train went by looking at the
track.
3. There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of
preparation.
4. Happiness is merely the remission of pain.
5. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
6. Sometimes too much drink is not enough.
7. The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant.
8. The careful application of terror is also a form of
communication
9. Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real
world.
10. Things are more like they are today than they ever have been
before.
11. Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
12. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no
simpler.
13. Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
14. I have seen the truth and it makes no sense.
15. Suicide is the most sincere form of self-criticism.
16. All things being equal, fat people use more soap.
17. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in
mind to blame.
18. One-seventh of your life is spent on Monday.
19. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
20. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is
serious.
21. The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets.
22. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
23. This is as bad as it can get, but don’t bet on it.
24. Never wrestle with a pig: You both get all dirty, and the pig
likes it.
25. The trouble with life is, you’re halfway through it before
you realize it’s a ‘do it
yourself, thing.
(Both items submitted via the
Internet
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of Page
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCIENTISTS DISCOVER GENE CAUSING
von WILLEBRANDS’ DISEASE IN POODLES AND MANCHESTER TERRIERS
AURORA, OH, June 10, 1998...
Scientists at the University of Michigan, Medical School, today
announced another breakthrough in canine genetics - the discovery
of the genetic defect that causes von Willebrands disease in
Poodles and Manchester Terriers.
The first accurate DNA test for
this disease in these two breeds is now available. Canine von
Willebrands’ disease is a form of blood clotting disorder
causing excessive and sometimes fatal bleeding and hemorrhaging in
dogs. The form of von Willebrands’ identified in the Poodle and
Manchester Terrier is identical to the gene causing the mutation
in Dobermans. Because this test has already been developed it is
now immediately available to veterinarians and breeders interested
in testing Poodle and Manchester Terrier dogs.
Research on Canine von Willebrands
disease was supported by a grant from the AKC Canine Health
Foundation, the Poodle Club of America, and the American Miniature
Schnauzer Club. “We congratulate Dr. George J. Brewer and the
scientists at the University of Michigan for this advance in
canine genetics which means another important tool in breeding
healthier dogs. This is the third ground breaking advance in less
than a year. First, the mapping of the canine genome, then the
discovery of the gene causing cystinuria in dogs and now the
discovery of the gene for von Willebrands in two breeds” said
Dr. Robert J. Hritzo.
“This discovery would not have
been possible without the help and support of breeders in
providing samples and pedigrees in addition to funding,’’ said
Dr. Brewer, who led the research effort. Other breeds at risk for
von Willebrands’ disease are German Shepherds, Rottweilers.
Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers and Airedales. Research continues
at the University of Michigan for the genes for these additional
breeds.
“The Poodle Club of America is
excited about the results achieved by Dr. Brewer and our
collaboration with the AKC Canine Health Foundation. We are
looking forward to the test being available at our National
Specialty in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, June 8 through June 12,
1998,” said Mike Wahlig, Executive Director of the Poodle Club
of America Foundation.
The AKC Canine Health Foundation,
established in 1995, is the only nonprofit organization in the
country dedicated exclusively to improving the health and
longevity of dogs through scientific research. This year the
Foundation supported 27 research grants to 21 universities and
health centers across the United States for research into
inherited and breed specific diseases of dogs.
FOR INFORMATION ON von WILLEBRANDS
RESEARCH CONTACT:
Dr. George J. Brewer The University
of Michigan Medical School Department of Human Genetics
734-647-3149
FOR INFORMATION ON DNA TESTING FOR
von WILLEBRANDS DISEASE CONTACT:
Customer Service VetGen
313-669-8440
FOR INFORMATION ON SPONSORED CANINE
HEALTH RESEARCH CONTACT:
Deborah Lynch AKC Canine Health
Foundation 251 W. Garfield Road, Suite 160 Aurora, OH 44202 PH:
330-995-0807 FAX: 330-995-0806
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Additional
Information from the AKC
Toll-fee number established for
returns of The Complete Dog Book, 19th edition
To better serve those people
who are interested in exchanging the 19th edition of The Complete
Dog Book for the revised 19th edition, a toll-free number has been
established: (877) AKC-BOOK. Operators will answer calls from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Please call this number for more information.
u
Legislation hot line
discontinued
The AKC’s Canine Legislation
department’s toll-free hot line, 1-800-AKC-TELL, was
discontinued as of July 1. The Canine Legislation department can
now be reached directly by phone at (919) 233-3720, by fax at
(919) 854-0168 or (919) 233-3720, by e-mail at doglaw@akc.org. u
Re-engineering e-mail address
Questions, comments or concerns
about the AKC’s vision for the future - and the re-engineering
project - can now be sent directly to the re-engineering group by
e-mail at re-engineering @akc.org.
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