MONTGOMERY 2005

Once again, Montgomery weekend was a memorable event. We were exhausted most of the time and had lousy weather, but had tons of fun seeing old friends, meeting new ones and seeing some gorgeous Irish Terriers - so the weekend was a great experience!! We were fortunate to have many members of the ITCSC in attendance: Terry Cassidy, Paul Gill, Barbara Hofman, Linda Honey, David & Judi McMahon, Cory Rivera, Peter & Marilyn Shaw, Jeanne Smolley and new members Jesse & Jessica Nash from Washington (who decided to join our club because they had such a good time with the rest of us!).

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005 - Morris & Essex Kennel Club Show

The weekend started out with the Morris & Essex KC Show, which is only held once every 5 years. There were 48 Irish Terriers entered. The members of the kennel club wear costumes from the 1920's era, so it is quite a colorful show. We had to journey from our hotel outside of Philadelphia to New Jersey, and since the ITs showed early that morning and most of us had little sleep the day and night before, it was a bit of a challenge. The weather was hot and humid, but the show was an experience not to be missed.

The winners that day were:

Winners Dog: Trackways Shamrock Red, bred by Cory Rivera, Joslyn Davidson and Susan Ayres, owned by Frank Serbicki.

Winners Bitch and Best of Winners: Donedaire's Amber Jewel, bred and owned by Peter & Marilyn Shaw.

Best of Breed: CH Falcarragh Meg O'Rockledge, bred by the late Hildreth Hunter and owned by Linda Honey

Best of Opposite Sex: CH Donedaire's Army of One, bred and owned by Peter & Marilyn Shaw.


Friday, Oct. 7, 2005 - Hatboro Kennel Club Show

Again we had a fairly long drive (but not as far as New Jersey). Weather again was hot and humid - it started to rain later that day (and poured all through the night), but most of us were safely back at our hotel by the time the heavy rain started. The ITCA had planned a reception and obedience demonstration out by the pool for that evening, but because the weather was so bad, the reception had to be shifted indoors. Instead of the planned obedience demonstration, we were entertained with a discussion on breeding presented by Bob Clyde - very informative, especially to those of us who are fairly new to the breed.

The winners that day were:

Winners Dog and Best of Winners: Leahy's Lad of Redloch, bred by Ed & Rochelle Nagel, owned by Floyd Kuntz.

Winners Bitch: Geordan Tiger Lily, bred by Daniel A. Sackos & John A. Childers, owned by Cecelia Ruggles and Daniel & Georgina Sackos.

Best of Breed: CH Donedaire's Army of One, bred and owned by Peter & Marilyn Shaw.

Best of Opposite Sex: CH Falcarragh Meg O'Rockledge, bred by the late Hildreth Hunter and owned by Linda Honey.

Awards of Merit: CH Donedaire Dungarvin All Star, bred by Peter & Marilyn Shaw, owned by Joyce Wilson.

CH Cocksure Grand Slam, bred by Bob Clyde, owned by Marie Capel, Bob Douglas & Todd Clyde.

CH Trackways Cinnabar, bred and owned by Cory Rivera.


Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005 - Devon Kennel Club Show

Due to the terrible weather (the Philadelphia area received up to 6 inches of rain between Friday night and Saturday morning), the Devon show was cancelled. To keep us occupied and out of trouble, the ITCA arranged to have a grooming demonstration set up in an outdoor tent at the hotel. Many owners brought their dogs to work on grooming and obtain tips from some of the grooming experts in attendance. Once again, this was very informative for those of us who are trying to learn how to groom our kids ourselves!

The ITCA annual meeting and banquet was conducted on Saturday evening. The banquet included a raffle, silent auction and live auction to raise funds for the ITCA. Although David McMahon and Linda Honey once again tried to outbid each other, David was only successful in obtaining a few items, allowing others from the club to also take home some great items!!

Medallions were presented to members of the ITCA whose ITs had finished their championships within the past year. ITCSC members who received medallions were:

Peter & Marilyn Shaw for CH Fairplay Donedaire Milady Red AND CH Donedaire's Army of One.

Cory Rivera for CH Trackways Saramac AND CH Trackways Cinnabar.

Kate DeLuca for CH Clancy Macree of Irish Myst.

Kittie Warner for CH Trackways Grin and Bear It.

Jeanene MacDonald & Katerine Steuhm for CH Falcarragh Grace O'Mally.

Jessica & Jesse Nash for CH All-Erin's All Eyes on Bronwyn.

Shari & Heather Halldane for CH O'Dares Pegasus.


The ITCA also presented its annual awards based on 2004 wins. The winners were:

Edward B. McKinley Memorial Trophy (for the member accumulating the most American-Bred points): Josh Naleway for Airlies Liza Rainbow Dancer CD.

Martha Hall Memorial Trophy (for the member whose Irish Terrier won the greatest number of points from the Bred by Exhibitor class): Cheryle Goodfellow & Peter & Marilyn Shaw for CH Fairplay Donedaire Milady Red.

Jerry Keefe Memorial Trophy (for the member whose Irish Terrier defeated the greatest number of Irish Terriers of the same sex by going Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed): Barbara Milne for CH Geordan Star Cruiser.

John Best Memorial Trophy (for the member whose Irish Terrier, by virtue of going Best of Breed, defeated the greatest number of Irish Terriers and is opposite in sex to the Irish Terrier defeating the greatest number of Irish Terriers): Pat Kostal for CH Airlies Just By Chance.

Dr. Joseph P. Sayres Memorial Trophy (for the owner of the owner-handled Irish Terrier gaining the highest number of points by virtue of going winners or better). Nancy O'Neal for CH Kalaneys Heir Apparent.

The Suzanne N. Griffiths Obedience Trophy (for the member whose Irish Terrier had the highest average of three qualifying obedience scores): Barbara Lee Henry & Diana Martin for CH Otch Begorra Kilkenny Spring UDX2.

High Score Novice Class (for the member whose Irish Terrier had the highest single score in Novice): Suzanne Brennan for CH Kehoe's Beatrix Brennan CD.

High Score Open Class (for the member whose Irish Terrrier had the highest single score in Open): Barbara Lee Henry & Diana Martin for CH Otch Begorra Kilkenny Spring UDX2.

High Score Utility Class (for the member whose Irish Terrier had the highest single score in Utility): Barbara Lee Henry & Diana Martin for CH Otch Begorra Kilkenny Spring UDX2.

AND

Our own Linda Honey, for CH Falcaragh Meg O'Rockledge, won the following awards:

Jeremiah O'Callahan Memorial Trophy (for the member accumulating the most points for winners or better).

Thomas M. Mullins Memorial Trophy (for the member owning the Irish Terrier accumulating the most inter-breed points by virtue of being placed in the Terrier Group or Best In Show).

Michael Gately Memorial Trophy (for the member who bred the Irish Terrier accumulating the greatest number of points by virtue of wining Best of Breed).

Rudolph Jensen Memorial Trophy (for the member whose Irish Terrier won Best of Breed the greatest number of times).

Edward O'Keefe Memorial Trophy (for the member whose Irish Terrier, by virtue of going Best of Breed, defeated the greatest number of Irish Terriers).

Linda had so many plaques by the end of the evening, we were all hoping that she brought an extra suitcase with her to get them home!!! Congratulations Linda and Meg!


Sunday, Oct. 9 - Montgomery Kennel Club Show

This is the BIG ONE for Irish Terriers (there were 17 entered in Sweepstakes and 66 in the regular show, 22 of whom were champions of record). We again had a very early call time, with Sweepstakes starting at 8 am and the regular show at 9 am. It was overcast, drizzly and cold and the field was mostly MUD from the previous day's rains (the handlers had a tough time getting their Irish to put all four feet on the ground in the ring - guess the redheads didn't like the mud any more than we did!). But this was MONTGOMERY - so we all toughed it out together!!

And the winners for Montgomery were:

Best of Sweepstakes: Kalaney's O'Flynn Fionnula, bred by Dan Flynn & Judy La Bash, owned by Dan Flynn.

Best of Opposite Sex Sweepstakes: Kalaney's Friendly Persuasion, bred by Mark & Laurie Ulrich & Judy La Bash, owned by Mary Lee & Paul Srodes.

Winners Dog: Cloccomara The Fire Next Time, bred and owned by Ellis West.

Winners Bitch and Best of Winners: Geordan Tiger Lily, bred by Daniel A. Sackos & John A. Childers, owned by Cecelia Ruggles & Daniel & Georgina Sackos.

Best of Breed: CH Fleet St Firelight, bred by Erica Foley & Stan Wojewodski, Jr., owned by Stan Wojewodski, Jr. & Sharon & John Goggin.

Best of Opposite Sex: CH Donedaire's Army of One, bred and owned by Peter & Marilyn Shaw.

Awards of Merit: Gloccomara The Fire Next Time, bred and owned by Ellis West.

CH Woodley's Morgan Irish Rose, bred by R.M. Saporito, owned by Douglas L. Rapport & Robert L. Fry.

CH Anam Cara Aidan and Abetting, bred and owned by Ronald Hoh & Janice Herring.

CH Royal Bryson Ruler of Derry, bred by Connie & Grant Whitmer, Owned by Dr. Elizabeth Higgins.


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!


STORIES/BRAGS
BRAGS

Our local Irish Terriers' wins prior to Montgomery weekend and since the last newsletter:

At the South Bay Kennel Club show on August 13, Linda Honey's Meg took BOB and Cory Rivera's Flash took BOS. On August 14, Cory Rivera's Flash took BOB from the classes over three specials to take a 3 point major and finish his championship and Linda Honey's Meg took BOS. AND Heather Halldane took fourth place in her class in junior handler competition. New members Hal & Andrea Burchell and their Irish Terrier Jacq were there to cheer everyone on, with Jacq standing outside the ring and singing in Gaelic to the dogs who were competing!

At the Simi Valley Kennel Club show on August 26, Shari & Heather Halldane's Naula took Best of Winners and Cory Rivera's Cinnabar took BOB. Heather Halldane took second place in the Open Intermediate Junior Handler class. At the Santa Barbara Kennel Club shows, on August 27, Shari & Heather Halldane's Pooka took Best of Winners and Cory Rivera's Cinnabar took BOB and placed third in the Terrier Group. Heather Halldane took first place in the Open Intermediate Junior Handler class. On August 28, Shari & Heather Halldane's Naula took Best of Winners and Cory Rivera's Cinnabar took BOB and placed third in the Terrier Group.

At the Santa Ana Valley Kennel Club shows, on Sept. 24, Shari and Heather Halldane's Naula took Winners Bitch, Linda Honey's Swedish dog, Merrymac X-tra Special Edition "Edwin" took Winners Dog and Best of Winners, Linda Honey's Meg took BOB and Kate DeLuca's Clancy took BOS. On Sept. 25, Shari and Heather Halldane's Pooka took Winners Bitch, Linda Honey's Edwin took Winners Dog and Best of Winners, Cory Rivera's Cinnabar took BOB and placed fourth in the Terrier Group and Kate DeLuca's Clancy took BOS. Heather Halldane took second place in her class in the junior handler competition.

At the Brookhaven Kennel Club (New York) show on Sept. 30, Linda Honey's Meg went BOB and Peter & Marilyn Shaw's CH Donedaire Dungarvin All Star went BOS. At the Suffolk County KC show on Oct. 1, Linda Honey's Meg went BOB and Linda's Edwin went BOW, On Oct 2, at the Westbury Kennel Association show, Linda's Edwin went BOB to win the New York Irish Terrier Specialty Show.

Although she wasn't showing an Irish Terrier (shame on her!), I am delighted to report that Heather Halldane won her class in junior handling at The Toy Breeders of San Diego show on Oct. 9 and went on to win Best Junior Handler in Show. Heather is now qualified to enter the Junior Handler Competition at the Eukanuba show in Florida in January 2006!!!!! WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF YOU, HEATHER, AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AT THE EUKANUBA SHOW!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR CLUB MEMBERS AND THEIR "KIDS"


STORIES

Editor's Note: I am privileged to share an original short story written by our own Andrea
Burchell. The story will be presented in two parts, with the first in this newsletter and the conclusion in our holiday newsletter. The characters in the story are based on Andrea's family and pets, and although the dog in the story is a Boxer, you can easily substitute an Irish Terrier in your mind as you read it. Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your story with us.


SEMPER FIDO
(Part 1)
an original story by Andrea Burchell

He was a little boy Boxer puppy, and he didn't have a name.

Nobody loved him.

He couldn't remember anything except being cold, hungry, and scared.

He could remember loud, thumping noises overhead and angry voices, and a chilling wind that whistled around the cold, muddy space where he lived.

He could remember, just faintly, the warmth of his mother's tummy and her sweet, warm milk flooding into his little belly. But with five brothers and sisters, all shoving for a chance to eat, there was never enough.

And one day, it seemed like the push and shove with his brothers and sisters for a taste of his mother's milk was not so strong.

And the next day, he had to push and shove less.

Two days later, the milk was all his. Then, once, when his mother scrambled out of the mud to find herself something to eat, he heard a deep, slurred voice.

"Loushy mother you turned out to be. Too shtupid to even feed your own pupsh." There was a belch, and then the voice continued, "Why, I oughta-" and then, he heard a pulpy thud, quickly followed by the sound of his mother yelping in pain. There was a scrabbling noise in the mud, and then his mother was next to him again, trembling and whimpering. He didn't know it, but he was trembling, too, with cold and fear. The man outside had a name now- The Mean Man. The little boy Boxer puppy hoped he didn't have to stay in the cold and dark and mud underneath the Mean Man's trailer for the rest of his life.

But soon, he had bigger worries than the Mean Man. The next day, his mother's milk was watery and cold, and his mother's tummy was cold, too. She didn't move when he found his way up to her still face and licked frantically at her mouth and nose. Worse, he felt a choking sensation in his little chest, and his small, flat nose seemed stuffed up. He started to cough. He coughed and coughed, and he just couldn't get his breath. He felt like he was strangling, like he would never catch his breath again, like he was being held under cold water- even though his tiny face felt hot.

And then, he was all alone. The Mean Man squeezed under the trailer and dragged the puppy's mother's still body away, leaving him to shiver in the mud. His mother was gone, and he heard heavy footsteps and shouting in the place above where he lived. The Mean Man was yelling.

"I never shoulda listened to you. It's too much dern trouble to raise puppies. Look. She was a good dog. Now she's dead. And there's only one puppy. I'll never try that agin'. No way I can make any money on this stupid idea. Why, I oughta-"

"Don't kill him, please!" A woman's voice begged. The little boy Boxer puppy tried hard to stop coughing, so he could hear what was happening. He managed to hold the paroxysms down to a feeble wheeze.
"Kill him? He's the only money I'll ever make out of this stupid scheme of yours! But he's sick. I'll cut my losses and unload him now. Before the little runt dies!"

The little boy Boxer puppy shivered and coughed when he heard the trailer door bang open. If he could have seen the Mean Man's hand, reaching under the trailer for him, he would have bitten it. But his eyes weren't open yet, so he couldn't see, and the Mean Man grabbed him and took him for a ride in his rattling, rusty old pickup. The window on the passenger side was broken, and he lay on the floorboards in wet, rotting leaves.

"All right," the sad young man at the gas station said. "My sheepdog has a litter. I guess she can wet-nurse him for you."

"But I still need the money for him," the Mean Man snapped. 'Unload him to a broker, if he lives, and you can have half of the money."

"We'll see. Whatever money he brings at the broker, I have to put it against your truck repair first."

The Mean Man grumbled a reply and left, slamming the door of the gas station. The gas station man put the little boy Boxer puppy in a box, with some old rags rolled up next to him. He was almost warm for a change, and he fell asleep, for once not trembling in fear, even though he was very hungry.

The young man at the gas station took the little boy Boxer home to his sheepdog, Babe, who had just had a litter of her own. She had plenty of milk, and a warm box next to the kitchen stove. Soon, the little puppy grew chubby, and his cough got a little better. His eyes opened, and he saw the gas station man's wife smiling at the odd sight of a sleek tan and white Boxer within the litter of furry black and white Border Collies.
"Couldn't we keep him?" she asked.

"I wish we could", the gas station man sighed, "but I wouldn't dare cross old Jenkins. He did time in prison for arson."

His wife nodded sadly.

"We don't need that kind of trouble," she agreed.

So, in a few weeks, all too soon, the puppy was taken to the broker's office.

"Hmm," the broker said, looking him over. "He's still coughing a little. I think I'll send him to a pet store in California, where it's warm and sunny. Maybe he has a chance to get rid of his cough there. And it's warm in California- that's where a little puppy with not a lot of fur belongs."

Later that day, the little boy Boxer puppy went for another ride- in a big, noisy van, with lots of little puppies like him whining and yapping inside their own little plastic boxes with screen doors, just like his. He was very scared, but at least he wasn't quite so cold. In spite of his fear, he was excited and hopeful for- something; he didn't know what. He felt himself skidding around in the box every time the van went around a corner, and one time, his box even rolled over onto its side. That scared him so much that he wet on himself, and now, he was lying in a puddle again. It was almost as bad as living in the mud under the Mean Man's trailer, and he felt a vague shame along with the sharpening of his fear. He wondered if he would ever be warm and dry again.

Things got even worse when the van was unloaded at the airport. The little boy Boxer puppy heard a rattling noise and felt chunks of ice coming inside his plastic box, through the vented sides. He and several other puppies, all in their boxes on a cart, were sitting outside in the hail, hearing thunder and low, rumbling noises that shook the ground. Then, abruptly, the cart began to move. He felt his box lifted and pushed inside a big, dark area. He felt bumping and banging, and then a door slammed, and he and all the other puppies yapped frantically as the thunderous roar of airplane engines started somewhere very close. The noise grew louder and louder; his ears began to ring from the racket that went on for hours and hours. Finally, he was too tired to yap, and found the driest corner of his wet cage and shivered himself asleep.

A loud, jarring thump beneath his cage awoke him, and was followed by the screeching protest of decelerating jet engines. The little boy Boxer puppy tried to sit up in his cage, but everything shook and shuddered; all he could do was lie back and try to grip the slick, wet plastic floor with his short nails and join the others around him, yipping and whimpering in fright. After much bumping, he felt the plane come to a halt, and the engines seemed to idle down, although it was hard to tell; he was nearly deaf from the hours of roaring sound and the erratic pressurization in the cargo hold that had made his velvety- soft ears feel nearly as stuffy as his blunt nose. A door was unlatched somewhere, and his little puppy eyes blinked at the painful glare. He got to his feet, stubby legs feeling rubbery, and strained to see in the sudden light. The first thing he could feel was blessed warmth, radiating up from the runway- was this the place he had heard he would be sent, the warm place called California? He vocalized his hopes in a whine as he waited for his cage to be unloaded onto another cart, then towed across blacktop beneath a warm but hazy sun. His little throat felt dry as he lay stretched out in his cage, and he wished for a drink. Looking out the mesh door, he saw people milling around the cart, examining the labels that were placed on the cages; now and again, someone would pick up a cage and set it aside. Finally, his cage was lifted, along with five others, and strapped down inside a van. He relaxed a little, and peered out the window at the changing view- then wished he hadn't, because a wave of motion sickness engulfed him. Dizzy, he could only lie down again and feel his empty tummy convulse painfully, bringing up a sour fluid that made his already-raw throat burn.

"Ooh, here's a wet one," said a girlish voice, when the van finally stopped, and the doors were opened and his cage was unloaded into yet another blacktopped area. Two hands reached into his cage, dredging up memories of the Mean Man at the far end of the country. His reaction was to back up apprehensively, but the girl cooed softly and comfortingly at him, like the gas station man's wife had done. Nervously, he sniffed her hands and whined a plea for gentleness.

"He's stinky, too," she giggled, "better give him a bath even before the vet lady comes in to check him over."
"All right," a young man's voice agreed, "you can do it. I'll get the other ones settled in. I don't see why they sent us a Boxer."

"You know these puppy mill brokers. You get what you get." The girl shrugged.

"Oh, I know that. It's all kind of sordid to me. But at least the little white fuzzy ones go like hotcakes at Christmas time. Most of the people who come in here will probably think that little guy's just ugly. They'll say he's a pit bull, or something."

"I don't think he's ugly," the girl declared, and scooped the puppy up into her arms. "With a nice bath, you'll be such a handsome little guy. Look at that, all four white socks the same height and a perfect bandit mask. What a cutie." Sensing an ally, the puppy snuggled closer against the girl's smock. She cooed at him, but the young man smirked,

"I dunno. I think a truckload of fruitcakes would move faster than that little guy."
"Oh, you're impossible. You always were a cat person."

The girl carried the little Boxer to a high-sided sink and turned on the water, waiting for it to become comfortably warm before setting him down at the bottom and fitting a plug to the drain. His initial reaction was to cower in the corner, as far away from the water stream as he could get. He put up a determined, if weak and tired, struggle against the girl's efforts. He could only associate water with cold and misery.

"It's okay, sweetie. Don't be afraid. You'll be all clean again, and maybe somebody will buy you right away. See? This water is nice and warm." So saying, the girl dribbled a cupped handful of the warm liquid over his trembling shoulders. She was right, he realized, and much bigger and stronger than him, so he gave up and let her bathe him. In fact, it was almost soothing, this warm water and then the blissful rubbing and lathering which followed. When the warm towels were dabbed against him, he even felt a burst of playful pleasure, and batted gently at the towels with his front paws, in the manner of all Boxers.

But that quickly exhausted him; he plumped on his stubby-tailed bottom and sneezed, then coughed a wet, phlegmy-sounding cough.

"Oh, no! You're sick, you poor little guy! Were you stuck out in the rain someplace?" The girl's eyes were sad. This was the part of the job she hated- seeing sick little puppies and kittens stuffed into their solitary cages, never getting out in the sun, their chances of finding a home jeopardized through no fault of their own. Nobody wanted to buy a sick animal; they wanted an instant, lively playmate for themselves or their shiny-eyed children, not some poor waif who would have to be nursed back to health. The girl spend extra time with the little boy Boxer, wrapping him in warm towels and holding him next to her body, waiting expectantly for the vet lady to arrive, even though the pet store owner nagged at her to get back to work, stop wasting time in the back when all the customers were coming in to shop for holiday gifts.

"You're throwing away a Christmas bonus," the boss threatened, "and your commission. Come on- there's lots of puppies and kittens and birds and fish and hamsters to sell. You're wasting time on that little loser!"
"You are not a loser," the girl told the puppy, and held him closer, tears in her eyes. A sigh of relief escaped her lips when she caught sight of the vet lady's Lexus driving up.

"What do you have there, Jennifer?" The vet lady asked, softly.

"A little boy Boxer puppy. He just came in today. I think he's sick. He's coughing."

"Well, let's have a look at him. Come here, little fella. Has he had any food or a drink since he got here?"
"No, I was trying to clean him up. I think he went on himself. I should have thought to give him something." She looked chagrined at her omission.

"That happens." The vet lady spoke briskly, and offered the puppy a bowl of fresh water. He lapped at it eagerly, feeling his dry throat smooth a little. His stomach settled down, too- until the thermometer was slid up his little bottom. Even as gentle as the vet lady was, this was still a violation, a rude shock to him. He tried to sit down, but was held up firmly.

"A slight fever, all right. Just a little kennel cough, I'm sure. We'll have you feeling better in no time at all." The vet lady coated a pill with cream cheese and offered it to the ravenous pup, who wolfed it down unsuspectingly. Several stinging vaccinations later, he found himself in a new, glass-fronted cage, peering out at the world in wonder. Shredded paper was wadded up around him, cushioning the metal mesh of the cage bottom. All around him, he could hear excited yipping and barking, as he watched adults and bright-eyed children walking past the glass front of his cage, and the ones surrounding it. The children smiled and pointed at the inhabitants of the score or so of cages, sometimes making faces or slapping pudgy toddler palms against the glass. He was fascinated; he tried to stay awake and watch, but being a very small puppy who had just been flown thousands of miles inside a noisy airplane, then bathed and medicated, he was tired. He snuggled into the paper shavings, warm and dry at last, curled himself into a tiny, fawn-colored ball, and fell fast asleep.

His dreams were disturbed, disjointed fragments of memory. He dreamed of icy baths, of being kicked senseless by cruel humans, and of a kind, young girl who was just beyond his reach. Whenever he tried to run to her to escape his tormentors, he was stricken with paroxysms of coughing that rendered him unable to move. He awoke, choking and panting, his tiny heart thudding heavily in his chest as he struggled to get his breath.

The pet store was dark, and mostly quiet, except for the occasional snores and sleep-whimpers of dreaming puppies and kittens. He was alone, and felt nearly as deserted as he had when his mother's still body was dragged out from under the trailer by the cursing, foul-breathed Mean Man. Certainly the pet store was a better place than the mud hole where he had been born, but he also remembered the time he'd spent among the litter of Border Collies, playing with the other puppies and being held, for a few moments now and then, by a caring human. He wasn't sure what kind of a life was in his future, but he was positive he didn't want to return to another cold, dark, muddy place.

The little boy Boxer puppy had drifted off to sleep again, after a few sips from the water bottle hanging inside his cage. A tumult of noise woke him; it was now light inside the pet store, and he heard a rattling sound as an employee unlocked the door to begin his first full day at Pet Town. He was delighted to find that the first order of the day was mealtime. The glass front of his cage was slid open and a bowl containing a mix of canned and dry puppy food was placed inside. Additionally, he was offered another lump of cream cheese with something hard stuffed inside. He gulped that down, and investigated the bowl of food, sniffing at it cautiously. Hunger got the better of him, and he had eaten it all and was looking around for more almost before he knew it. His little tummy was full, though; in ten or fifteen minutes, he was squatting in the corner of his cage farthest from his sleeping nest to relieve himself. He felt a vague disgust at having to lie even this close to his own waste.

The procession of customers past the wall of cages resumed shortly after he had eaten. This morning, he was not so tired and was able to observe more intently. Mostly, the customers just filed past, or maybe stood back to watch the antics of the caged young animals. Now and then, someone would kneel on the carpet to watch more closely, after trailing a finger back and forth along the glass. His was high in a top corner, higher than any of the children and most of the adults could see. From his place, though, he could see everything. He even watched as a customer pointed out a puppy to one of the store employees, who then unlocked the cage and carried the pup to a small room just out of his view. When that happened, there was a jealous fury of yapping from the others. He didn't join in, being content merely to observe. Most of the time, the puppy would be returned to its cage- but not always. His first morning, he saw a fluffy little white Poodle carried out by its new owners, a couple with a round-faced, bright-eyed little girl. He was crushed- they looked like a nice family- and he flopped, dejected, his dark face looking even sadder than its Boxer wrinkles usually made it. He roused somewhat toward the end of the day, at which time he was removed from his cage and lowered into a plastic garbage can. He tried to jump up and see out, but the can was too tall for him to peer out. After a few minutes, he was whisked back to his cage, which now smelled of cleanser and had a fresh layer of paper on the bottom. He rooted about, and created a new sleeping nest for himself.

So passed the first day, with the little boy Boxer puppy looking out and pacing from time to time, unable to sleep because of all the racket of barking and meowing and raucous sounds emanating from a double row of bird cages just past his domicile. By nightfall, two more puppies had been taken away by smiling new owners.

The one thing he noticed that all of the new owners were exhorted to "enjoy your new Christmas puppy". He didn't know what Christmas was. Maybe it was a special kind of dog. He began to wish that he was a Christmas puppy, too. But as the days passed and the excitement of the customers raised itself to an almost palpable level, he knew in his heart that he was not a Christmas puppy, and suspected that he never would be.

Several days later, a young boy's excited cries brought the little boy Boxer puppy out of a bored doze.

"Dad, can we look at the puppies? Please?"

"After we find a toy for your sister's cat, Noah. We came here to get her a Hanukkah present."

"Ugh. Cats," the boy declared, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "I'd rather have a dog."

"Dogs need a lot of attention, Noah. You're at school all day long. It wouldn't be fair to the dog."

"But then why is it fair for Marsha to have a cat? She's at school all day, too," the boy argued, reluctantly following his father to the cat toy aisle, while his grandfather stomped along behind them, glowering at his son's refusal to answer the question.

"Cats are- different. They don't need people as much." Zeyde Al took his grandson's hand and winked down at him. "Dogs are better. After we find something for Marsha's cat, I'll look at the puppies with you."

"Will you, Zeyde? Thank you!"

The skinny old man with one crooked shoulder chuckled with pleasure at his grandson's affection, but the wink froze on his face when Noah's father barked out,

"Don't tease the boy, Pop. You know he can't have a dog. Why make him feel bad?"

"Robert, it can't hurt to let him look. And anyway, I want to see the puppies. Look at all the happy children in here. It's Christmas Eve, and they're picking up their puppies and kittens and kinds of presents with their families. At least they won't be lonely," he finished in a mumble. Al himself was very lonely since his wife- Robert's mother- had passed away a few months ago. He had since moved into a Senior Living complex, and was now questioning the wisdom of the move. He was surrounded by other people his own age, most of them alone once more after the loss of a spouse. He was lonelier than ever, and tried to compensate by spending extra time with his grandchildren, Noah and Marsha.

"Right." Robert cleared his throat, ashamed and freshly grief-stricken by his father's words. "How about this catnip mouse, Noah? How much were you planning on spending?"

"I dunno. How much do you think she is planning on spending on me?"

"That's not the point." Robert grunted at his son's cynicism. "Anyway, I wouldn't know. I think your mother took her shopping for you."

"Hey, that RC mouse looks cool", Noah breathed, pointing out the electronic cat toy being demonstrated by an employee. It zipped along the carpet, missing customers' feet by inches. "Do you think she'd like that, Dad?"

"She might. I know you would," Robert grinned. "How much is it?"

Noah picked up a packaged unit from the shelf and almost dropped it in shock.

"Ouch. Fourteen ninety-five. Too much for Marsha's stupid cat." He started to put it back, but Zeyde Al caught his arm and reached for his own wallet.

"Here, Robert," he said, handing a bill to his son.

"That's ten dollars!" Robert looked sternly from his father to his son. Both smiled at each other in a conspiratorial manner when the older man spoke again.

"You can come over and vacuum my stairs and wash the windows over your school vacation to pay me back. Is that a deal, young man?"

Noah nodded vigorously and reached in his own pocket for the rest of the money for the mouse. He paused, shyness taking over, and quietly asked,

"Could you pay for it while Zeyde and I look at the puppies, Dad?"

"We'll all go pay for it together. I might as well see the puppies, too," Robert grumbled, good-naturedly, and the trio of shoppers ambled toward the glass fronted cages.

Only two puppies remained- a droopy-eared Basset Hound that looked like it had a hangover- maybe from too much eggnog, and the small, fawn-and-white Boxer, curled up in a drowsy ball.

"Look at those ears! Dad, isn't he silly?" Noah's gleeful remark caused the Boxer to twitch his ears curiously, then settle back down, since he wasn't the recipient of the attention.

"He is silly," Zeyde Al agreed. "What about the other one, though?"

"That one's dead," Robert said, mock seriously.

"No, he's not! He is not, is he Zeyde?" Noah's eyes looked ready to brim over as he tugged at his grandfather's sleeve anxiously.

"Of course not, bubbaleh. Your father is only being mean," he added, with a pointed look at his son.

"Look- he's getting up. He's all right." Al leaned closer, getting a better look at the wrinkle-faced pup.

"You know, Noah, a dog just like this saved my life once." The old man pressed his nose against the glass, looking like an over-aged child.

"Really? When? Look, I think he's trying to lick you right through the glass. He's cute. Tell me, Zeyde. How did a dog like this save your life?"

TO BE CONTINUED


UPCOMING EVENTS

The Welsh Terrier Club of Southern California, Southern California Den Dogs Club, Kelly Blue Terrier Club of Southern California and the Great Western Terrier Association present a 2-weekend earthdog extravaganza Nov. 5 & 6 and Nov 12 & 13, 2005.

AWTA Earthdog Trials will be held on Nov 5 & 6 at Legg Lake in El Monte.

The Kerry Blue Terrier Club of Southern California will sponsor a Strongdog Fun Day Match for all eligible breeds, including Kerry Blues, Glen of Imall, Irish, Staffordshire Bull, Wheaten, Airedale and Bull Terriers on Nov. 6 at Legg Lake in El Monte.

AKC Earthdog Tests will be held on Nov 12 and 13 at Canyon RV Park.

For further information go to http://www.duffyscavern.org/Earthe_dogges.htm. or contact Carol Hamilton (626) 330-4708, katydid.dandies@adelphia.net.


CLUB ACTIVITIES

The San Gabriel Valley Kennel Club Show in Irwindale on November 5, 2005 has been designated as our club's Owner-handler show. To qualify for trophies and awards, owners must show their own Irish Terriers (no professional handlers permitted). We will also have a meeting of the ITCSC on Nov. 5, 2005 at approximately 2 pm on the show grounds (the meeting time will be adjusted, if necessary, once we know ring times). This is a very important meeting, as we still have much work to do to prepare for the National Specialty which we will be hosting in June 2006. Everyone please plan on coming to watch the show, make fun of the owner-handlers in the ring and attend this important meeting!!


NEW MEMBERS

ITCSC extends a warm welcome to its newest members:

Gerry & Ginger Quealy, 44994 Corte Zorita, Temecula, CA 92592 (951) 302-6589 e-mail quail4@adelphia.net.

Randy & Linda Coley, 11911 Lampson Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840 (714) 537-1218, e-mail zziggii@pacbell.net.

Bill & Margie Gensemer, 209 Quincy Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 987-0947, e-mail billgense@aol.com.

Lt.Col & Maria Harkins, 313 Neville St., Oceanside, CA 92054 (760) 385-4917, e-mail scooterandus@yahoo.com.

Lauren & Rob Krasny, 152 Hart Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405,. (310) 663-9040, e-mail rsrasny@keyway.net.

Ned & Claire O'Meara, 1589 Glencrest Dr., San Marcos, CA 92079, (760) 752-3325, e-mail ncomears@cox.net

Jesse & Jessica Nash, 36205 16th Ave. E., Roy, WA 98580 (360) 400-1748, e-mails glenstalirish@yahoo.com or confoffle@yahoo.com.


MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE ITCSC - JIM THOMAS

I first became acquainted with Irish Terriers in 1970 when Linda Honey took me to Orange County to meet her sister, Barbara, and brother-in-law, Del Hofman. Also present were Linda and Barbara's mother and father, Marion and Cruse Honey, who brought along a pair of young Irish Terriers, probably Shanty and Kathy. Linda and I married in 1970 and in 1973 moved to Harbor City (where I still reside) with Shanty (CH Ahtram Bonus) and young Siobhan (CH Rockledge's Siobhan O'Goss). When Linda and I divorced, custody of Siobhan went to Linda and Shanty to me.

Although I used to show my Irish, attendance at dog shows gradually decreased to only attending ITCSC specialties and supported shows. The last appearance I made as an exhibitor was with Shanty in the Stud Dog Class at a specialty in the late 1970's (which we lost!). I have fond memories of the Wagon Wheel Motel weekend shows (aka Ventura and Santa Barbara). I served as President of the ITCSC for a year or two in the seventies, and I am glad to say the Club survived my administration. I tabulated the competitions for the ITCA and ITCSC Annual Trophies between the regimes of John Best and Cory Rivera.

Over the years, I have been "rescued" by several Irish Terriers: Annie, who came from Monterey Bay; Bricc, who came from the California high desert country; Maureen, who came from Orange County; Maeve, who came from San Pedro after her show ring and brood-bitch days; and Rosalie, Maeve's youngest daughter, who is lying on the floor beside me as I write this.


LITTER BITS

New members Jesse & Jessica Nash are proud to announce the arrival of their first litter of Irish Terriers, 2 males and 2 females, born on August 14, 2005. Dam: CH All-Erin's All Eyes On Bronwyn, Sire: CH Dearg Madra's Road House. For more information, contact Jessica at glenstalirish@yahoo.com or at confoffle@yahoo.com.

Jessica delivered Bronwyn's litter all by herself (with a little help from Bronwyn, of course!). CONGRATULATIONS!!


IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CANINE FLU

On September 20, 2005, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson alerted the public to an emerging canine respiratory disease that can mimic symptoms of "kennel cough" but is more serious and generally requires the attention of a veterinarian.

Known as "canine influenza" or "canine flu", the disease is caused by a virus that recently has been identified by the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine researchers and has been responsible for severe respiratory disease outbreaks in the past year among racing greyhounds in Florida and other states.

The highly contagious virus is beginning to show up on dogs in shelters, boarding facilities and clinics in several areas of Florida. "We already have alerted veterinary practitioners throughout the state to be on the lookout for canine flu, and we believe it is prudent at this time to advise the public to be aware of symptoms of this respiratory ailment and to respond appropriately", Bronson said.

Like "kennel cough", symptoms of canine flu include a cough and nasal discharge, and sometimes fever and listlessness. The State Veterinarian's Office recommends consulting with a veterinarian if the dog experiences severe symptoms or fails to respond to normal "kennel cough" therapy, which generally involves antibiotics.

Because canine flu is a newly-emerging disease, all dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no naturally-acquired or vaccine-induced immunity. While most dogs that contract the disease experience what is regarded as the milder form of canine flu, some develop a more acute disease with clinical signs of pneumonia. Among the latter group, the mortality rate is between 1 and 5 percent.

Veterinarians have now documented this disease in the following areas:

In the Northwest: Portland, Oregon; Pullman, Washington.

In California: San Gabriel, Los Angeles, South Bay, Inglewood, Garden Grove (60 suspected cases), Huntington Beach.

In many other states, including Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, West Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and South Carolina.

Since this is a new pathogen in dogs, there is currently no natural immunity present in the unexposed canine population. Almost all exposed dogs will become infected, and nearly 80% have clinical signs. In the mild form the dogs will have a cough that persists for 10 to 21 days. The cough may be soft and moist or dry. Many dogs will have a nasal discharge from a secondary bacterial infection and low grade fever. The nasal discharge responds to broad spectrum antibiotics. In the severe form with pneumonia there is a high fever (104-106 F) and respiratory difficulties. These dogs often have secondary bacterial infections and have responded to broad-spectrum antibiotics and supportive care, including intravenous hydration. The incubation period is 2 to 5 days and dogs may shed virus for 7 to 10 days. The disease can spread rapidly throughout a boarding kennel, a dog show or a dog park.

It is suggested that the spread of this disease can be curbed by restricting your dog's interactions with other dogs and people during the fall season.

DON'T PANIC, BUT USE CAUTION if you are exposing your dog to areas where many other dogs are present.

Editor's Note: the above information was compiled from a variety of sources, including the Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commission, the University of Florida and the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University.


AKC WORKING TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO CANINE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the American Kennel Club immediately set up a donations exchange database on its website at www.akc.org where people can list resources, equipment and transportation offers to canine victims and their owners.

"The AKC is greatly saddened by the devastating hurricane that continues to leave a path of destruction across the South," said Dennis B. Spring, AKC President and CEO. "Notwithstanding the human tragedy and untold billions of dollars in damage, we expect there are untold numbers of canine victims that are in desperate need of our assistance. We will do everything in our power to help them." Although the immediate problems caused by Hurricane Katrina appear to be under control, the need to help displaced canines continues.

Contributions made to the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund are used to immediately purchase needed equipment and deliver them directly to contact centers. 100 percent of your donation goes to helping dogs in need. If you wish to make a fully tax-deductible donation, you may send it to the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund c/o American Kennel Club, 260 Madison Avenue - 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016-2401 attn: Ms. Kim Luong or visit the AKC web site at www.akc.org. AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund is a permanent charitable fund which provides resources, support and other assistance to non-for-profit animal shelters and similar non-for-profit organizations providing care for domestic animals orphaned or displaced as a result of natural or civil disasters.


GET WELL WISHES

The ITCSC extends sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to Marilyn Shaw. Marilyn developed gout just before coming to Montgomery, and spent the weekend walking with a cane on a very swollen and sore right foot. Trooper that she is, Marilyn didn't miss any of the shows, even though she had to make two trips to the emergency room while she was in Philadelphia. We all hope you are feeling better soon, Marilyn.

Jeanene MacDonald's husband, Alan, has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. Fortunately, it has not spread to other parts of his body, but Alan will have to undergo some extensive chemotherapy treatment in the new few months. Please keep Alan and Jeanene in your thoughts and prayers.


ATTACHMENTS

Attached to this newsletter is the next in the series of Marion Honey's articles and the minutes of the meeting of September 24, 2005.

Hope to hear from all of you soon with stories, brags, litter announcements and other information to share with the group.


Judi McMahon
2127 Petaluma Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 596-8261
Fax: (562) 598-0564
E-mail: judia1@aol.com