The Schaferhunde News
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City
Founded 1923
Issue - November 2017
President’s message from Chris Kimerer
With the winding down of yet another year, I did some research and came up with a few interesting facts. I discovered that between January 2014 and November 2017, we have gained and retained 26 new members, 12 of which joined this past year. Three of our regular members will attain Lifetime Member status beginning 2018. This translates into 40 years of continuous membership and is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations Tom & Patty Brown and Ann Mackey!
Our total membership with the close of 2017 is 71 regular & Lifetime members combined. In this day and age this translates into being considered a large regional club. Of those 71 members, 23 attended 5+ regular membership meetings, the minimum requirement to run for Office and/or a Board of Director position. Not too long ago the nominating committee struggled to come up with a full slate due to the lack of meeting that requirement. Needless to say, attendance and participation are at an all-time high for our club and I would like to take the opportunity to say THANK YOU everyone for the commitment to our Breed and our Club.
This past year has been another year of many great meetings with wonderful attendance, visitors and new members who joined, an informative and fun monthly newsletter to keep us in the loop as well as give us wonderful articles and pictures, our Annual Picnic, and last but not least, two AKC events consisting of three Specialty shows in June and a 2-day Obedience trial in July.
Our Holiday Dinner at the American Legion last week was once again a huge hit and well attended with a final headcount of 31. Stroud’s has nothing on the American Legion when it comes to a wonderful Fried Chicken dinner. This is the second year in a row and it could possibly turn into an Annual event if the membership so desires. The board polled our members present at a couple of meetings and it was pretty unanimous to go back and do a last year’s repeat. I dare say this year was even better than the year before, from a festive table (it resembled a table from King Arthur’s court) to a generous buffet style set up (if anyone left hungry it was their own fault) to friendly service including drink refills or any adult beverage one wanted. Everyone was in great spirits and a lot of visiting and laughter was the general mood of the evening.
There was a short business/general meeting with a couple of announcements and a re-cap of each person present of their brags and accomplishments for October and November.
In closing, I would like to wish everyone a very Blessed Holiday Season and look forward to what 2018 will have in store for The German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City.
Chris
Holiday Dinner
The Holiday Dinner was held on November 14th at the American Legion in Smithville, Missouri. The fried chicken dinner and sides were delicious. The general meeting and dinner was attended by 26 members and 4 guests. Everyone had a great time socializing and sharing about their dogs.
Special thanks to Amy Edwards for setting up the meal and hall with the American Legion.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m., General Meeting and Awards Ceremony, Comfort Inn, 7300 NE Parvin Road, Kansas City, MO near Worlds of Fun. Board members will meet at 6:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a wrapped gift. Please bring a dessert to share. The 2018 Board slate will be announced at the meeting. Elections held in January 2018.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018, 7:00 p.m., General Meeting, Comfort Inn, 7300 NE Parvin Road, KCMO. Election of officers and Board of Directors.
Saturday, January 13 and Sunday, January 14, 2018, GSDCGKC Tracking Dog and Tracking Dog Excellent Trials, Smithville Lake Recreation Center. Volunteers needed to lay tracks on Saturday, January 13.
AKC Meet the Breeds Masters Agility Championship, New York City, NY being held in February 2018 along with the Westminster event. Detailed information can be found on the website under the EVENTS Tab.
2018 Annual Membership Dues
Reminder! Membership dues are to be paid before the first day of January 2018. Dues must be paid in order to vote on Club business or hold an Office.
Please make payment to GSDCGKC and mail to Treasurer, Mike Kennedy 4917 North Galvin Road, Sibley, Mo 64088.
Single membership - $20.00
Family membership - $ 30.00
Tribute to Kona
PAM Windy Hills Farms Kiawe Smoke UD, TDX, PT
May 17, 2004-November 15, 2017
Submitted by Sally Hamm
They say that dogs come into our lives to teach us something. Kona taught me about loyalty.
The only thing he lived for was being with me. He hated when I was upset and always strived to do everything right. Kona has been my only TDX, HIT and PT. Once I showed him what I wanted, he would do it. My husband said he always knew where I was because Kona would be lying outside the door. Sometimes I thought Kona had actually read the description of a German Shepherd. He was definitely reserved with strangers. He was a boundary dog, anything could be outside our yard boundaries and he never cared. But if the intruder came into the yard, he was up and letting them know they needed his approval before they could proceed. I’m sure my neighbors thought we had an underground fence because they would see me gardening with him nearby without giving them any thought at all. I knew I was always safe with him near.
My favorite story about his loyalty was from a few weeks after we had moved to Smithville. I was returning to our cul-de-sac after being at work all day and noticed a dog sitting on my front porch. Neighbors children and their dogs were outside playing when I recognized that the dog on the porch was my dog. I noticed that the front door was open and I looked for signs of my husband but didn’t see any. I hurried to park the car and Kona trotted to me exhausted. I ask the neighbor if he had caused any problems and he replied that he didn’t even know he was outside. I figured that the door had not been completely closed when we left in the morning and had blown open. Kona had spent the day watching the door making sure nothing came in until I came home.
Thank you to Chris Kimerer, Lew and Nicky Bunch for breeding and letting my son Paul and I have this wonderful dog. Thank you also to my friend and vet, Pat Perkins, for keeping Kona fit and feeling good for his 13 1/2 years. And finally, thanks to my training buddies, Rosi Von Fintel, Debbie McHenry and Cathy Lowe without you I know our performance career would not have been so successful or as much fun.
I am thankful for every day I had with you. I know you’ll be watching and waiting for me when I finally come home.
Sally Hamm
Regular members who have had a continuous membership for 40 years are eligible for a Lifetime membership. These members are exempt from paying annual membership dues.
The following distinguished members will attain Lifetime Membership: Tom and Patti Brown - December 2017 and Ann Mackey – January 2018.
Congratulations for your continued service and dedication to the Club
The 2018 Wine Pull will be our 3rd Annual fundraiser for the National Police Canine Association (north region.)
The event will be held once again at the Kansas Expo-Centre in conjunction with the Topeka Kennel Club All-Breed Obedience and Rally shows.
The Wine Pull has become the primary fundraiser for the club aiding the canine officers with training expenses.
We are in need of donated bottled wine or monies to purchase same. Bobbie Schiffelbein will be coordinating the collection of the wine. Volunteers are needed to work the day of the Topeka show at the Wine Pull.
This is a great way to show your support while promoting the good of the Club.
Meet Our Newest Family Members
Mike and Nancy Kennedy welcomed a new addition to their family; Greta Vom Mittelwest . Greta is 4 years old and came from Indiana.
Greta and Heinz
Cindy Hartman added a new puppy to her household. Jule is the newest member of the family. She is from Germany and just turned 4 months.
Georgie, Daisy, and Willa welcome Jule to the Family
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City is proud of their members and many dogs that showed at the 2017 Nationals. It takes passion and dedication to achieve GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP status.
Submitted by Carmi Swift
Allie (Schneiderhof AllDat Chablis v Hillside-Tanbark) owned by Carmi Swift, Tiffany Bartley, Chris Kimerer, Cindy Bartley and bred by Cindy and Bart Bartley and Nancy Schneiderhof had an impressive performance at the Nationals.
Allie is Carmi Swift and Tiffany Bartley’s personal house dog. Her tag line is “Little Miss Sunshine…Poetry in Motion.” Allie needed just one point to complete her Grand Championship title when she was entered into the National pre-show at Purina Farms during Nationals week in October.
Diana Paul, from Wisconsin, handled Allie with perfection with a “Select” win in Specials under Judge Butch Stieferman thus, earning her Grand Champion Title with 29 points in just nine shows of which 7 were Major wins.
Then to finalize the week of Celebration, Diana Paul again handled Allie in the National’s Specialty helping her stand out from the crowd and winning her a National GSD “Select” Title.
Allie will head back to Indiana in February 2018 to stay with Cindy and Bart Bartley and raise some puppies! When Allie returns home in the Spring, Carmi plans to get her started in Barn Hunt to satisfy her natural drive for the sport. Allie has earned her retirement from the show ring except for an occasional Veterans entry in a few more years!
Allie - GRAND CHAMPION
Submitted by Marion Baker
Ken and Iryna Sanders joined the club in March of 2017. They are active members rarely missing a meeting or event. Ken and Iryna shared a little about themselves and why they joined the club.
I grew up in South Kansas City. I'm an Electrician for Ford Motor Co.
Iryna is from Odessa Ukraine, she will tell you Odessa is the best city in the world! Odessa is known for its beautiful buildings and they have one of the best Opera theaters in the world. They're also known for their sense of humor but can't always be translated. Iryna speaks Russian, Ukrainian, and English. Iryna was a railway dispatcher it's a stressful job but Iryna loved it. Now she is a cafeteria manager for Shawnee Mission School District.
We met through the internet and used a translator to write letters because Iryna didn't speak English yet. I flew to Odessa to meet Iryna for her birthday the day after we started bombing Afghanistan in 2001.
I was wanting a Labrador and Iryna wanted a huge Caucasian Shepherd so we compromised on a long coat German Shepherd. We named her Toma after Iryna's grandmother. Toma is a year old now. It's the first German Shepherd either of us has owned. We are really amazed at how smart of a breed they are (sometimes too smart).
We joined the GSDCGKC to learn more about the breed. This is the first dog we have ever really tried to learn to train. We hope to eventually show her a little and get into tracking. We would like to thank everyone who has been so willing to help us learn about the GSD and how to work on training.
I enjoy archery for a hobby and Iryna is very talented in drawing and she makes designs out of beads sewn together over an egg. She also enjoys making jewelry.
Ken~
Iryna Sanders beaded craft work.
Pet Safety during the holidays
Source: Costco Connection
By James Rollins
Protecting your furry family members
THE HOLIDAY SEASON is one of my favorite times of the year but as a veterinarian, it’s also one of my busiest. Each season, my clinic is inundated with pets that were unable to resist hazards unique to the holidays. To help your pets navigate this season safely, here are a handful of precautions to keep in mind.
Cats and dogs are fascinated and excited by all the new items around the house during the holidays: tinsel, wrapping paper, ribbons, pine needles, electric cords, strands of lights, etc. All of these bright, colorful objects are attractive to pets, which usually explore them by chewing and tasting and often –unfortunately—swallowing.
These foreign objects wreak havoc in the gut. The resulting illness can be as mild as slight diarrhea or as severe as an explosive bout of vomiting. The worst situation arises, though, when the object swallowed becomes lodged in the bowel. If left undiagnosed or untreated, such an obstruction can kill a pet. Even something as seemingly innocuous as tinsel, when swallowed by a curious cat, can result in a unique and deadly intestinal blockage known as a “linear foreign body obstruction.” Surgery is often the only way to extract these blockages.
So please be mindful of leaving your pet unattended around these tempting holiday trappings. If you suspect your pet has swallowed a foreign object, call your local veterinarian for guidance, especially if your dog or cat starts vomiting or showing any other signs of abdominal distress.
Another hazard associated with the holidays is poisoning. Accidental death from toxin exposure is not uncommon this time of year. Poinsettias and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs. Many of the additives commonly sold to help hydrate and preserve the family Christmas tree are treated with chemical agents that are caustic to animals. Another serious toxin many animals are exposed to during the season is chocolate—yes, chocolate. Many people are not aware of how toxic chocolate can be to a pet; even in small amounts it can be deadly. So please be careful with treats this time of year.
As the family is gathered around the holiday dinner table—a table filled with ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and Aunt Edna’s famous three-bean-salad-it is hard to resist that little whimper beside your seat, the cocked head, the raised paw, the mournful large brown eyes, begging for a bit of the holiday feast. But please do ignore that plea. Table scrapes are a leading cause of gastrointestinal upsets—from a little diarrhea to a fatal case of pancreatitis. Even a tiny bit of fatty turkey skin snuck under the table to your canine or feline accomplice can be dangerous. Such a treat is often devoured ravenously, but the pet’s system is not acclimated to such a rich meal, and its system can revolt with vomiting and diarrhea, or even more serious complications to other organs.
Finally, each year at least one animal arrives at my clinic on an emergency basis with either severe burns or neurologic damage from accidentally chewing on an electrical cord. With new power lines running across carpets and floors, a pet’s curiosity is aroused, especially when those cords lead to blinking, attractive lights. So please hide the cords or place them out of reach of your curious pet.
The festive season is an exciting time for you and your pets. With a little extra care, the holidays can also be safe.
