GSPIN
Newsletter of
The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Indiana 

President’s Message

    Happy Holidays everyone!  Time has flown by once again and we are at the end of yet another calendar year.  It never seems like we have been able to do all the things we had planned on club-wise but it has turned out to have been a pretty darn busy year for us! 

    As Char noted in the last newsletter, for the first time in years, I got a chance to go grouse hunting on opening weekend in northern Minnesota.  I took my 4 ½ year old GSP, Ricky (Ch. Pointsetter’s Aftershock JH), along for his first experience on grouse.  Other than getting all beat up crashing through the dense woods, he acquitted himself well.  It was still too early to do any serious hunting of grouse because there were too many leaves on the trees but Ricky got some good points and exposure to a new environment.   I got to see a part of the country where I had not been before and it sure is beautiful.  And there are grouse there. It was just extremely difficult to see them well enough through the leaves to shoot most of the time.   Now that I know where to look for them, I am anxious to go back and try them a little later in the season before the snow starts to fall.  There is also a bear up there making illicit calls on my cell phone, but that is another story!  It has been a banner year for me.  I got a new shotgun and I got to go hunting opening weekend.  I hope you all have had good times in the field as well.

    We recently completed another very successful hunt test at Glens Valley and thank you Jason and everyone else involved with putting it on.  We had an excellent entry and many qualifiers. The weather, as usual for this time of year, was inconsistent, particularly on the first day with the rain, but overall tolerable. 

    We are all extremely proud of Becky Feigh and Ziggy (Ch. Whiteriver’s Ziggy Stardust JH) who represented the club so well at the 2003 Nationals and remains one of the top ranked conformation shorthairs in the country.  This has taken a tremendous time and money commitment by Becky and husband, Rick, since Ziggy is owner-handled meaning Becky has to go to dog shows almost every weekend while holding down a demanding full-time job.  Specialing your own dog to a top ranking position many times is once-in-a-lifetime chance and should be cherished but it can still be a draining experience. Congratulations, Becky, Rick and Char!   Those of you are more field-oriented may not be impressed with this kind of activity but it is equally important to the GSP fancy, in that it is a national stage for exhibiting proper conformation to which even our field dogs should also emulate.  Conversely it is just as important that our show-only people work to breed good hunting instincts in their dogs and earn field performance titles, if at all possible.  On a purely self-serving note, I would like to congratulate club-members June and Johnny Johnston of  Nashville, TN on attaining two Master Hunter legs on their bitch, Jane (Ch. Pointsetter Run Jane Run JJJ SH) bred by Amy and me.  This is a little bitch bred out of “show lines” that has been on birds since she was a 12 week old puppy so I think most GSP’s have it in them if it is properly developed.

    We will be having the club annual meeting brunch at the Brickyard Inn in Speedway, on the south side of Indianapolis, Sunday, January 25, 2004 at 11:00 a.m.  Please make plans to attend! Since this is the only official club meeting of the year, it is an excellent opportunity to meet other club members and to discuss club business.  Remember this is your club, if we are not doing things you feel are pertinent to your interests or the breed or there are GSP-related issues you wish to discuss, come to the annual meeting and bring it up!  We all have different interests and that is what makes this club so great.  But it also means as a member you need to commit to work at and participate in our events or even help organize new ones.  Those of us who are officers and board members are doing our best to help represent those interests and keep the club thriving with fun activities but your help would always be appreciated.

    We are entering our busy season with many events which we will mention in further detail in this newsletter.  The two biggies are our specialty show and the Boat, Sport, and Travel show both in February.   Our club specialty show will be Friday, February 6, 2004 which is part of the Indy Winter Classic dog shows held at the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds.  We have some excellent judges and I strongly urge you to attend even if you do not participate in dog shows.  It is a great way to meet many of our club members and it can be quite educational.  Plus you get to see some really nice quality dogs.

    The club will again have a booth at the Boat, Sport and Travel show in February at the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds, February 20-29, 2004.  We will need volunteers to help man the booth over the 10 day run.  Please contact Larry Sowinski for information and to sign up.

    I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve as your president.  This is one of the best GSP clubs in the country composed of some of the nicest people.  The thing that I really appreciate is a willingness to help each other with our dogs and to help answer questions about them.  If you are an old-timer, always try to help out the novices and introduce them to the many facets of this sport.  Remember you started out that way once also.  If you are new to German Shorthairs or the many activities involving them, don’t hesitate to ask questions of others. You can’t learn if you don’t ask, and if it keeps you from participating because you didn’t understand then we have all lost out.  Have a happy and safe holiday and I will see you in January.

Charlie

Happenings & Brags

    We have members with some wonderful accomplishments to report.  The ones I know about are listed here.  The ones I don’t know about I guess don’t feel like sharing.

    Earl Johnson finished his Eden Fairhope Miss Bede’s Junior Hunter title on our home field at Glens Valley.  Bede had enough practice wrestling with cock pheasants on Earl’s farm that she was not about to let a marauding hawk deny her retrieve of that last blanked bird.

    Moesgaard’s Highlander Rocky owned by Carl Hedge also earned the ‘JH’ behind his name at our fall Tests.

    Johnny Johnson finished two Senior Hunters this fall; his Ch Pointsetter Run Jane Run JJJ, and his young male Sonny (The Son From White River JJJ). He and Jane went on to knock off two of the 5 legs she will need on her Master. 

    Greg and Martha Veatch have a new bench Champion; CH Sharp Mountain’s Air Force One.  “Ben” was piloted by Greg to his finishing win under the esteemed Mrs. James Edward Clark.

    CH White River’s Ziggy Stardust, JH finished the year ranked #3 German Shorthaired Pointer in the show ring based on total GSPs defeated.  He is the top owner-handled GSP, and also the top male.  As Charlie mentioned, Ziggy belongs to Rick and Becky Feigh and Char Rutar, handled by Becky.

Hunt Test Crew Pushes on Through Thunder and Rain to another Successful Weekend

    This Club has putting on Hunt Tests down to a science, with a great crew of core people Jason Barile, our hard working Hunt Test Chairman can always count on.  Jason also hired a judging panel of superb dog people and sportsmen and women who gave of their time, personal discomfort, and horseflesh to help us pull off another great weekend of glory in the field.  Praise and sincerest Thanks to judges Ed and Nicki Manifold, and Ed and Susan Brock.  Deanne Bertram and Char Rutar between the two of them handled the paperwork, with Deanne introducing more and more modern technology into the process.  Ron Ferris and Chris Snyder handle arrangements for the grounds and birds, both guys making sure we are good guests at the private Glens Valley Conservation Club we are using for our tests.  Larry Harris and Dave Bertram are our now-famous pair of gunners, doing their part to give every dog running the best chance of passing scores.  Larry Sowinski and Dan Allen manage the starting line and running order for the day, also helping out with the bird planting.  Jason and Anna Barile take care of the food so well that GSPCI Hunt Test veterans now look forward to Anna’s chili.   Mike Stovall, Greg Veatch, Carl Hedge, Scott Anderson, and Charlie Edwards were there to pitch in and cover as well.  To hear about the conditions on Saturday October 25 you’d think this was a most miserable experience.  Our weather was sometimes OK – enough that we got all the dogs run, but often dark, drizzly or rainy, with some pretty impressive thunder and lightning halting progress two or three times.  But you have to be there at one of these events to see the enthusiasm of the participants, the sportsmanship and service provided by the judges (and their families), and the teamwork of your fellow clubmembers.  If you have had the privilege of taking part, you understand that a good time was had by all despite the weather on Saturday.  A very decent day on Sunday was just icing on the cake.  Congratulations to the following Club members whose dogs acquitted themselves well:

Juniors:

Eden Fairhope Miss Bede: Earl & Anita Johnson 

Moesgaard’s Kelsey Cillie:  Christina Hedge

Huntabirds Just Another Reason:  Charlie Edwards & Amy Johnson-Edwards

Dixie Bailey Hedge:  Christina Hedge

Moesgaard’s Highlander Rocky:  Carl Hedge

Seniors:

CH Pointsetter Run Jane Run JJJ, JH:  June & Johnny Johnson

The Son From White River JJJ, JH:  June & Johnny

Coal Von Ferron-haus:  Ron Ferris

Ciro Von Ferron-haus:  Ron Ferris

Future JH? SH? MH?

Annual Meeting Sunday January 25 11:00 AM

Brunch at the Brickyard Crossing Motel.

    Plan on it, it’s the “off” weekend as far as football goes and hunting season is over.  The motel is located right next to ( just east on 16^th St) the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Bring your stories of the events of 2003, your ideas for activities in 2004, your appetite, and your dues – if you don’t get them in ahead of time.  RSVP PUHLEEZE! to Becky Feigh at rbfeigh@iquest.net or 317-844-8438 by January 20.

    Please take advantage of this opportunity to get together with those of like mind and obsession and to contribute.  This Club is no different than any other organization of its type.  It’s success rides on the backs of a few loyal hard workers, and it could benefit from participation from quite a few more.  You don’t have to hold an office to put forth your ideas and your energy.  As they say in the commercial “Just Do IT!”  Don’t make the mistake of assuming that someone else will take care of things – as you have seen from the sporadic appearance of our 2003 Newsletters, such assumptions can be a mistake.  Volunteer!  Take Charge!  Carpe Diem!

Nominating Committee/ 2004 Election

    The Board at its December meeting served as the Nominating Committee for 2004.  It was decided in the interest of providing continuity for some of the major projects underway – most notably the Club Web Site – the current staff should be nominated to continue in their various capacities.  Thus your suggested slate for the election to be held January 25 is:

    President:  Charlie Edwards,  Vice President:  Larry Sowinski,  Secy-Treasurer:  Becky Feigh,  Board of Directors:  Dan Allen, Jason Barile, Ron Ferris, Andy Giegold, Larry Harris, and Kari Sowinski.  Retaining the same President vacates the Board seat to be held by the immediate past President.  This slate will be voted on at the Annual Meeting, at which time nominations will also be accepted from the floor.  If you want to serve, then get yourself nominated or volunteer for a committee.   You won’t offend anyone or step on any toes – enthusiasm is Welcome.    I KNOW we can use a Show Chariman and a Newsletter Editor, among so many other things we haven’t even thought of yet.

Dues Due

    $25 payable to the GSPC of Indiana keeps you current and covers either a single or family membership.  For those who prefer structure, there is a form in this Newsletter to use.  Free spirits simply send the money along with updated address, email, and phone numbers to Becky Feigh, 18 Thornhurst Dr., Carmel, IN  46032.

    By the Way, a Membership Chairman is one more person we could use on board.  Opportunities for service abound!

EVENTS ON THE HORIZON

    GSPCI members do not have trouble with cabin fever in February – they are too busy.  Our Specialty Show kicks off the month Friday February 6 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  Watch for entry information and judging schedule on our web site! www.gspcindiana.org.

    We have Ms Barbara Burns of Freeport, IL judging Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes.  Barbara has Clumber Spaniels, Gordon Setters, and Dachshounds.  She has been diligently pursuing her study of GSPs to get ready to apply for licensed AKC judge status, attending our Judges Education seminar and ring stewarding for our breed whenever possible.  Mrs. Betsy Yates of Columbus, OH will judge the regular classes.  Mrs. Yates is a highly respected GSP breeder judge who currently chairs the Judges Education Committee for the GSPC of America.  We expect a huge entry; everyone from the midwest is hungry for majors.  We need trophy donations and munchie donations to make our award and hospitality displays as impressive as the Fancy has come to expect of us.  Contact Becky Feigh (317-844-8438).

    Next comes the Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show February 20 through 29; our only real public outreach activity.  See article below for more details.

    Spring Hunt Test dates are April 3 and 4 at Glens Valley Conservation Club.  Contact Jason Barile (317-882-8862) to see what needs to be done to help get that going.  Applications are being accepted for Secretary and Chief Cook .  No experience necessary for Secretary, but experience preferred for the Cook thing.

    May 11 – 14 is the GSPC of America National Specialty Show in Lancaster, PA.  Check out www.gspcanss.org for the latest on that.  This will be a very special year for GSPCI members.  Our Fearless Leader, Charlie Edwards will be judging the Sweepstakes, and one of the most notable sires produced and standing at stud in Indiana will be inducted into the Hall of Fame; Ch Huntabirds Main Reason bred by Life Member Pattie Keller of Paris Crossing Indiana.  Several members have plans to go with exciting youngsters and quality adults.

     BOAT SPORT & TRAVEL SHOW  By Phil Rutar

     Thanks to the generosity of RENFRO Productions, we will again have a booth at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport, and Travel Show.

    We need volunteers to man the booth.  As in past years we will pass a booth sign-up sheet at our Annual meeting.  For those of you who are unable to attend that meeting or want to get your dates/times set early, we are providing an opportunity for advance sign-up.  Due to business commitments, I will not be able to have the same involvement as in previous years; fortunately Larry Sowinski has agreed to do the heavy lifting this year.  Please e-mail/phone your requests for dates/times to Larry Sowinski at larry@somer.com or phone:  317-769-3136  (Phil’s TIP:  Larry is very hard to catch, it would be better if you e-mail your requests).  If you can’t reach Larry you can try me (as a last resort) at prutar@att.net,  phone: 765-534-3002.   Booth schedules follow.  We are aware that most people have jobs that make it very difficult to make a 3:00 PM opening time.  Don’t let that stop you from requesting a weekday time if the date works for you; it is better to open late than not to open at all and the weekdays seem to be the hardest to fill.

Booth Schedule 2004 BSTS

 *We will be moving/tearing down the booth, assistance would be appreciated.

 Vet Corner

Gastrointestinal (GI) foreign bodies/ Intestinal blockages

    Thought we might review a few of the signs of GI foreign bodies and obstructions as at least 2 member households have had occurrences recently, ours included. A GI foreign body can be just about anything your dog can get hold of and swallow, that normally shouldn’t be; rocks, bones, bottle caps, coins, bedding, or toys. These objects may become lodged in the stomach or pass out of the stomach and lodge in the intestines, creating a full or partial obstruction. The most common sign you will see is vomiting or regurgitation. This may be intermittent with a partial blockage or an object that is rolling around in the stomach. With a complete blockage your dog will have the inability to keep anything down, including water, creating what is often described as projectile vomiting. You may see restlessness and stretching as the abdomen becomes more painful. Diagnosis by your veterinarian may be confirmed with radiographs (x-rays), depending on the object that your dog has swallowed, or you may have to have a barium series or exploratory surgery performed for a diagnosis. Surgery to remove the object is usually required. Your dog should be on IV fluids and expect several days in the hospital. Full recovery may take several weeks of rest and special diet. 

by Amy Johnson-Edwards DVM

Holiday shopping wasn’t that tough if you ask me!