 |  |
| |
| The Golden Retriever Club of Scotland recently presented a cheque for £2,000 to the oncology unit at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School to purchase a liquid nitrogen storage facility for tumour samples. This will enable the unit to establish banks of tumour tissue to use in studies to identify molecular markers in dog cancers that may serve as potential targets for therapy. The photo shows Chairman David Murray and Membership Secretary Lesley Wilson (right) presenting the cheque to Dr David Argyle, specialist in veterinary oncology and gene therapy (second left), and Professor Martin Sullivan (left). |  |
Newsletter dated February 2001
Sponsored Climb for Rescue & Welfare Trust (02/01)
| GRCS member Sharon
Chambers with her dog Dex ( Dunnybrae Aramis ), conquered Ben Nevis,
Scotland's highest mountain, 4406 feet high, on a sponsored climb in aid
of GRCS Rescue and Welfare Trust, single-handedly raising over
£900.
Dex is 61/2 years old, and lives with a 9 year old and a 12 year old, Caesar and Glen. He is a KC Good Citizen and has his KCSB number. He has won 36 BOBs at Open Shows and has also qualified for Crufts.
Well done Sharon & Dex! |
 |
 |
 |
|
Half way up and going strong |
Made it! At the top of Ben Nevis! |
What the Papers say (02/01)
In The Independent on January 10th. there was an item on one of the latest crazes in the USA, freeze-drying your dog. Apparently, it could cost $2000 to have a taxidermist stuff your beloved pet, but only $600 to have him freeze dried. He can be finished begging for food, lying curled up by the fire, or snarling to warn off burglars, although in the latter case, I presume sound would be extra, if at all possible. This has been endorsed by the American Pet Lovers’ Association, but as the journalist pointed out, why stop at your cat or dog? What about Granny?
The other article which caught my attention was in one of last weekend’s papers, but when I tried to retrieve it I couldn’t find the piece anywhere. It was a fairly lengthy expose of the lengths to which local worthies will stoop when trying to be have their city accepted for the Olympic Games. It gave as an example a list of the sweeteners given to IOC members from the representatives of Salt Lake City when they were applying for the next winter Olympics. It was quite a list of goodies, as you might imagine, but my eyebrows shot up when I saw that the last item offered was a Golden Retriever valued at $500. Maybe if the climate into which it was to be living was less than suitable, they might spend an extra $100 and send them a dry-frozen one!
Barnaby (02/01)
I got a letter from Marjorie Houseman at Christmas. What a publicity seeker Barnaby is. He was chosen as ‘Hearing Dog of the Month’ last August and consequently has featured in The Northern Scot and The Aberdeen Press and Journal. He also appeared on Grampian TV and Marjorie says he certainly knows how to charm the camera crews. Despite his arthritis he raced up the stairs, which looked really impressive on TV.
He is also included in the new book "Living with a Golden Retriever” available from Ringpress Books. P0 Box 8, Lydney, Gloucestershire.
Unfortunately, Barnaby’s other hip is giving trouble and the x-rays on his legs were not good. Marjorie’s vet is trying him on a capsule called 'Invigorate’ and at the moment the results are looking good.
Marjorie says he is still a great dog, good at his work and keen to play in the evenings. Everyone at her work was very proud or him when he saw off an intruder. The man in question will certainly never try that little trick again. Barnaby barked only once, but it clearly indicated 'if you take another step towards my Mum, then I will have you.’
Not bad for a re-homed Golden with one replacement hip, another failing hip and cataract in both eyes.
A Bit more news of Hearing Dogs (02/01)
Those of you who were at our October show would be able to purchase Christmas Cards for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People which featured the other Golden Hearing Dog 'Kai’ who is happily working in Montrose. He is the one who, together with Barnaby, was in attendance at our Championship Show in Bells last April.
A little bitch called Isla went down to Oxford at Christmas. and we expect another young dog, Barney, to be taken down next week. All fingers and paws crossed that these two are outstanding successes.
Edna Fogg
The Gospel According to St. Crufts (02/01)
The following was extracted from a copy of the United Retriever
Club magazine dated April 1973, kindly donated by Geoff & Pam Rook at the
Southern GRS obedience class. It is acknowledged that this was printed in URC’s
magazine by permission of the Kerry Blue Terrier Club the same year. The author
was a Mrs Doris Eggett of Reading.
"It sometimes seems that Crufts must always have been; that there was never
a time when it was not there. Can it be true, could it extend even back to
Biblical times and if so, how would it have been reported in the Great Dog Book
of the times. Could it have been like this?"
“Lo and it came to pass that a great multitude was gathered unto the great
hall of Olympia for the day of the great choosing of the leader among dogs; and
so surely met each accompanied by his hound of many virtues. Many Leagues had
they journeyed, yea unto the outer islands of Caledonia and across the great sea
which is Irish. Verily, came also unto this place were the great. observers from
the kingdoms and empires of the universe. Many bearing with them, the shekels
with which to cause temptation to the possessors of the great prizes yet to be
awarded, that they may be parted for all time. Even as they didst gather there
so didst each man and his hound proceed unto the encampment allotted unto his
tribe, even unto the manger allotted to his chattels and marked thus with the
tablet engraved by the masters at the Temple of Clarge.
Whereupon did he not commence to anoint and glorify that which was his until
such time as he was to be summoned into the arena, thereto to answer unto his
judges. Even so! All the while didst he not cast covetous glances at his
neighbour’s stall lest he that was alongside was possessed of the eye which
was indeed darker, or the head which was yet even the longer, thereby casting
asunder for the first time on that day, one of the Great Ten Commandments.
And there wast also come among them, the merchants and traders and the
moneylenders. Yea. verily were they not as great in number that they may be
likened unto the great bazaar of the Byzantine Empire, yea likened even unto the
great house that is dubbed Woolworth’s. And were not their wares in number
that which could be likened unto the colossus. Yea, verily, it was indeed so.
For the truth was not at all times in them. Also among the merchants were the
apothecaries and the anointers of the Canine brotherhood and thereupon didst
dispense all manner of healing oils and compounds in exchange for many pieces of
silver, yea even unto the lotions for the coats of many colours and the rare and
precious liquid for the keep of that in place which had been so arranged with
the use of many implements; that it might not be moved while the eye of the
almighty one was upon it.Yea verily, wast not the noise of the great day likened
unto Bedlam and wast not the air rent with the echoes of the coins that jingled
into the coffers of the merchants and apothecaries.
Behold and it came to pass that the hour was upon them, that they should bring
forth unto the judges and the people there gathered, the hound of his house.
That which was indeed in his own eye the fairest of those so there gathered.
Boldly yet each offered for appraisal by the great one, that it might be
compared to the great rules for his tribe and with his neighbour. And the great
one spake unto each man and his hound and didst say “Walk”- and he didst so.
Yea verily there were amongst them, those whose moving didst please the almighty
one, even greater than that of their hounds. Yea and it was even spoken that
there were among the hounds so presented those whose moving was likened Unto the
beasts of the field, yea and even those whose legs from the front were said to
be wide enough to allow for the driving through of the greatest camel. But it
was also spoke that those who had said such things were even so casting asunder
another of the Great Commandments.
And so it came to pass, that the great choosing had begun. Blessed were those
who were in the fore-front of the chosen, for to them was brought great joy; and
bowed down were those who were not among them, for-in there was no rejoicing.
And behold in his anguish didst he not harbour those evil thoughts that were
indeed unworthy of him. Yea and were there not those who even unto the third and
fourth generation. Lo and there was brought together at the close of the day,
all those that had been placed the highest of their tribes that they might be
presented to the great High Priests among the Kingdom of the Hounds.
And it was come to pass that there was one last and great choosing, whereupon
the exalted one was elevated to a position of great prominence that all might
bow down and worship unto him. And there were brought to his feet great
offerings of silver and precious metals and his master wast besieged by the
writers of the great tablets and the tellers of tales. Yea even that which is
likened unto the Great Single Eye. And they rejoiced forthwith.
Behold - and the Great Exodus was nigh and each man didst once more roll up his
bed and depart from where he had cometh. Verily was a great fatigue now upon
them, for hadst not the day been indeed long and weary for those among them who
had not received their just due, and upon whose hound the great one had not
looked with favour. Verily I say unto you, insomuch as the events of the great
day wast once more passed into the great book of records, many yet would be the
days of debating. Mighty the rejoicing that wast carried to the four corners by
the Victorious, and loud the wailings of the vanquished who voweth never again
to return to that place.
Behold! It is asketh of the Gods, wilt there again be a mighty gathering in the
Great Arena? And so surely it is said - There wilt. And wilt agaln the great
multitude return, yea even the vanquished? Yea verily for it is written. They
wilt.
"So be it.”
How to Tell the Weather
To tell the weather, go to your back door and look for the dog. If the dog is at the door and he is wet, it’s probably raining.
But if the dog is standing there really soaking wet, it is probably raining really hard.
If the dog’s fur looks like it’s been rubbed the wrong way, it’s probably windy.
If the dog has snow on his back, it’s probably Snowing
Of course, to be able to tell the weather like this, you have to leave the dog outside all the time, especially if you expect bad weather.
Sincerely,
THE CAT
A Way With Words
Three handsome male dogs are walking down the street when they see a beautiful, enticing, female Poodle.
The three male dogs fall all over themselves in an effort to be the one to reach her first, but end up arriving in front of her at the same time.
The males are speechless before her beauty, slobbering on themselves and hoping for just a glance from her in return.
Aware of her charms and her obvious effect on the three suitors, she decides to be kind and tells them “The first one who can use the words ‘liver’ and ‘cheese’ together in an imaginative, intelligent sentence can go out with me.”
The sturdy, muscular black Lab speaks up quickly and says “I love liver and cheese.”
‘Oh. how childish,” said the Poodle. “That shows no imagination or intelligence whatsoever.” She turned to the tall, shiny Flat Coated Retriever and said “How well can you do?”
“Um. I hate liver and cheese," blurts the Flat Coated Retriever.
“My my,” said the Poodle. “1 guess it’s hopeless. That’s just as dumb as the Lab’s sentence.”
She then turns to the last of the three dogs and says, ‘How about you, smart guy?”
The last of the three, calmest of all, but big in frame and finesse, is the Golden Retriever. He gives her a smile, a sly wink, turns to the Flat Coated Retriever and the Lab and says:
“Liver alone; cheese mine"
Rescue Report (02/01)
During last year, over fifty goldens were re-housed through our club. While this figure is creeping up a little most years, the increase is never too dramatic and the total is tiny compared to most of the other breed clubs in the U.K. though, if you think about it, one a week is really an awful lot.! What has changed noticeably is the age of the dogs. More and more people are parting with dogs at under one year old. We have been approached for about seven dogs since just before Christmas, one on the Saturday before Christmas and one on Hogmanay. Two of those were cases where the owners were emigrating, one was probably a divorce, one form never came back, and the others were no longer required because their owners were now back working full time. One seven month old dog was being left 8-9 hours on most days.
Also noticeable, is the fact that almost all these dogs come from dealers. If the only consideration at the time of purchase is money, no questions will be asked as to how long the puppy will be left alone, what sort of enclosed garden will it be in, or will it, as has occurred, live in a multi-storey flat? Fortunately we have had little experience of bad temperament this year.
G.R.C.S. is spending all of the puppy list money on advertising and some of the money collected through rescued dogs also goes towards this. We do this not to push our own members’ puppy sales, but to try our best to point out to people the advantages of buying a pup from a caring breeder and the disadvantages of the puppy farm/dealer. It is also worth noting that the ‘wee yellow posters’ are still catching the public’s eye and phone calls still come to the Murray's and us, asking advice about Golden puppies because they saw this poster in the pet shop or vet’s waiting room. If your local pet shop or vet’s waiting room doesn’t carry one, why not ask Marjorie to send you one or two’? They may also be picked up at any of our shows. It sometimes seems like a losing battle stopping the cowboys making a fast buck out of our lovely breed, but if we all do little things like this to divert attention from the undesirable breeders, it can only help.
Thank you to all who work for rescue of goldens, it really is appreciated.
Edna Fogg