An Old Irish Blessing

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

 

March 2005

Bulletin Board


Happy St. Patrick's Day, Welcome Spring, Good Friday and Happy Easter!

My goodness, but March is certainly a busy month. Easter is early this year. I always associate Easter with mild Spring weather, but I do predict that this year the Easter Beagle's footprints will still be visible in the snow.



I had a pleasant surprise this past month when a good friend brought a section of the Saturday Toronto Star newspaper to me, as she thought I would enjoy the feature article inside. In the "Homes" section, (Feb. 5th), there was a half page article, with three photos, featuring the lovely home of Alison Smith, a good friend, and Nanjay Springer owner. Alison Smith is a senior correspondent with CBC News and anchor of CBC News Morning, the flagship morning news and information program on CBC Television and CBC Newsworld.

The Toronto Star newspaper article featured Alison's century brick home in Toronto, Ontario -- a wonderful house that has undergone extensive renovations and is exquisitely decorated. What especially amused me was that one photo shows the beautifully appointed family room and lying in the middle of the couch, rather comfy and quite proud of herself, is the black and white Springer, Nanjay's Summer Sunshine, "Molly".

  ... And what's so cool about this (now listen up Springer owners!) is that when Alison had the couch reupholstered she created a removable "Molly Cover" - attached with Velcro straps. When visitors arrive, off comes the cover. Now, how smart is that?!? This just proves that, yes, having a nicely decorated home and a Springer is possible.



Once again, Sheila Kuja and her little firecracker "Lexi" (Nanjay's Canamer Legacy CDX CGN) have earned a round of applause. Sheila entered Lexi in one trial on February 19th at the Labrador Owners Club Obedience Trial held in Ancaster, Ontario. Lexi made her debut in the UTILITY ring. (This class is of the utmost difficulty. Training dogs to compete at this level is time-consuming and requires an enormous amount of patience and training savvy.) Lexi made her mom proud by working VERY well in all the exercises and earned a score of 196 (out of a possible 200). She not only passed but earned a second place award.

Lexi and Sheila have now earned their CD, CDX and one of the three required "legs" to their Utility Dog title and are well on their way to their "O.T.CH." title (Obedience Trial Champion). What also made this win extra nice was that the class was judged by Michelle Armitage, a well-known Springer enthusiast, owner and trainer herself. How cool is that? (Utility, is the most difficult class of all obedience trials, one which only a small percentage of dogs started in training ever reach, commonly referred to as "Futility", because it is so hard to pass!) Sheila, we are so impressed and proud of all that you are accomplishing with your little friend Lexi.

 CKC OBEDIENCE TRIAL Rules and Regulations, UTILITY CLASS, 2005 



Yesterday proved to be a fun day for our own girl, Miss Atti (Ch. Nanjay's Miss Atti Tude). We spent most of the day at a photo shoot. The shoot was for a print advertisement that is being done for Volvo Canada. So the day was spent with Miss Atti as the center of attention; primping and preening, fluffing and fussing and all eyes focused on her.

Miss Atti surprised me by adapting so quickly to the "lights, camera, action" -- I think she has found her calling. Actually, I am not sure if she is such a star-struck girl or just a typical Springer who "will work for food". Yes, it certainly helps to have a breed of dog that is so food motivated they will do whatever you want again, and again, and again, (just keep those treats coming!).

When the ad is published I will let you know (hint: you won't believe what they were doing with her in the pics!! -- hee hee, too funny). But for now, I have to live with Miss Atti Tude and her new Hollywood Atti Tude. Yikes.



March 1st, 2005 ~ This is off topic, but it's all over the news. Today, the ban on Pit Bulls across Ontario became law, and Attorney General Michael Bryant says he hopes the initiative leads a trend across North America.

Bryant has called Pit Bulls a threat to the public and he says he's hoping they've made the province safer with the new law.

It requires owners of American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, to muzzle the dogs in public as well as spaying and neutering them.

The ban will have to be implemented in Ontario's cities within the next six-to-eight months.



Oh yes, to answer the query I received about the disappearing snow shovel saga in my back yard (the Springers keep dragging it out to the back of the property and hiding it in the woods!) -- I have solved the problem -- another shovel! One for the Springers to carry and/or drag around and hide and one for me to use. Now as long as any of the Nanjay Fur Patrol don't see this bulletin board I'll be okay.

Snoopy the Easter Beagle I won't harp too much about the precautions you need to take with Easter this month, but PLEASE exercise good judgement with those Easter Egg Hunts.

The Easter Bunny (or Easter Beagle, depending on your beliefs) may leave chocolate eggs ALL over the house -- a potential hazard for your Springer companion. Make sure all of that delicious chocolate is up and away from all of those twitching Springer noses.

green beer As for the precautions you need to take on St. Patrick's Day with your Springer? -- hmm, let me see. Oh yes, don't let them drink any green beer!! (hic)

Till next month, take care. And remember, as always, have fun with your Springer!

Nan




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