OTTER Tales
FEBRUARY 2009
Otter Tales February, 2009 Page 1
MEETING NOTICE
February 9, 2009
The WLRC Februarymeeting
will be held at the
Olive Garden Restaurant
6367 E. State Street
Rockford, IL
Phone: (815) 399-3176
Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m.
General Meeting: 7:30 p.m.
OPEN MEETING
GUESTS WELCOME
DIRECTIONS:
Exit I-90 at State Street. Go west on State Street. The Olive Garden is on the south side of State Street in a strip of stores.
(Look for Office Max and Marshall).
QUOTE FOR DOG LOVERS
“If you want
a friend in
Washington,
get a dog.”
- Harry S. Truman
Illinois Breeders Bill Limits Dog Ownership, Unreasonably Restricts Breeders
[Wednesday, January 21, 2009]
Representative John Fritchey is sponsoring HB 198, a bill that would regulate dog breeders by limiting the number of dogs they can own and requiring licensing for anyone who maintains three or more females (even if they are not bred) "for the purpose of the sale of their offspring." The bill would also mandate unannounced inspections, fingerprinting, and require breeders to pay an unspecified license fee. It is important that ALL fanciers, responsible dog owners, and breeders work together to oppose this burdensome and ineffective legislation.
The bill consists of 45 pages of requirements and regulations that are not based on proven animal husbandry practices, nor will they improve the health and welfare of dogs in Illinois. The American Kennel Club opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans, and mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously. Below is a summary of the major provisions of this legislation.
Breeders would be prohibited from owning more than 20 intact dogs over a year old, regardless of whether the animals are being bred.
Breeders, defined as anyone who owns more than 3 breeding females and sells their offspring, would be required to:
- Submit to an annual, unannounced home inspection – for an unspecified fee.
- Undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks – for an unspecified fee.
- Build facilities to meet rigid engineering standards which exceed those required by the USDA. This will require most breeders to purchase expensive new equipment and build new facilities.
- Breed only dogs between 18 months and 8 years of age.
- Correct any deficiencies within 7 days or dispose of all intact animals at an animal control facility, a licensed Illinois shelter or have them euthanized by a veterinarian.
- File detailed annual reports with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
- Provide specified disclosures to puppy purchasers.
- Comply with any additional regulations drafted by the department.
The requirements in HB 198 are completely unreasonable for persons breeding dogs. Most of these requirements have no bearing on the ability of a person to produce healthy, well-cared-for pets. The way HB 198 is written, a breeder would have to comply with these requirements even if fewer than three females were bred in a year. It would even affect a breeder/owner who did not have a single litter!
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is not equipped to hire and train inspectors who are familiar with animal husbandry. Under current law, animal control authorities have the power to investigate suspected animal cruelty and we strongly support enforcement of those laws. This would be a better use of taxpayer funds and would more effectively address animal welfare concerns.
The American Kennel Club opposes proposals like HB 198 that do not improve the welfare of animals and force breeders to pay excessive fees and submit to intrusive background checks and inspections that are not required of other businesses or hobbyists. We promote responsible dog ownership, enforcement of cruelty laws and reasonable nuisance regulations.
The American Kennel Club Government Relations department will keep you updated as this legislation progresses.
What You Can Do:
- Contact your representative in the Illinois General Assembly and ask him or her to oppose HB 198. To find out who represents you in the Illinois State Legislature select the address tab found at this link.
- For a sample letter to personalize, please click here.
- For more information and tips on contacting your representative, please view the following AKC publications:
Disagree Diplomatically
Make Your Contact Count
Preparing For Action’
(Information from the AKC website)
Something to
Howl About!
CH. Hoffmann’s Late Night Rush
“Roscoe”
WD and BOW at the Labrador Retriever Club of the Twin Cities Specialty on January 2 for a 4 point major which finished his Championship! All points were won from the puppy classes.
Proudly handled by Randy Hoffmann, proudly owned by Ruth & Randy Hoffmann, bred by Ruth Hoffmann.
MACH, HR Amiable Applause Inherited UD, MH, OF, CGC
“Gina”
Two new Agility titles for Gina:
Open Fast and MACH.
Owned, trained, handled and loved
by Tim & Anne White
Chestnuthills St. Pauli Girl
“Pauli” won WB, BOW and BOS
for a3 point major at the
St. Paul show on January 3.
Breeder: Donna Thate
Owners: Kathy Turbett/Donna Thate
Hoffmann’s Quiet Storm
“Mikey” went WD, BOW and BOB
at the Chain O’Lakes KC show
out of the Bred By class
for a 3 point major
on January 26.
Breeder/owners: Ruth &
Randahl Hoffmann
Darkwoods Hoffmann’s
Pick A Pocket
RWB at the Chain O’Lakes KC show
on January 26.
Breeder: Victoria Lunebach/Ruth Hoffmann/Randahl Hoffmann
Owners: Ruth & Randahl Hoffmann
LItter box
THE LISTED BREEDERS ARE MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING OF WLRC, BUT IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES DOES WLRC GUARANTEE THE SERVICES OF SAID MEMBERS. BUYERS SHOULD REVIEW ANY CONTRACTS AND/OR GUARANTEES WITH THE BREEDER.
Kennel:Special Occasion
Breeder:Diane Wehrheim
Phone:(262) 594-3219
Due:February 5
Color:Black & Yellow
Sire:Special Occasion Double
O Seven
Hips/Elbows:Prelims Good/Clear
Eyes:Optigen Normal
Dam:CH. Special Occasion Dream
Come True
Hips/Elbows:OFA Excellent/Normal
Eyes:Optigen Normal/Full Dentition
Kennel:Special Occasion
Breeder:Diane Wehrheim
Phone:(262) 594-3219
Due:February 16
Color: Yellow
Sire:CH. Lubberline Martingale
Hips/Elbows:OFA Good/Normal
Eyes:Cerf, Optigen
Full Dentition, Cardiac Clear
Dam:CH. Special Occasion
Champagne Edition
Hips/Elbows:OFA Good/Normal
Eyes:Cerf, Optigen, Full Dentition
Kennel:Special Occasion
Breeder:Diane Wehrheim
Phone:(262) 594-3219
Available:2 year old yellow male
OFA excellent/OFA elbows/
eyes Cerf. Good with other dogs, housebroken, leash trained,full dentition.
Pet home only.
Kennel:Rumbling Ridge
Breeder: Vic Zander
Phone:(608) 798-4145 or
(608) 843-5906
Whelped:January 5
Color:Black & Yellow
Sire:Riverroad Keebler
Hips/Elbows:OFA Good/Clear
Eyes:Cerf annually
Dam:Cedar Springs Rumbling Ridge
Breeches
Hips/Elbows:OFA Good/Clear
Eyes:Cerf annually, full dentition
Kennel: Sonlight
Breeder:Garry & Sue Seehawer
Phone:(815) 633-4366
Whelped:January 14
Color:Yellow
Sire:CH. Cabin Creeks Monsieur
Saracen WC TD
Hips/Elbows:OFA Prelim
Eyes:Clear
Dam:Sonlight’s Miracle in Motion
WC JH
Hips/Elbows:OFA Excellent/Clear
Eyes:Optigen by Parentage
Kennel:Summerlin Labradors
Breeder:Kristin Stefek
Phone:(815) 331-6999
Due:March 1
Color:Black & Yellow
Sire:Am/Can CH Snowberry BlackthornBravissimo
Hips/Elbows:OFA Good/Normal/OFA Heart
Eyes:Optigen Normal/Clear Cerf
Dam:Summerlin’s Waitin’ For Change
Hips/Elbows:OFA Excellent/Normal
Eyes:Cerf
Kennel:Hoffmann’s Labs
Breeder:Ruth Hoffmann
Phone:(262) 634-3720
Whelped:January 1
Color:5 Black females
Sire:Nipntuck Stocking Stuffer
Hips/Elbows:Prelims Good/Normal
Eyes:Cerf AnnuallyOptigen Normal/
Clear by parentage
Dam:Hoffmann’s Stormy Hit
Hips/Elbows:OFA Excellent/Normal
Eyes:Cerf annually/Optigen Normal/
Clear by parentage
Kennel:Hoffmann’s Labs
Breeder:Ruth Hoffmann
Phone:(262) 634-3720
Due:February 10
Color:Black & Yellow
Sire:CH Hoffmann’s Late Night Rush
Hips/Elbows:Prelims Excellent/Normal
Eyes:Cerf annually/Optigen Normal/
Clear by parentage
Dam:Hoffmann’s High Anxiety
Hips/Elbows:OFA Good/Normal
Eyes:Cerf annually/Optigen Normal/
Clear by parentage
Kennel:Kaltrav
Breeder:Kathy Turbett
Phone:(608) 253-6206
Due:Mid February
Color:Black
Sire:CH Kaltrav’s King of Rock
Hips/Elbows:OFA Excellent/Clear
Eyes:Optigen B
Dam:Kaltrav’s Stellar Storms
Hips/Elbows:OFA Excellent/Clear
Eyes:Optigen Normal
AKC Announces New AKC S.T.A.R.
Puppy Program
The American Kennel Club® announced today that it is rolling out a new training program geared towards puppies and their owners. The AKC S.T.A.R.sm Puppy Program will reward responsible owners who take the time to train and socialize their new puppies. The program is a natural pre-curser to the AKC Canine Good Citizen® Test. "S.T.A.R." stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner, all of the things a puppy needs to have a good life.
Start life on the "right paw." "The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program will provide dog owners with the tools to raise and train their dog responsibly and prepare the puppy to become an AKC Canine Good Citizen," said Dr. Mary Burch, AKC CGC Director.
To get started, owners enroll in any puppy or basic training class that is at least six weeks long and instructed by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. Classes will include valuable training tips for puppy owners – such as how to housetrain – and lessons on practical skills for puppies -such as coming when called. The program is open to all dogs. Puppies can begin training as soon as they have the necessary vaccines and they can enroll in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy at any point up until their first birthday.
"We want to do our part to make sure all puppies have a good life," added Dr. Burch. "Early training and socialization along with teaching the owner the necessary skills is the key to having a well-behaved, well-adjusted dog and ensuring that dogs don’t end up in shelters because of behavior problems."
At the end of the training course, the CGC Evaluator will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test. Upon passing, owners and their puppies will be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and will receive an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package which includes:
- A frameable certificate
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy medal
- AKC Puppy Handbook
- Discount enrollment in AKC Companion Animal Recovery
- Subscription to monthly e-mail newsletter that includes training tips
Find a CGC evaluator in your area
For more information on AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, see
(
Doggie Dictionary
Bicycles
Two-wheeled exercise machines invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards; the person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.
Bump
The best way to get your human's attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.
Deafness
This is a malady that affects dogs when their person wants them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction,
or lying down.
Dog Bed
Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the
living room.
Drool
Is what you do when your persons have food and you don't. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and look sad and let the drool fall to the floor, or better yet, on their laps.
Garbage Can
A container which your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread.
Lean
Every good dog's response to the command "sit !", especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events.
Leash
A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go.
Love
Is a feeling of intense affection given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you're lucky a human will love you in return.
Sofas
Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean.
Thunder
This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly, and following at their heels.
Wastebasket
This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes, and old candy wrappers. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your person comes home.
(Thank you - Diane Wehrheim)
UPCOMING EVENTS
All Breed Shows & Obedience Trial
DateShowSupt.Closing
2/28 Wisconsin KCRoy Jones2/11
3/1
3/6 LaPorte KCRoy Jones 2/18
3/7 Logansport KCRoy Jones2/18
& 8
AGILITY
Smack-Dab’s Agility Club of Warrenville
March 1, 2009
1740 Quincy Ave., Naperville, IL
Entries Close: 2/11
Robert Olsen, Event Secretary
(630) 790-8426 -
ForestCity Dog Training Club
March 21 & 22, 2009
6203 Material Ave., Loves Park, IL
Website:
Entries Close: 3/4
Renee Basye, Event Secretary
(608) 295-5483 -
FoxValley Dog Training Club
March 28 & 29, 2009
1400 Foundry St., St. Charles, IL
Website:
Entries Close: 3/2
Sharon Ehr, Event Secretary
(616) 396-6293 -
SPECIALTIES
A Recipe for Your Dog
POOCHIE PLEASIN’ PRETZELS
Makes 10 to 12 paw-licking pretzels.
WHEN YOUR POOCH NEEDS TREATS
IN A HURRY, DON’T GET TWISTED…
TWIST UP SOME OF THESE INSTEAD!
1 package active dry yeast
1 ½ cups warm water – (110-115 degrees)
1 tablespoon honey
4 cups white flour
1 egg, beaten
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add honey and enough flour to make a soft dough and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth.
Pinch off about 2 tablespoons of dough for each pretzel. Roll out dough using the palm of your hand into long, pencil-like shapes, about 12 inches long and ½-inch thick.
Shape into pretzel twists and place on a greased baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes, then cool on a rack. Store leftovers in a sealed container.
Otter Tales February, 2009 Page 1