What's Inside

Official Newsletter of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Northern California

November/December 2009 Issue

What's Inside

Officers & Board Members 1 Something to Brag About 17

Informational Web Sites 1 Get Your Cameras Out 18

Membership 2 Canine Urinary Incontinence 19-21

2009 GWP Nationals 3-6 22-23 Cold Weather Activities

GWP Rescue 7-10 Pheasant Recipe 24

In Memory 11 The Market Place 25

The Haven Kennel 12

Up Coming Events 13-14

Field Trial Report 15-16

They are our friends, our partners, our defenders, our dogs. We are their lives, their loves, their leaders. They will be ours, faithful and true, to the last beat of their hearts. We owe it to them to be worthy of such devotion.

Club Website: Club Newsletter: www.gwpcnc.9f.com Wire Tails Kathy Kimberlin Diane Marsh Web Master Editor [email protected] [email protected]

Informational Web Sites

AKC American Kennel Club www.akc.org

GWPA German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America www.gwpca.com

GWPCNC German Wirehaired Pointer Club of N. California www.gwpcnc.9f.com

NAVHDA N. American Versatile Hunting Dog Association www.navhda.org

VHDF Versatile Hunting Dog Federation www.vhdf.org

2010 Club Officers 2010 Board Members President Silke Alberts Dr. Cindy Heiller (707) 644-8068 (707) 528-2725/2627 [email protected] [email protected] Gary Bonini Vice President (650) 207-8365 Randy Berry [email protected] (707) 344-1230 Theresa Bonini [email protected] (650) 207-8365 Secretary [email protected] Debbie Lewis Mark Boyd (707) 447-1172 (707) 374-5529 [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Rob Lewis Diane Marsh (707) 447-1172 (916) 774-0770 [email protected] [email protected]

Club Members out and about

Warren Skrifvars went to see Mildred Revell with his new baby boy, Dean. Mildred was out in the garden pick- ing tomatoes. Mildred like little Dean, but told Warren that the dog was a little overweight. Warren blamed it on his wife, Laurie. Stonewall, Warren's dog out of Mildred's breeding, and Warren have been to Hastings a couple of times with another club member, Robert Tonna and his kids.

Welcome New Member

Please join me in welcoming Pamela Baak and her wonderful wirehairs Raina and Haiden. I met Pam at the wirehair nationals and she is a terrific fun person with great enthusiasm . She will make a wonderful addition to our club.

2009 German Wirehaired Pointer Nationals

On October 18, 2009 the Azevedo, Heiller and Marsh caravan left California headed for German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America Golden Anniversary Nationals at Rend Lake Resort in Illinois. The trek there was bascically uneventful. However, we did stop at the Cabela's Headquarters in Sydney, Nebraska. Danny had never been to the Cabelas's store, so we had to take him there, so he could shop. Please see pictures below.

After our brief stop, we headed out again. I am certain that without the aid of Gwendelyn, Cindy Heiller's GPS unit, we probably would have ended up some where in Nova Scotia! However, with Danny Azevedo at the wheel and Cindy's eyes on Gwendelyn, we pulled into the beautiful resort with days to spare and time to remove the seat cover marks from our bodies! I hope you will enjoy these pictures from the Nationals:

Francis Marsh & Ernie resting Failth Heiller at 14 weeks (pointing & retrieving to hand)

Francis & Houston Danny Azevedo & Houston Francis & Houston

Francis Marsh & Houston Heiller Kathi Boyd & Houston Cindy Heiller & Hope

Fran and Hope Danny, Linda & Cindy Linda & Becca ready for Masters

Diane and Francis Mash Lynn Sandor Diane Marsh & Linda Azevado

Diane Marsh & Flirt Kathi Boyd & Stripper Kathi Boyd & Abby 4

We won the Best Club Basket Contest, which entitles us to 10 free t-shirts.

We also won the Best Photo Contest, with this picture of Hope Heiller

Laura Reeves presented Cynthia Heiller, DVM, with the President's Award for service above and beyond the call of duty in support of our breed. Laura also reminded everyone that Cindy has saved the life of more than one dog over the years and our National Events.

Cynthia Heiller - very surprised and happy!!

Cindy Heiller and Linda Azevedo at dinner 6

GWP Rescue

See Agatha & Jack - Waiting for a good Home!

Please check back frequently for GWP's in need of rehoming. You may also wish to check www.petfinder.com and the National site, www.gwpca.com for available (and appreciative) GWP's

GWPCNC Rescue places Wirehairs who find themselves in need of a new forever home. Prior to being released for adoption, these GWP's will have been examined by a vet, have had any necessary medical treatment, will have been spayed or neutered, and, if over 6 months old, tested for Heartworm. All vaccinations will have been up- dated. All Rescues, puppies included, are micro-chipped prior to adoption.

Each will be assessed to determine the best possible opportunities for a successful placement.

Many of our dogs have had basic obedience training and have been family members. Their age ranges from puppy to senior. They come with all manner of life experiences and levels of training, from lonely isolated back yard dogs to finished show champions and personal hunting companions, and everything in between.

Dr. Cindy Heiller, DVM, is the GWPCNC Rescue Chairman. She may be reached via email: [email protected] or by phone at The Haven Kennel: (707) 528-2627.

Julie Duarte is the Rescue Coordinator.

GWP's in need of rehoming may also be viewed at:

www.gwpcnc.9f.com (German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Northern CA Club)

www.thehavenkennel.8m.com (Dr. Heiller's Kennel in Santa Rosa, CA)

www.gwpca.com (National GWP Organization; the GWP Parent Club)

www.petfinder.com (A national animal rescue group) 7

Adopted in 2009

MARCH 2009: LIBERTY, a six-year-old female posted from Dec. 2008--Mar. 2009 APRIL 2009: HANK and ALICE, both posted in March, each have been adopted. Hank has found his hunting home, and Alice is with a family and another canine for companionship! MAY 2009: KING, an affable young male, found a home in San Francisco willing to share good times with him. MAY 2009: SHELBY, a 2-year-old spayed female, found an active, made-to-order home. She went back to her run, packed up her blanket, and cheerfully greeted her future! MAY 2009: RIO, a 1 1/2 year old nice male found running loose in the Concord area, met his future owner at the GWP of S CA Specialty! They are bonding nicely! JUNE 2009: BRISTLE, who had quite a tale to tell, has been adopted by a couple in Idaho! JUNE 2009- LAW a 2-year-old male has found a wonderful new home. JULY 2009 WIGGLES, male, 4 1/2 years old. happy, good with people and other dogs, has found a wonderful family in Idaho on a lovely ranch. AUGUST 2009: LUCY a happy spayed 9-year-old GWP, has been adopted by a family specif- ically searching for an older GWP! AUGUST 2009: MONTY a very sweet Griffon has found a wonderful family that really loves him. OCTOBER 2009: BINGO a very happy and sweet boy that found a fantastic home in Wyoming.

Cindy, I wish you could watch Gabby swim in Tahoe. The front of her body looks like she is doing the butterf- ly stroke and her back legs are doing a frog kick. She has learned to be a fast swimmer and now beats our other dog out to the floating frisbee... Both doggies start to SQUEAL with glee as we approach the parking area near Sand Harbor. They just love it. Gabby has an extremely high pitched bark; think she had to relearn to bark because she wore a bark collar. Gabby can now ride in the car and not drool. That, in itself, has been a landmark. Hope you and your poochies are doing well. Gabby is such a wonderful dog - very loyal, loving and AGILE! She looks like a deer as she leaps over things.

Thank you for rescuing her!

Howdy! Just wanted to say hi and Helmut is doing great, no injuries allergies no problems. Could have named him Hoover instead-he is a bird-finding machine. We are having a "blast" now that mountain quail is open,valley quail opens soon-won't have to pass them up anymore...Also congrats on finding so many rescue dogs homes. My wife's spinone had to be put down last month so I was browsing for another one..checked out your gwp rescue page today---good work lady.

Have a nice day.

The Haven Kennel Premier Dog & Cat Boarding Facility

3953 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.

Phone: (707) 528-2627

Owner & Proprietor Dr. Cynthia Heiller, DVM

The Haven provides quality care and comfortable living quarters for all residents. Please feel free to call and setup an appointment to inspect our facilities, before deciding to board with us.

The Haven is also the headquarters for the Northern California German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue Program.

Up Coming Shows Calendar

Golden Gate Kennel Club 1/30-1/31 Cow Palace Daly City C

Woofstock Cluster 6/10-6/13 Solano County Fairgrounds Vallejo

GWPCNC Specialty 6/13/2010 Solano County Fairgrounds Vallejo

For additional information on Conformation, Agility, Obedience or Rally events, go to the American Kennel Club website, www.AKC.org and search the Events Section.

Upcoming Field Events

CLUB EVENT DATES AREA LOCATION CLOSE

Sutter Buttes Field Trial 1/30-1/31 Jones Corral Spenceville

Santa Clara Field Trial 2/6-2/7 Little Panoche Weim

SF Bay Field Trial 2/13-2/14 Little Panoche Weim

SF Bay Hunt Test 2/13-2/14 Grizzly Island Weim

VCNC1 Field Trial 3/6-3/7 Little Panoche

GSP CA Field Trial 3/20-3/21 Kistler Ranch

VCNC2 Field Trial 3/27-3/28 Kistler Ranch Jamestown

GWPCNC Hunt Test 4/10-4/11 Hastings Island Rio Vista, CA

GWPCNC WFT 5/15-5/16 Hastings Island Rio Vista, CA

Sutter Buttes Hunt Test 5/23-5/24 Hastings Island Rio Vista, CA

For additional information on Field Events, go to the American Kennel

Club Website, www.AKC.org. and search the Events section. 14

Field Trial Report By: Randy Berry

The German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Northern California and the High Sierra German Shorthaired Pointer Club held back-to-back field trials at Kistler Ranch, outside Jamestown, CA; starting on November 21 and last- ing through November 29. Thanks to a handful of people, some of whom are not members of either club, the events were a great success.

For various reasons both clubs lost advertised judges and replacement judges had to be found. One of our lost judges was Jack Draper who passed away on November 8th in a 4-wheeler hunting accident in Oregon. Jack had been a great competitor, a good dog trainer and a hard working, knowledgeable, fair, honest and attentive judge. Jack will be missed. I respected him as a dog man, judge and human being. A very large thank you needs to go to Terry Duffin, Don Magoon, Steve Cosgrave and especially Greg Anderson for stepping up to the plate to take on these "lost judge" assignments.

At our November 25, 2009 Field Trial, the High Sierra German Shorthaired Pointer Club sponsored a "dual registration" event, sanctioned by both the American Kennel Club and the American Field organizations. The en- tire trial lasted 5 days (including Thanksgiving Day) and was preceded by 4 days of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Northern California trial on the same grounds.

The Dual Registration Event was an AKC Open Limited Gun Dog and an American Field Open Restricted Shooting Dog Classic. The "Classic," which we hope to make a "Championship" in a couple of years, is open to only German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Vizslas and Weimaraners. This event follows the format and example set by the German Pointing Dog Association trial held in the Midwest since the 1950's. Currently the Midwest event is held during March at Pinckneyville, Ill. Our inaugural event had a good entry of 20 dogs; 13 GSP, 2 GWP, 5 VIZ, but unfortunately, no Weimaraners.

The judges, Steve Cosgrave and Casper Pigman, named Tonelli's Sky High as the Classic Winner and Wind- jammer's Peanut as the Runner-Up. Both dogs were handled by Terry Zygalinsky with the assistance of his hard riding scout, Jr. Santos. An original "Turkey Day Classic" belt buckle was awarded to the winner.

Running this event during the Thanksgiving Day holidays proved to be an extremely difficult proposition. Judges, worker bees and entrants were hard to come by due to many trialer's having family commitments. Ad- ditionally, the mid-November date immediately follows the GSP, GWP and Vizsla National Trials and immediately proceeds the Weimaraner National Trial, currently being held at Ardmore, OK. Many potential entrants and worker bees were either burned out on travel to major events; or were in the process of attending the Weim National event. Serious consideration is being given to holding this event during the spring trial season.

A special thank you goes out to the core group of people and many volunteers who help put on these trials.

Fran and Diane Marsh coordinated most activities at the Wirehair trial. Diane did the planning and decision making while Fran did the leg work as Diane had several broken ribs from a horse accident at the Wirehair Na- tionals. They made a great team. Fran also loaded bird bags and made sure we had planters for the various braces. Meals were prepared by Diane with the assistance of whomever she could grab. Al Brann, who is not a member of either club, worked tirelessly planting birds and gunning for the duration of both trials. Rob Lewis, who is a member of both clubs, did the same. Gary Boninni assisted with both bird planting and gunning; how 15

Field Trial Report (con't) ever, he was called away for jury duty. Having the civic duty canceled, Gary returned the next day to again pitch in.

Ray Nelson, Mike Hewett, Frank Fernandez, Jr. Santos, Lou Tonelli, Peirre Urruita, Linda Azevedo, Lynn Mer- rell, Don Magoon, Terry Duffin, Pat Tanner, Sandy Miller and a number of other volunteers I am unaware of, assisted with the bird planting duties at one or both trials. Jan Schmultz, a Brittany gal, took the bull by the horns at the High Sierra trial and did an outstanding job line marshaling. We've got to get this woman a Ger- man Dog.

Fog caused us a delay on one day and required us to run two Open Stakes at the same time. This caused a number of handler and dog conflicts and required us to amend the running orders. Everybody worked with us to accommodate the needed changes and the stakes came off in good order. The Field Trial Community is accus- tomed to adapting to needed changes; however, the cooperation of all involved needs to be recognized. Thanks a bunch.

At the High Sierra trial, almost all meals were prepared by Mike Hewett. A prepared Thanksgiving turkey meal with all the fixin's was purchased from Safeway and coordinated by Kathi Boyd; who didn't even get to eat with us as she had to go home to prepare her own family meal. Kathi returned the next day to continue her trial duties. Tammy Santos provided two kinds of yam plates and lemon marainge pies made especially for me. Thanks Tammy. Other side dishes were provided by Susan Pasas. We had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner and great fellowship.

Thanks to everyone for pitching in to help with these events.

Randy Berry

Bonanza Kennel Club - Saturday - September 26, 2009

BOW/BOB (3 point major) Jonnee Blue R. Lewis/R.Berry

Rally Novice Title Weidenhugel Zenea Grace v O'Hi F&D Marsh

Bonanza Kennel Club - Sunday - September 27, 2009

BOW/BOB (3 point major) RLB's Flirting with Fame F & D Marsh/C.Heiller

Donner Trail Kennel Club - Saturday, October 3, 2009

BOW/BOB RLB's Flirting with Fame F&D Marsh/C. Heiller

Donner Trail Kennel Club - Sunday, October 4, 2009

BOW RLB's Flirting with Fame F&D Marsh/C. Heiller BOB CH. Weidenhugel Abby v Jessie C.Heiller/K.Boyd

German Wirehaired Pointer Nationals - 10/23-10/25, 2009

Best Veteran Dog CH. Weidenhugel Ernst v Einer MH CGC C.Heiller/G.Bonini

Best Veteran Bitch CH. Weidenhugel Xrated v Bama C.Heiller

San Mateo Show - December 28-30, 2009 3 days in a row BOB CH. Weidenhugel Abby v Jessie C.Heiller/K.Boyd A Group 4 CH. Weidenhugel Abby v Jessie C.Heiller/K.Boyd

A NEW CHAMPION

CH. Weidenhugel Houston v Joey Owned By: Cynthia Heiller, DVM & Kathi Boyd Handled By: Kathi Boyd 17

Get Your Camera Out - Have Fun

The holidays are a great time to gather with friends and family to enjoy the spirit of the season. For many of us, these special occasions also represent the perfect opportunity to capture candid photos of the people and pets we love most! Getting just the right shot of your dog for holiday cards and family photos can be challenging. If you want this year's holiday photos to really sparkle, here are a few tips from professional pet photographer Roni Kemp to help capture those magical moments of the season. Tip #1 - Personality counts Dazzling dog photos usually have one thing in common, lots of personality! When taking pictures of your dog, watch for the magic and meaning in everyday moments. Set the stage for your dog's personality to shine through by keeping things simple and natural. Use treats and toys to peak your dog's interest but avoid instruction overload. Tip #2 - See the light The best kept secret in photography is learning how to spot great natural light. Forget your flash. Instead, grab the leash and head outside! To find the prettiest light, work early or late each day when sunlight is warm, even and soft. Overcast days and areas of wide-open shade make excellent alternatives. To create the same effect inside, try working near a large window or open doorway. Tip #3 - Frame your photo Use the viewfinder to carefully frame your picture, making sure your dog is the focus of your shot. Don't be afraid to get up-close, focusing on your dog's eyes. You can easily create impact by filling the frame and keeping your backgrounds clean and simple. Tip #4 - Experiment By setting aside time to practice and to be creative, both you and your dog will naturally become more comfortable with the camera. Explore new locations and try unique perspectives. Keep things fun and playful, using this time to discover your inner artist. You just might surprise yourself! Tip #5 - Be patient Photographing dogs is often about being in the right place at the right time, so be ready and be willing to wait. Give your dog frequent breaks and lots of praise. Remember to keep shooting, anticipating your next shot. This means being on the lookout for quiet moments and subtle details, which often lead to remarkable photos. Tip #6 - Make it art Don't forget to celebrate your artwork! Take time to print, share and display your favorite shots. Add a touch of whimsy to your holiday card this year by creating a dog-inspired work of art. Or try grouping a series of framed pictures above the fireplace. Not only will your holiday visitors take notice, but you'll have a beautiful display to warm your heart and home throughout the season. 18

Canine Urinary Incontinence

This feature by Mara Bovsun appeared in the April issue of The AKC Gazette, and is reprinted with permission. To subscribe, or for more information, visit http://www.akc.org/pubs/index.cfm

Canine urinary incontinence is surprisingly common and can occur in any breed -- from Chihuahuas to Great Danes -- but there are many strategies to keep house and hound dry.

One Dog's Story: Delta the Greyhound Last summer, Brooke Frautschy noticed something odd about Delta, the Greyhound she brought into her home about two years ago. Although housetrained and fastidious, Delta had started having accidents inside, often on her own bed. Even odder, these incidents seemed to happen when the dog was fast asleep. "If she had an accident, she'd clearly get upset," says Frautschy. She'd jump up and start licking, or make a "mopey" face. "Sometimes she'd run into the other room," she says.

Luckily for Delta, Frautschy was a veterinary student. So she neither panicked nor jumped to the conclusion that her dog had forgotten her training. Instead, she brought Delta to school, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, to figure out what was wrong. It turned out that Delta was suffering from canine urinary incontinence. It's a relatively common condition; most veterinarians have treated at least a few cases. But it's also a condition that can be misunderstood by owners.

"It is a very frustrating problem for a lot of people, and it does lead to people giving their dogs up," says Julie Byron, DVM, MS, clinical assistant professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois."People will tolerate a lot of different things, but they really don't want to deal with dogs who are wet all the time," adds Mary Labato, DVM, clinical professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Incontinence can be the result of injury, neurological disorders, or diseases like Cushing's (see box below), and affects both males and females, whether or not they are neutered or spayed. Most often, however, it occurs apart from any disease process-many dogs with the condition are perfectly healthy-and is most often seen in one group of dogs.

Female Troubles "It affects about 20 percent of spayed females," Byron says. Among large breeds, studies have suggested that the incidence may be as high as 30 percent. It may occur in the first few years after spaying, but is most commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly bitches.

"Most of these dogs will start to leak about three or four years after they've been spayed," says Byron, who specializes in urological diseases. Scientists are not sure exactly why these dogs start to leak, but most theories point to the role of one vital hormone-estrogen. A lack of estrogen, which occurs when the ovaries are removed, can cause changes in pelvic structures designed to hold urine in the bladder. Byron notes that the same kinds of problems are seen in humans. "Just like women who undergo menopause, when the estrogen goes away there is some atrophy of those tissues, the tissues get thinner, the blood vessel numbers may drop, there may be a change in the type or content of the collagen, which may make tissues a little stiffer." But estrogen is not the whole story, since not all spayed dogs become incontinent. A dog who starts to leak probably has a physical 19 predisposition to the condition, such as weak pelvic muscles or ligaments, or a bladder positioned in a way that makes dribbling inevitable.

Several Options The good news is that, for the majority of patients, incontinence can be kept under control with drug therapy. The most commonly used medication is phenylpropanolmine (PPA). It belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha-agonists. They bind to receptors on smooth muscle cells, which causes the muscles to contract. "That's my first choice," says Byron, noting that the drug works for 70 to 90 percent of incontinence patients. In some dogs, side effects rule out the use of this drug. These can include restlessness and loss of appetite, and in the most serious cases, high blood pressure. Byron always checks blood pressure before suggesting PPA. If PPA can't be used, another option is estrogen supplementation, which is thought to reverse some of the changes that occur due to depletion of the hormone. Byron says this approach works in roughly 60 percent of patients. Veterinarians sometimes prescribe both estrogen and PPA for dogs who are not helped by either drug alone. In a patient who experiences mild side effects to PPA, it may be possible to reduce the dose and add estrogen. "There may actually be a synergistic effect," Byron says. "One thing that's frustrating is that sometimes dogs will respond very nicely to the drug for a year or two, and eventually, there's a decrease in response," Byron says. "We don't understand why that happens. But just because a drug stops working doesn't mean that all is lost." There are a few other drugs, similar to PPA, that can help if the more commonly used treatments stop working. There are also a couple of surgical fixes. In some cases, an operation known as a colposuspension can reposition the bladder to reduce dribbling.

A relatively new procedure is collagen injection, in which the same material that plumps up starlets' lips is used to narrow the diameter of the urethra. Byron says this helps about 70 percent of the time, but there's no way to predict how long it will remain effective. For some dogs, it could last for years; in others, the collagen breaks down in a matter of months Labato says in addition to these methods there are experimental techniques, such as artificial sphincter devices, that might work in severe cases. She notes that there is also research underway in humans exploring the use of stem cells to improve pelvic muscle tone. Labato's laboratory is planning to explore the role obesity may play in incontinence, because many dogs who have the problem are also overweight. Matter of Degree As veterinarians at large university hospitals, Byron and Labato generally see the most committed owners, and the more complicated cases. These are the ones that may require more than one kind of treatment, and the results may not be 100 percent.

Often, however, owners are happy with small changes. "If you have a dog that leaks every night, and you drop it down to once a week, that's an enormous improvement," Byron says.

That's the situation for Delta the Greyhound. PPA worked well for her, but she developed high blood pressure and had to stop treatment. Estrogen did not help, but another drug-imipramine, an antidepressant that is also used for separation anxiety-has reduced Delta's leaking to about once a week. "That's a level I can deal with," says Frautschy. In the future, she intends to explore other options. These may include surgery as well as dietary and herbal approaches that, according to anecdotal reports, have met with some success.

While Byron recognizes that incontinence often lands dogs in shelters, she's also been impressed by the commitment of the owners of dogs she treats. In one case, a male Dachshund, the owners tried PPA. It did not

20 help. Testosterone treatment, which often works in males as estrogen does in females, only prompted him to start marking in the house. Collagen injections worked, but only for a short time. Their solution? "They're living with it," says Byron. "They love this little guy." He spends most of his time in non-carpeted areas of the house, and he's taken outside frequently. Sometimes, he wears a diaper designed for dogs with this problem. "He still plays and runs around the yard, and goes on walks," she says. "He's a very happy, healthy dog."

Diseases that Cause Incontinence

Veterinarians will generally screen for several diseases when a dog is leaking. Many conditions, some serious, can cause a dog to have abnormal thirst, and to drink more than the bladder can hold. Some common conditions include:

Urinary tract infections Bladder infections Cushing's Disease Bladder tumors or polyps Bladder stones Kidney disease Hormone responsive Prostate Disease Spinal damage

When a Puppy Dribbles Sometimes, when incontinence develops in a puppy, the cause may be a congenital abnormality of the urinary tract, known as an ectopic ureter. Normally, urine is produced in the kidneys and transported to the bladder through a tube known as the ureter. Sometimes the ureter bypasses the bladder and empties directly into the va- gina or the urethra, the tube that transports urine out of the body.Ectopic ureters will be evident in a very young puppy. They can be treated with surgery to put the opening of the ureter in the right place.

When All Else Fails There are several products on the market that can help make the best of an imperfect situation. Doggy diapers, some with frills and fancy designs, are available from several manufacturers. Some companies like Bloomingtails Dog Boutique and Diapers for Dogs, will custom-fit them. Others make disposables and washable ones, like the SnuggEase. Tinkle Trousers are designed to solve the biggest problem with doggy diapers-keeping them on an active dog.

Specially designed bedding is also available for incontinent dogs. The SleePee Time Bed offers an elevated sleeping pad over a tray to catch urine. Several companies make products for bed-wetting children, such as wa- terproof mattress pads, that can ease the burden of cleaning up after an incontinent pet.Many of these products, as well as cleaning solutions that neutralize the smell of urine, are available online, direct from the manufactur- er, at pet stores, and at Web sites that focus on caring for senior and handicapped pets, such as handicapped-

21 pets.com.

Canine Cold Weather Activities

Article taken from the San Francisco Examiner

By: Laura Reeves President German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

Cold weather can inhibit normal exercise routines for people and pets alike. Dogs start getting edgy and naughty when they do not get enough activity.

Keeping a dog active and mentally stimulated during the frozen tundra months here in Nebraska can seem daunting. The following fun activities offer varying degrees of challenge for dogs and their owners.

Skijoring This Nordic sport is rapidly growing in popularity. Basically, a combination of cross-country skiing and dog sledding, skijoring is great exercise and an excellent way to improve the human- canine bond.

Requiring just one medium to large dog, a pair of skis and special harnesses for dog and skier, the sport keeps the equipment investment low. Some outlay in training time will improve safety for all participants. Skijoring dogs need to be responsive to voice commands so the skier can change direction, slow down, or stop when necessary.

Dog Sledding This ancient activity was once the only way people in Arctic regions had to travel long dis- tances or carry heavy loads. The famous Iditarod race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska is the most well known “mushing” forum. But dog sled races happen in every corner of the Union each winter.

This is a sport that is time and equipment intensive. It requires a minimum of two medium-sized dogs, but typically involves many more. Sleds, harnesses, and training all take time and money. Northern breeds such as Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds and Akitas are famil- iar sights in these events. But dogs of every heritage imaginable are allowed and many mixed breed dogs are extremely successful.

Weight Pull This sport takes place any time of year, with special rules for winter events. Competition is based on the amount of weight a dog can pull for 16 feet and dogs compete in size divisions. Purebred and mixed breeds dogs typically are all eligible and the investment in a proper harness is the primary expenditure required.

From Pugs to Bernese Mountain Dogs, all dogs are welcome and enjoy the excitement and exercise at weight pulling events.

Indoor Options Smaller pets and dogs or owners that are not tolerant of the cold have a variety of sports to con- sider as well. Competitive obedience and agility training run through the winter months. Canine Freestyle is literally “dancing with dogs.” Training a dog to work with the handler in these cho- reographed events set to music is a fun and rewarding activity. In many of these venues, mixed- breed dogs are eligible for competition.

There are many options for keeping a snow-bound dog happy this winter. And happy dogs make for happy owners.

GOLDEN MUSHROOM PHEASANT

1 Pheasant (breast and thighs only, remove all fat) 2 teaspoons Wondra flour 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons fresh crushed garlic 2 teaspoons sweet basil flakes 5 medium fresh brown mushrooms (1/8-inch slices) 1 10 ¾ oz can Campbell’s condensed Golden Mushroom Soup ½ cup red wine 1 cup brown rice

Put 1 cup of water into a saucepan and add 1 cup brown rice. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes until cooked.

Cut up Pheasant pieces into ¾ inch squares and dust with Wondra flour. Put Olive oil into a frying pan and bring to a medium-low heat. Add dusted Pheasant pieces, garlic, basil and brown mushrooms and sauté until the Pheasant pieces are cooked, about 5 minutes. Add Mushroom Soup mix and red wine and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add a small amount of water to thin while simmering if desired.

Spoon the cooked Pheasant sauce over the brown rice and serve. Serves about 4 people.

Submitted By:

Walter and Susan Windus

The Market Place

Do you have something to sell, need to borrow, want to trade, or buy? Just send in the information to [email protected] or mail it to Diane Marsh, 116 Austen Court, Roseville, CA 95747 and I will publish it!

For Sale

GWPCNC Club Blaze Orange T-Shirts $15.00 each or 2 for $25.00 (contact Diane Marsh at [email protected])