Welcome To My View

Lung Cancer Isn't Just For The Old


This isn't a story about dog shows or the CKC.  This isn't a funny story.  This is a very real and personal story.  Lyle and I found out first hand this last week that the "Big C", Cancer, more specifically, Lung Cancer, doesn't just hit the older population or smokers.

Our 23 year old nephew that lives with us was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, Lymphoma, this past Friday.  To say it was a shock would be an understatement.  Zachary had a little irritating cough for several months.  When we questioned him, he said it was like acid re-flux.  So, we got him antacid over the counter and he reported that it seemed to help.  Then he was coughing again but this time more like he was trying to cough something up.  He said it felt like phlegm caught in his throat.  So, we got him over the counter sinus and phlegm medicine.  Once again, he seemed to think it helped.

In the last few weeks he looked pale, but we thought it was because he is a geeky kid that just wants to sit and play video games rather than get outside and play sports.  He always wears hoodies, not in the gangster style, just because they are comfortable.  He looked OK but not great.  As the next few weeks groaned on, he was coughing harder to the point of gagging himself and sometimes throwing up.

I went to Atlanta for a quick unexpected trip with a friend to visit my sister and to do some shopping therapy.  When we got back home, I saw Zachary and he looked grey and very thin.  He said he couldn't catch his breath.  I immediately made him a doctor's appointment and he got in to the doctor the same day.  The doctor said he could hardly hear any breath sounds in his right lung and wanted him to go straight to the Radiologist for a chest xray.  The doctor said it was either very bad pneumonia or something more severe.

We took off straight to the radiologist for the chest xray.  They took him straight back and when he came out the xray tech made sure to make eye contact with me and she said that they would be sending the results back to the doctor immediately and it was very important that I call the doctor before they close for the weekend.  They did not want us to wait until Monday to talk to him.  I called the doctor's office when we got to the car.  I knew it was the More Severe something the doctor had said.  The doctor's office assured me that the doctor would call me as soon as he got the results.

We got home.  I got Zachary settled on the couch to watch TV and the phone rang.  Dr. Brunner didn't waste words.  He said that the news was very bad and that I needed to get Zachary to the hospital immediately.  They wanted him there before the radiologist left for the weekend so Zach could have a CT Scan.  Once again, I was rushing Zachary out the door to St. Joe's ER.  They were waiting for him.

The rest was just crap to say the least.  I am not a person that curses, but I wanted to spew bad language.  It seemed to be the only way to express my fear, heartbreak and frustration.  The news was bad.  The doctors and nurses couldn't have been kinder, more concerned for all our needs and our need for information.  I can't say enough about health care in Hamilton, Ontario.  We are so fortunate to have some of the best hospitals, researchers and doctors in North America.

The roller coaster ride has started.  It will be difficult.  Luckily, we have a very close and committed family.  We protect and safeguard each other.  We will take each day at a time and pray for God's help through this.  I know we are not the first and unfortunately, we won't be the last to experience this disease.  We just want whatever the future holds to be kind to Zachary.

This kind of puts dog shows, points race, being number one in your breed and picking the right judges very unimportant in the big scheme of things.

Please keep Zachary in your prayers and also pray that Lyle and I give Zachary the support and courage for him to face his struggle.

Pam McClintock offers her thoughts and opinions regarding the state of The Dog Fancy in Canada.  

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a wonderful group of people who truly and unconditionally loved animals, and in particular, dogs. These industrious and learned folks bred and proudly exhibited their lovely purebred creatures in a fair and just manner so that all who wished  to, could join in the celebration of magnificent animals. Breedings were carefully planned and everyone in the small community protected their creations from vandals and pirates who would steal the blueprints in an attempt to mass produce and thus bring to ruin all that was treasured. For years the pedigrees and royal lineage of handsome canines was jealously guarded and fiercely maintained. The resultant offspring from all of these meticulous and dedicated matings  were lovely to behold and each and every breeder looked with pride upon his canine designs , secure in the knowledge that his dogs were bred to perform and structured in the plan of the original founders.

One day,  a newcomer arrived in the small town. Outward appearance belied the fact that he was a lazy charlatan intent on a lucrative scheme that would bring to an end the breeding principles of the many kennels situated throughout the area. The interloper soon became friendly and interested in the dogs and their keepers. Carefully planned lies and deceitful ways allowed him to endear himself to the breeders and in time they began to trust him and allow him access to their kennels and to the dogs. With properly chosen words and a well timed ear scratch, the visitor had soon convinced the townspeople to welcome him into  their fold and into the secret domain of their breeding ideals.

In a while, several stunning and promising puppies of various breeds were adorning the temporary home of this cunning evil swindler. He had managed to insinuate himself into the lives and  breeding practices of the fine individuals of the little town and now had in his possession a lifetime of effort and knowledge. After an appropriate time the newcomer departed the town as quickly as he had arrived,  taking with him the beautiful puppies. He was never heard from again and the whereabouts of all those puppies was never determined.

But soon puppies by the score were appearing in pet shop windows all across the land.  It was no longer necessary to travel to the isolated small town  in the glorious countryside to purchase a quality puppy.  Now, one just needed to visit the nearest pet shop to choose a  pup from the several that were crammed into cages. And in a clandestine area, on a remote road,  hidden from curious eyes, was a puppy mill operation, the very source for all the puppies and the domain of the thief who had procured his dogs by devious means.  Many of the youngsters were malnourished and some were just plain sickly and unthrifty.  Well meaning purchasers would buy the pups without benefit of guarantees or return policies. Their hearts most often ruled their heads as they and their children gazed into the eyes of these pathetic creatures. After each sale the pet shop owner would call his supplier requesting more puppies to replace those sold. The puppy miller supplied puppies on an ongoing basis from the repeated couplings of the beautiful animals that he had cheated from the previous breeders in the little country town. The puppy miller flourished as the quality of his animals gradually diminished. Gone was the impressive and exquisite stature of pure breeding, replaced instead with cross breeding,  that produced all sorts of unimaginable aberrations that were given new catchy names.  

JUST A STORY THAT IS SO TRUE!!!!

I like to see people do nice things for others.  If someone does something nice for you at a show or you see or hear about something nice being done, please send me an email at djenkins@shaw.ca.   Be sure to put in the subject: Nice

We will mention that person by name in the blog.

This nice deed was submitted by Sherri Kuncaitis of BittyBull Kennel in Manitoba.

                                                              This week we highlight Hailey Rex from Manitoba, Canada.

Hailey Rex, what a gift.

She is a junior handler who has made it possible for me to continue to enjoy the dog world. In 2010 I had a stroke during a surgery, but Hailey came to my rescue. Not only does she show, groom, walk, and  love my wee dachshunds, she helps me setup, gets me food and drinks, helps load and unload my scooter. This is all done out of the goodness of her heart, she asks for nothing in return. I could never begin to thank her enough.

Her mom, Barb Rex, has raised a polite, caring, wonderful young lady.

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                  XXXOOO

Welcome To My View

 TEAM DILLON

We had the greatest weekend.  It started by meeting Dillon and his Mom and Dad, Shirley and Jim, in Brantford and having a great dinner together.  They are so warm and friendly.  I feel like I have known them forever.  Like we say down South, "They are Darling Down-home Folks"!  They have a farm in Tillsonburg and Quarter Horses have been a family hobby.  Shirley is quite the horse woman.

Dogs have been a family business, Dillon's Aunt Donna, owns Whisper Hill Kennel in Tillsonburg, Ontario and is a CKC judge.  As you can see, Dillon's love of animals and his desire to be a Junior Handler comes very naturally.

Dillon is very polite and thoughtful.  He is 12 and will be 13, soon.  He was so easy to be with.  He can actually carry on a conversation any adult would be happy to participate in.  He is cute as a puppy and has a wonderful smile.  Dillon is devilish and a prankster.  I found out first hand how he can prank.  

This was a first for Dillon and a first for Lyle and me.  We didn't know what to expect.  A kid can be great in front of his parents and become a cross-eyed hellion when away.  Dillon was just as we hoped.  Fun, polite, eager and thoughtful.  He asked great questions; listened to instructions; anticipated our needs and was helpful.  He showed real guts, too!  He took a 6 month old puppy into Hound Group with all the adults and professionals.  He was nervous but he didn't let that stop him.  That experience alone helped him to see that he has the ability to hang with the Big Dogs!  He just needs to practice and he will be a real contender.

Here are pictures of Dillon in the ring for his first Junior Show!  He won 2nd in his class.  He has a great future ahead!

Dillon stacking Cara.  Cara worked so well with him.  He has gentle hands and she knew how to help.

Dillon and Cara on the Down and Back.  Look at that smile on his face.  He was having fun!

Dillon and Cara going around.  Look at the smiling faces cheering him on.  See the blond behind Dillon,  that is Christina Heard.  She is one of the most encouraging breeder/owner/handlers at the shows.  She put a smile on Dillon's face!

This is the start of the 2013 season and please consider sponsoring a Junior Handler.  

Advice and Opinions

You know what they say, Opinions are like A--------!  Everyone has one!

This never was more clear to me than this weekend.  I want to be very careful how I say this because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or to have anyone think that I'm suggesting that you should never offer advice or help.  There is a very fine line between giving helpful advice and making it feel like "task overload"!

I know from Lyle and my experience during this past year, we have had great mentors.  These very near and dear to us offered us advice that was the difference between our success and failure.  However, so many people were offering advice that we soon had to learn to focus on the few people that we knew were looking after our best interest.  We simply could not listen and put into practice every suggestion we got from the masses.

We had so many people come up to Dillon this weekend wanting to share their 25, 30 and more years experience with him.  They wanted to instruct on how to stack dogs, how to move dogs, how to dress for the show, smile at the judge, look more at the judge, move faster, move slower.  OMG, it went on and on.  Poor child was trying to listen to everyone and was getting bogged down.  People were giving instructions from ringside.  

TASK OVERLOAD is when too much information is coming at you too fast and you simply can't perform at all because you become completely paralyzed. 

The good part of this is that Dog Show folks are so happy to see potential in a young person, they all want to offer advice and encouragement.  But, unfortunately, I think it may backfire.  Instead of being encouraging, it can take the fun out of learning and putting it into practice in the ring.  When the fun is gone, soon the Junior will be gone.  

Instead, I'd like to suggest that you tell the Junior how proud you are of them.  Encourage them to keep working on their skills and to listen to their sponsors.  Make them feel like they were terrific in the ring.  They get plenty of instruction from their sponsors and from the judges critiquing them in the ring.  What is needed most is ENCOURAGEMENT.

Thanks to all the people that did give advice to Dillon this weekend.  He is a great kid and when I asked him how he was dealing with it all he said, "I'm listening to everyone and just hoping something sticks"!.   Nice people that I don't know their names, stopped by our set up to speak to him and to congratulate him on his first show.  Thanks so much!  Our friends were huge support.  They offered to allow Dillon to handle their dogs if he ever wanted.  Thanks to Stephanie Chuchman for taking the beautiful photos of Dillon this weekend.  Thanks to the Judge Marg Brown for awarding Dillon 2nd place and for your encouragement.  Thanks to Christina Heard, Kay Reil, Thomas Curley, Cathleen Cogan Bird for all the cheering and encouragement a young man can certainly use on his first time out.

I like to see people do nice things for others.  If someone does something nice for you at a show or you see or hear about something nice being done, please send me an email at djenkins@shaw.ca.   Be sure to put in the subject: Nice

We will mention that person by name in the blog

Kay Reil

There is so much to gripe about in our sport.  It is so easy to get down and forget the good we do.  Please share with me when you see someone do a nice deed for others.  I know nice deeds are done for me at every show.  I'm sure nice deeds are being done quietly at every show.  Please look out for these deeds and report them to me.  I want to recognize the person doing the nice deed.  Perhaps the more we show its happening, the more it will happen.  Let's put nice back into the sport.

I want to spotlight my friends who are always doing nice things for me and others:  

Diane Bell Curley

Sue Coghlan

Stephanie Chuchman

Karen Fasciano

Debby Krieg

Thomas Curley

  Wendy Reyn

HAPPY MARCH BREAK

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                  XXXOOO

Welcome To My View

Sponsor a Junior Handler

In Junior Handling the children compete, and the dog IS NOT judged, but the Junior is judged on being able to properly present themselves and their dog to the judge. They must know triangles, T's, L's, down and back, stacking, showing the dog’s bite and the anatomy of the dog, including what the dog was bred for.

Junior Handling is about how to present the dog, how to present yourself, how to address a judge with respect, eye contact and posture. 

Lyle and I are fortunate enough to be sponsoring a Junior, Dillon.  We are so excited about having him join our team.  He is a very bright and polite young man.  He will be traveling with us in Canada and USA this year.  He comes from a wonderful family and they live on a farm.  We have high expectations for Dillon, but most of all, we want him to have fun learning the sport.

As sponsors, we feel a lot of responsibility to Dillon and his family.  First and foremost, we are charged with keeping him safe when he is in our care.  We will be his family away from home.  Having  raised boys, I know we will manage just fine.  We are also responsible for teaching him how to care for the dogs.  We will teach him how to groom his dog and to learn the dog's structure and movement.  That is so important when it comes to properly handling his dog in the ring.  We are responsible in making sure he can answer the judge's questions when he is in the ring.  

I hope Dillon is feeling all the excitement we are feeling.  We are looking forward to watching him grow in size and maturity and skills.  Our reward will be for him to feel that he has accomplished goals and enjoys the sport.  Nothing will be better to us than seeing him having a great time while he is involved with our dogs.

If you have never considered sponsoring a Junior, perhaps you will give it some serious thought.  What could be better?  This is a great way to pay the sport back that has given you so much enjoyment and reward.  Helping to start the next generation of dog sportsman will keep the sport young, innovative and healthy.

When you see us at the Scarborough show this weekend.  Stop by our setup and meet Dillon and offer your support to the Junior Handler program.

Pam Is In

Publishing, Pandering, and  Politics
                        by Pam McClintock

And so it is that the Canadian Kennel Club has partnered with the Globe and Mail in order to resurrect 'Dogs in Canada' and 'Dogs Annual'. While these publications may be deemed the only official ones of the CKC, they have been nonexistent for quite some time. . I t is difficult indeed to have a magazine touted as the only one recognized by our mother club when it has been out of circulation  for a year. While 'Dogs' lapsed into a state of demise, Redstone Media group published 'Canadian Dogs Annual ' giving credence to the old adage, 'You snooze, you lose'.  In 2011, the board decided  on an enhanced and more effective marketing strategy......I so often get mired in the rhetoric that  is issued by the CKC .  I think this means that the Globe and Mail is going to repair the damages to the official  magazine. We do know that newspapers have an obligation to report on happenings,  both worldwide  and local. While we as dog breeders have tried vigorously to have BSL repealed in Ontario, make no mistake about it, our new partner will report in great detail the first savage dog attack. And if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck  then it will likely be a pit bull regardless of the real facts. Reporters must manufacture stories as accurately as possible but journalism can sometimes equate to sensationalism which attracts a reader  and is retained in memory. Do we want our colleagues to malign the very creatures for which it is partnered?

Did anyone see or hear of this new enterprise prior to its being sprung on us through a well worded and grandiose email. Were we afforded the opportunity for input and ideas, suggestions or samples from members in the publishing field who are DOG people who might have appreciated an opportunity to publish or at the very least work in conjunction with a printing firm, collaborating on proper material for serious dog fanciers and breeders. I can only assume that the die is cast with a legal contract that has put this new partnership into immediate effect. Are we pandering to the Globe and Mail because of their high profile publishing credentials and will their vision be truly one that will  suit the dog fancy or is this a political move designed to advance the  board  of directors as an innovative and influential  entity.

So my question is: what is this venture costing the CKC and ultimately the members. Will there be a group of dog minded individuals who will oversee every piece of material submitted? Will this publishing strategy be governed solely by experts in the canine field or does the Globe and Mail,  in its contractual agreement,  retain rights to publish as it sees fit to suit its share holders and investors?  'Dogs in Canada' fell from grace several years ago, becoming just a medium for large scale corporate advertising. and as it continued to fail in meeting the needs and desires of the membership, it finally floundered, crumbled and died. How will this new project be established in order to suit the membership since there was no member input,  and in an effort to avoid the previous disaster. And the bottom line is, at what cost to the members?

Truthfully,  I confess that I have not missed 'Dogs in Canada' nor the Annual. For timely show results and information, several marvelous websites are available, with affordable advertising rates. 'Dogs  in Canada' magazine   may well be a dinosaur best left to extinction. Certainly at one time it had a place in our canine book collection, but no more.  Prominent kennels in all breeds are easily accessible on the internet as is canine health and wellness. A website with current detailed information would be more advantageous, more cost efficient and easily managed by a savvy  hired webmaster who would link it to  the CKC website. Am I being pessimistic? Perhaps. But considering that our charity foundation appears to be in grave disarray, a parvo pandemic could loom within the dog population, and clubs have experienced a serious decline in entries resulting in termination for many, is it possible that now might  not be an appropriate time to enter into another contractual agreement that has only minimal value and little need.   

The views and opinions of this contributor are not necessarily the views and opinions of the blog owner.  If you would like to respond to Pam, please email her at pamm@niagara.com

I like to see people do nice things for others.  If someone does something nice for you at a show or you see or hear about something nice being done, please send me an email at djenkins@shaw.ca.   Be sure to put in the subject: Nice

We will mention that person by name in the blog.

This week`s Spotlight is on Brad and Christine Heard of Summerford Newfoundlands

Brad and Christine happily volunteer to report show results to Canuck Dogs.  This means staying to the end of the show and using the Show Secretary`s records to report results.  Normally you will see Christine and Brad sitting ringside when they are not in the ring with their beautiful Newfoundland.  You can pick them out  of the crowd, because they are clapping and cheering for all exhibitors the loudest and with great enthusiasm.  They truly  bring fun to ringside.  

They report the results free of any charge and it really is a thankless job.  Join me in thanking them for their dedication to the sport.

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                  XXXOOO