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 56th 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 Francois for looking after the braai and serving succulent flame-grilled meat! A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this joyful event, which went on late into the night.
Our President, Mr Walter Binder, who is unwell, sent his apologies and was therefore unavailable for our annual traditional prize-giving. This year our annual prize-giving was proudly presented by Tania Quarmby and the trophies went to the following club members:
Mariette Zietsman with Cara – Overall Obedience – Female
Overall Obedience Male trophy withheld
Este Minni with Gruno – Best Manwork – Male
Martin Potgieter with Zara – Best Manwork – Female
Weeks of training went into our dog jumping event and all our members did extremely well. The egg race was the funniest with two members dropping their eggs. The jump course look beautiful with almost every jump adorned with tinsel.
PUPPIES
1ST – Sunet with Alec
2nd – Paul with Dante
3rd – Rolanda with Bailey
NON-IMPACT
1st – Juan’Ri with Dixi
2nd – Annetjie with Buddy
3rd – Elzanne with Impi
IMPACT – SMALL DOGS
1ST – Louiza with Patroon
2nd – Louiza with Kolletjies
3rd – Willem with Vlooi
IMPACT – LARGE DOGS
1ST – John with Ziva
2nd – Stanely with Axe
3rd – Gloria with Major
PERSEVERANCE
John Swart with Ziva
Samantha Steenkamp with Arya
Thank you to Martin and Beverly for taking our outstanding photos. They are on our Face Book page. It was great to see old faces like Marianne, Arenda, Francois and Engela Fekete (our vice-President). By the way, Engela and her husband, Lusksy, own Radiolens Camera Shop in Lynnwood Road, Brooklyn. Henry is extremely helpful advising on their new and second-hand camera range as well as servicing and fixing cameras. They have on many occasions assisted me with my camera and club photos!
Thank you to Montego for our annual sponsorship. We are extremely grateful.
A club of our size cannot be run efficiently with only five committee members, Tania, Eric, Beverly, Ruben and Edgar. Mention was made of the people who have contributed so much to the club during the year. Our trainers Tania, Este, Samantha, Edgar and Jaun’Ri have given of their time and knowledge during the year and they were fortunate enough to see the fruits of their labour during the dog jumping event! Juan’Ri has been extremely popular with her puppies in the Puppy Club! Thank you also to Ute, Annatjie, Pieter, Chris and Stefan for their assistance during the year. Gifts were handed to each volunteer. They were beautifully wrapped by Mariette and Chris. Thank you!!!
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!
All member’s dogs are issued with different coloured tags. Your dog must please wear the tag at each training session. BLUE = PUPPY, GREEN = FRIENDLY dog, YELLOW = NERVOUS dog, ORANGE = NO DOGS (not dog friendly), RED = CAUTION (do not touch the dog).
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 R110 each and the small treat bag is R90 – there is limited stock.
Our club will open for training on Saturday 11th January 2020. The new fees are advertised at the end of this newsletter – please note that the fees are payable 3-monthly in advance and not monthly, unless in special instances, when arranged with Ruben. Fees – kindly note that we will continue to charge you monthly fees, unless you resign from the club in writing.
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
11th January 2020 – club re-opens at 2pm
WEBSITES
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/the-pros-and-cons-of-kenneling-vs-getting-a-pet-sitter-for-your-dog/
INTERESTING BOOKS
The South African Pet-Friendly Directory – Sharyn Spicer and Janine Nepgen
Dog Heroes of September 11th – Nona Kilgore Beuer
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 and the jumping equipment looks brand new! 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.
SPCA AND WETNOSE
Dogs bought from SPCA or Wetnose qualify for one month’s free training (excluding R330.00 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/
NEW FEES – 2020
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, slip collar and throw toy or dumbbell.
Obedience training – R220.00 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 – R320.00
R900.00 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, slip collar 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