THE GERMAN SHEPHERD SENTINEL
OCTOBER 2006 Newsletter
Of The
GSDC OF GREATER RALEIGH
Pat Embrey, Newsletter Editor
1390 Sanders Road, Benson, NC 27504
PH: 919-934-6232, E-Mail: VonRillca@aol.com
Website: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Board Policy on Dogs at Club Sponsored Events
2. OBITUARY OF JANE WALL
3. October Meeting Information
4. September Meeting Minutes
5. Brag Box
6. Whelping Box
7. Reducing the Impact of Hip Dysplasia
8. Dog Owners Warned Over Sugar Free Items
9. Don’t Mess With Mom
BOARD POLICY ON DOGS AT CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS
The GSDC of Greater Raleigh welcomes your German Shepherd at our events, including meetings. However, the following rules must be followed:
1. Anyone with an aggressive dog (one that growls, snaps, or is in any way aggressive towards other dogs or people) must be muzzled.
2. Dogs will be free of loose hair and external parasites (fleas or ticks). Please brush your dog prior to bringing it to the meeting as we must clean up the room after we are finished.
3. For the safety of all members, guests and their dogs, it is strongly recommended that all dogs be kept up to date on their vaccinations. ALL dogs that are old enough, MUST have a current rabies shot.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN’T HEARD, IT IS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF SADNESS I MUST REPORT ON THE UNEXPECTED SUDDEN DEATH OF OUR CLUB MEMBER , JANE WALL, THIS PAST WEEK. THE DOG WORLD AND OUR CLUB WILL CERTAINLY MISS HER.
October Meeting Information
The next meeting of the GSDC of Greater Raleigh will be held on Wednesday, October 4 at 7:00 PM for socialization and the meeting starting at 7:30 PM. As usual it will be held at the Exchange Park on Spring Forest Drive In Raleigh. The program will consist of: The Nutroman, Ken Bush, who will make a return visit to tell us the history of dog food. He was informative and entertaining at the May meeting when he was there to tell us about the Nutro brand dog food products and ingredients. Be sure and bring your dogs to our meeting.
Refreshments will be furnished by Sarah Bridges.
September Meeting Minutes
The September club program was our annual picnic. This year we held our usual "Pot Luck" picnic during the regularly scheduled club meeting date and time. There were a total of 18 people and six canine friends (including one first time attendee, who submitted for membership, and several guests) in attendance. We shared a fantastic meal and played a couple of human games - Name That Dog and Three Facts. In addition, we had a dog item swap - several members brought dog related items, we gave everyone a number and then pulled numbers to identify winners. Each winner got to pick an item off the table with the final drawing being for a very large dog crate. The dog crate was won by Yvonne and Reed Kowalczyk who happen to drive the smallest car they own to club that night. We all got quite a chuckle as they managed to get the large crate into the small car with two passengers and another collapsible crate they keep in their car at all times for canine passengers.
The only business was the first reading for the membership submitted that night. Several club members are planning to attend the German Shepherd Nationals in October but no details have been decided.
BRAG BOX
Bill and Jeri Pfieffer's Angel got her Canadian Championship.
Yvonne Kowalczyk’s Ponca Hill’s Rhumba of Tantara went Winners Bitch in Muncie, IN for a four point major. And her Ch Ponca Hill’s Snake took Best of Breed at the GSDC of Jackson, Miss.
WHELPING BOX
Ellen Ransom is the proud owner of a litter of eight puppies, Deeda Duncan has three little girls, and Pat Embrey has six new babies, Sarah Bridges has six babies that were born in August, and Frank also has six babies that were born in August.
By the way, anyone who hasn’t used the AKC’s on-line litter registration should try it. I registered my litter on Tuesday, and had my papers from the AKC on Friday. Pat.
REDUCING THE IMPACT OF HIP DYSPLASIA
By Rhonda Hovan
From the OFA E-News, September/October 2006 Edition
Reprinted with permission from the Chief Operating Officer of the OFA
Nearly everyone who has seriously bred, trained, or competed with a breed at risk for hip dysplasia is aware of how devastating the news can be that a special dog is affected. The impact may be measured in a number of ways, including dashed hopes and dreams, lost monetary investment in the dog, time lost to a breeding or competition program, wasted effort spent training and preparing the dog, the emotional toll on the family, and of course, concern for the dog. Generally all of these factors contribute to a sense of loss, distress, and heartbreak that is all too familiar to those involved with dogs as a hobby, sport, or profession.
While conscientious breeders and owners attempt to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia through careful breeding and management decisions, current tools are imperfect, and the possibility of HD looms as a significant concern in young dogs of many breeds. However, there is another important way to reduce the impact of this disease that is often overlooked.
Early preliminary radiographs, done as young as four months of age, have proven to have a high degree of accuracy when submitted to OFA for evaluation (Corley et al, 1997). A study of over 2300 dogs showed that dogs rated Excellent on preliminary evaluations received normal evaluations as adults 100% of the time, and dogs rated Good on preliminary evaluations received normal evaluations as adults 97.,9% of the time. Dogs rated Fair on preliminary evaluations were more likely to become abnormal as adults, but even Fairs remained normal as adults 76.9% of the time.
…dogs rated Excellent on preliminary evaluations received normal evaluations as adults 100% of the time, and dogs rated Good on preliminary evaluations received normal evaluations as adults 97.9% of the time.
Statistics are similarly impressive for dogs evaluated by OFA as dysplastic on preliminary radiographs, as 97.4% of dogs receiving a preliminary rating of Moderate were evaluated as having hip dysplasia as adults; and 8.4% of those receiving a preliminary rating of Mild were evaluated as having HD as adults.
This data has tremendous implications for breeders, owners, and trainers, because it demonstrates the reliability of a tool to help guide decisions about the future of young dogs prior to the investment of precious resources. While the diagnosis of hip dysplasia is disappointing at any age, it is certainly easier to recover from plans that must be altered when the dog is four-to-six months of age, rather than when the dog is two years of age. Similarly, owners can feel more confident in developing a dog’s full potential when a preliminary radiograph has been evaluated by OFA as having a Good or Excellent rating. Owners of dogs receiving a Fair, Borderline or Mild rating may wish to submit a second preliminary radiograph four-to-six months after the first, because results tend to become more reliable as a dog ages.
There is no substitute for a conscientious breeding program, but hopes and dreams for that up and coming youngster may be more appropriately nurtured when early preliminary radiographs have been used to help guide plans and decisions. And a great deal of distress and heartbreak can be reduced when an owner learns at a very young age that a dog is not a good candidate to meet certain goals.
Reference: Corley EA, Keller GC, Lattimre JC, Ellersieck MR. Reliabitity of early radiographic evaluations for canine hip dysplasia obtained from the standard ventrodorsal radidographic projection. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1997 Nov 1;211(9): 1142-6
I just ran across the following article on AOL, and felt it should be released to our dog owning friends.
DOG OWNERS WARNED OVER SUGAR-FREE ITEMS
From AOL News
Reuters News Service – September 30, 2006
Keep those sugarless treats out of Fido’s reach. Veterinarians warned on Friday that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them.
Researchers said for dogs, ingesting even a small amount of xylitol, found in many sugar-free foods, can trigger significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can be fatal.
Their report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association appears to strengthen the suspected link between the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and possible liver failure.
Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes.
Researchers Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Eric Dunayer with staff at a poison unit of the ASPCA in Urgana Illinois, gathered information on dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products containing xylitol.
Each dog became ill, and five died or had to be put down because of liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol.
One dog who had to be euthanized had eaten four large chocolate-frosted muffins containing about 1 pound of xylitol.
“People don’t think sugar-free gum can kill their dog. I didn’t before I got into this. But this is something people should be aware of,” Gwaltney-Brant, who co-authored the study with Dunayer, said in a statement.
Gwaltney-Brant said for dogs, ingesting even a small amount of xylitol can trigger significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can be fatal.
A 22-pound dog who consumes one gram of xylitol should be treated,” she said, adding that further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship
Health concerns
I looked this up on Wikipedia, the on line encyclopedia, and found the following: Pat (Editor of The Sentinel).
Xylitol, like most sugar alcohols, can have a mild laxative effect at high doses. It has no known toxicity, though; people have consumed as much as 400 grams daily for long periods with no apparent ill effects. For canines, however, xylitol can cause serious – possibly life-threatening – problems. Dogs ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may have a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in loss of coordination, depression and seizures within 30 minutes of consumption. Even the small amount of xylitol found in two or three pieces of Trident gum[9] has been fatal for dogs in many cases.
This is absolutely NOT Dog related, but since so many of us do have or have had children in our homes, I thought it would be enjoyed.
Don't Mess With MOM
My son came home from school one day,
with a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough
to put me in my place.
"Guess what I learned in Civics 2,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'
It says I need not clean my room,
don't have to cut my hair.
No one can tell me what to think,
or speak, or what to wear.
I have freedom from religion,
and regardless what you say.
I don't have to bow my head,
And I sure don't have to pray.
I can wear earrings if I want,
and pierce my tongue and nose.
I can read and watch just what I like,
get tattoos from head to toe.
And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
with the marks on my behind.
Don't you ever touch me,
my body's only for my use,
not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.
Don't preach about your morals,
like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
and it's illegal too!
Mom, I have these children's rights,
so you can't influence me,
or I'll call Children's Services Division,
better known as C.S.D."
Of course my first instinct was
to toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
made me think a little more.
I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.
Next day I took him shopping,
at the local Goodwill store.
I told him, "Pick out all you want,
there's shirts and pants galore.
I've called and checked with C.S.D.,
who said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes
instead of Nike Airs.
I've cancelled that appointment
to take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. is unconcerned
so I'll decide what's best."
I said "No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.
Just save the raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
A favorite dish of mine."
He asked "Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?"
"Sorry, but I sold your TV,
For new tires on my car.
I also rented out your room,
You'll take the couch instead.
The C.S.D. requires just a roof over your head.
Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
will buy me something neat.
I'm selling off your jet ski,
dirt-bike, & rollerblades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!
Hey hot shot, are you crying,
why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
instead of the C.S.D.?"
Send to all the people that have teenagers or have already raised
teenagers, or have children who will soon be teenagers or those who
will be parents someday or ANYONE WHO'D JUST GET A LAUGH..I love this one!!!
M.O.M. ( Mean Old Mother )
THE (REAL) EDITOR AT THE COMPUTER
