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
July 2005
Next Meeting
There is no regularly scheduled business meeting for the month of July. Instead, we will get together for our annual summer picnic on July 31st (see the attached flyer or click here if you are viewing the newsletter electronically). NOTE: THE TIME HAS BEEN MOVED A LITTLE LATER PER CHARLENE'S REQUEST - swimming will now start at 6 pm. Hope to see you then!
Class Registration Thank You's
We held registration for our summer session of obedience classes on June 30th. Even though we are experimenting with an abbreviated session format, we are pleased that we had enough people to fill one Beginning class. There is still some room in Puppy Class. Thanks to the following people for helping out at registration: Julie Goodrich, Marjorie Henson, Shannon Murray, Erica Voges, Nancy Chanover, Pam Smith, Charlene Curry, Gayle Treakle, Steve Stochaj, and Vic Villalobos.
Doggie Book Club
The next book club meeting is on Wednesday July 20th. This month's discussion book will be Jean Donaldson's Culture Clash. The meeting will be at 7:00 pm at Pat Warren's house again. Call Janet Miller or Pat for information: 434-4544 or 541-0682.
From the President
Well, another class session is almost upon us; we will be trying a new format with twice a week classes, Monday and Thursday evenings. We can use all the help we can with trainers and assistants. Now is also the time to start thinking about becoming a trainer for the club. You can talk with Julie if you're interested in becoming an obedience instructor. I hope to see you all at the upcomimg party at Charlene's house.
Vic Villalobos
MINUTES OF THE DOG OBEDIENCE CLUB OF LAS CRUCES
June 2, 2005
MEMBERS PRESENT: President Vic Villalobos, Vice-President Nancy Chanover, Secretary Marjorie A. Henson, Treasurer Charlene Curry; OTHER MEMBERS: Shannon Murray, Pam Smith, Steve Stochaj, Gayle Treakle; VISITORS: Kim Bentley, Ellen Consolazio, Nick & Erica Voges
The meeting was called to order by President Vic Villalobos at 7:08.
Nancy Chanover moved and Steve Stochaj seconded that the minutes be approved as presented in the newsletter. The motion passed.
The Treasurer's report was made. We had more expenses for May than income. The agility wicket was purchased from AKC. The board was bonded. The Wells Fargo checking account has been closed and transferred to First National Bank The tax report has come back from the accountant. The club didn't owe any taxes to the Federal Government this year.
Shared Facility with Save Haven: Steve & Vic are going to look into what the costs would be to fence & set up the area next to Save Haven for use as a Agility practice area.
OBEDIENCE TRIAL: Awards: It was decided that every entry would get a dog toy instead of awarding 1st-4th. Pam Smith moved and Steve Stochaj seconded that we do it this way instead of offering the regular prizes. Motion passed. The park is getting ratty; sand is being put on the low spots by the city. We do not maintain this park so will have to work around the bad spots. The Hospitality Committee will consist of Gayle Treakle & Charlene Curry. Pam Smith & Marjorie A. Henson will coordinate the awards. Pam Smith will be chief Ring Steward. Pam Smith moved & Nancy Chanover seconded that when Pam is ordering toys for the obedience entries that toys also are ordered for the agility trial. Motion passed. Rally-O is something we can have next year.
SEMINAR: There was no update on the Bud Houston seminar.
AGILITY TRAILER: Steve Stochaj & Vic Villalobos have scheduled a workday to set up the interior of the trailer. Steve has been planning the set up of the interior of the trailer.
NEW BUSINESS:
JULY PARTY: The club will hold its party on July 31 with swimming for the dogs starting at 4:00 and party at 5:00. It will be held at Charlene Curry's. The club will buy the meat & Vic will cook it. Steve Stochaj will get the sodas. This will be a potluck party with doggie games.
Registration for the July classes will be June 30 with returning students coming at 6:15 and new students at 7:00 at Branigan Library. This set of classes are the twice a week classes which were scheduled to start on July 18 but if we start them on the 18th the last class would fall on the day of our August meeting. After consulting on the phone with Julie Goodrich, the decision was made to start the classes on July 11 and hold them on July 11,14,18,21,25 & 28. We will be having puppy classes as well as one beginning classes and if there is enough interest will hold 2 beginning classes. Charlene will teach the puppy class, Julie will teach a beginning class & Vic will teach a beginning class if someone can cover for him on a Thursday that he has a meeting. Marjorie & Erica will assist. Nick can help one night a week. Fall registration will be held on August 25th.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: There will be an adoptathon on June 4 for the Humane Society at Better Life. Tuesday the 7th there will be a Beach Party themed Yappy Hour at Way Out West. This will be the last one for a while as it is getting too hot to have them.
Nick asked a question about a Dog Park for the city. Several members made their case for not having one as the dogs may then be banned from all the parks except the dog park.
BRAGS were presented.
Nancy moved and Shannon seconded for the meeting to adjourn.
From Our Members
So Long.....but hopefully not Goodbye
Sometimes things just don't work out the way we intend, or even plan. Such has been the past three months for me. I had originally set up a schedule that would let me close out my final work assignments at WSMR, relocate all my "stuff" to my new place in Wichita Falls, and still be able to attend club meetings. It just hasn't worked out that way. Some would say two of three isn't bad, yet the piece I most regret is not being able to make the last several meetings.
I have truly enjoyed being an active member of the club over the last few years...............I have had more good times, learned more, and enjoyed the company of everyone more than I ever thought possible. Everyone has been wonderful, and I am truly going to miss each of you. I intend to stay in touch with the club.................at least to keep up with and hopefully attend the seminars, since its only a one day drive from there to here (or is that now here to there?).
But...the WF dog obedience club, German Shepherd rescue, and the WF Humane Society are waiting on me to show up and "get busy" with them, so I guess it is time to let go of Las Cruces and begin my new life as a retired civil servant in Texas. Anyway, rumor has it that my brother's fishing rig direly needs more lake time, and I have already seen the "which of these are you doing today" list my mother has prepared to assure that I don't get bored over the next couple years. Even Shadow has decided that squirrel chasing in the new back yard is better than ambushing doves here in Las Cruces.
Hopefully, some of you will be traveling to or through Wichita Falls on "doggy business" in the future (maybe even to attend the annual conformation and obedience competition). If so, please let me know. The new place has a nice guest suite and big double fenced back yard with lots of trees and shade and grass. If nothing else we can fire up the barbecue and enjoy the covered back patio while the dogs play in the rest of the yard.
I hope to see or hear from you, so don't lose this information:
Gene Forsythe and "A Shepherd's Home"
4524 Jennings
Wichita Falls, Texas 76310-2017
940-691-1909 {message service}
E-mail at "Ashepherdshome@aol.com"
Here are a couple of things from the RRFolk site that might be of interest to club members. Charlene
Creating Your Dog-Safe Garden
Few things bring people greater joy than their dogs and gardens. In both cases, you invest a bit of effort up front, then continually enjoy the rewards long after.
However, your garden can be hazardous to your dog's health. It's a wonderland of smells, textures and colors that are designed to catch the attention of people - and animals. The important thing is to be aware before you begin gardening for the season. A little common sense and planning can ensure a beautiful garden and a healthy happy dog.
Chemical Cautions
Many gardeners enhance the beauty of their lawns with chemicals that can harm their dogs. Be careful to store these out of the way and confine your dog somewhere safe while applying them. Always make sure you read labels before using any products on your lawn or in your garden.
If your dog does ingest any of these, contact your vet right away.
Practical Tips
Poisonous Plants
Some of the plants below may give your dog an upset stomach if eaten, but others may kill him. If you plant any, consider fencing them off securely.
Almonds
Amaryllis leaves and flowers
Apricots
Autumn crocus bulbs
Azalea stems and leaves
Birds of paradise stems
Black-eyed Susan
Bleeding heart flowers and stems
Boxwood Bark, stems and leaves
Buttercup
Castor bean seeds (very toxic)
Cherry laurel wood and branches (very toxic)
Chinaberry tree wood and branches
Clematis stems and leaves
Daffodil bulbs
Delphinium plants
Dumb cane leaves (very dangerous)
English ivy fruit
Flowers bulbs of any kind
Foxglove stems and flowers
Holly berries
Kalanchoe
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Jasmine leaves
Jerusalem cherry leaves and flowers
Jimsonweed or thorn apple (very dangerous)
Larkspur stems
Laburnum bark, flowers, seeds and leaves
Lily of the valley leaves and flowers
Locoweed
Lupine stems and flowers
Mistletoe berries (very poisonous)
Mountain laurel
Mushrooms- any that you can not identify as safe
Oleander bark, stems, and leaves (very dangerous)
Peaches
Philodendron
Poinsettia leaves
Pokeweed
Potatoes
Privet bush stems and leaves
Rhododendron leaves
Rhubarb leaves
Skunk cabbage leaves and flowers
Tomatoes vines
Virginia creeper bark and stems
Wandering Jew
Wisteria bark and leaves
Yew bark, needles, and seeds (very dangerous)
By Dr. Olakunle Ayeni DVM