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Monthly Newsletter of the
July 2009
Glenbard All-Breed Obedience Club
TRACKING NEWS
We finished our second tracking test of the spring season with our night VST test on June 20, 2009. Although we had no passes, we had some valiant efforts. We saw a Collie, Rottweiler, 2 Border Collies, a German
Shepherd, Bloodhound, Belgian Tervuren and a Labrador Retriever try for that elusive VST title but it was not
meant to be. The weather was very warm and the humidity was high making it difficult for handlers and dogs.
As always, our tracklayers and workers were wonderful and I would be lost without them. They were Donna
Eichman, Vickie Prescott, Mike Schurgot, Marcia Royhl, Len Johnson and newbie to VST tracklaying, Dave
Crawford. Our test secretary and driver kept us very well organized, on time and where we needed to be and
that was Lisa Foltz.
We enjoyed pizza, pop and dessert prior to the draw and breakfast after the test. Food is always a plus at
tracking tests.
If you are tracking through the summer, be sure to protect your dogs from fleas and ticks and if you do VST
work, watch the hot pavement and have plenty of water available for both you and your dog.
If you are interested in laying around on a hot summer day and enjoy reading, try Watchers by Dean
Koontz . It is a story of a Golden Retriever who possesses human level intelligence who learns to read, write
and communicate. The dog can sense danger and uses his scenting ability in his escapades. I prefer happy
endings to sad endings in dog stories and this one does end happily.
Remember, working for Gaboc tracking tests earns you points towards awards. Our fall tests are September
27, 2009, a VST test with judges John Barnard and Randie Meyer and October 25, 2009 a TD/TDX test with
judges John Barnard and Jean Hilbig.
I’m looking forward to judging my first VST test at the University of Kentucky next week. It will be a night
test which is good considering the temperatures in Kentucky in July. Our two young GSDs are doing well in
tracking and there is a little competition going between me and Jake vs. John and Rosie. We’ll see who prevails first.
Have a good summer
Darlene Barnard
2
Dear GABOC,
Thank you so much for all your support to our team, Sit, Stay, Walk to Find a Cure. We participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and our team was able to raise more than
$7000. Our team exceeded our fundraising goal despite the tough economic issues we all face.
We especially want to thank you for sharing the Agility Trial raffle pot with us. Thank you to all
the club members who bought tickets, shirts, treats, bracelets, attended our match or donated.
We are blessed and grateful for the opportunity to raise money for a cause we feel so strongly
about. With your help, we are now closer to a cure.
THANK YOU ALL!!!
Team Sit is
Cheri Nicholas & Groovy/Marlin, Sonja Sporleder & Ursa, Sharon Bules & Wrigley, Linda Lentini &
Ruger/Annie, Joan Mazat & Bonnie/Breezy, Tracie, Cadie and Alec Olson & Cooper/Tank
Sit, Stay, Walk for the Cure
by Joan Mazat
On Friday June 12th, Team Sit, Stay, and Walk for the Cure joined in at the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society at Glenbard South High School.
Our team captain is Cheri Nicholas who worked so hard to inspire the group, keep things organized, made bracelets for
sale with all sorts of doggie charms and did so much more.
Our team was made the exception to bring our dogs as no pets were allowed at the Relay. Cheri and Dean Nicholas
brought Groovy and Marlin, Linda and Mike Lentini brought along Ruger and Annie, Cheri's friend Sonja and her husband brought her Newfy Ursula, I brought the "B Girls" Bonnie and Breezy, and another friend brought along their White
German Shepherd to walk along with us. Other members of Cheri's family also came out to lend their support.
As the Relay goes on all night, the Walkers were entertained by teams who raised funds through their clubs and talents. We began our doggie demonstration at 8:30 after a fun dance troop. Before our official demo start time, the
huge crowd gathered around to watch us warm up with mock water work, carting, healing in brace, and dumbbell retrieves. We were introduced with the song "Who Let the Dogs Out" and Bonnie was happy to sing along with the Chorus
- "Woof- Woof- WOOF WOOF!" Sonja and Ursula shown off their skills at water rescue even though they were on dry
land by retrieving life vests and boat cushions. Ursula then brought a bumper out to our "drowning" victim tied to a
wagon that simulated a boat. Linda and Ruger demonstrated wonderful figure eights, recalls over the broad jump and
high jump- he FLEW through the air in perfect form. Bonnie and me demonstrated the Utility exercises of signals, directed retrieve, and scent articles. Cheri and Groovy brought down the house with Groovy backing into his cart and
showing them all just how good he is crossing his legs in front of each other when he makes his turns- a crowd pleaser
and a favorite with the kids for sure! I also hear that Marlin was quite the "chick magnet" as he charmed the cheerleaders on the sidelines- what a cutie! After our demonstration was over, folks came to meet our dogs and ask us all sorts of
questions about them and their training. Our four legged team members were wonderful ambassadors for their breeds
and were enjoyed by all.
It was a fantastic and emotional night for all of the participants as we all have been touched by cancer in some way. I
understand that we raised as a team over $5,000.00! Our dogs have again served us well as providing a vehicle to raise
funds to help in the search for a cure- bringing us together as club members, then as friends and now teammates. Our
dogs not only Walked- but Rescued, Heeled, Jumped, Retrieved, Smelled, and Carted for the Cure!!!!!!
3
Agility Trial
Fellow GABOC members and Friends,
On behalf of the GABOC agility trial committee, Thank-you for all of your support at our
first agility trial! By all accounts, it was a great success. Exhibitors had a great time, judges
had a great time and the club maintained it’s fantastic reputation for putting on great events
for exhibitors.
I am not going to try and thank people individually, because I will forget someone. I don’t
know how to say thank-you to each and every one of you. This was such a team effort – it
was nothing short of amazing!
We will be doing our second trial next year June 5th and 6th, 2010 with setup on Friday, June
4th. Look for more information to follow shortly!
Donna Darland
BRAGS
GABOC's Agility Trial...................
Tinker (Pug) Q'd both days in Excellent A Standard
with a 1st and 2nd place, earning her AX.
She is now........Piggytails Tinker Bell, RA, AX, AXJ,
TT
Ziggy (Boxer) handled by Sarah Rumery (Jr. Handler) had 4 runs, they Q'd in 3 of them, with 2 x 1st
places, and a 4th place, earning his OAP and OJP.
Big thanks to Sarah!!!
He is now....Trajan's Simply Stardust, VCD1, RA,
OA, OAJ, OAP, OJP, TT, CGC
Submitted by: Tracy McMahon
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MORE BRAGS
Dux (CH Cedar Fog Midnight Seduxtion CDX SH OA AXJ) went to Canada for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling
Retriever Club of Canada National
Specialty and was awarded Winners
Dog. His sire Taz (AM/CAN CH
MACH Westerlea's Midnight Sun
UDX SH) won the large Stud Dog
class, making him the only toller to
have won Stud Dog at both the US
and Canadian National Specialty.
Kathy Guerra
Friends & Family,
I am so Proud to tell ALL of You!! Rommel went Winners Dog, Best of Winner for 2 points &
finished his Canadian Championship. I cried like a baby & hugged everyone in sight! I moved
him up for tomorrows shows. He will show as a special & retire after tomorrow from the
breed ring. He will continue in companion events.
Paulette thank you so much for my first BIG YELLOW DOG!!!!!!
Donna Eichman
& My Big Yellow Dogs
Canadian Champion URO2 Pearl Valley Splash of Desert, CD, RE, CGC, TDI
URO2 Plumtree Marcus Brutus, RE, CGC
THIS SPOT RESERVED FOR
YOUR BRAGS!!!!!
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A Sympathetic Ear
An Illinois District UPSer encourages kids to read in a fun and unique way.
Meet Groovy. He helps kids learn to read. No, he isn’t a teacher or a tutor. He’s not even a librarian. Groovy is a four
-year-old Newfoundland, and he’s a certified therapy dog and Reading Buddy for hundreds of kids in Glen Ellyn,
Schaumburg and Wheaton schools.
Cheri Nicholas, Groovy’s mom and a 17-year UPSer, is a Reading Buddies volunteer. Reading Buddies is a program
that helps kids develop reading skills and build confidence by reading to therapy dogs. Every week Cheri takes
Groovy to a local school or library where he happily listens to dozens of children eager to read to him.
―It’s a great way to get the kids excited about reading,‖ said Cheri. ―It’s fun, and Groovy is a patient, non-judgmental
listener.‖
Cheri and her husband Dean devote a lot of time to training and working with Groovy and their other Newfoundland,
Marlin, and are actively involved with the Glenbard All-Breed Obedience Club (GABOC). Through the club’s therapy dog program, they spend several hours each week volunteering as Reading Buddies, as well as visiting retirement
homes, rehabilitation facilities and developmentally challenged children.
―The dogs give these patients the comfort and interaction they need to help them recover,‖ said Cheri. ―They look
forward to it and always want to know when we are coming back.‖
The group of 15 therapy dogs from GABOC is made up of several large breeds including Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, American Staffordshire Terrier and Newfoundland.
―Being a therapy dog is about being an ambassador for your breed—creating awareness and educating,‖ said Cheri,
noting that ―Newfys‖ are characteristically gentle and sociable. ―My dogs love being around people, especially
kids.‖
Groovy is not only an international certified therapy dog and reading dog, but he also holds a list of impressive competitive titles including draft dog, rally dog, and water dog. Cheri’s scrapbooks and photo albums chronicle the accomplishments of her highly trained canine competitors. She agrees that the trophies and titles are nice, but they’re
not the most important thing.
―These dogs are family members,‖ she admits. ―At the end of the day, I always get to go home with the best prize of
all.‖
Cheri recommends the following websites for anyone interested in learning more about therapy dogs or obedience
training:
* Therapy Dogs International – www.tdi-dog.org
* Glenbard All-Breed Obedience Club – www.gaboc.org
* Smack-Dab’s Obedience Training – www.smack-dabs.com
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Poisoning Alert- Many home improvement stores are selling a houseplant that can
cause serious poisoning in pets and children. The plant is called the “Sago Palm” or
“Cycad”. It is also referred to as “The Oldest Known Plant”. It is used in outdoor landscaping in Southern States, but can only survive as a houseplant in the North. All of
this plant, including the seeds and root ball are toxic. Signs of illness first appear
about 12 hours after ingestion and include gastrointestinal sign such as vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. The toxins in the plant lead to severe
liver failure with progressive weakness, jaundice, bruising and bleeding and other
signs of liver failure that lead to death. It is estimated that 75-80% of animals ingesting this plant will die in spite of aggressive medical treatment. If you have one of
these plants in your home you will want to be sure to keep it away from pets and children, preferably by disposing of it safely in a covered trash can or “rehome” it with
someone who does not have pets or young children in the household SEE PHOTO
BELOW
Jeanne Greenwalt
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Trial Schedule
GABOC Officers and Directors
May 30 & 31 Agility
President
October 31 & November 1 Obedience & Rally
Vice President
Chairman
Regina Post
Gerry Heinz
Donna Darland
Julie Sjullie ‘10
Cheri Nicholas
Substitute Instructors
Katherine Bianchetti
Match Schedule
Secretary
March 3
Treasurer Donna Eichman
Julia Simmons
April 7
Directors
Barbara Palm
Fran Zelazny
Paul Perkins ‘10
May 5
Kathy Guerra
Awards Chairperson
Julie Simmons ‘08
September 1
John Jackman ‘09
Dawn Parison
Barks Editor
Dawn Parison ‘09
General Membership Meetings
Instructors
Feb. 27, Apr. 24, Jun. 26, Aug 28, Oct 23, Nov 20
Candy Heideman
Barks Printing & Mailing
Peggy Covey
Donna Darland
Monday Evening Schedule
Sheila Gardner
Six o'clock every Monday EXCEPT: May 25, July 6, 13, 20, & 27, Sept
7, Nov 2, Dec 21 & 28.
Gerry Heinz
Candy Heideman
Candy Ellis
Class Registrar
Sheila Gardner
Equipment Managers
Cathie Leszinske
Judy Heinz
Rich Leszinske
John Jackman
Denita Jackman
RING
1
2
3
6:00
6:45
7:30
Shared ring –
beginners
Beginner classes
Shared ring Open Class
Instructor led
pre-Open practice
Shared ring –
Utility class
Instructor led
Novice practice
Puppy classes
Beginner
Classes
Instructor led
Open
8:15
Confirmation runthroughs
Rally run-throughs
Utility runtroughs
Table Workers
Cathie Leszinske
Donna Eichman
Joan Mazat
Cathie Leszinske
Dawn Parison
Rich Leszinske
Dave Parison
Mike Lentini
Vicki Prescott
Joan Mazat
Julie Sjullie
Cheri Nicholas
Francis Soresi
Vicki Prescott
Sandi Stephenson
Ring Set-Up
Lynn Weis
practice
GABOC Awards
To be eligible for a GABOC award you must attend at least one General Membership Meeting in the year in which the title was earned.
The August meeting will be held on the 28th at Fran
Zelazny's house, 21W274 Ahlstrand Rd, Lombard
Wes Johnson
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Monday
Night DROP
-IN
TRAINING
G lenbard
A ll
B reed
O bedience
C lub
Obedience
Shared Ring
6:00-6:45
(Ring 2)
Novice II
(Ring
3)
6:45 -- 7:30
Open
Pre-Open
(Ring
2)
6:45 -- 7:30
Utility
7:30 -- 8:15
(Ring 3)
(10 min ses-
sion)
(Ring 3)
8:15 – 9:00
MEMBER
First Dog
Additional Dog(s)
(Same Handler)
$ 5.00
$ 2.00 ea
GUEST TRAINING
First Dog
Additional Dog(s)
(Same Handler)
$ 6.00
$ 3.00 ea
Rally
8:15 – 9:00
MEMBER
First Dog
Additional - Dog(s) / Run
Though(s)
(Same Handler)
$ 5.00
$ 2.00 ea
GUEST TRAINING
First Dog
Additional - Dog(s) / Run
Though(s)
(Same Handler)
$ 6.00
$ 3.00 ea
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Monday
Night DROP
-IN
TRAINING
Conformation
8:15 – 9:00
MEMBER
$ 6.00
First Dog
Up to2 Additional Dog(s)
(Same Handler)
n/c
GUEST TRAINING
$ 7.00
First Dog
Up to 2 Additional Dog(s)
(Same Handler)
TRACKING!
The following are upcoming GABOC tracking test dates;
6/20/09 - night VST test
9/27/09 - VST test
10/25/09 - TD/TDX test
n/c
10
Glenbard All Breed
Obedience Club
C/O DTRB
GABOC STARS OF 2008