By this time, I guess many of our members are making tracks for their annual holiday. This is such an exciting time of the year, filled with great expectations, joy and family time. For some of us our family embraces spouses, children and Grandchildren, and for others our family consists only of our precious animals. Nevertheless, they will all bring great joy to us over a period which can sometimes be tinged with sadness. Our thoughts are with our members who have lost loved ones this year.
CLUB ACTIVITY
Our 55th Christmas braai was a resounding success! The Christmas table was a sight to behold and all the unusual dishes were delicious! As usual the ladies outdid themselves with food and pudding! Thanks to Stoney and his family for looking after the braai and serving succulent flame-grilled meat! Francois, we missed you! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this joyful event. Este, one of our very busy trainers, was unable to make the event – we missed you Este!
Unfortunately, our Vice-President, Mrs Engela Fekete could not join us, but our President, Mr Walter Binder, presented our annual traditional prize-giving. The trophies went to the following club members:
Carlos da Silva and Skelta – Overall Obedience winner – Male
Loani Dorfling and Katya – Overall Obedience winner – Female
Weeks of training went into our dog jumping event and all our members did extremely well. Once again, we threw in the egg race, thinking we would catch you out, but it was not to be. Congratulations to you and your dog for outsmarting your trainers! Under the circumstances, and with the difficult course, we need to congratulate everyone for finishing. Congratulations to our newest members Richard with Chloe, Minja with Clyde (now 7 years old) and Danielle with Jack for being “bok” for entering. Thank you to our judge, Beverly, scribe, Samantha and time-keeper, Ruben.
NON-IMPACT
1st – Minja and Clyde
2nd – Sharon with Mika
3rd – Danielle and Jack
IMPACT – ON LEASH
1st – Edgar and Codi
2nd – George and Buddy
3rd – Bryony and Timmy
IMPACT – OFF LEASH
1st – Carlos and Skelta
2nd – Loani and Katya
3rd – Ute and Zita
PERSEVERANCE
Bryony and Timmy (who turns 10 years on 3rd January 2019)!
Thank you to Martin for taking photos! These will be available within the next week on our Face Book page. We will also put up a collage in the club house highlighting this special event!
Thank you to Stoney and Samantha for their wonderful donation of prizes, especially the flyball machines, specially made for the winners! It was most unexpected. Thank you to Montego for our annual sponsorship. We are extremely grateful.
A club of our size cannot be run efficiently with only seven committee members. Mention was made of the volunteers who have contributed so much to the club during the year, especially Charl, Stoney and Ute who are always on call. Our trainers Tania, Samantha, Este, Loani, and stand-in’s Carlos and Edgar, thanks SO much for always being available. Our newest trainer, Peter, is introducing the man work and will be in full swing next year. Man work will only be offered to trained and invited members.
Several of our members could not attend due to other engagements and holiday travel. We missed you and hope to see you competing next year! Please continue to take your dogs for walks and socializing. A great place to visit is a restaurant in Menlo Park called Plan B Bistro! Food is excellent and a nice opportunity to meet like-minded people. Check out their Face Book page for more info.
Summer causes parasites like ticks, fleas and flies to predate. Please take the necessary precautions like dipping, collars and sprays. There are new products on the market, and you can keep up-to-date with the latest information brochures, which we keep in the club house.
We train with treats and comfortable waist treat bags are available from Ruben for sale on Saturdays. They are R100 each and the small treat bag is R60 – there is limited stock.
Our club will open for training on Saturday 12th January 2019. We are pleased to announce that the membership will increase by only R20.00. Training fees remain the same again for the 2nd year. Fees – kindly note that we will continue to charge you monthly fees, unless you resign from the club in writing.
It has been a very busy year at the club and with life in general. We hope you all have a well-deserved rest! Travel safe!
PUPPY CLASSES
We have Puppy Club for pups between the ages of 3 months to 6 months on a Saturday afternoon. Socializing your puppies from a young age can be the best show of love, which you, their human parent, can give!
CLUB EVENTS
12th January 2019 – club re-opens at 1.30pm
WEBSITES
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/the-pros-and-cons-of-kenneling-vs-getting-a-pet-sitter-for-your-dog/
INTERESTING BOOKS
The Emotional Lives of Animals – Marc Bekoff
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
Footing with Sir Richard’s Ghost – Patricia Glyn
WEBSITE
Thank you to everyone who has sent testimonials – they’re on the website! This is a powerful and easy way of advertising your club, so please make full use of it – www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za. Our Face Book page also has some interesting photos and information!
MAINTENANCE
Our grounds now look like a beautiful park, thanks to Elvis and his team who are always on call. How lucky we are to have such a wonderful, dedicated team!!! Thank you!
PRETORIA DOG RESCUE
Samantha and her team do a lot of wonderful work with Pretoria Dog Rescue. It is a worthy cause to support. Please put the word out that they have many, many dogs up for adoption. Check out their Face Book page for more information. Dogs bought from Pretoria Dog Rescue qualify for one month’s free training (excluding R300.00 club membership fee). Volunteers are always welcome!!!
SPCA
Dogs bought from SPCA qualify for one month’s free training (excluding R300.00 club membership fee). Just bring along your receipt of purchase. The SPCA Newsletter has put out a request for more volunteers, so if you have any spare time, please consider donating it to a worthy cause. Please contact Celestie Mathews who is a volunteer at the SPCA. She has some wonderful fundraising ideas. Celestie also has a volunteer Whatsapp group that you can belong to, where she advertises the SPCA’s wish lists – 082 825 8442.
ANIMAL CHARITY
Our adopted animal charity is the South African Veterinary Association’s community project called Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC). They look after the primary healthcare of dogs and cats in disadvantaged communities, and offer vaccinations, de-worming, dipping and sterilization at a reduced fee. Please get involved in their MySchool card project – http://www.communityvet.co.za/
SATURDAY – gates open at 1.30pm
OBEDIENCE – new intake the first Saturday of every month at 2pm
Beginners – please arrive at 1.30pm and visit our Treasurer, Ruben in the club house – please bring a 1.2m cotton leash, metal check chain and throw toy or dumbbell.
Obedience training – R200.00 per month, payable 3-monthly in advance. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND. This is not a course, but ongoing training.
PUPPY CLUB – 3pm – 4.30pm- Annual club membership – R300.00
R800.00 for the 6-week course – Puppies are welcome to join every week!
This class is for puppies between the ages of 3 months and 6 months. The puppies must have had their 2nd vaccination and been de-wormed. Appropriate tick and flea control must be administered before participating. Please bring your vaccination books. The members will have a lecture in the club house and thereafter learn the basics in puppy obedience, e.g. retrieve, heelwork, sit, down and stand. And of course, lots of socializing. Bring along a 1.2m cotton leash, metal check chain or collar and throw toy. If the dogs advance well before the age of 6 months, they can join Beginner training. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND.
CONTACT
Secretary – Beverly – 083 272 1014
Chairperson and Chief Trainer – Tania – 082 430 1456
Treasurer – Ruben Muller – rubenmuller1959@gmail.com
Kind regards
TANIA QUARMBY
CHAIRPERSON
PRETORIA SHEPHERD DOG CLUB
www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za