Paws for Tails a Waggin'

Newsletter of the Dog Obedience Club of Las Cruces, Inc.

Nancy Chanover, Editor
4210 Sotol Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88011
(505) 522-0812
chanover@zianet.com
DOCLC Club Phone Number: 527-3983

December 2003

We will not have a December meeting; instead, we will have our holiday party on December 18 at 6:30 pm at the St. James Episcopal Church. Details are attached. The next regular meeting of the Dog Obedience Club of Las Cruces will take place on Thursday, January 8, 2004. This will likely be a restaurant meeting; the exact time and place will be published in the January 2004 newsletter.

DOCLC has done it again. We put on a wonderful set of agility trials. We had wonderful weather, wonderful judges, wonderful exhibitors, wonderful volunteers, and a lot of wonderful runs.

As usual, it was the volunteers that made this event happen. While I cannot list everyone, I would like to recognize a few folks for their tireless efforts.

First and foremost, I want to thank Tara Clark. Once again Tara worked the score table for every class all three days. Like last year, she made no errors!! Thanks to Tara, the score tent worked with a speed and efficiency rarely seen at any other agility trial.

Also assisting with scoring and a host of other miscellaneous tasks was Judy Whitehead. Judy also worked every class and ran her dog while she was doing it.

Thanks to Pam Smith, not only for her job as Chair, but also for being an excellent Chief Ring Steward. Pam's efficient organization of the ring crew allowed us to start the Jumpers with Weaves ring early on Sunday and get exhibitors on the road as much as two hours earlier.

Special thanks to Marjorie Henson and Lynn DeBeauclair for their tireless efforts throughout the weekend. Lynn and Marjorie, along with Tara, were not exhibiting dogs in these trials. They volunteered their time without any vested interest in being there.

Thanks also to the kids who helped: Kate Schaefer, Rena Kolikant, Kyla Miller, Rachel Wilbur, Thomas Veitch, Addison Veitch, Joe Franco (Boy Scout), James Franco (Cub Scout), Ginger Franco (Girl Scout) and Alice Franco (Mom).

Last, but not least, thanks go to Helen Smith, Hal Kading, Steve Stochaj, Jason Clark and Jim Cammack for their help for multiple classes.

As a final note, I would like to inform the club that it is time for me to pass the agility trial secretary torch off to someone else. Saturday evening of the trial I realized I had reached saturation and will not be able to put in the same level of effort for next year's trial. I also hope to be attending the AKC Agility Judge's Seminar and be looking for my Sanctioned Match judging assignment during this time period next year.

Brian Owen

THE MINUTES OF THE DOG OBEDIENCE CLUB OF LAS CRUCES

November 6, 2003

Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Cheryl Smith. Attending were Pam Smith, Janet Miller, Brian Owen, Steve Stochaj, Victor Villalobos, Shannon Murray, Julie Goodrich, Gayle Treakle, Lynn DeBeauclair, and Cheryl Smith.

Corrections to Minutes: Previous minutes need to be amended to include attendees of the October meeting. Also, Minutes should read that agility course times and scores are needed...etc. Brian moved to accept the Minutes as amended. Vic seconded.

Treasurer's report was given. All taxes and penalties due the IRS have been paid to the best of our knowledge.

Committee Reports:
Obedience: Intermediate has one more week
Agility: Classes have one more week
Seminar: Nothing new
Awards: 2003 awards must be submitted by November 15^th and member must be in 'good standing' which means dues have been paid.

Dues must be paid by December or membership will lapse! Dues are $10 for an individual and $12 for a family. Dues should be sent to Pam Smith.

Holiday Party: It was decided to have the Holiday Party on a Thursday night as we did last year. It will again be a "Potluck." Gayle will check with St. James to see if the room is available on December 18^th. Janet has a game and asks everyone to bring a wrapped, dog related gift to the party. A limit of $10.00 was established.

The business cards Vic was working on have been ordered and should be arriving soon.

Vic suggested a "Membership Drive." He has offered to run Ads in the Thrifty Nickel from time to time, and Shannon offered to design a flyer to hand out after classes. Janet mentioned that we should have links on websites such as Dog Patch. Steve said he will add the Club to Dog Patch.

Agility Trial:
Entries are closed. We have 226 entries on Friday, 438 on Saturday, and 426 on Sunday. Reservations have been made and paid for at the La Quinta. Julie Goodrich will be picking up one Judge at the airport. The other Judge will be driving in from Albuquerque and will take care of getting both to and from the show site. Port-a-Potties have been arranged and will be cleaned by Saturday and Sunday mornings. Pam will contact the Parks Department and obtain keys and make sure the lights work. The same photographer will be on hand. Two vendors have asked to set up at the trial. Samples of their wares were sent for preview. Lynn DeBeauclair moved that we accept the vendors. Motion was seconded. Motion passed. Vendors will not be charged any fee at this time. RV parking inside the fenced area is limited to those individuals providing security for the trial. Janet will make directional signs for the trial. Pam moved a $25 Target gift card and a voucher good for $25 off entry fee for a future agility trial hosted by DOCLC for each class be raffled off to volunteers. Steve seconded. Motion passed. Pam moved we give a $100 Land's End gift certificate to the Judge working 3 days, and a $75 LandŐs End gift certificate to the Judge working 2 days. Lynn seconded. Motion passed. Brian moved the Judges dinner be held at Pete's Hacienda on Friday, November 29, 2003 at 6:30 pm. Seconded, motion passes. It was moved that pizza be purchased for lunches on Saturday and Sunday. Steve seconded, motion passed. Janet will arrange to have pizza delivered. Discussion about prior decision to sell bait bags and excess obedience trial prized was revisited. Brian moved we do not sell the items due to shortage of volunteers. Pam seconded. Motion passed. Arrangements for set-up was discussed. Set up is 9:00 am on Friday November 29, 2003. Pam will order ribbons. Equipment work days set for November 8th and 9th. Loading onto trailer is set for November 23^rd at 1:00 pm.

Brags were presented.
Meeting adjourned at 8:54 pm

You're invited to:

Once again we will be raffling off leftover obedience trial awards in exchange for donations to Safe Haven, SNAP and the Animal Shelter. Donations can be cash or products (cash is preferred because it is easier for our club to deal with). One ticket will be given for every dollar donated so keep your receipt if products are donated.

Note:  The game of "white dog" will follow the rules for the traditional "white elephant" game, where coveted items are fought over like dogs going for bones.  Please bring an item that is dog-related, such as dog toys, dog snacks, dog gift items, dog ornaments (get the idea?), with a price limit of $10.00.  Spouses can work together or each bring an item and it's every dog-lover for him/herself.