August Bulletin Board
Dear Springer Enthusiasts:
Those "dog days of summer" --- hmmm, I hope you are enjoying yours!! And where does that term come from anyway? I know that a "three dog night" means that it was so cold you needed to have three dogs in the bed with you to stay warm. But "dog days of summer"?? Let's see ---
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines "dog days" as ...
1. the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of
summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere (the hottest and muggiest part of the season)
2. a period of stagnation or inactivity
But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer "dog days"?
In the summer, Sirius, the "dog star", rises and sets with the sun. During late July, Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and ancient peoples believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, thus creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, the "dog days" after the dog star. So now you know! :-)
We are so happy to offer congratulations to Sheila Kuja and her little girl, "Lexi" (Nanjay's Canamer Legecy) as Sheila and Lexi have just earned two legs towards their CDX title (Companion Dog Excellent). At the North York Obedience Club Trial Lexi and Sheila earned a second place in Novice B with a score of 194. A couple of weeks later found Sheila driving to the Southwestern Ontario Sporting Dog Club Specialty and Obedience Trial where I was privileged to watch them both work in the Open B class and earn another second place with a score of 191 ½.
If you are not familiar with the "open" class in obedience then you are not familiar with hard work and major accomplishments!! I applaud all of the enthusiasts who work so hard in obedience - it takes time, dedication, determination, hard work (and a smart dog helps!) I am looking forward to later this fall when we hope to see Lexi and Sheila entering another trial and getting that third leg to finish their CDX title.
And while we are giving out congratulations we must send some off to "Ringer" (Nanjay's Brass Ring) and his entourage, the Howgego Family. Ringer is a young black and white male puppy, born August, 2003. Ringer thought he would try his paw in the conformation ring and the end of June saw him entered in the Southwestern Ontario Sporting Dog Specialty and Obedience Trial where he put his paws on the mats for the first time. I was a little apprehensive as Ringer had not been on a show lead, or in a dog ring before. But that apprehension soon turned to glee (and pride) as we watched Ringer win Winners Dog, Best of Winners (2 points) Best Puppy In Breed and then went on to win the coveted Best Puppy In Show!!
I am so glad that his family, Jim, Linda, Tori and Becky were there to see their boy do so well. I have shown Ringer in two more shows this summer (that's right - me - not William the wonderful handler!!) and after several Best of Breed wins from the senior puppy class he sits on nine points now. Later this fall I plan on prying Ringer away from his family for an "overnight" slumber party where we will enter another conformation show and hopefully earn that last point in order to become a Canadian Champion.
And also congratulations to "Foxy" (Nanjay's Foxy Lady) who also entered her first show this past month. Foxy was staying at Nanjay while her family went on an adventure out east and so while she was here I decided to take her to a show with us. Well, our pretty liver and white girl is now a Best of Breed winner and has earned 2 points to start off her Canadian Championship! Foxy had such a party in the ring - her tail never stopped wagging and she thought everyone had come to see just her!! (plus did you know that you get lots of treats - called "bait" - when you are in the ring -- yum yum) We hope to show Foxy early next year and I look forward to writing the "Ch." in front of her name.
We have had quite a wet summer so far here in the Caledon, Ontario area. There has been a lot of humidity and a lot of rain. (too much, we all agree). I wanted to remind everyone that our springers react to this weather as well. Not just in the fact that there are lots of puddles (and mud) to play in, but also those glorious coats our dogs live in become matted much easier in this climate. I wanted to remind all of you springer owners to be sure to do at least a weekly brushing on your dog. And remember to use a comb (after using the pin brush first) and get down to the skin when brushing that wonderful feathering. Too often owners think they are doing a good job brushing but if you are not getting down to the skin when you comb, mats are starting to form. (Can you tell I have been de-matting a lot of dogs this summer that normally come in mat-free!?!?)
Well, that's the news for now. I wish everyone continues to have a great summer with your Springers. Enjoy playing all of those special summer games we play with our dogs (frisbee tossing, bubble chasing, critter hunting, etc.) and have fun watching them swim, and swim, and swim because all too soon they will be romping through the snow!
Till next month, take care and have fun with your Springers.
Nan
|
