CONYERS KENNEL CLUB
SEPTEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER
Hello Everyone. Our meeting this month will be Monday 13, 2010. We meet at IHOP to eat at 6:30 and the meeting starts around 7:30. I am sorry I am late on the newsletter but I have had a lot going on. I hope everyone remembered that handling classes started Tuesday. We forgot or we would have been there. I am sorry I didn’t get a reminder out.
Everyone please remember RDOD Sat. and Sun Sept. 25 & 26 in conjunction with the Rockdale County Fair at the GHIP this year.
Elizabeth Barrett will be the speaker at the September meeting. Her program will be very interesting. She will be talking about Physical Rehabilitation- conditions that can be treated, exercises, etc. Below is her biography.
Elizabeth Barrett began showing dogs in conformation, obedience and later agility, in 1991 with the purchase of a black male Doberman. That dog went on to become the second male in the history of the breed to obtain the AKC’s Master Agility Championship. He was also one of four dogs that Elizabeth has handled into the Doberman Pinscher Club of America’s (DPCA) Top 20 Agility rankings. In addition to handling multiple breeds to Top 10 conformation status, she has breeder/handled several Dobermans to their AKC championship, obedience and agility titles. She handled the 2007 DPCA National Best of Winners in a class entry of over 225 dogs and bitches, and has successfully handled dogs from five of the seven AKC groups. In 2009 she was asked to judge the DPCA’s Top 20 Conformation Event.
Elizabeth has regularly been featured as an agility and physical therapy columnist in the Doberman Digest, has been reprinted in Front and Finish, and is featured as a contributing author in the to Bob and Pat Hastings' Puppy Puzzle video-- Another Piece of the Puzzle: Puppy Development. She co-authored a three hour presentation on Pain Management with an Emphasis on the Geriatric Patient for the 2009 conference of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Elizabeth Barrett was certified in canine massage therapy in 2002 and graduated with honors as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Certified by the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and Physical Therapy, she manages Caring Canine Rehabilitation Center in Stone Mountain, Georgia as well as working at their satellite office, Loving Touch Animal Wellness and Fitness Center in Midtown Atlanta.
Conyers Kennel Club
Meeting Minutes 8/9/2010
President Don Watson started the meeting early to allow extra time for our guest speaker, Dr. Hines. He asked for any corrections or additions to the July minutes as published in the Newsletter. Rhea Spence made a motion to accept the minutes as published, seconded by Ann Crum. Motion passed.
Rhea went over the treasurer’s report. Linda Jackson mentioned that at the June meeting a motion was passed to give the profit from the spring handling class be given to Jackie Dilworth to purchase food for the Food Bank. Rhea said this had not been done yet due to Jackie having been out of town. Don then went over our portion of the Expo Center rent.
Don updated the members about the most recent Cluster meeting. There was much discussion about the “Honey Wagons”.
Don was contacted last Friday by the Griffin Kennel Club about joining our cluster on Thursday, which is normally our Specialty Club Day. Don has met with the Griffin Kennel Club and explained how our cluster operates. Griffin Kennel Club has voted to join our cluster if the full Cluster is in agreement. There is an issue with the AKC regulations about “co-existing with specialty clubs. The AKC is sending Don more information about this topic.
Don reminded everyone that the August Show will close on the 11th. There has been a lot of response about the puppy class reduced entry fees. Onofrio did not print the fees in red as requested and the Gazette did not run our advertisement. The vendor space is sold out and there are approximately 60 RV sites left.
Don showed the new club banner from Canine Health Foundation. This will be hung at the show.
The clean-up people are lined up. We all need to make sure the crews are keeping everything cleaned up as they are supposed to.
The radio people are lined up for parking.
Don stated that someone needs to be stepping up to help with the RV parking. He feels he is carrying too much of the load with the shows and we need to be thinking about taking more of this responsibility. He cannot continue to do the RV parking.
Don said everything is in for the February show but has not been approved yet. Premium list is due September 10th. The trophy list needs to be submitted and also all changes to the committee list.
Emergency relief money is needed for the Newton County Food Bank. Don suggested that this month’s donation be given to the Newton Food Bank instead of the Rockdale Food Bank. He said that Newton’s Food Bank had two jars of peanut butter on their shelves. Jackie said she would take care of this. Mike made a motion that we alternate between Rockdale and Newton County Food Banks each month. Teresa seconded this motion. Motion passed.
Erin Mayfield updated the club on the RDOD plans. We have much more space this year. A larger tent will also be used. The fair opens at 12:00 and runs through 11:00 pm. We will run our activities until dark. Audrey asked if we would have a posted schedule of events posted so people will know what time the different events will take place. Erin will discuss this with the fair organizers.
A break was taken at this time so that our guest speaker, Dr. Hines could discuss the procedure of stem cell use in hip dysplasia and other uses. For more information go to www.alpharettaanimalhospital.com or www.vet-stem.com.
Discussion resumed on the RDOD plans. There will be the Tara Afghan Match, a conformation demonstration; Meet-A-Breed, Essay contest, Obedience Demonstration by Gaylord and possibly the Shih Tzu club may do a CGC with Jan Moore.
Steve Donahue offered to see if someone from Purina Incredible Dog Challenge competition would come do a Frisbee demo. Mike suggested that the Newton County Sheriff’s office be contacted to see if they will come do a demonstration. Don encouraged everyone to try to attend at least one day. Merry Carol updated everyone that the cutoff date will be 00 pm. Susan Puckett, Steven Donahue and Teresa Hesterley have volunteered to help judge the entries. Merry Carol will let these volunteers know the time but it will probably be the weekend of the 18th.
Don asked for a motion about the Griffin Kennel Club joining our cluster. Theresa made a motion to accept Griffin KC, seconded by Erin. Motion passed unanimously. This change could take effect as soon as the August 2011 shows as both the Lawrenceville and Sawnee Mountain clubs have reported positive feedback from their members also.
Don presented the membership application for Noelle Silva. She is a junior handler with an Afghan hound. She and her family have attended several handling class sessions, our match, lure course events and several all breed shows. Rhea made a motion to approve this junior member, seconded by Steven. Motion passed. Welcome Noelle as our newest member!
Mike Houchard has no report at this time on any legislative or AKC issues.
Linda reminded everyone that the handling classes start on September 7th and run for six weeks.
Don reminded everyone that they need to be at the Expo center for set up on Saturday, August 28th between 5-5:30. Trophies will need to be unloaded and the tables in hospitality, education, trophy and obedience areas will need to be set up.
BRAGS:
Jackie Dilworth reported that Great Dane, Bridlewood”s Divine Design (Diva) took WB for a major in Greenville, SC. She is co-owned and shown by Melissa Bennett of Jacksonville, FL. Litter brother, Bridlewood’s Double O’Seven, (Pierce) took WD twice in Kenner, LA and has singled out. He is co-owned with Melissa Watson of Denham Springs, LA. Jackie also recapped the Canadian trip brags that appeared in last month’s newsletter.
Gaylord Cleveland reported that Cane Corso, Luigi has achieved his UKC CDX. Luigi is the first Cane Corso to achieve this title by the AKC and UKC. Cane Corso, Sophie has achieved her CD title from the AKC. Congratulations!
Mike Houchard talked about judging the sweeps at the Canaan Dog National Specialty.
Recorded by Nancy Donahue, Transcribed by Jerri Dandelske
AKC Canine Health Foundation News Alert (1)
Samples Needed for Canine Melanoma Research! [Tuesday, August 3, 2010]
The Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC) needs your help!
They are studying canine melanoma and are requesting blood samples from any
purebred dog to further their research to identify the underlying genetic
lesions and biochemical pathways that contribute to this disease.
Melanoma is a form of cancer in which the pigment-producing cells of the skin,
melanocytes, multiply in an uncontrolled manner. Canine melanoma can be
malignant or benign; malignant cancer is capable of spreading from the original
tumor to lymph nodes and distant organs. Once melanoma is established in an
organ, additional tumors grow and often ultimately cause the death of the
animal. Canine melanoma is frequently malignant when it occurs in the mouth,
toes or behind the eyes. Oral melanoma, for example, is a particularly
aggressive subtype of the disease, with a 5-year survival rate of 10 - 25%.
The CHCC will provide sample collection kits and pay for shipping. Requested
samples include whole blood (5 mls in an EDTA "purple top" tube) and/or fresh
tumor samples. Dogs in remission are eligible to participate in this study, as
are dogs who have already had tumors removed.
For further information, collection kits and shipping information, please
contact
Dr. Roe Froman at the Van Andel Research Institute (office: 616.234.5569
cell: 616.914.0934).
The Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC), headed by Drs. Jeff Trent
(TGen), Nick Duesbery (Van Andel Research Institute), and Paul Meltzer (National
Cancer Institute/NIH), is an unprecedented alliance of scientists, veterinarians
and physicians. The melanoma research will be supported by the recent approval
of a 2-year, $4.3 million federal stimulus grant to the CHCC, which includes
TGen and the Van Andel Research Institute in partnership with the National
Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Pennsylvania, Michigan State
University, dog breeders and veterinarians.
AKC Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (2)
Canine Osteosarcoma: Progress Report and Call for More Samples
[Tuesday, August 10, 2010]
Osteosarcoma (OSA)
is the most common malignant bone cancer in dogs and is an important health
concern, accounting for five to six percent of all canine cancers. In the United
States, 8,000 – 10,000 cases are reported annually. It is a very aggressive
cancer and in the majority of cases, metastasis and death follow within a few
months or years. The median survival time for dogs treated with amputation plus
chemotherapy is 12 months, with only 20% surviving two years.
While osteosarcoma can occur in dogs of any size, some large and giant dog
breeds have a much higher risk of developing OSA within their lifetime than
other breeds (three to fifteen fold increased risk compared to the average in
dogs) including the long-limbed hounds (Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Great
Danes, Scottish Deerhounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Great Pyrenees and Borzoi) and
Mastiff-type breeds (Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever,
Golden Retriever, Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Saint Bernard, Irish Setter and
Newfoundland). The average age at diagnosis is seven to eight years old.
Finding the cause of OSA requires identifying inherited mutations in genes that
may make certain breeds, and certain individuals within a breed, susceptible to
these devastating diseases. This is a challenging task that the members of the
dog disease mapping team at the Broad Institute have been working on for several
years. With funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation, many collaborators
worldwide have also contributed to this effort. Identifying causative
mutations/genes will subsequently enable the development of DNA tests capable of
detecting susceptible individuals, and individuals that may pass these genes on
to offspring. This will allow owners/veterinarians to more closely follow the
susceptible dogs for tumor occurrence before possible life-threatening symptoms.
Identification of the genetic basis of OSA will also allow scientists to better
understand the biology of the disease, which long term may lead to the
development of preventative measures and effective new treatments.
OSA
Mapping Project Status Update
Researchers have been working very hard to collect sufficient number of cases
and control dogs in the past few years. They are happy to report that they have
just analyzed 155 OSA cases and 120 controls (Greyhounds) with the latest
genome-wide screening technology. The results look very promising with one major
gene and several additional genes contributing to the disease.. Targeted
sequence to find the actual mutations is currently ongoing. In parallel, two
additional breeds, Rottweilers and Irish Wolfhounds, will also be analyzed this
summer. To power these studies even more strongly, the researchers request more
cases and controls from all three breeds.
In addition, they would like dogs with osteosarcoma from all breeds since they
expect to examine many dog breeds for the presence of the Greyhound osteosarcoma
mutations shortly. Therefore, please read on and learn how you can help them
succeed in identifying mutations that give dogs the susceptibility for
osteosarcoma.
How
to participate in the cancer mapping projects:
Investigators are enrolling all purebred dogs that fall into any of the
following categories:
1) Have been diagnosed with OSA
2) Over eight years old and without cancer
3) Have other types of cancer/hereditary diseases (see the comprehensive list at
Dog DNA)
Researchers need 5ml (=1 teaspoon) of blood in a purple top tube (EDTA tube).
The sample can be mailed in at room temperature, as long as it arrives within a
week from the time it was taken. A consent form signed by the owner must be sent
in with the sample. The consent form can be found at
Dog DNA along with more detailed instructions. You can also contact the
investigators by e-mail
dog-info@broadinstitute.org. If you are also able to donate a sample from
your dog's tumor in addition to the blood please contact the Modiano lab at the
University of Minnesota by emailing
Mitzi Lewellen , call the lab (612-626-6890), or email the website contact
lab@modianolab.org. All samples sent to Dr. Modiano's lab will be shared
with the Broad Institute and with Dr. Matthew Breen's laboratory at North
Carolina State University.
All the information regarding your dog is kept strictly confidential, and the
genetic disposition of any dog will never be made public. We are looking forward
to your participation!!!
AKC Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (3)
AKC Canine Health Foundation Releases Podcast About the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) With Dr. David Whitley [Thursday, August 12, 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 Dr.. David Whitley, a
board certified ophthalmologist at Iowa State University.. Dr. Whitley has
focused his research efforts on corneal diseases of the dog, and
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I). In this podcast, we discuss the Canine Eye
Registration Foundation (CERF), what the exam entails, why participating in the
CERF registry is important for breeders and owners, and what some of the most
common eye diseases are in the 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..
Click here to listen to the podcast.
New podcasts are released every two weeks and can be accessed from the AKC
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 AKC Canine Health Foundation to obtain graphics and links.
The AKC Canine Health Foundation will be providing additional educational
opportunities: the Breeders Symposium at the University of Georgia September 11.
For more information or to register,
click here.
AKC Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (4)
Breeders Symposium Set for the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine [Thursday, August 19, 2010]
The AKC Canine Health Foundation announces that a canine breeders symposium will
be presented by the American Kennel Club and AKC Canine Health Foundation
September 11, 2010, at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
in Athens, Georgia. Targeted for novice and expert breeders alike, the Breeders
Symposium is an ideal venue in which to learn about sound breeding practices and
the advances in genetic health tests that lead to healthier dogs. Topics include
Pedigree Analysis and Managing Genetic Disease by keynote speaker Dr. Jerold
Bell, nutrition, endocrine and neurologic disease, vacinnation protocols, canine
cancer and reproduction.
The cost of attendance is $95.00 ($200.00 for those seeking CEU's), which
includes conference materials and lunch. To register, go to
AKC Canine Health Foundation and click on "Register for Events" located on
the left side of the page. Check-in opens Saturday at 8:00 AM.
Contact Erika Werne, Director of Education & Communications with the AKC Canine
Health Foundation at 888-682-9696 or via email
EAW@CanineHealthFoundation.org for questions or additional information.
AKC Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (5)
Complete Video Series Available Online from the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference [Tuesday, August 24, 2010]
The AKC Canine Health Foundation is pleased to announce that all ten videos
recorded at the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference held in St.
Louis are available for viewing.
The videos, which can be viewed by clicking
here include:
- Dr. Matthew Breen, "Canine Cancer & Comparative Genomics: New Technologies, New Opportunities"
- Dr. David Vail, "Clinical Trials in Veterinary Oncology: Past, Present and Future"
- Dr. Simon Platt, "New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Investigations of Neurological Disease in Dogs"
- Dr. Danika Bannasch, "Dalmatian Bladder Stones: Not Just a Dalmatian Problem"
- Dr. Brian Zanghi, "Nutrients to Promote Physical Recovery in Active Dogs"
- Dr. Eric Ledbetter, "Canine Herpesvirus-1: a New Pathogenic Role for an Old Virus"
- Dr. Ziad Ramadan, "Metabonomics: A Tool for Nutrition Research"
- Mike Sampson, BJ, MEx, "One Health One Medicine ? Strengthening the Human Animal Links"
- Dr. Mark Oyama, "Matters of the Heart: Advances in Canine Cardiac Research"
-
Dr. Ebenezer
Satayraj, "Immunonutrition"
The 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.
Click here for additional information about the active research the CHF has funded.
Contact:
Erika Werne
Director of Education & Communications
AKC Canine Health Foundation
919-334-4010
888-682-9696
www.CanineHealthFoundation.org
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
-- This September, Celebrate Responsible Dog Ownership With Us Without Leaving Your Computer! --
New York, NY – For the past eight years, hundreds of AKC clubs and dog organizations nationwide have been celebrating AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days by educating the public about the importance of responsible ownership. We congratulate those clubs and dog-loving groups on their outreach efforts and the profound impact it has had on thousands. This year, we are expanding that reach into interactive fun for you, your dog and your club by letting us know how you put responsible dog ownership into action!
This September, we invite dog lovers across America to share their “Acts of Responsible Dog Ownership” with us online as part of the inaugural “Virtual AKC RDO Days”. You or your club’s “act” can be something as simple as taking your dog for his regular walk or as elaborate as getting him health tested or microchipped. Do something for your own dogs or for dogs in your community as a whole, such as a donation to the local dog park. Pick up an extra poop along your walk, help someone find a responsible breeder, give your dog a good grooming or schedule his annual vet checkup.
Then, let us know what you or your club did. We want to amass at least 5,000 “Acts” in honor of AKC’s 5,000 clubs nationwide. There are several ways you or your club can let us know what you have done:
During September AKC will post the daily “Act of Responsible Dog Ownership” on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/americankennelclub) where you can “Like” it or post your own on AKC’s wall. You can always “tweet” us at Twitter @akcdoglovers or send it to us via e-mail at communications@akc.org. If you’re feeling really creative, take a photo or video of your “Act of Responsible Dog Ownership” and share it with us on AKC’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/AmericanKennelClub) or Flickr pages.
In conjunction with your act of responsible ownership, we encourage everyone to sign the AKC Responsible Dog Owner Pet Promise, a petition that brings the tenets of responsible dog ownership to life. You can also leave your “act” of responsible ownership in the comment section here. The “Pet Promise” is an oath that reminds both novice and veteran dog owners that raising a healthy dog is about more than just playtime and pampering. Find it at www.akc.org/rdod.
Don’t forget that AKC’s flagship event caps off the month on September 25th in Raleigh, North Carolina. If you’re a club still looking to host a “live” event, there is still time to register your event on our website and receive a free kit of materials. You can also find an event to attend in your area.
We hope that you will join us in celebrating AKC RDO Days this September in person as well as virtually. As always, thank you to our returning sponsors Invisible Fence® Brand and ADT Security Services as well as new sponsors Hill's® Science Diet® Small & Toy Breed Dog Food and Motel 6 for making AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days possible. But most of all - we thank all AKC participants for their generous support of this initiative and for their dedication to promoting responsible dog ownership.
Sincerely,
Ron Menaker
Chairman
Brags
Jackie Dilworth is pleased to report that Great Dane Bridlewood’s Divine Design (Diva) took WB for a major in Greenville S.C. Diva is co-owned and shown by Mellisa Bennett of Jacksonville, FL. Litter brother Bridlewood’s Double O’ Seven (Pierce) took WD twice in Kenner, LA. to single out. Pierce is co-owned with Mellisa Watson of Denham Springs, LA.
Newsletter-Sandra McCurry