SPRING 2008
It’s been a long winter of planning, organizing, and fund raising for the Ontario Regionals. Most of our fund raising has consisted of “fun obedience and show matches” organized by Trish and manned by club members. These matches have proved to be very successful and a lot of fun for all of us. Not only are they in great demand by the CKC people who use them to practice for upcoming competitions, but a great experience for all of us. It’s been a real treat watching our club members enter these matches to add their support and have a great time to boot.
It was a hoot watching one of our newer club members, Rob do that special kinda tippy-toe run he does while taking his pup around the ring in the conformation match. Have you ever seen an inexperienced handler try to stack an equally inexperienced, not to mention fidgety squirming puppy? Quite a sight! The giggles from the spectators did not deter Rob though, and in the end he and Baron beat out the entire field much to the dismay of a lot of hopefuls including Lol and Dakota. The ear to ear grin on Rob’s face was priceless.
None of us except Trish dare try the Rally 0bedience but a few of us entered the CKC obedience matches. We didn’t win anything but faired quite well despite not knowing the routine, the commands, or most of the rules. The best part was the interest shown in our dogs by onlookers after we got out of the ring. Comments like “your dogs are so jazzed to work for you” and the enquiries about how we train our dogs made us proud of the sport of Schutzhund and our Club.
It’s always good when we can bring the CKC world and Schutzhund closer together.
Preparations are still underway and a few details still need attention but by the time May 30th rolls around we will be ready to welcome all of you to Thunder Bay.
Check out the Regional web site at www.gsscc.ca/ontario and don’t forget to get your entries in.
See you in the spring.
Jacki Barnes