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
May 2005
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Dog Obedience Club of Las Cruces will be a restaurant meeting. We will meet on Thursday, May 5, 2005, at 6:30 pm at the Bountiful Bakery on East Lohman (at the east end of the Petco/Marshall's/Ross shopping center). The restaurant serves sandwiches, salads, soups, some light dinner fare, and exotic pastries and coffees, and we will have a private meeting room. For those of you planning to skip the food, please join us at 7 pm since we need to leave the restaurant by 9 pm at the latest. Hope to see you there!
From the President
Kat from Better Life asked me to let you all know that on Sat. April 30th from 9:30-5:30 they will be having an adopt a pet day at Better Life Pet Foods. They will have giveaways and all sorts of fun things. If any of you can make it that would great. We will try and get some flyers done up about the club and hand them out. SPREAD THE WORD!
Vic Villalobos
MINUTES OF THE DOG OBEDIENCE CLUB OF LAS CRUCES
April 7, 2005
Members Present: President Vic Villalobos, Vice-President Nancy Chanover, Secretary Marjorie A. Henson, Treasurer Charlene Curry; OTHER MEMBERS: Gene Forsythe, Julie Goodrich, Janet Miller, Shannon Murray, Brian Owen, Kim Ramsey, Pam Smith, Steve Stochaj, Gayle Treakle; VISITORS: Janina Carlona, Pat Warren
The meeting was called to order by President Vic Villalobos at 7:03. Introductions were made.
Brian Owen moved & Nancy Chanover seconded to accept the minutes as presented in the newsletter. Motion passed.
The treasurer's report was made.
Cheryl Smith sent a nice note in appreciation of the gift. The going away lunch for Cheryl was nice.
OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE: The obedience instructors met with Janet Miller in March and reviewed her curriculum and decided to use it for our upcoming classes.
SEMINAR: The Bud Houston seminar will be in January with 12 working slots on both days. One day will be for the more advanced people (handling skills) and the other day will be how to teach those handling skills. The seminar is listed on Clean Run Events. Janet Miller recommends that we charge $100 for a 1 day working slot & $175 for a 2 days with the same dog, & $40/day for auditors. Perhaps we should offer the same percentage discount to auditors for both days. A discussion was held that perhaps some auditors would like to work their dogs during the breaks. If so we would charge $50 for up to 10 people whom are auditing and working their dogs during the breaks. If this were done we would charge $30/day for non-working auditors and $50/day for auditors working their dog up to 10 people. When people can try things the more likely they are to retain the information. Nancy Chanover moved & Pam Smith seconded to charge these prices if Bud Houston OK's people who are auditing working their dogs during the breaks. Motion passed.
TRAINING DIRECTOR:
SEMINAR FOR 2007: Janet Miller is making arrangements for a seminar in 2007 with Jean Donaldson. She has already scheduled the Hilton for that date.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Humane Society's YAPPY HOUR at Way Out West went very well. It will be held the first Tuesday of every month.
OBEDIENCE TRIAL: Pam Smith reported that Obedience Judges have been contacted for the 2005, 2006 and 1 judge for 2007 shows. AKC has approved Saturday's show and will be sent the information they requested for the Sunday show. Marjorie A. Henson asked that everyone be thinking about what they would like to help with so those jobs can be assigned at the next meeting.
AGILITY TRIAL: Pam Smith reported that Agility Judges have been contacted for the 2005, 2006 and 1 judge for 2007 shows.
MATCHES: Chaparral Kennel Club in Alamogordo is having a B-OB match and Janet Miller & Brian Owen are hosting an Agility Fun Match on May 1st at Ark Animal Hospital. Contact Brian Owen for more information.
BOOK REVIEW: Janet Miller gave a book review on Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin. Janet has also formed a dog lovers book club that will meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month starting May 19. They will read this book & talk about it for the May meeting.
There were no membership applications to present.
Brags were made.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:02.
From Our Members
From Gene Forsythe
Thank you all .....
Your club card was most appreciated, as were the calls and personal cards that came in after I lost Ned. As several of you know, this is not a loss that I am able to easily accept, even with the knowledge that Dr. Carol Calista (and her wonderful staff) gave us almost a full year together that was nearly been stolen from us when he first developed cancer and his heart problem. My dream of settling all of us into a retirement home in Texas this summer simply wasn't to be, and I suppose that Ned was always intended to spend his time only in New Mexico. He now can gleefully (and it always was a pleasure on his part) howl with brother wolf and uncle coyote, and no-one will take offense. Somehow, despite his departure, Shadow's constant companionship shows me that there is still blue in the sky and a beautiful sunset to enjoy each evening (spring dust storms do have a value, as it turns out). Soon, I am sure, the sunrise will be as beautiful as the sunset. Shadow is a comfort, lending stability to each day, but each of you, no matter how small you think your touch may be, is a blessing in my life. Thank you for being concerned and helpful and for being the good and wonderful people that you are.
Gene Forsythe and Shadow
From Gayle Treakle
There was a time, there really was,
When I was sweet and tender;
When Show Dog meant a Disney Star,
and bitch was not a gender.
I went to bed at half past ten;
I went to church on Sunday;
On Saturday I baked the beans
and did the wash on Monday.
But then I got a certain pup,
And an erstwhile friend said "SHOW",
And so I did and so I do,
OH! What I didn't know.
I used to dress with flair and style,
That was the life, don't knock it.
But now each dress from bed to ball
Must have a good bait pocket.
I used to have a certain air,
I wallowed in perfume,
I used to smell of Nuit D'Amour,
Now I smell like Mr. Groom.
My furniture was haute decor,
My pets a tank of guppies.
Now I've furniture unstuffed,
And well-adjusted puppies.
Once I spoke in pristine prose,
In dulcet tones and frail,
But now I'm using language,
That would turn a sailor pale.
I was taught to be well groomed
no matter where I went.
Now all the grooming that I do
is in the handler's tent.
I used to long for furs and jewels
And a figure classed as super,
Now the thing I yearn for most
is a nice new pooper scooper.
I adored a man who murmured verse,
through intimate little dinners,
But now the words I thrill to hear,
Are just three-"Best of Winners".
I rise at dawn and pack the car,
the road ahead's a long one.
The one I routed on the maps,
Invariably's the wrong one.
I really love this doggy life,
I wouldn't care to change it.
But when I get that Best in Show,
I plan to rearrange it.
When my time on earth is done,
I'll go without much nudging.
Just give me three weeks closing date,
and let me know who's judging.
News from Other Clubs
This information was forwarded by Marjorie Henson.
Hi Folks,
This is of interest and importance to us all. Hopefully many will be able to attend. (Forwarded from the Valencia Co Animal Control Forum leader Ron Gustafson)
Subject: New Mexico: May 6, Albuquerque - Recognizing Animal [Rights] Interests in the Law
On May 6, the State Bar of New Mexico hosts a Continuing Legal Education program dedicated to Animal Rights law. Featured speakers include the Executive Director and a former president of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has been in existence for about 25 years and is a major Animal Rights organization: Total Revenue (2003): $3,477,054 and Net Assets: $2,763,306. A key goal of ALDF is to change the legal systems classification of animals as property. If ALDF is successful, then under the law an animal would be treated as a person (i.e., have human rights).
Ending the classification of animals as property is a key element of the Animal Rights agenda (if animals are no longer classified as property, but instead have human rights, then animals could no longer be owned). So, the reclassification is aimed at ending our ownership and use of animals.
Reclassification, as well as other lesser changes in the legal perspective of animals, provides the basis to redefine animal cruelty -- but does so in a way that only trivializes the definition of cruelty. Trivializing cruelty, allows further manipulation of the law to make ownership of animals more difficult. Allowing the Animal Rights agenda to trivialize cruelty, would be a gross misuse of the law. Unfortunately, such measures are being proposed in an Animal Control Ordinance for Albuquerque and for Valencia County.
For the Animal Rights agenda to achieve its goal, there must either be a long-term evolution in how society views animals or, if a more sudden change is to be achieved, the legal system must be manipulated. The Animal Rights agenda is pursuing a strategy in both areas. It is important for us to understand the nature of the arguments that will be used as part of the Animal Rights assault on our legal system. The program offered by the State Bar of New Mexico should provide useful insights.
The State Bar of New Mexico program includes:
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
- Joyce Tischler, Executive Director, Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Steven M. Wise, Former president of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, teacher of "Animal Rights Law at the Harvard Law School and other schools, and author
LOCAL SPEAKERS INCLUDE (see complete list below):
- Martin J. Chavez, Mayor of Albuquerque (Memorable quote in referring to his administration: The Animal [Rights] activists are in, and the others are out.)
- Sally Mayer, Albuquerque City Councilor (She has enlisted the help of New Mexicos largest Animal Rights organization (APNM) to write a new animal control ordinance it should be introduced in the near future. The ordinance will serve as a complete (Animal Rights?) manual on animal care. The definitions section, alone, was recently reported to now be 20 pages long.)
- Jay Sabatucci, Regional Coordinator, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Last week I contacted the State Bar of New Mexico about the Continuing Legal Education program on May 6: Recognizing Animal Interests in the Law. The program will run from 9 am to 4:30 pm. To pre-register, call the State Bar at 505-797-6020.
Cost of the program is $169 and there is a $50 cancellation fee. Registration will be accepted as late as the morning of the program. Registrations made one or more days in advance, will assure that lunch is provided.
I plan on attending and hope that others can also attend. Thanks to The Animal Council for providing first notice of this event. Three announcements are provided below.
Ron Gustafson
Tome, NM
505-864-3513
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Announcement from Animal Protection of New Mexico (New Mexicos largest
Animal Rights Organization)
http://www.apnm.org/get_involved/calendar.html
Friday, May 6, 2005: Recognizing Animal Interests in the Law State Bar Center, Albuquerque. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register online at www.nmbar.org. 7.2 CLE credits.
Steven M. Wise, legal scholar and best-selling author of Rattling The Cage (2000) and Drawing The Line (2002), opens this full day seminar with an examination of how courts historically view the interests of nonhuman animals, how they should view those interests, and ways of persuading them to recognize those interests.
Focusing on the problem of securing legal recourse against animal cruelty, Joyce Tischler presents a model statute that allows citizens to sue to enjoin cruelty. David Thompson finishes the morning session with an examination of ways in which animal interests can be found within the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office. The afternoon begins with a discussion of animal interests in disaster planning: Jay Sabatucci, will explain the importance of including animals in disaster planning and operations, and Kate Rindy will illustrate this through a case study of the Cerro Grande Fire. Mayor Martin Chavez and Councilwoman Sally Mayer present the essential role of city government in protecting animal interests, through a discussion of Scoobys Law and the Proposed Albuquerque Animal Ordinance. Finally, Denise Wilcox, Jeff Phillips, and Greg Wheeler, Esq. Join other speakers in a panel, moderated by Merry Stubblefield.
**************
Announcement from THE ANIMAL COUNCIL, April 11, 2005
NEW MEXICO STATE BAR will also feature Tischler and Wise at its 7.2 hour program, "Recognizing Animal Interests in the Law" on Friday, May 6, 2005,9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the State Bar Center, Albuquerque. Tischler will present a model statute that allows citizens to sue to enjoin cruelty. (Note: This approach has powerful adverse potential when directed at targeted situations, even those operating lawfully when the private plaintiff alleges cruelty.) This program also features local speakers including, David K. Thompson, Esq., Litigator New Mexico Attorney General's Office, Jay Sabatucci, Regional Coordinator Humane Society of the United States, Kate Rindy, Executive Director, Santa Fe Animal Shelter, Martin J. Chavez, Mayor of Albuquerque. Albuquerque Councilwoman Sally Mayer. Merry Stubblefield, Esq., Animal Rights Attorney, Moderator, as well as Jeff Phillips, NM Office Emergency Management and Denise E. Wilcox, Associate Director -Albuquerque Animal Services Division. For more information, see http://www.nmbar.org
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Announcement from State Bar of New Mexico Website
http://www.nmbar.org/Template.cfm?Section=Browse_by_Category&Template=/Ecomm erce/ProductDisplay.cfm&ProductID=196
May 6, 2005 - Recognizing Animal Interests in the Law
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
State Bar Center
5121 Masthead NE, Albuquerque
505-797-6020
Registration Fee: $169
Steven M. Wise, legal scholar and best-selling author of Rattling The Cage (2000) and Drawing The Line (2002) opens this full day seminar with an examination of how courts historically view the interests of non-human animals and ways of persuading them to recognize those interests. Wise was the first person to ever teach an animal rights course at Harvard University; he is also profiled in the 2005 Whos Who in the World and Whos Who in American Law. A frequent speaker at legal conferences in Europe and North America, Wise is the former President of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and current President of the Center for the Expansion of Fundamental Rights. In this full day seminar, Wise will be joined by Joyce Tischler, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Focusing on the problem of securing legal recourse against animal cruelty, Tischler will present a model statute that allows citizens to sue to enjoin cruelty. David Thompson, a litigator with the NM Attorney Generals Office, will then examine ways in which animal interests can be found within state jurisdiction of New Mexico. The day will conclude with sessions on animal interests in disaster planning, the essential role of city government in protecting animal interests and a panel discussion moderated by attorney Merry Stubblefield.