President’s Message - by Charlie Edwards
Hello everybody! It has been a quiet summer in many ways but now it is time to get excited and ready for the fall. Hunting season is upon us along with the cooler weather so if nothing else, you can get your dogs out and let them romp around or even better if you are disciplined, do some training!!
I would like to mention that we did have a very successful fun field day in June at Glens Valley and thank you very much to Ron Ferris, Andy Giegold and Chris Snyder for organizing the event. It was a little different this year as the emphasis was on water retrieving with actual ducks. The weather was quite a change from last year’s blazing heat and was overcast and cool with a little rain thrown in. A few dogs, like my puppy, weren’t too sure about the water (or the ducks) but others hit the water like seasoned pros. Later in the day, after it warmed up and cleared off, there were several rounds of skeet shooting for those so inclined. All in all, it was a great experience with increased attendance, good food and most importantly good fellowship.
We have had some of our hardworking members need to step back and attend to other obligations so we have some other members willing to come forward and help out. Our diligent webmaster, Lisa Stovall, will also now be the newsletter editor so let’s help her out by submitting interesting news, articles and brags. Chris Snyder will be the hunt test chairperson and Kari Sowinski will be the hunt test secretary. I want to thank Jason Barile and Char Rutar for all of their past efforts and hope that sometime in the future they can jump back in and lend us their talents again.
The board of the GSPCI met recently and there were several actions taken that will be noted later in the newsletter. We don’t meet often but when we do, we are very productive.
Since we have entered the fall season, it is time once again to plan on attending the club’s hunt tests which will be held October 29 & 30 at Glen’s Valley. Our hunt tests are fun events and I hope to see you out there. Even if you are not running a dog, just come out and visit!!
Charlie Edwards
Fall Hunt Test Set for October 29 & 30
The Premium lists for the Fall Hunting tests are attached to this newsletter. The Hunt test Chairman is Chris Snyder and the committee is composed of Dan Allen, Larry Harris, Ron Ferris, Char Rutar and Kari Sowinski. Kari Sowinski is also the hunt test secretary. Everything seems to be coming together. We have judges committed and good horses lined up and Becky has already gotten AKC approval for the dates. Please contact Chris Snyder to volunteer your services or come about an hour or so early to the hunt tests and see what last minute job you can fulfill. There is no better time than the present to jump in and get involved...and I am sure that Chris would appreciate the extra help.
Club Picnic / Fun Field Day - By Tim Conley
The rainy weather forecast didn’t dampen the fun at our club’s annual picnic / fun field day held at Glens Valley Conservation Club on June 12th. The day’s events started with our own Andy Giegold offering his expertise with a good hands–on whoa training seminar. While Andy was busy making this look way too easy, Master Chef Chris Snyder (under heavy consultation from Ron Ferris & John Kennedy) started grilling burgers & brats. Like clock-work, the burgers were ready, the seminar was over, & the rain began. Inside the clubhouse, the food was great & it was uncanny how everyone could keep coming up with one more lie to tell about their dog until the rain had eased up enough to head to the pond for the water test mock-up! Andy set up his duck launcher & we all watched as Ron Ferris demonstrated the duck retrieves with Arko, one of his German imports. Everyone who wanted to, was able to give it a try. After the duck retrieving and all wet dogs had returned to their crates, many of the wet handlers shot a couple rounds of skeet to finish out the day’s events! The club picnic alone is worth the price of the membership dues! Mark your calendars when this event gets scheduled for next year…. You won’t want to miss it!
Pictures from the Club Picnic are now up on the website under the Photo Gallery / Fun Field Dog Gallery link.
Happenings And Brags
White River Pixie Stardust owned by Phil and Char Rutar is tearing up the puppy classes in the show ring. She has won Best in Sweepstakes at the GSPC of Minnisota and Wisconsin, Best of Opposite is Sweeps at the GSPC of Western New York. On the Western New York weekend she also earned her first major and a Puppy Sporting Group I, with her second major coming on the Wisconsin specialty weekend; all before turning 10 months old. Dusty was also Winners Bitch and Best of Winners on Friday of the Lexington Cluster and Reserve on Sunday.
White River is also proud of "Opie" (Whtrvr Pointstr Op v Maruh), bred by Char Rutar, Amy and Charlie Edwards, who went Best of Opposite to "Dusty" in the Wisconsin sweepstakes and on to take the four point specialty major in the regular class competition.
Well, Christin Featherston’s Little dog Artemis Hoosier CornFed Farmboy has done very well going Best of Breed over Specials @ a couple of shows. However her goofy Mom didn't get his registration in time for him to be entered in Bred By class so he lost those points. On a good note his brother Artemis Hoosier Heritage received some of the points as he had gone reserve.
Pointsetter Whiteriver Reason, bred by Charlie & Amy Edwards and Char Rutar and owned by Charlie & Amy, earned his first points at the Lexington Cluster on Thursday going Winners Dog. Blade was Reserve on Friday and Sunday and then was Winners Dog, Best of Winners on Monday in Hodgenville.
Ron and Sharon Fitzpatrick have been having a great summer with Sure Point K.C. Danc'n. K.C is out of their first litter and is keeping them on her toes in the show ring since turning six months old on 6/2/05. He is co-owned and handled by Sharon and has already gotten 6 points, including Best of Winners at the Fox River Valley KC and Stone City KC June 4th & 5th, Best of Opposite & Best of Winners at the Michiana KC and Berien KC shows on June 25th & 26th, and Winners Dog for 2 points at the Champaign IL KC show on July 2nd.
K.C.'s sister, Sure Point Smok'n Sensation owned by Ron and Sharon Fitzpatrick took Reserve Winners Bitch at the Valparaiso KC show on Friday, June 24th.
Lisa Stovall’s puppy, Tabor’s Wannapnt Classic Touch, otherwise known as Josie was Reserve Winners Bitch two days in a row at the Lexington Cluster Labor Day Weekend. This was Josie’s first time in the show ring.
Lisa & Michael Stovall & Char Rutar’s CH White River WP Allmale Revue was Best of Breed at the Evansville Kennel Club show in July and was Best of Opposite Sex on Thursday of the Lexington Cluster as well.
Casie Conley is proud to announce that her 19 month old boy Ch Argosy Von Montgomerycreek JH, NA-1 (112) Earned his Show Champion Title Sunday July 3rd 2005!
Argosy has been shown exclusively by his owner & Breeder 12 year old Casie. Out of the classes Argosy was able to take Best of Winners 2 times, Best of Opposite 4 times, & Best of Breed 3 Times! Casie & Argosy are featured on the cover of the current issue of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America’s “Junior Journal”, & are listed as 1st in the country in points for GSP JR Handlers! Here @ the Conley Household, & Montgomerycreek Kennels ….WE ARE VERY PROUD!
Casie is only 3 JR Showmanship wins away from qualifying for the prestigious Westminster Dog Show (Dec 4th cut off date)... & has already qualified for the AKC / Eukanuba National Championship, Casie is currently the only Junior from Indiana (any breed) that has met the criteria for this show!
River Bottom's Ornery Otter JH, otherwise known as Otter, received a prize 2 in NAVHDA Natural Ability test earlier this year & also earned his JH Title by receiving the 2 remaining legs September 10th & 11th.
At the Muncie shows DJ (Marquis’ Design In Mind) bred and owned by Erin & Ron Schwartz, went Best In Match on Friday, Winners Dog (3 pt major) and Puppy Sporting Group One on Saturday, and Winners Dog (3pt major) on Sunday. His littermate, Rea (Marquis’ Beri-Fine Design) took Winners Bitch and Best Of Winners for a 3pt major on Sunday. In Lexington, KY on Friday, DJ took Winners Dog for two more points.
Kari Sowinski's Willow Run's Violet Moon was awarded her second major at the Muncie KC show in August the hard way, going Best of Winners over Erin Schwartz' s Marquis' Design In Mind. Congratulations to Erin on this fine pup's back to back majors in Muncie, along with his littermate's Best of Winners for a major at the Anderson KC show.
Judy and Sam Patterson’s “Rai” (Whiteriver Pointsetter Raindrop) bred by Charlie & Amy Edwards and Char Rutar and co owned by Char, took her first point going Winners Bitch at the Columbus K.C. show in Perry, GA.
GSPC of IN Whelping Box
Charlie & Amy Edwards’ welcomed 7 darling puppies (four females and three males) into the world on August 10th, 2005. The puppies are out of their Ch. Pointsetter Ready To Run (otherwise known as Dixie) and sired by Ch. Wynson's Morning Thunder. Dixie is a strong Huntabird-bred bitch and Thunder is a Bret son (2X NSSCh. Prairiestar's Maverick out of a BIS Ch.Placer Country Rocket Red Glare daughter).
GSP Rescue in Indiana: What should we be doing about GSP Rescue?
Hi, my name is Christy Featherston. Many of the current club members may not know who I am. My husband, Doug, and I are some of the old time members who have not been very active in the GSPCI as of late. Doug was for some years the Hunt Test Chair and I held the position as Show Chair for many years as well as sitting on the board for a short time. We are both very active in other non-for-profit clubs. I have been rescuing Indiana GSP's for several years. I am very active in a local all-breed club as well as contributing to other breed clubs in Indiana. I don't know why I have been getting so many calls as of late for GSP rescues. Maybe it is because I am out there at judges’ seminars and activities with people from other breeds so when a GSP rescue situation comes up they call me. Many of these people assume I represent the Indiana club and though I belong to the club I have pretty well been doing what I feel is the right thing to do with each rescue as an individual. I think it is only fair for the club membership to direct how it wants rescue to be handled. In a recent rescue I have found that there may be other club members out there doing as I have been and rescuing on their own. I believe the load on all who are working for Indiana rescue could be lightened if we as a club worked together. I also believe that with the prospect of the GSPCI being more visible on the National level it would be good to look as though we are a responsible club where Rescue is concerned.
The following are my own guidelines that I have been using as adopted from other breed club rescues as well as some of my own personal ethics:
I will only take a GSP rescue that is in Indiana or can be traced back to (within two generations) to an Indiana breeder.
If the call comes from the current owner of a GSP I try through training to keep the GSP with the owner. Many times this has worked as the owner doesn't know how to make a dog an enjoyable part of their family. If the training route doesn't work I then demand papers with the dog, if available, and that the owner obtains up-to-date vaccinations on the dog BEFORE I take it. I call the breeder and give them an opportunity to do what I feel is the ethical thing by taking the dog back. (I feel that if the breeder takes the dog back NOBODY but me and the breeder needs to know that that dog came back to them through my rescue effort, as we all can make mistakes in placing our pups in homes and conditions do change.)
I learned the hard way that not repeating unsubstantiated information about the rescue is most important. I repeated, without verifying facts, information about a breeder regarding a bitch I had that was supposed to have come from that breeder. After learning the truth I had a great deal of people to get back with to clear up the bad information. Sorry to say I am still spending valuable time that could be used elsewhere making up for my mistake. I am very appreciative that the breeder in question was gracious enough to spend time with me clearing up the mistake.
The first thing I do when I get a dog in is a health check. If a GSP has heartworms I have been putting it down. Yes, I know they can be treated however the treatment can also do damage and is fairly expensive. I don't have a money tree and neither does the club. I believe that there are too many healthy dogs looking for homes. Please remember I have been doing this own my own so if you as a member feel this practice is not what you want done, now is the time to step up and get involved.
Provided the GSP passes the health check….good heart, no exterior signs of hip problems etc., I give all shots and start on heartworm preventative.
Now begins the time-consuming part of rescue. I take the GSP home and slowly begin evaluation of the dog. I give the dog about a week to acclimate to my home as I have found that dogs have about a week of what I call the good dog syndrome. That is even the highest energy rowdy dog is really a perfect angel that first week. Or the most laid back dog can be the worst terror you could imagine for the first week. After the first week I begin basic "good pet obedience." I start to introduce the new dog to doggy activities with my dogs to see how it interacts with dogs. After I establish its ability to get along with other dogs, I introduce kids. Some dogs take a little time with the kid thing if they have not been exposed to little people. I also take the dog to the field as many good homes want a hunting dog.
I personally will not take RESPONSIBILITY for placing a rescue unless I know with reasonable certainty that it is healthy, good with kids and other dogs and is trainable. If I have a question about any one of these aspects I put the dog down. If this upsets you then now is a great time to get involved. Provided the GSP passes all tests I then get the dog spayed or neutered and begin trying to place it in the right home.
Recently through an attempt for a bitch found by some Brittany people I had the good fortune (through Char Rutar) to get to talk to a GSPCI club member I didn't know. He has had a dog he and his wife rescued and made a long time family member of their own. They recently lost (cancer at age ten) their beloved GSP and are willing to take on a new rescue family member. SO RESCUE CAN BE UPLIFTING AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER GSPCI CLUB MEMBERS.
With the "after hunting season dump" of GSP rescues on the horizon I would love to look into the possibility of an organized effort for Indiana GSP rescue. I don't believe we need to '"Save the World", just help the few Indiana GSPs. I believe we could organize the state by region. We would need volunteers to "run dogs" pick up and deliver to foster homes, vets and possible new homes. We would need vets in each region to donate or be willing at a reduced rate to do exams and Spay/Neuter. We would need temporary foster homes, as well as skilled "dog" people to evaluate dogs. We would need good "people" persons to meet with and evaluate prospective owners. With little effort from each member we could handle the Indiana rescue GSPs with ease. The key would be communication and that is one area where everyone can help. In the past the GSPCI has in times of need utilized club members for rescue. We have had a problem however of leaving those people out there on their own and many times (as I have recently), they have become overwhelmed and for various reasons had to give up rescue. Not everyone is suited for being a foster home. Besides the obvious reasons, some people get too attached to a dog and end up keeping it rather than finding another good home for it. I also believe that if a member volunteers to be a foster home then they should be assured that fostering a dog is not a long term commitment. I believe a set time for each volunteer that they are conformable with should be established and respected. If you are not suited to be a foster home please keep in mind there are many other areas you can help. Any time donated is much appreciated!
OK if you have taken your time to read through all of this appeal with my thoughts on rescue, I would really like to hear from you. Send your input to the newsletter for all to read or feel free to contact me by E-mail @ Artemisgsp@aol.com or by phone @ (317) 538-9482. Please don't leave this to the same old hard working club members as they are all overworked. Get involved! IT could be FUN and REWARDING!
Christy
Editor’s closing note:
Hi, my name is Lisa Stovall, and I just wanted to introduce myself as the new newsletter editor. My husband, Michael and daughter, Emma along with 4 German Shorthairs (Patches, Maddie, Chip and Josie) and one parson Russell terrier (Dez) live in Owensboro KY. Michael and I are both very active in our local all-breed club (Owensboro’s River City Kennel Club). I have been managing the GSPCI website for some time now and recently agreed to help out with the newsletter. The newsletter will only be as good as the stuff contributed to it…so by all means send me your happenings & brags, informative articles, trivia tidbits, pictures, 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.
Thanks,
Lisa
“Enjoying a late summer day”
“Finding birds – that’s what I was born to do” - picture by Bonnie Nance
|
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL APPLICATION Please make check payable to: German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Indiana, Inc. Please complete the following information and enclose with your check for the amount of $25.00
Name(s):_____________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Phone(s) Home _____________________ Work ______________________ Date _______________ Applicant’s Signature______________________________________ Mail completed form and dues to the Club Secretary-Becky Feigh, 18 Thornhurst Dr. Carmel, IN 46032 |
