2018

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January 20 PVSSC Meeting

Members attending the meeting in McLean, VA enjoyed “War Dogs of the Pacific,” a very moving tribute to the sacrifices of men and dogs during WW II. The film, narrated by the veterans themselves, described the training of dogs and their Marine handlers, all of whom were novices to start. Initially unappreciated, the dogs soon showed their worth in keeping our soldiers safe in dangerous jungle warfare. The debt owed these dogs was immense, and their handlers knew it – “I still miss him…” after 50 years, said one man. A box of tissues was positioned for quick use…

February 24 PVSSC Meeting

A good turnout of members for the February 24 PVSSC meeting at the home of Nicole and Elaine Miller. Everyone enjoyed Michelle Bell’s account of her visit with her mother Sabine Baker and Pat White to the 2017 FCI World Dog Show in Leipzig, Germany. The show was the LARGEST DOG SHOW EVER! There were 31,000 entries with over 300 breeds represented, many unknown in the United States. Michelle also gave us a good impression of what it was like, the crowds, the shopping, the different look of European SS, which are shown there with natural ears and tails. They also had some adventures with the perhaps a bit too punctual train system in Germany! The meeting was also enlivened by Michelle’s new puppy, Diana, who enthusiastically enjoyed the club meet and greet!

March 24 PVSSC Meeting

The March PVSSC meeting was a fascinating exploration of the ancient practice of Acupuncture. After the social and a brief business meeting, PVSSC member Dr. Francie Dougherty gave us a short history of acupuncture, theories as to its mode of action, and descriptions of use for a variety of issues including pain, mobility, immune system, organ function and mental state. It has been shown to be effective in animals as well as humans, and is increasingly used as an adjunct or alternative to Western medicine.

Candace Craig’s miniature schnauzer, Jazz, was our “demo dog.” (Jazz is 14 and has some mobility and health issues.)  Dr. Dougherty explained the reason for placement of the tiny needles at various sites – acupuncture points – and what responses could be expected from each. The needles are spun, which is thought to produce a mini-trauma at the site, triggering the release of endorphins and other neuro-hormones to the area. These relax the tissue and affect the pain pathways in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Jazz certainly seemed a lot more lively after her brief treatment!

April 21–Old Dominion KC Supported Entry and Meeting

The April PVSSC meeting was held after the Old Dominion KC show at  the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD. Frances Tomlinson took the following pictures:

PVSSC Awards Dinner May 5th

The PVSSC Awards for 2017 were presented after dinner at Alfio’s in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Forty-plus members and friends gathered to honor last year’s achievers and to vote in the new officers for 2018-19. Lovey Lyons, Nicole and Elaine Miller did the honors as announcer and presenters. Nicole also presented Achievement Awards to Betsy Davison for her super work on the club web site and to Melissa Jennings for her unceasing efforts on behalf of PVSSC social functions, events and the annual match. Last but far from least, incoming President Pat White presented a Recognition Award to Nicole Miller for her term of President. The club thanks Awards Co-Chairs Pam Minnich and Gail Pfeiffer for compiling the (ever increasing!) tally of awards and once again giving us a suite of beautiful plaques. Thanks also to Linda Dobbie for printing the awards certificates and to Kathy McEnearney for designing and printing the lovely programs! Here are pictures from the event:

Annual Picnic and AKC Hering Test June 16

There was plenty of excitement at the June 16 PVSSC AKC Herding Test. The picnic and herding test was at Keepstone Farm in Berryville, VA. In order to get the coveted “AKC Herding Instinct” certification, our brave schnauzers had to enter the sheep pen, not once, but twice, and take on the herd of wild rams. There were two tests offered, morning and afternoon, with a great BBQ lunch and a brief club meeting in between.

The PVSSC Herding Instinct Event was a huge success with many of our beloved SS achieving new Herding Instinct Titles. Thirty-two SS attempted the morning test, and thirty-one attempted the afternoon test. Our twenty-three successful new Herding Instinct Test certificate holders are:

  • CH Am. Made’s Czech and Mate (Rosemary Miller & Sarah & Ariel Cukier & Daneille Dudas)
  • CH Asgard Adriana (Georgia Sabean, Jean Gillen and Conner MacNessa)
  • Blue Dog’s Rangeman (Candace Craig)
  • Celtic Cross Amazing Grayce (Melissa Dimeler)
  • CH Celtic Cross Double Trouble (Rosemary Miller & Kelsey A Miller & Sarah Miller)
  • Celtic Cross High on a Mountain (Candace Craig & Allison Rowe)
  • CH Celtic Cross Into Darkness (Sarah Peak, Karen Peak & Rose Miller)
  • GCH Celtic Cross Monkey Business (Rose Miller)
  • Centara Dacia Dubonet (Michelle Bell) – getting her 2nd leg at 11-1/2!
  • Centara Melody in Motion (Pat Sutton & Linda Dobbie)
  • Dinsdale Chimera Steadfast Legacy (Lisa Klepp)
  • Halcyon’s Bullet with Butterfly Wings (Chris & Michelle Bell & Pat White)
  • Halcyon’s Christmas Angel (Suzanne & Alan Carson)
  • Halcyon’s Devil With a Blue Dress On (Walter Borek)
  • Halcyon’s Don’t Fence Me In (Joy Becker)
  • CH Halcyon’s Eye of the Tiger (Pat White)
  • CH Halcyon’s Hero of the Day from Hidden Creek (Michelle and Chris Bell and Pat White)
  • Halcyon’s Jack Frost (Pat White)
  • Halcyon’s Winter Solstice (Abigail Holden)
  • Hidden Creek’s I’m Lucus (Robert Moss)
  • CH Hidden Creek’s General Chesty Puller (Jim Fagley, SueAnn Howell & Ila Schmeling)
  • GCHB Steinwald’s Celtic Cross Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Nicole Miller)
  • Uhlan Sure Shot (Chris & Michelle Bell)

We also had a Border Colllie, Boxer, Beauceron, Rottweiler, Shetland Sheepdog and a couple of Rhodesian Ridgebacks compete.

THANKS to all who made the annual picnic and herding test possible: Test Chair Rosemary Miller, Test Secretary Elaine Miller, and Committee Members Nicole Miller, Gail Mackiernan, and Melissa Jennings did the planning, paperwork, publicity and kept things running smoothly during the day. Melissa Jennings organized the food and Ed Fuller was our talented Grillmeister, making sure no one went home hungry. Candace Craig took many wonderful photos. Thanks also to all who attended and brought enthusiasm and especially our Standard Schnauzers. Thank you as well to our patient judges Susan Rhoades and Deborah Johnson. And a final word of thanks to the sheep, without whose participation the whole event could not have been possible.

Candace Craig’s pictures are below. To see all the pictures, go to http://www.amvphotos.com/clients/pvssc_herding_and_picnic_-_june_16th_2018/.

 

PVSSC B/OB Sanctioned Match on August 26

For detailed results, see Match results 2018. Below are some individual photos from the PDF:

Photos below by Ed Sakala:

AKC Scent  Workshop October 20th 

An AKC Scent Workshop was held on October 20th. See the pictures below and AKC Scent workshop. For more pictures, see those taken by Candace Craig at  http://photos.amv.solutions/clients/pvs sc_scent_work_seminar_-_oct_2018/.

FastCAT Trials November 3-4

FastCAT – the CAT stands for Coursing Ability Test – is a timed 100-yard dash where dogs run one at a time, chasing a lure. See photos below and AKC FastCAT trial for information on the first PVSSC trials held November 3-4. And for additional photos taken by Lisa Klepp, see https://www.lisareneevisions.com/Client-Galleries.

 

Holiday Party December 9 

On Sunday December 9, the PVSSC held its annual Holiday Party at Alfio’s in Chevy Chase, MD. We had attendees from 2 to 92 years old, and it seemed an exceptionally lively event this year. Special thanks again to Melissa Jennings, for organizing the Party!

Melissa writes: The 2018 PVSSC Christmas party is behind us and we are now into 2019. I would like to thank the following people for who contributed making the Christmas Party a success: Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper who organized the wonderful and very appropriate door prizes; special thanks to all the members who contributed items to it; Rosemary Miller – our Santa for the Chinese auction gift exchange; and Judy Boxer who assisted in setting up the room for the party….and all the PVSSC members who attended and enjoyed the party.

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