GSPIN
 Newsletter of
The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Indiana 

July 2006

President’s Message 

Hello everyone!  It's hard to believe we are now on the south side of summer.  Hunting season will be here before you know it as well as fall hunt tests. This year, 2006 has been a FANTASTIC year for the club so far.  Our Annual Picnic June 11th was an outstanding success. We had 65 + members of the club and their families attend with over 30 dogs!  Members watched Andy Giegold go through the basics for training a pup and then proceeded to the pond where all the dogs took turns retrieving ducks and bumpers from the water. Some then proceeded to the bird field for some upland training.
 Many members and their kids enjoyed the skeet shooting with instructional aid from Andy and Allen. I'm sure several of the young members of the club out shot their fathers. I was amazed at how well some of the youngsters shot.
 Gary Miles handled the Fish Fry with the finesse of an International Chef ! The fish were eaten as fast as they were being cooked and were absolutely DELICIOUS ! Chris Snyder did an excellent job as well at the grill with the hamburgers and hot dogs. Donna Conley expertly handled the kitchen tasks. A huge THANK YOU to these guys and gals and all that helped as well.

 The Karl E. Kelly Memorial Demonstration went very well and will be discussed later in the newsletter.
 The training day held June 24th was well attended and many young dogs were introduced to the water with successful results in every case. Members were able to get lots of bird work with their dogs and Larry Harris got to try out his new shotgun on live birds.

 Members will be kept current with upcoming events, activities and dates thru a mass email in the future. If you do not have an email address, please let us know so that we can send you hard copies or phone messages.

There will be a Dock Dog training session in cooperation with the Indy Dock Dog Club on July 22 at 1:00 This will be held at Earl and Judy Schroeder’s place. Directions: 3 mi south of Greenfield, IN on state rd 9 to 300 S, turn left 3/4 mi to the pond on left. Everyone is invited to come out and see if their dog would like this activity and enjoy some time with their companion.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Erin Schwartz Family for the loss of her Mother and to the Fitzpatrick Family for the loss of their home to fire.

The next scheduled club event will be a Fun Shoot at the Indiana Gun Club on August 20th. Sporting clay and skeet will be included. Anyone interested in shooting is welcome to attend. More information will be available by email later.

 In the meantime have a safe and happy summer and happy training.
    Ron Ferris

 

GSPCIN Calendar of Events:

July 22nd - Dock Dog training session at 1:00 - Earl and Judy Schroeder’s place

August 20th - a Fun Shoot at the Indiana Gun Club

September 30th & October 1st - Fall Hunting Tests at GVCC

 

GSPC of IN Welcomes our newest members: 

Please join me in welcoming these new GSPC of IN members:  Michael Woodside from Indianapolis IN, Gary Marlin from Indianapolis IN, Kyle Carr from Fort Wayne IN, Tony & Kim Libertore from Marengo IN, Paul Dorsett from Bedford IN and Dan Byrne from Wilkinson IN.  Our membership tally is now up to 86.

 

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS 

A general board meeting was held at Greenwood Gander Mountain on Saturday, July 8.  Nineteen members were present.  President Ron Ferris accepted a resignation from Larry Sowinski as a director on the board.    Minutes were approved as read.  Treasurer report stated a balance of $12,609.10.  Membership now stands at 86 families.  Fall hunt test is set for Sept 30 / Oct 1.  We have three confirmed judges and processing fees are paid.  A dock dog fun day has been set for July 22 at the home of Judy Schroeder near Greenfield.  We are still interested in trying a sanctioned field trial test in October.  Show committee is busy working out details for our participation in our local specialty show and a specialty show at the national level.  Christy Featherston is working with Erin Schwartz and they invite anyone interested in showing to be a part of the show committee and to help make show decisions.  The club is still seeking to re-gain our corporate non-profit status.  It was decided to accept our current by-laws on file to expedite our efforts.  Norm Jones, tax law attorney, has reviewed the club’s records and compiled a set of financial documents.  He has prepared for the club a statement of operations and a position statement that discloses our clubs assets and equity.  The club still plans to participate in the Muncie “Meet the Breeds” on August 19.  Anyone interested in this should contact Christy Featherston or a club officer.  Larry Harris has arranged a Fun Shoot Day through the Indiana Gun Club 10AM on Aug 20.  All are invited to participate in the shooting event, but no dogs are permitted.  The club hopes to offer more training days, watch for upcoming details.    The board voted to continue supporting efforts with GSP dog rescues.  It was also decided that anyone in Indiana who adopts a GSP rescue dog would be given membership in our club for one year at no cost.  The board is still open for suggestions and ideas to make the club enjoyable for everyone.  Please feel free to share your thoughts or concerns with any officer or board member.

 

Karl E Kelly Memorial Youth Camp 

The GSPC INDIANA was honored to be a part of the Indiana Conservation Officer’s Karl E Kelly Memorial Youth Camp for the very first time!  Youth Mentor Alan Montgomery, who is employed by the IDNR, was able to set this up for the club through Andy Cline, who was in charge of the camp this year. The camp is limited to 125 boys & girls who are either going into the 6th grade or coming out of the 6th grade. The camp has a very high reputation and we were delighted to be a part of it this year.

Participating in the demonstrations were club members, Alan Montgomery, with his pup Chance, Ron Goodwin , with Bailey , Steve Hammond with Buford , and Casie & Clynnt Conley along with myself & our dogs Molly, Rosie, Argo, & Otter.  Yes…it was “Team Montgomerycreek” just out showing off for the kids!

We were treated like royalty by all the conservation officers & staff, as we were given rooms inside the A-frame at Ross Camp, in West Lafayette for the night...and treated to 3 meals in our 16 hour stay! 

We didn’t know what to expect since we didn’t know what our surroundings or conditions would be, & knew we would need to format this towards keeping the interest of the kids for 4 consecutive one hour sessions, without loosing the attention of the dogs out in the heat!  Alan came up with a plan after breakfast but before our 8:00 demo…his plan was fairly simple...but worked great...  His plan was as follows...  “ Tim   why don’t I start out by introducing the club members that are here…then I’ll just turn it over to you for the remaining 59 minutes & 30 seconds of each demo…?”   THANKS ALAN… I don’t know how we would have made it with out you!

We started each session with Casie demonstrating some obedience work with Molly, followed by Casie exercising Argo in some conformation demos. We kept the kids involved by choosing a volunteer to come up & gait Agro down & back & free stack him into place. Next we used the pups to demonstrate what they had been able to teach their owners in just eight months time!   ha ha …Or is that the other way around?  This included bumper work, water retrieving, & whoa training.  This was a real crowd pleaser as the kids were allowed to help out by throwing the bumpers into the water.   From there we moved into some more advanced retrieving as Argo amazed all there with his 35 pound dumbbell retrieves up onto a table…I would always pick the smallest kid in the group to assist with this in hopes of finding someone that only weighed 64 pounds as Argo does so we could compare who was stronger!

            From there I used my G2 Tritronics Pro 500 e-collar to bring awareness to just how useful of a tool this can be for dog training.  Why, I don’t know…but I had 125 volunteers to test the collar out & see what it felt like.  Kids!

We showed the kids some homing pigeons that we had brought in a cage … & then sent Argo out to search a field where we had planted one in Alan’s DT bird launcher … after Argo had located the bird & was frozen on point….. Alan explained how the dogs used their noses to locate game in the field …  Then I turned Otter out, who proudly demonstrated 4 of the most intense backs you could ask for …   we finished each session    with a 100+ yard blind dead duck drag , which Argo promptly tracked down &  shortcut the retrieve across the pond …      

  The Dogs were fabulous that day and were a big hit with the kids & leaders as well … Andy Cline informed us that we were permanently & indefinitely invited back …

    I would like to extend a big thanks to all that gave of their time & efforts, missed work days & precious gasoline to make this a big success for both the Camp & our Club! 

 THANK YOU VERY MUCH..

Anyone interested in participating with these demonstrations for next year … please contact us .. We now know the format & can make it bigger & better next year displaying the versatility of our breed. 

 Tim Conley

 

Karl E. Kelley Memorial Camp 

Hi I am Phillip Pierce and I went to Karl E. Kelly Memorial Camp this summer. I had a fun time there and it was a thing to remember. I will tell you how it went throughout this wonderful camp.

            We arrived at camp on Sunday June 18, 2006. I was nervous about all this, but I was soon convinced that I would have a blast. After my parents were gone it was time to meet some new friends. We talked and all that and started to get know each other. That was about it on Sunday.

            Monday we woke up at 6 am. And then we went to breakfast. This is where we started to learn how to march. We had to say sir or mam each time we said something to someone that was an adult. But you would get used to it. We marched in the rain and we had to be by our marching partners. You had to get next to these people when you were in line.

            Tuesday was range day. This is where you get to try out bows, muzzleloaders, shotguns, and many more. It was fun and it made you tired. They said that you would shoot some much that you would be tired of shooting. I thought that was impossible! But they proved me wrong.

            Wednesday was time to take some tests. We took hunters education and everyone passed! We talked about safety, tree stands, and a lot more. Even though I have token this test before I didn’t remember half the stuff.

            Thursday was water day and primitive camp. Water day is where you get to ride a fan boat, go tubing, fish, and do all other kinds of fun things. Primitive camp was where you had to make a fire and you got to cook your food. We had vinisin burgers, beef jerky, summer sausage, and these really good bacon and potatoes with peppers. For dessert we had smores and we told scary stories then went to bed.

            Friday was a big party. We had to get in shape for Saturday. We did a rehearsal of Saturday and then the party came! We had pizza and we had all the free time like fishing and rock climbing. We had music and Popsicles and it was the best part of camp for me!

            Saturday was the last time here at this camp. We were in shape and practiced over and over until we got it right. It was time to say goodbyes pack up and leave. I will remember this camp forever and maybe send my kids to it if it is still there.

             I would like to thank Pheasants Forever for sponsoring me. With out you guys I would of not been able to go. I would also like to thank the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Indiana for coming down and giving us a dog demonstration. Well that’s it for now and thank you all for letting us come to that wonderful camp.                                                                       

Phillip Pierce

 

 Happenings and Brags 

 

THIS SUMMER IS GETTING HOT! - Summer- Pointsetter Steal The Thunder owned and bred by Charlie and Amy Edwards has had a busy Summer so for winning the following:  3rd place in the Bred By class May 1, 2006 at the Desert GSP Specialty show held in conjunction with this year’s National Specialty show in Phoenix AZ;  3rd place in the 6-9 mth bitch class at the National Specialty Show in Phoenix AZ;  Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, and Best of Breed at the Southern Indiana Kennel Club show on June 3rd;  Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex over a special at the Southern Indiana Kennel Club show on June 4t;   Winners Bitch and Best of Breed over a special at the Crab Orchard Kennel Club show on June 24th;  Winners Bitch and Best of Breed over a special at the Crab Orchard Kennel Club show on June 25th;  and Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex over specials for a 4 point major at the GSP Club of Western New York Specialty show on July 9th.  

Takoda’s Winning Jackpot owned and trained by Dave Troup of Power Point Kennels Goshen, Indiana and bred by Lisa Cleveland, finished his Master Hunter Title at Eagle Wisconsin on Sat. the 20th of May.

Sure Point Smok’n Sensation JH owned by Ron and Sharon Fitzpatrick took Reserve Winners Bitch at the Stone City Kennel Club on Sunday, June 4th.   She took Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex at the Wheaton Kennel Club on Saturday, June 10th.  On Sunday, June 11th, Skye and Sharon took Best of Breed, Best of Winners and Winners Bitch. 

Sure Point K.C. Danc’n JH owned by Bob Halvax and Sharon Fitzpatrick took Best of Breed, Best of Winners and Winners Dog on Saturday, May 13th when Bob stepped in as handler at the Scott County Kennel Club. It was his first time in the ring and he made it look easy!  With Sharon back on the leash, K. C. took Best of Opposite and Winners Dog on Sunday, June 11th at the Wheaton Kennel Club.  

Meika Josaun Muh Muh die Kuh owned by Timothy and Carrie Ryman and trained by Andy Giegold, earned the  first leg toward her JH at the  Brittany Club of Ohio hunt test May 21.  

Baldamar Vom Montgomerycreek owned by Alan Montgomery earned a Prize 2 - 107  at his N.A.V.H.D.A. Natural Ability  test at the Wisconsin Kettle Moraine Chapter  on July 9th 2006.  Alan's Wirehair "Axal" also scored a Prize 2 – 93.  

Buford Vom Montgomerycreek owned by Steve Hammond earned a Prize 2 - 98  at his N.A.V.H.D.A. Natural Ability  test at the Wisconsin Kettle Moraine Chapter  on 7/9/06. 

Marty Erschen has the following happening to report…

Around 10:30 on Sunday May 28th (Race Day for us Indianapolis People), our 2 year old Black German Shorthair Pointer, Walter, was sleeping at the foot our couch where my wife, Amanda lie watching television.  She and our daughter Taylor were at home by themselves, as I was putting the finishing touches on a good "race day celebration", when Walter awoke and walked towards the garage door.  He stopped several feet short of the door and proceeded to "point" door for the 10 seconds or so, or until Amanda came over to the door to see what he was checking out.  After several unsuccessful attempts by Amanda to distract Walter, she opened the garage door to find and young male intruder in our garage only 3 feet from the door.  Startled, the thief quickly turned and fled, with Walter right on his heals, to a vehicle waiting in the street.  The intruder jumped in the back seat and the car sped off, Walter only inches from the car.   Fortunately for us, the intruder did not know that Walter has never shown an aggressive trait in his life (one of the reasons he makes such a good family member and hunting dog), but he certainly protected his family and territory, and for that I am grateful.  Thanks Doc for a great hunting dog, and dare I say "Watchdog?"

Sincerely, 

Marty Erschen

 

GSPC of IN Whelping Box 

Tom Rotundo has a litter of puppies available:  5XCh Brockway's Ruck Runner MH, UD, NA, NAJ x  4XCh Shooting Star's Sassy Sami MH - 1 male, 5 females, Whelped on 5/19/06, available after July 1, 2006.  Both parents have outstanding pedigrees and proven versatility, excelling in AKC, NSTRA, NAVDHA and other events.  Pedigrees available upon request - contact Tom Rotundo: (574) 656-8751 or rotundot@patrickind.com 

Takoda Kennels is proud to announce the May 31, 2006 birth of 6 beautiful, healthy puppies. This litter is out of Jaegerhof's Sir Henry Higgins, MH X Top Gun Scent of a Rose, MH, CGC. Rosie is one of only 4 known Shorthairs in the state having her MH title and one of those is out of her previous litter. There are only 2 males remaining from this litter. Contact Lisa Cleveland at (260)723-4099, evenings, or e-mail at gsprosie@yahoo.com for more information.   

Michael and Lisa Stovall are proud to announce the arrival of their litter of 11 puppies whelped June 14th, out of Am/Int’l CH Foxgloves Mad About You JH NRD CGC TT and Am/Can CH White River’s Ziggy Stardust JH;  8 females and 3 males.  More information including pedigrees, health clearances and pictures are available on their  website -  www.wannapointgsps.com .  Contact Lisa (mflkstovall@omuonline.net) for more information. 

Gunshot Kennels has a litter of 10 puppies whelped 6/30 – 7/1/06 out of Kessi von Cronenhoff and Audi vom Ferronhaus:  four black and white males, four black and white females and two liver and white females.  More information is available at www.gunshotkennel.com - Contact Andy Giegold, Gunshot Kennel, Garrett, IN. 260-357-3606  

Dave and Deb Troup of Power Point Kennel in Goshen, Indiana have a litter on the way - Top Gun Sadie Mae MH X Top Gun Sammy V Takoda JH. This litter should produce some awesome bird dogs possessing a lot of drive and natural ability. This litter is due 7/24/06.  Now taking deposits on this litter. Pedigrees, health clearances and pictures available upon request. Please contact Dave Troup, Power Point Kennel, 17892 CR 42, Goshen, Indiana 46526, Home  574-831-6162, Mobil  574-536-5119, e-mail  dtroup@bnin.net

 

Rescue Situation 

Ohio Rescue is full -there is a female in the Greenfield shelter. This dog will die soon if someone can't step up and foster it. We have 3 foster dogs plus 4 we have kept-plus our other dogs. How about some help? 

We have 2 males one about 3 and the other about a yr and a half available neutered and good to go. These dogs have been hunt tested by a professional pointing dog trainer and have been rated very high in hunt potential. Both have good noses and have pretty points. They may be father and son. Both would be good at agility, dock jumping, fly ball, Frisbee. 

Also have a laid back female, very docile in the house a real couch potato. Great family pet. She likes to get out and run but is happy laying in her chair. She gets up and goes to the edge of the carpet when she has to go out-she needs a little help getting across a linoleum floor. She is a real love. 

Three dogs have had to die lately because Ohio Rescue is full. www.gspcareohio.org

If you or someone you know is looking to add a German Shorthaired Pointer to their family, please consider adopting…or at least mention adopting a rescue dog as an alternative. 

 

The following poem is included for all those out there who have ever lost a beloved gsp… 

"From Shorthairs lost…but never forgotten" 

I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,

 and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

Author Unknown

 

Editor’s closing note: 

As always, I welcome your contributions for consideration for the newsletter.  Please send me your happenings & brags, litter announcements, informative articles, trivia tidbits, pictures (to be included when room allows), or anything else that you would like to see included in the newsletter.  Email is the best way to get the information to me that you wish to contribute to the newsletter.  My email address is mflkstovall@omuonline.net or you can give me a call 270-691-6283…if I am not home leave a message and I will call you back.

            I am trying to keep the calendar page of the website updated so please check the website to view a list of current planned events.   If you have pictures you would like to see uploading in the photo gallery on the website, please feel free to email them to me. 

Thanks,

Lisa