Newsletter of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Southern California Volume XII Number 1 Winter 2011 SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT Connie Koehler Karla Baer Cohen [email protected] [email protected] SECRETARY TREASURER Jackie Whitham Barbara Zapf [email protected] [email protected] BOARD MEMBER RESCUE Rose Clime Beverly Streicher [email protected] [email protected] BOARD MEMBER For More Information: Jeanine Flavell and rescue application go to [email protected] www.wheaten.org WEBMASTER BOARD MEMBER Jon Apogee Miriam Kahan [email protected] [email protected] MEMBERSHIP Jackie Whitham [email protected] WOOF EDITOR Merrillee Ford PO Box 5336 WEBSITE Santa Barbara CA 93150-5336 www.wheaten.org [email protected] WOOF is a publication of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Southern California. Opinions expressed in the articles are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Officers and Board Members of the Club. Published Quarterly. Annual Subscriptions $12.00 Single Issue Price $3.00 2 Save the Date Cover The Great Western shows are just around the corner. Are you making Board Members plans to attend? Even if your interests don’t include showing, this is a great way to see more Wheatens than you can magine in action in the Save the Date Conformation, Obedience and Rally rings. This is a good way to meet new Wheaten friends, shop at the many vendor stalls, buy Wheaten Presidents Message items at our amazing Wheaten Boutique ringside, and to buy raffle tickets and perhaps win one or more of our fantastic items. Mark your Membership calendar. We hope to see you at the shows. Wheaten Winter Friday, June 24th is our SCWTCSC Independent Specialty Show Saturday, June 25th and Sunday June 26th we have Specialities and the Great Western Terrier Association Shows. Mother Knows Karla's Kitchen Terrier Group K9 Good Citizen Do this apply Back Cover IN THIS ISSUE 4 President’s Message……………………………………………. 6 A Wheaten Winter Pictures…………………………………….. 7 Mother Knows Best……………………………………………… 8 In the Kitchen with Karla………………………………………… 9 The Terrier Group……………………………………………….. 10 Canine Good Citizen Test Tips………………………………… 11 How Many of These Apply to You? …………………………... 3 President’s Message Connie Koehler New Year, New Board The year 2011 has gotten off to a rousing start. Our new board took a fresh approach in its initial gathering: an all-day retreat to transition the 2010 and 2011 boards, and to plan important objectives for the months ahead. Our first general meeting followed two days later, conducted in a “town hall” format to elicit membership input on the club’s direction for 2011. Three show weekends in January also afforded us the chance to catch up with old and new friends after the holidays. First, I wish to extend my deep appreciation to my immediate predecessor, Dr. Miriam Kahan, for her four years of dedicated leadership to the club and invaluable help in my transition into this office. Secondly, it is my pleasure to share with you our major goals for the year ahead, and to report on progress that has already transpired toward achieving those ends: Revamp Rescue: Bonney Snyder’s retirement as rescue chair at the end of 2010 left a huge void, following her years of devoted and selfless service in that role. The rescue task grew exponentially during Bonney’s tenure, fueled by the economic meltdown in southern California. A new rescue committee convened both to select her successor, and to spread the task across a regional network of area coordinators. Beverly Streicher stepped forward to lead the team, and has already climbed a steep learning curve in just two months. She has successfully placed several dogs in their forever homes, and coordinated multiple missions to area shelters. Volunteers have completely filled the area slots in our network—in some cases, three-deep. We continue to work with our three foster kennels to provide a safe and caring environment until our dogs are placed. My heartfelt thanks go to both Bonney and our new rescue team. Bravo! Restore Financial Health: Again, as the result of the economic downturn in our hard-hit area, the club’s finances declined significantly in 2008 and 2009. Early last year, the board met to undertake new approaches to cut costs and raise funds. I am very pleased to report that those measures are working well. In 2010 we recovered half our prior losses, led by rescue and our events, especially GWTA. The new board will continue its rigorous oversight of club monies and pursue new avenues of fundraising. 4 3 Reinvigorate Membership Involvement: This is your club—not mine, not the board’s, but all of ours. We all have the opportunity to engage in club events and activities. Attend our meetings and speak up; even if you cannot vote as an associate, your voice counts. Volunteer for or chair an activity or event, again open to all members. Rejuvenate informal celebrations after dog shows and performance events, a longtime club tradition that Miriam graciously rekindled in January. Come up with new ideas for club functions, and e- mail them to me or other board members—be ingenious! Regular or associate, you can contribute enormously to the club’s success and most importantly, “to protect and advance the interests of the breed,” which brought us all together in the first place. It’s all about our wonderful Wheatens, after all! Preview of Coming Attractions Please be sure to watch the Westminster KC dog show on Feb. 14-15. Check local listings and your cable or satellite provider for times, as they will vary over the two days. Wheatens are scheduled for judging at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 15, with results available at Westminster’s website, http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/. The Terrier Group will be judged immediately before Best in Show on Feb. 15 as well. Our March 15 general meeting, again at the Spitfire Grill in Santa Monica, features W. Jean Dodds, DVM. A pre-eminent veterinarian and canine-health academician, Dr. Dodds will speak on the latest research into vaccination protocols and titers, as well as her work with the Rabies Challenge Fund. Dr. Dodds is also the founder of HEMOPET, the internationally renowned animal blood bank. Don’t miss this important event! Dues Reminder Don’t forget to send your dues renewal to our new secretary and membership chair, Jackie Whitham. Your renewal is payable as of Jan. 1, 2011, and your membership will lapse after March 31. Please contact Jackie at (818) 957-4263, or at [email protected], if you have any questions or issues. Thank you! 5 A Wheaten Winter Tucker and Bonnie at play in Idyllwild’s winter wonderland. Tucker is one of our many wonderful and successful Wheaten rescue dogs. He is obviously happy in his new home! 6 MOTHER KNOWS BEST Here are some tips from Mom that have been learned, some the hard way, over the past few years. Our dogs need regular exercise. Walk around your block, join some friends and do some obedience exercises together with your dogs. A fat dog is not a happy dog. Dogs love a routine and are dependent upon us to give them the things they need. You don’t need to run a marathon each day, just some simple exercise will make them happy and healthier. And it won’t hurt you either! Brush your dog’s teeth. If you haven’t gotten in the habit, make it your new year’s resolution and get started. February is National Veterinary Dental Health Month, too. There are many brushes, gauze, swabs and gel veterinary dental products you can buy that can help get you and your dog on the right path to good dental hygiene. Ask your vet if you are confused by which method is best for your dog. Keep your Wheaten bathed, well groomed and brushed and nails trimmed. The club has a grooming seminar each year. If you have questions about how to get started this is a good time to ask. You have a Wheaten because you love the breed and want yours to look like a Wheaten. Be a good advocate for our breed. Carry poop bags with you when you walk. Be a good neighbor and pick up after your dog when you are out walking. Use a leash; it’s the law in California and many other states. Wheatens are terriers and can be easily distracted. Even the best trained dog can have selective hearing when out and about. It can also save your dog’s life. Mom loves crate trained dogs. When you have a puppy they can have a rest period in their crates, it helps with housetraining and provides the dog with a spot that is its own. This does not mean the dog spends the day in the crate. It means they enjoy their crates and are happy being there when it’s in their best interest. It can keep them safe when workmen are in your home and It is the safest spot for them to ride when they’re riding in the car. Happy New Year and remember Mom loves ya and the dogs! 7 IN THE KITCHEN WITH KARLA A Stew to Warm Your Wheaten’s Heart (A Recipe for your DOG) 1 pound of stewing beef, cubed 2 potatoes, cubed 5 carrots, chunked 1 cup of warm water 1 1/2 cups of low salt beef broth 1 bay leaf Salt and pepper Added later: 1 tablespoon yellow corn flour mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water Mix the first 6 ingredients.