July Newsletter

Hello Everyone. Our meeting this month will be Monday, July 12, 2010. We meet at IHOP to eat at 6:30 and the meeting starts around 7:30. We hope to see you all there.

Nancy Donahue has arranged for Dr. Hines of Alpharetta Animal Hospital to come speak at our meeting in August about the stem cell work they are doing for dogs with hip dysplasia. (Not this month, next month)

President Don Watson and Treasurer Rhea Spence were unable to make the meeting. The Treasurer’s Report was forwarded to Randall and distributed to members for review.

-Randall asked if there were any changes or additions to the Minutes of the May meeting as published in the newsletter. No corrections necessary. Motion to accept the Minutes was made by Merry Carol Hourchard, seconded by Mike Shelton.

-Don Watson had mentioned that the Budget was to be discussed at this meeting. The 2009-2010 was emailed to members for review. Randall asked if there were any changes or suggestions for this budget as the Budget Committee has already suggested the budget remain the same.

The question was asked- Why is there no expenses for the Cluster Shows in the budget? The show expenses have always been handled outside of the Annual Operating Budget. Merry Carol Houchard reported that the oxygen masks have been obtained at no cost to the club, so that could be removed from the budget. Linda Jackson made the suggestion that the budget discussion be tabled until next month when more members are present.

-Mike Houchard passed around an article about the UGA Scholarship that recognized the Kennel Clubs that supported the UGA students.

Mike reported that the Coalition has no adverse bills for us to be concerned about at this time. The mandatory spay/neuter bill is dead but we are still a targeted state by the HSUS.

Mike reported that the AKC Delegates meeting was held in Atlanta. This is the attended meeting due to the summer holidays. There is a proposal to do away with the June meeting. The AKC members in the Atlanta area did a Hospitality Bag with Georgia memorabilia for the Delegates. The cost of these bags was approximately $700 and all member clubs were asked to donate to this cost. Linda Jackson made a motion to donate up to $150 to this cause. Motion was seconded by Mike Shelton. Motion passed.

Mike also reported that the issue of Judges Fees is going back to the table.

He also reported that the Grand Champion Title is bringing out more finished champions to the show ring.

-Linda Jackson reported that the Handling Class was a great success this spring and after expenses, showed a profit of $126.45. Linda made a motion to donate these profits to Kellers’ Kupboard to purchase pet food. Seconded by Mike Shelton. Motion passed.

-Jan Moore let members know of an embroidery business (CRAFTYTAC) in Conyers that does excellent work, has great prices and a very quick turnaround time.

-Jerri Dandelske asked for members to send pictures and any other information that they would like to see on the website to her.

-Jackie Dilworth reported that 240 pounds and 25 cans of dog food was donated at the graduation of the Handling Class.

-Erin Mayfield asked for input for the RDOD event this fall. There is a chance of doing it during the Rockdale County Fair at the Horse Park. We can also do a standalone event. Erin will contact the people doing the Fair for more information and will report back at the next meeting.

Brags this month came from Steve and Nancy Donahue. Their Puli finished with a 4 point major going Best of Breed over the #1 Breed and All-Breed Puli and made the cut in the group. Congratulations to CH Prydain Kangaroo Kourt at Donasell!

Great news! We are welcome to have our RDOD in conjunction with the Rockdale County Fair at the GHIP this year. The potential dates are: Sat and Sun, Sept 25 & 26, and the next weekend, Oct 2& 3.

We can have the same grassy space and also stage space for the Meet the Breed and presentation of the essay winners. The Fair director is very excited and willing to give us the space for free, as we are a non profit and the purpose of our activity is educational for the community! She loves the essay contest and thrilled that we have contacts in the school systems in the area.

She is bubbling with ideas....would love to have some official competitions during the fair too- matches, sanctioned events, etc if we want to do that. we are welcome to bring ideas to her. The Fair is very busy from opening to closing, with numerous fun and educational activities for families throughout the day. I think she is going to be delightful to work with.

We just need to decide what we want to do.....
If anyone has ideas and wants to talk before the next meeting in Aug, please call Erin Mayfield so we can get things moving!!

Thanks loads for all of your support!!

AKC CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

--AKC Adds New Titles in Conformation, Companion and Performance Events --

New York, NY - Since the start of the year, each event type - conformation, companion and performance - now offers its exhibitors a brand new AKC title. The conformation and performance titles will appeal to the long-time exhibitor while the companion title will help bring along the novice handler or inexperienced dog.

Last month, Conformation added the Grand Champion title. Judges now have the opportunity of awarding Grand Championship points to their Best of Breed and Best of Opposite winners as well as to additional AKC Champions with the Select Dog and Select Bitch award. We believe this title gives breeders and owners a new way to showcase the quality of their breeding stock to judges and other breeders and exhibitors alike. We encourage you to take advantage of the enhanced conformation title.

We are proud to announce that we already have the first AKC Grand Champion in history - a 4-year old Weimaraner named GCH Monterra's Best Bet, MH - who finished his title in six consecutive shows. As an additional recognition for dogs that complete their Grand Champion title, they will also receive an invitation to the AKC / Eukanuba National Championship.

Starting this summer, Companion events will offer a new Beginner Novice obedience title. This title is an excellent competitive event for both the novice handler and dog. Most exercises, a blend from Rally and Companion Dog, are completed on-leash.

In the Performance area, Earthdog competitors now have the opportunity to earn a new title - the Endurance Earthdog - the first addition since the program's inception in 1993. This EE title provides a new challenge for dogs that have earned their Master Earthdog title by requiring them to earn five double qualifications in master and senior. A Border Terrier named "Rosemary" recently earned the first ever EE title.

As you know, Parent Clubs also have a variety of breed specific sports and events. The Board recently approved a program to allow the recording of parent club performance event titles if AKC does not provide a test for these breed-specific skills. The Bloodhound Club of America is the first to apply for acknowledgment of its titles with their "man-trailing event". If your parent club would like to participate in this new program please contact Performance Events AVP Doug Ljungren at DVL@akc.org.

As you can see, it's an exciting time for AKC exhibitors. Whether you want to compete further, add more titles or participate in parent club events, we hope these new AKC titles will inspire you to reach higher goals, remain longer on the competitive trail, and provide you with more ways to bond with your dog.

Sincerely,

Ron Menaker
Chairman

The Canine Health Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of the next podcast in the Genome Barks series.

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Chad Reese, Assistant Brand Manager for Veterinary Diets with Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. Mr. Reese outlines several therapeutic diets from Purina available exclusively through your veterinarian, including diets for joint mobility, allergies and gastrointestinal issues. Mr. Reese also discusses some of the science behind the diets, and talks about the different research facilities that are working to bring nutrition to your dog.

The Genome Barks podcast series features lectures from the highly successful AKC and CHF Breeders Symposia and provides responsible breeders and pet owners an inside look at the work being done by the Canine Health Foundation..

New podcasts are released every two weeks and can be accessed from the Canine Health Foundation website at www.CanineHealthFoundation.org - click on "Podcasts." They are also available on Apple's iTunes or directly at www.genomebarks.com.

Clubs are encouraged to add the Genome Barks Podcast link to their home pages. Contact the Canine Health Foundation to obtain graphics and links.

Final Presentation Video Released from the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference [Monday, May 31, 2010]

The Canine Health Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of the final video recorded at the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference held in St. Louis. The October conference, sponsored by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, brought together leading researchers and representatives from national breed clubs to discuss the current state of canine health research, and where the future will lead.

The video released is Dr. Matthew Breen, "Canine Cancer & Comparative Genomics: New Technologies, New Opportunities." Click here to view the this video and others from the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference.

Advances in genomics technologies over the past decade have been astonishing, leading to a revolution in biomedical research and an impact on human society that may rival that of the industrial revolution. The application of genomics to canine biomedical research has seen a number of significant advances as we strive to enhance the health and welfare of our companions. Comparative genomics may be defined broadly as any area of research in which the sequence and function of genomes of different species are compared. With complete genome sequences available both for human and dog, we now are able to identify regions of both genomes that are shared and are associated with disease, and thus begin to understand which genes specifically are playing key roles in a variety of disease processes. The core similarity of genes defining human and dog allows the dog to be considered as a valid biomedical model system of numerous human genetic disease, including cancers. The comparative value of biomedical research is widely accepted and there is every expectation that data generated from studies of canine diseases ultimately will have a major impact on human health.

Dr. Matthew Breen completed his PhD in cytogenetics in 1990 and then spent two years as a Post Doc in Molecular Genetics at the UK Medical Research Council's Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh. Dr. Breen then spent four years working for the research arm of the Australian Thoroughbred industry, returning to the UK in 1996 where his laboratory developed molecular cytogenetics reagents, resources and techniques for application to canine genome mapping, comparative cytogenetics and cancer studies. In 2002 Dr. Breen relocated his laboratory to North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine as part of their Genomics initiative. His research interests continue to focus on the genomics, genome mapping and the comparative aspects of canine cancer. Dr. Breen currently has a number of active grants from the CHF that are focused on the molecular cytogenetic evaluation of canine tumors.

Purina Walk of Champions Paves the Way to a Healthier Future for Dogs

[Friday, May 28, 2010]

A brick walkway honoring dogs that have earned titles in any canine sport will pave the way to the new Purina Event Center, which opens this fall at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri, and will also help support the Canine Health Foundation.

The Purina Walk of Champions contains about 4,000 bricks leading to the entrance of the world-class, multimillion-dollar indoor facility. The Event Center will host all-breed dog shows, national specialties, agility and obedience trials.

"The engraved brick pavers that make up the Purina Walk of Champions are a wonderful way to pay tribute to a special dog," says Cindy Vogels, chairman of the Canine Health Foundation. "The gesture extends not only to your own dog but to dogs everywhere through support of canine health research."

Owners may purchase bricks in their dogs' honor by providing $100 to the Canine Health Foundation. Of this amount, $70 is a tax-deductible donation. The largest nonprofit organization that funds health research exclusively for canines, the Canine Health Foundation has awarded nearly $24 million since 1995 to support canine health research at veterinary schools and research institutions worldwide.

Ann Viklund, Purina Director of Conformation, Sporting and Breeder Marketing, says, "We are pleased to offer this opportunity to the dog fancy. The Walk of Champions will be noticed by all who visit the Purina Event Center. It provides a way of commemorating special dogs forever."

Since 1997, Purina and the Canine Health Foundation have worked together to support canine health studies that will benefit dogs and those who love them. Many groundbreaking discoveries and collaborations have taken place in many areas of canine health and genetics because of this liaison.

For information about purchasing a brick on the Purina Walk of Champions contact the Canine Health Foundation at 888-682-9696 or click here to purchase your brick online. Click here for more information about the Purina Event Center.

CHF Ranked #77 - Keep Voting to Help the Canine Health Foundation Win $50,000 for Cancer Research [Thursday, June 17, 2010]

The Canine Health Foundation is pleased that we're currently ranked #77 in the Pepsi Refresh Project. However, in order to win, we need to be in the Top 10. We still need YOUR HELP to win by voting for our project "Eliminate Cancer for Dogs and Children," which will support osteosarcoma research with Drs. Kerstin Lindblad-Toh and Jaime Modiano.

Here's what you do: Visit Refresh Everything, sign in and vote for the Canine Health Foundation's idea. But don't just vote today! We need you to vote every day in June. And share this with all your friends! Put the information on your Facebook page. Email the link to our idea page to your address book. Share the page with your friends and family.

With everyone we know who loves dogs voting for us, we should have no problem winning! Thank you for your support and remember, please vote everyday until the end of June! Together, we can help all dogs and their owners live longer, healthier lives!

Van Andel Research Institute Launches New Canine Cancer Studies! Your Participation is Needed in the Collection of Tumor Samples [Tuesday, June 15, 2010]

The Van Andel Research Institute, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, received a "Grand Opportunities" (GO grant) from the National Institutes of Health. This is enabling the Institute to expand its canine cancer studies, which started with a project partially funded by the Canine Health Foundation investigating hemangiosarcoma in Clumber Spaniels 18 months ago, into a much broader research program. They are launching a new center of excellence in canine genetics and genomics. The first and most important program is the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC), which is headed by Drs. Jeff Trent (TGen), Nick Duesbery (Van Andel Research Institute), and Paul Meltzer (National Cancer Institute/NIH). The program is an unprecedented alliance of scientists, veterinarians and physicians. Drs. Duesbery and Froman are intensely focused on recruiting canine cancer patients for the study through a variety of clinical outreach programs. Samples from canine patients will not only allow the researchers to identify genes responsible for breed-specific susceptibilities (such as hemangiosarcoma in Clumber Spaniels and osteosarcoma in Greyhounds), but also to translate these discoveries into new and more precise diagnostics and therapeutics for both canine and human cancer patients. The ultimate goal is to take personalized medicine for dogs to unscaled heights!

You can find more information about this program in From Bark to Bedside: Dogs Point to Cancer Culprits found in the 31st issue of Discoveries, the Canine Health Foundation newsletter.

The CHCC has been developed to investigate five initial cancers in dogs, which also affect people. The first five cancers they'll be researching are:

In order to move forward, they need your help. The Institute will be studying only naturally ocurring tumors, so they need the assistance of owners with dogs who develop any of the above types of cancer. They are requesting fresh (NOT in formalin) tumor samples when the dog has surgery, a biopsy or is euthanized. They also need 3 mls of blood in an EDTA (purple top) tube. If a tumor sample is not immediately available, (a dog who has had surgery, for example), a blood sample is still useful. If your dog is scheduled for surgery, please contact VARI ahead of time so they can FedEx a tumor collection kit to your veterinarian. You can contact the CHCC at 616.234.5569. You may also email Dr. Froman at roe.froman@vai.org. Consent forms and more information for veterinarians can be accessed and downloaded from their website, Helping Dogs. In addition, they are collecting DNA samples from a wide variety of healthy, purebred dogs, for use as controls. Your help is greatly appreciated.

AKC Canine Health Foundation Releases Podcast on Canine Eye Disease with Optigen [Friday, July 2, 2010]

The AKC Canine Health Foundation is pleased to release the next podcast in the Genome Barks series. This week on Genome Barks we welcome Sue Pearce-Kelling, President of Optigen, LLC. Ms. Pearce-Kelling discusses the DNA tests that Optigen offers, the current research projects Optigen is performing, as well as the importance of annual eye exams, and the purposes of both DNA tests and eye exams.

Susan Pearce-Kelling (Sue PK) has been a dog person from her first days of toddling aside Gunner, a patient English Setter who helped her learn to walk. The next dog in her family was a young Brittany spaniel that tragically died from Canine Distemper Virus in the days before the CDV vaccine was widely available. The memory of that pup's suffering helped to shape her interest in disease and canine medicine. She focused on biology and gained a Masters of Science degree in veterinary pathology from Cornell while working on CDV in the laboratories of Drs. Max Appel and Brian Summers at the James Baker Institute. While there, she moved into research with Drs. Gus Aguirre and Greg Acland whose work focused on inherited eye diseases in dogs. This led to her current vocation of overseeing the operation of OptiGen, a DNA testing laboratory that specializes in inherited eye diseases of dogs. Sue and her husband raised and showed Golden Retrievers for many years before raising their two sons (who are still working on their obedience titles).

The Canine Health Foundation will be providing additional educational opportunities: the Breeders Symposium at the Phoenix Inn Suites in Olympia, Washington on August 14, and the University of Georgia Breeders Symposium September 11. For more information or to register, click here.

This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 7 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call Erika Werne, Director, Education and Communications (888.682.9696) for further information.

June 2010

From our Nation's Capitol
AKC Government Relations and our federal advocacy team in Washington, D.C., continue to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2010 Legislative Tracking Page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on all federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Check out the latest edition of AKC’s congressional newsletter In Session for interviews with congressional dog owners, policy analyses, and other articles that help us demonstrate to Congress our commitment to the promotion of responsible dog ownership.

Here are a few of the bills we’re tracking in Congress.

News from the State Capitols
The U.S. Congress, 14 state legislatures, and the District of Columbia are currently in regular session; Pennsylvania and California are in special session. Throughout 2010, AKC Government Relations (GR) has tracked over 1,100 bills at all levels of government. For the latest information on the state and federal bills being tracked by the Government Relations (GR) Department, visit our 2010 Legislation Tracking page. This page, updated daily, provides the latest bill text, status, and Legislative Alerts posted by the AKC.

For more information on any of the measures mentioned, contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.

Here are some of the highlights.

Local Battles
The AKC Government Relations Department continues to work with responsible dog owners to help with canine legislation issues in their local communities. If you hear of an issue in your town or county, contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org. We will be happy to provide you with the resources, tools, and support you need to help fight for responsible dog ownership in your community.

Here are some examples of the local issues currently being addressed by AKC GR.

Introducing AKC’s New State Legislative Newsletter!
For the past two years, the AKC has published In Session, a quarterly newsletter for members of Congress and their staff that highlights canine legislative issues and provides information on AKC programs and community activities. Now, at the request of many clubs and breeders, we are pleased to introduce the new state legislative version of In Session. This quarterly newsletter will be sent to every state legislator throughout the United States, and also be available on our website for you to download, read, and share in person with your lawmakers. In our inaugural issue, we discuss state resolutions recognizing the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, the value of responsible dog breeders, and highlight a variety of other AKC programs.

To download this newsletter, visit the AKC Government Relations website, click on “Government Relations Newsletters” and select the link for In Session. This page includes the most recent issues of both the state and congressional versions of In Session, as well as archives.

Get Involved in the Community This Summer
Summer is a busy time for many local communities. Fourth of July festivities, community festivals, and local fairs are just a few of the broad variety of events that take place in communities across the country. It is also a great time to start planning a Responsible Dog Ownership (RDO) Day for September.The AKC is offering free resources to the first 500 organizations to register their Responsible Dog Ownership Day community event. All these events are terrific opportunities to promote responsible ownership and educate the public about dogs and canine legislation issues! Read more.

New from the GR Toolbox:
Policy Analyses & Canine Legislation Education
In our ongoing effort to help educate clubs, breeders, lawmakers, and the general public about canine legislation, the AKC Government Relations Department continues to add new resources to the Government Relations Toolbox. This month, be sure to access six new issue analyses and articles to help educate you, your clubs, lawmakers, and your community about canine legislation and how AKC works to encourage responsible dog ownership and to protect the rights of responsible dog owners. Read more.

The past six months have been very busy for the Government Relations Department.

Although many legislatures have adjourned, there are still many state and local legislative issues pending across the United States. I encourage you to review them to see how you can help, and also to get a feel for the broad range of issues facing responsible dog owners and breeders around the country.

I also strongly encourage you to check out our inaugural edition of our newest newsletter, In Session for state legislators. Until now, this quarterly newsletter was only for members of the U.S. Congress. Our new state version contains some national information, but also information of special interest to state legislators.

Starting this month, the state version of In Session is being sent to every state legislator in the country. Please take the time to read this newsletter and consider printing it and personally giving a copy to your legislator to help introduce them to the world of AKC and responsible dog ownership.

We are also monitoring new legislation introduced in Congress. Companion bills S.3424/ H.R.5434, known as the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (“PUPS”) Act, would require all breeders who sell more than 50 puppies in a one-year period to obtain a USDA license, maintain minimum federal standards for care and conditions, be inspected by the USDA, and ensure that dogs receive sufficient exercise to maintain normal muscle mass. The AKC is currently reviewing this legislation.

The policy-making activity at all levels demonstrates again the need for continued education and communication about canine legislation. In this issue, we encourage you to consider the many summer activities in your area and how you can use those opportunities to promote responsible dog ownership and breeding. Be creative, and be sure to let us (as well as your legislators!) know about the work you are doing in your community.

This month’s new features in the AKC Government Relations Toolbox include easy-to-read policy analyses on breed-specific legislation, responsible breeding, and the importance of dog shows. We encourage you to print these articles and distribute them to lawmakers and others in your community.

We’ve also added several articles to help educate you, your clubs, and other dog-lovers about canine legislation. These articles discuss what to do when a bad bill is introduced and how AKC can help you fight back.

Finally, even if your state legislature has adjourned, local governments are still meeting and may be introducing canine legislation. Don’t forget to pay attention to local media and legal/public notices, and if you see an issue of concern in your area, be sure to contact us. The AKC Government Relations team provides numerous services to help you take a stand in your community.

Thank you for all you do to help us protect and promote responsible dog ownership and breeding. We look forward to continuing to work with you.

All the best,
Sheila Goffe
Director of Government Relations

Contact Us

Phone: (919) 816-3720

Email: doglaw@akc.org

Government Relations

Legislative Alerts

2010 Legislation Tracking

As a concerned pet owner, I am extremely worried that in just a few short years, I will no longer be able to enjoy life with my pets. Animal Rights groups are systematically chipping away, under the guise of Animal Welfare, my right to own pets and enjoy the human-animal bond.

Animal Welfare is a philosophy that advocates that people who keep and utilize animals have a moral responsibility to assure their well-being, and to protect them from abuse and unnecessary suffering. Animal Rights is a philosophy that advocates animals should be viewed as legal persons, not property, and that they should not be used in any way.

Groups such as PET A (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (Humane Society of the United States, no direct affiliation with local humane societies) conduct major political lobbying at the state and federal levels and spend millions of dollars annually to promote their agenda and to elect candidates that favor their agenda. That agenda, while couched in terms of animal welfare, is, in many cases, designed to restrict and eliminate a pet owner's right to own animals.

Eliminating the right to own pets will severely affect your veterinary practice ...

Animal Rights organizations spend millions of dollars a year lobbying politicians. Breed restrictions, early spay and neuter, crop and dock bans, are all examples of legislation which limits and eliminates pet ownership, community by community, state by state. These groups feel pet ownership, livestock, food animals, hunting, medical research, zoos, circuses, rodeos, horse shows, dog shows, cat shows, bird shows, guide dogs, service dogs, police dogs, and search and rescue dogs are all "exploitation" of animals and attempt to end them. They also chip away at the rights of pet owners and their veterinarians to determine the proper veterinary treatment of their pets' health and welfare.

Laws banning ear cropping, tail docking, debarking, declawing, or enforcing early spay and neuter protocols attempt to dictate how you practice medicine. These are surgical procedures that should be decided on a medical case by case basis in the best interest of the animal patient, between you, the veterinarian, and me, the pet owner - not a politician.

I believe that veterinary medical decisions should be made by veterinarians and pet owners, not by politicians ...

Animal Rights groups encourage politicians to enact both drastic and seemingly insignificant changes to current legislation. They play to our emotional, not factual based decisions.

The "owner" vs "guardian" issue is a perfect example. While on the surface, replacing the term "owner" with "guardian" in legislation seems to be innocuous, kind-hearted, and a gentler term to use, in reality, it takes away a pet owner's property rights to own, breed, and even provide veterinary care for their pet. Once a pet owner is deemed a "guardian," it opens the door for third parties to step in, on behalf of the pet, and override decisions made on behalf of the pet, including veterinary care.

Imagine having to get permission from not only the pet owner, but a third party "guardian" whenever you recommend a medical procedure. Imagine having your medical protocol questioned in the local courts when a "guardian" decides to intercede and files an injunction on behalf of the pet to prohibit your recommended course of treatment.

Continuing to allow Animal Rights groups to influence local legislation is harmful to our rights as pet owners and your rights to determine how you practice veterinary medicine.

This directly affects your ability to both practice veterinary medicine and earn a living. Without a pet population, veterinary medicine would be severely limited, if not totally destroyed.

As a veterinarian, and a respected member of our community, your involvement is crucial in the fight against anti-pet legislation.

Two great sources of information on how to battle this type of legislation are the NAIA (National Animal Interest Alliance) and the American Kennel Club.

The NAIA (www.naiaonline.orq)isanassociationofbusiness.agricultural.scientific. and recreational interests dedicated to promoting animal welfare, supporting responsible animal use, and strengthening the bond between humans and animals. Their members are pet owners, dog and cat clubs, obedience clubs, and rescue groups, as well as breeders, trainers, veterinarians, research scientists, farmers, fishermen, hunters, and wildlife biologists. Through the NAIA and the NAIA Trust (www.naiatrust.orq) whose mission is to promote the welfare of animals, strengthen the human-animal bond and safeguard the rights of responsible animal owners, enthusiasts and professionals through education, legislation and the courts, Their websites are filled with facts, figures, and sample talking points to help you become an expert advocate.

(www.akc.orq/canine leqislation) is dedicated to protecting the rights of all dog owners, recognizing that advocacy works best when those who are directly affected by the legislation take the lead in working with policymakers. With 125 years of experience in the study and welfare of dogs, the AKC is a leading expert on responsible dog ownership, care, well-being, and public policy issues that pertain to dog ownership. The primary role of the AKC in the area of canine public policy is educational and informational. There is a wealth of information available to you to support the fight against anti-dog legislation.

Animal Rights legislation affects all of us that love our pets. Not only does it affect the pet owner, but the pet industry as a whole, including veterinary medicine, groomers, trainers, pet stores, and breeders.

We can't let the benefits of the human and animal bond be taken away from us. We must all work together to preserve our life with animals. As pet owners, we rely on you, our veterinarian to be there for our pets' medical needs, to counsel us on their health and well-being. We are already engaged in this battle with the Animal Rights groups. We need your help!

Grass roots efforts at the local level are what win the battles against this type legislation. Get involved. Go to your city or county commission meetings. Facts and figures coming from you, the veterinarian, create far greater impact than from pet owners alone. After all, most city commissioners, county commissioners, and legislators own pets, and trust their veterinarian. You are the expert on veterinary care. They will listen to you.

Great Dane Bridlewood’s Dream Machine (Diesel), co-owned by Jackie Dilworth and Dawn O’Cain, was BOW at both Florence, SC shows. Littersister Bridlewood’s Divine Design (Diva) co-owned by Jackie Dilworth and Melissa Bennett, was WB.

7 month old Aileron-Thorncrest’s The Sky of Tomka (Elle) co-owned by Jackie Dilworth with Marylene Brunelle of Montreal. Started her show career with 6 RWB’s and 2 BOS. Littersister Aileron Thorncrest’s Murcialago (Mercy), owned by Barb Podger of Toronto, took a RWB and 2 Bow at her debut.