The Giant Hotline • Quarterly Newsletter of the South Central Giant Schnauzer Club • Volumn IV, Issue No. 3 • September 2006• 20 Giants Confiscated in West Virginia: Editor’s Notes The Summer of the Labrador A Rescue Odyssey by Deb Zygula ummer 2006 brought a wave of Labrador puppies past our beach house on their way to the ocean Swith their proud owners every morning. The Labs definitely outnumbered all the other purebred dogs and even the mixed-breeds, which we singled out in 2005 as the Official Breed of the Summer. Amazing how a certain breed becomes the rage in a given year. It is understandable when Walt Disney Jazz, one of the WV 20, before and after her makeover. makes a movie starring 101 Dalmatians but why were the Mixed-Breeds so n April 11, 2006 Maryann Bisceglia notified me that information and popular last year and the Labradoodles reports were circulating on various web sites regarding 20 Giants confiscated the year before? Well no matter— on or about April 3, 2006 by a County Animal Control Office in West Labradors make great family pets. I Virginia. I accessed the articles reported in the local paper. The breeder was a dog O recommend them to most people who show acquaintance of ours from the early 1990’s but we had not been in contact ask me about Giant Schnauzers. It in 10 years. Maryann said the Giant rescue groups were very upset and vocal but takes a special family to raise, educate apparently having difficulty in their approach and handling of a crisis of this nature. and care for a Giant Puppy. Our breed She asked if I would intervene. The mission wassimple : get the dogs released by the is not for everyone. breeder and away from Animal Control. One Haircut Suits All! I obtained a telephone number for the address given in the newspaper accounts; t was obvious this summer that reached an unidentified answering machine; left my name, phone numbers, offers the groomers in the Washington/ of assistance and request for a return call. Surprisingly, the breeder (owner of the Baltimore/Philadelphia area dogs) returned my call within 24 hours. After a difficult and emotional discussion, (maybe all across the country) have the breeder agreed to release all 20 Giants to Maryann and myself to coordinate I simplified their lives by standardizing placements with the help of the GSCA and Giant rescue organizations. There were the multitude of doggie hairstyles. All concerns and reservations as the majority of the 20 Giants were from 5 to 12 years the fluffy and longhaired breeds of dogs old and, as such, more difficult to place. I stated we would “do our best” but could were wearing the same doo: clippered not rule out the possibility of some of the dogs being put down. body and legs with hair left on the tail My next call was to the breeder’s attorney to obtain his approval and support in our and head. At least 50% of the Goldens proposed efforts. The attorney approached the County Prosecutor and the Sheriff ’s were dressed this way, not to mention Department to enlist their cooperation. I was then given the names of the Deputy in Miniature Schnauzers, Bouviers, charge of the case and the director of Animal Control. We proposed having the dogs Collies, and Setters. I even saw a released to the GSCA to relieve the County of the burden of housing them until the clippered, long-haired Dachshund. criminal case was resolved (this was mid-April and the first hearing was scheduled How hard can it be to comb out a for July). Neither Animal Control nor the Sheriff ’s Department were cooperative at Dachshund? The owners all say their first and several calls had to be made, but ultimately the Prosecutor’s office approved clippered dogs are happier because the release. To avoid confusion, I was designated as the party to coordinate activities they’re cooler and easier to take care because the county offices were receiving many calls from various individuals and of—less vacuuming per chance?. That . rescue representatives may be, but they sure look funny. Continued on page 4 Continued on page 3 Page 1 • Volume IV, Issue #3 Robyn’s Hints! What Kind of WORK Does Your Giant do? n the last issue of the Hotline, I asked if you would please send me emails about the work your Giants do. Our Giants can do obedience, tracking, rally, herding, carting, therapy work, and Iconformation. What does A Giant Working have to do with helpful hints, you might ask yourself? Well…if Giants are doing things outside of the home, they are sure to call attention to our breed. If someone notices, gets to know you and your dog, they might turn out to be a GREAT Giant home! I know there are many more Giants working out there, doing a variety of jobs, but this is what I have to share: Joe and Anne West’s Giants, Chief and Chance, take turns chaperoning Joe while he is hauling things in his 18 Wheeler. I am certain that they are steadfast at the task at hand, and keep Joe going on the long trips. Six month-old Justice is learning to run Greg Reyna’s grooming shop. He is more than happy to supervise the bathers from his top-row crate. The 2005 National Specialty Winner, Slate, is a working dog for his owner. In the Volume 41, Issue 1 edition of Giant Steps Rita Miscke shared how Slate helps her get around and is truly a working dog at home. Jordan, Haje and Lucy rule the roost at the boarding kennel that Rick and Kathy Heschke own. Isabella rules the Fosters’ roost with the help of her dad Randy. Right from the get-go she convinced him that her assistance is required when he runs errands! Diablo Michener is in the child-sitting business. When Judi Boston was directing a local children’s play, Diablo came along to rehearsals and entertained the kids. Diablo has joined Judi at several plays and from what I hear, he is quite the critic! He does not like the villain scenes, and barks at the bad guy from the front row. IF SCOUT CAN READ…YOU CAN READ! Photo by Robyn My own Scout is quite the workaholic! I teach at a low socioeconomic high school in the suburbs of Dallas. Last year, the school library did a huge literacy campaign featuring these words, “IF SCOUT CAN READ…YOU CAN READ!” I had taken a picture of the big guy reading a history book. They made posters and put them all over the building. Scout became quite famous at my school. One afternoon, the principal invited Scout to come to the school library when a famous poet came to read to the kids. Scout was quite the ambassador for our breed. Only a handful of students came, but to this day, kids I don’t have in class come by and ask when Scout will be coming to school again. The reading teachers loved the gimmick and soon, everyone was taking pictures of themselves reading with their pets. Scout has made several repeat visits to campus, and each and every time, I have been able to get him to hold still long enough to “read” a book. Other Hints: Michelle Smith has found magic with Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser! It seems to get Giant nose grime off with the swipe of the hand! Thanks Michelle, we can always use a new trick for company cleaning. Back to those Fancy Pants: I noticed in a recent catalog from Pet Edge, they were selling disposable doggie diapers with tail holes pre-cut. I thought they might come in handy for someone who is traveling and doesn’t have easy access to a washing machine. Disposable seems to be best when you are traveling! Next Time: More Useful dog tricks! Please send in your hints, tricks, or story ideas. You can email me at: Ilovegiants.com. I would love to hear from you! Robyn Page 2 • Volume IV, Issue #3 Editor’s Notes Continued 1. Open Membership Message, Matt mentioned that the Giant Schnauzer Rescue. Carolyn Janak ccording to our membership club collected $230 in donations at promptly responded with a Thank You chairman, Scott Turnbull, as the Spring Fling, one half of which note to the membership: of August 2006 the South would be donated to Giant Rescue. Dear SCGS Club Members, Central Giant Schnauzer Club has 90 I support donations to rescue A Thank you for your generous donation memberships in 20 states. Isn’t that 100%, providing we are donating to HT-Z. ($115 check #1036 dated remarkable? We have come such a long to a reputable organization. My 6/27/01). I appreciate your remembering way from that first meeting in March of question is: to which rescue Giant Schnauzers in need. 2003 when 19 Giant Schnauzer fanciers organization does the club donate? Sincerely, got together to celebrate Kamil’s 10th “Probably this wouldn’t have birthday, in Cranfills Gap, Texas. Carolyn Janak caught my attention except that President/Treasurer HT-Z We decided at that first meeting that our last August I purchased some GS club would never be exclusive. Everyone Rescue Rascals calendars from a Koni’s question about the legitimacy of with an interest in the breed would be lady who advertised on the GSCA rescue organizations prompted me to eligible to join. In fact our Membership National Specialty website claiming include an article about the history of Application states: “No matter where she was involved with rescue.