Topknot News The newsletter of the Afghan Hound Club of America, Inc. Summer 2009 TAKE THE LEAD — A CONTINUING STORY So to bring you up to the present, the goal of TAKE THE Submitted by Susan Sprung LEAD is to provide financial aid to individuals and families in the purebred dog community who are facing the realities of these life-threatening and often financially devastating For those of you unfamiliar with Take The Lead, I am illnesses. It is our mission to help our fellow fanciers and happy to be able to present an overview. For those who just for the year 2007, we have provided aid in the amount have supported us over the years and continue to do so, of $308,000. In the year 2008, we assisted more clients please consider this a refresher course. than ever and I am advised preliminary figures to date indi- cate we have expended nearly $325,000. TAKE THE As an introduction, TAKE THE LEAD is an organization LEAD is a not-for-profit foundation as designated under formed in 1993 by a small Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal group of concerned fanciers Revenue Code. All contributions who recognized a dire need to TAKE THE LEAD are tax de- amongst us. Several of the ductible to the full extent allowed founders continue to lead our by the law. In 1995 a permanent organization today. At that restricted Endowment Fund was time in our history, the AIDS formed in order to ensure the epidemic was rampant within future of TAKE THE LEAD. Our the fancy. It was horrific for us goal is to contribute half of each to see many of our closest year’s net income to the fund, so friends suffering with this our ability to assist those in need dreaded illness and at the will continue long after we are same time observe them being gone. faced with financial hardships nearly impossible to bear. To Now that you know what we are address this undeniable fact, about, let me continue to answer the organization began as a some frequently asked ques- rather small, but very important tions. undertaking. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? As time went on, the founders TAKE THE LEAD provides ser- realized there was indeed a vices to individuals who have greater need within the fancy been actively engaged in the and the founders quickly real- sport of dogs for a minimum of ized the organization needed to five years – breeding, training, expand its scope. There were exhibiting, handling and/or judg- those amongst us suffering ing AKC registered dogs. from other life threatening dis- eases such as cancer; there ―TAKE THE LEAD is there for were those who had been seri- people in the sport of purebred ously hurt in an accident; those dogs to provide some very real struck down by illnesses of unknown origin; those who assistance and comfort in difficult times‖, said Chairman needed surgeries not covered by medical insurance and Edd E. Bivin. ―We reach across the country with our ef- unfortunately the list goes on. At that point, our organiza- forts. We are there for anyone with a need, no matter tion expanded to include those suffering from ALL life where they live, if they fall within our mission and meet our threatening or terminal illnesses and thankfully, the organi- criteria‖. zation remains strong through the support of people like you. Continued on page 6…. Visit the AHCA Web Site at www.akc.org Rescue Hotline: 1-877-AF-RESCU (237-2728) Topknot News Editor: Barb Bornstein 2009 Committee Chairpersons (602) 677-6690 Assistant Editor: Janet Lenobel AKC Delegate: Connie Butherus [email protected] Publication & Distribution: Wynne Kalish Agility: Jim Hicks [email protected] (P&P 318.1 The newsletter of the AHCA AKC Gazette Column: Georgie Guthrie 951-677-6734 shall be entitled “Topknot News” and Awards: Terry Chacon [email protected] shall be published three times a year, each publication falling within six (6) Breed & Public Education: Linda Shipley [email protected] weeks after the Board Meetings so as to Budget & Finance: Dorma Sue Busby [email protected] include all news from that meeting.) Breeders’ Cup: Sharon Watson & Sue Busby [email protected]/ [email protected] 2008 AHCA Officers and Directors Canine Health: Sandy Frei & Midge Martin [email protected]/ President: Abbe Shaw First Vice President: Linda Shipley [email protected] Second Vice President: Brenda Brody Complaints: Board of Directors Corresponding Sec’y: Donna Amos Recording Secretary: Sandy Nelson Inventory: Sue Busby [email protected] Treasurer: Linda Jackson Board of Directors: Judges Education: Harry Bennett [email protected] Dorma Sue Busby Junior Showmanship: Jody Gardner [email protected] Jody Gardner Debbie Petersen Legislative Affairs: Betty Salmon [email protected] Tony Saia Librarian & Publications: Helen Stein [email protected] Helen Stein Sandy Weinraub Lure Coursing: Max Ross [email protected] AKC Delegate: Connie Butherus Mailing List Coordinator: Claudia Jakus [email protected] Membership: Sandy Weinraub [email protected] Editor’s Note: Mentor Program: Bobbie Keller [email protected] A special thanks to Sue Busby, Sandy Nelson, Linda Jackson and National Events Liaison: Tony Saia [email protected] Lisa Bryant on the contributions they National 2009: Tony Saia [email protected] made to get this issue out to you on time. They assisted by filling in National 2010: Judy Bloom [email protected] many of the missing pieces that Obedience: Debbie Petersen [email protected] committees did not submit. Parade of Rescue Medallions: Dorma Sue Busby I also thank Wynne Kalish for the time and knowledge he gives to [email protected] make this AHCA publication possi- Parliamentarians: Connie Butherus & Helen Stein [email protected]/ ble. We could not have the quality publication we do without Wynne. [email protected] A huge thank you to Janet Lenobel, Policies & Procedures: Barb Bornstein [email protected] our Assistant Editor. Janet’s contri- butions to TN are exceptional Regional Clubs: Sandy Nelson [email protected] though her support and intelligence. Rescue: Lisa Bryant [email protected] Janet spends considerable time on each issue of TN in order that we Statistics: Sharon Watson [email protected] may look good. Both Wynne and Topknot News: Barb Bornstein & Wynne Kalish & Janet Lenobel Janet are solid gold. [email protected]/[email protected]/[email protected] All of these AHCA members will be in attendance in Lancaster, PA this Ways & Means: Dorma Sue Busby [email protected] September. When you see them, Web Page: Chris Kaiser [email protected] and our clubs’ Committee Heads who submit the bones to TN, tell them ―Thank You.‖ We would not have this publication without any of Visit the AHCA web site at www.akc.org them. Rescue Hotline: 1-877-AF-RESCU (237-2728) 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE East Coast Crate AKC/Eukanuba Show Information 13 Grand Prize Are You Ready For the National? 17 2009 National Specialty Raffle Breed & Public Education 7 East Coast Crate Package Breeders’ Cup Critique 7 #500 (38‖L x 28‖H) Ultralight Aluminum Folding Crate, Breeders’ Cup Sales Items 11 With grooming top, grooming arm And removable airline bars Delegate’s Report 8 Giving Back Mentor Program 11 Tickets: $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 Drawing on Friday Sept. 18, 2009 Health Report 7 Need not be present to win. Winner responsible for shipping. Alternative Medicine Provides Options 16 Order from Betty Salmon If It Should Be 19 614-844-3834 Interesting Dog Laws 7 PAYPAL [email protected] Or mail check (payable to AHCA) to: Legislative Report 12 Betty Salmon National Specialty Sales Items 9 2135 Sherborne Ln Powell, OH 43065 2009 National Specialty Show Information 4 & 5 Additional prizes throughout the week. A drawing every day, starting on Monday with Grand Prize drawing on Friday! Art Auction 5 Awards Dinner 4 & 5 AHCA wishes to thank Club members Rachel and Pete Irvin of East Coast Crates for donating a portion of this Grand Breed Education Symposium 4 Prize! DVD Orders 4 WAY & MEANS REPORT East Coast Crate Raffle 3 Submitted by Chairman Sue Busby Golf Tournament 4 Host Hotel Information 5 New AHCA Lapel Pin Invitational Top 20 4 14kt Gold Plated Judges Educational Seminar 5 Tie Tac or Safety Pin Cost $15.00 Mailing List Coordination 5 Rising Star Junior Seminar 5 There will be more new and exciting AHCA logo items Schedule of Events 4 introduced at the National in Lancaster this fall. Vendor Party 4 Regional Club Show Information 10 Other Items Available: Rescue Report 14 Fleece Blankets with the AHCA Logo in Gold Threads Navy & Forest Green @ $15.00 each. Sadness At The Rainbow Bridge 18 Take The Lead Cover Laptop Tote Bags @ $25.00 each Tribute To Doug Vinson 18 Duffle Bags Navy, Red, Black & Purple @ $40.00 each Ways & Means 3 Baseball Caps Assorted colors @ $15.00 each. Note: We cannot make corrections to Committee Reports; therefore, send your corrections directly to the Committee Contact Sue Busby for more information: Chairs. They will contact us with your corrections for publication 586-264-4292 [email protected] in their reports in the next Topknot News. Email all other correc- tions directly to the Editor at: [email protected] 3 THE INVITATIONAL Monday Afternoon & Evening, September 14th ONE NIGHT ONLY. The competition will begin in the afternoon at a time yet to be determined. This part of the competition will be open to all spectators at no charge. On Monday evening the showplace will open at 6:30 PM & the introduction & final judging will begin at 8:00 PM. Admission cost for the evening event: $10.00 (includes Dessert Bar & Coffee & cash bar) Contact Cindy Chandler at [email protected] for complete details.