What A Wonderful Weekend
We showed at the Kent Kennel Klub show in Chatham, Ontario this weekend. It was their 70th anniversary and 200th show. That club did a great job considering the weather started their weekend with iced roads, planes delayed from landing and being diverted, and judges having trouble getting to the show site. The members kept everyone informed about any weather related issues and made any delay in judging as comfortable as possible. We arrived Friday about mid-day and got a great spot for our trailer, which included water and electrical. Once we were settled, we got to visit with friends we haven't seen in a while.
We didn't show until 2:30 on Saturday afternoon. I was so excited to see Cara in the ring. I had missed the last couple of shows. There was such fine competition there and I love the Hound Group. Lyle entered with Cara. She loves to show and enters with her head up and moving out. I know it may sound silly, but I actually get a bit teary when I watch her. I love her so much and she melts my heart. Showing to the esteemed Virginia Lyne was an added treat for us. We have heard so much about her honest appraisal of dogs and how she loves structure and movement. When Ms Lyne called Cara out for Group 1st, I was so proud. That was our first Group 1st and I certainly hope the beginning of many more. Thank you so much Virginia Lyne. It was even more special because you were our judge.
We made it to Best In Show. How exciting for us newbies. Once again, Cara was moving like a winner. Lyle and Cara are a great team. I am looking around the ring and so many fabulous dogs, each a winner in their groups, were wonderful representations of their breed. Judge Mario Di Vanni took a good look and called out the Standard Poodle and Cara. My heart stopped in mid-beat. He went to the table and made his entry into his show book. He picked up the BIS rosette and the RBIS rosette and came back to the center of the ring. Judge Di Vanni presented the BIS to the Standard Poodle, Bellefleet Don't Pass Me By. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to her team.
We are so thrilled to be awarded RBIS. Everyone that shows works toward these rewards. It is so wonderful to know on that Saturday the judges thought our girl was one of the Best at that particular show. But, just as thrilling this all was, having friends there cheering for Cara, folks in the same BIS ring giving Lyle advice and encouraging him, and our friends in the background always supporting us. That is the real reward in all this dog showing.
Thanks to everyone at Kent Kennel Klub, Thanks to the judges and Thanks all our supporters.
Dr. Joanne Fagervik
Your Dog's Health
Spring,
glorious spring! Unfortunately spring doesn't just bring with it a
reawakening of trees, grass and flowers but also a reawakening of other dormant
creatures, namely parasites.
Parasites
can be broadly classed as endo- and ectoparasites. Endoparasites inhabit
the inside of their hosts and ectoparasites live on the outside.
Endoparasites
are the all-too-familiar creatures we call worms. In our climate, the
most important of these are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and
heartworms. Transmission of intestinal parasites is typically fecal-oral.
Animals don't necessarily have to ingest feces to contract a worm burden
- all they have to do is walk on contaminated ground and subsequently lick
their feet. A single infested puppy can shed millions of eggs into the
environment. Another good reason to insist that exhibitors clean up after
their dogs at show sites. Not only is it a smelly, unsightly mess but it
poses health risks for all that come into contact with it, even indirectly!
Roundworms can additionally be transmitted in utero or via the bitch's milk.
Hookworms can penetrate the skin of their host's feet, including humans. In
the southern states, this is a significant risk. Racing greyhounds often
have serious burdens of hookworms. Their hookworms are developing
resistance to parasiticides. Whipworms are less common but they are also
more difficult to diagnose and treat. They are also associated with
greater morbidity (remember that word?), meaning that animals with whipworms
are more likely to be ill from them - chronic diarrhea, weight loss and general
unthriftiness are typical signs.
Heartworm
disease (HWD) is transmitted by mosquitoes. It takes 6 months from the
time of infection to the time the disease can be detected. Left
untreated, HWD will ultimately lead to congestive heart failure and death.
Southwestern Ontario is Canada's hotbed of HWD. Erie Shores, anyone?
The Six Nations Reserve has the highest incidence of HWD in Canada.
Anyone exhibiting at Erie Shores should be taking precautions against HW
infection. Likewise, anyone exhibiting in the southern states, at any
time of the year, should be administering heartworm prevention to their
charges. HWD was introduced to Canada by unprotected dogs traveling to
the southern states and bringing the parasites back with them in their
bloodstreams.
Tapeworms
are a special case. They require the ingestion of tapeworm larvae in an
intermediate host for transmission. The most common intermediate hosts
are fleas and rodents but fish and rabbits are also intermediate hosts of some
tapeworm species.
Most
of these internal parasites can be controlled by the monthly administration of
heartworm preventive products. This practice will also significantly
reduce or eliminate the transmission of roundworms from bitch to puppy.
The current recommendation is to deworm puppies every 2 weeks up to 4
months of age. In Ontario, heartworm prevention is typically administered
once a month from June 1st through to November 1st. Dogs traveling to the
southern states should receive prevention year round. Tapeworms require
completely different medications for their treatment. Most veterinarians
carry a range of products which can be tailored to the patient's lifestyle and
risks.
The
most common ectoparasites we encounter are fleas. Ticks are becoming a
greater problem, even in urban areas. Mites (or mange) are less common but
devastating when they occur. We have very effective products available
for flea treatment and control. Some of these products will also control
ticks and mange. Again, ask your veterinarian which products would be
most appropriate for your situation. A special note on ticks. Ticks
can serve as vectors for disease. In Ontario and the Eastern seaboard,
Lyme disease is a concern. Vaccines are available to prevent this disease
if lifestyle puts your dog at risk. In other parts of the continent,
other tick-borne diseases are a concern. Again, consult your veterinarian
or a veterinarian practicing in a distant locale, regarding the specific risks
you are likely to encounter when traveling.
This great story and reminder comes from Gladys Gates of Seawind Keehonden, Hackett's Cove, Nova Scotia
 |
| "Dogs Welcome" |
A
man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on
his Vacation. He wrote: I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is
well-groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep
him in my room with me at night?"
An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who wrote: SIR: "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, Your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay Here, too."
Please watch for Nice Deeds being done at your dog events and report them to me.
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
XXXOOO
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