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Leah Bertagnolli
EDITOR
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from our Editor
F
orces to Reckon With
The start of the year has been filled with change
will reach out to those of us in the fancy
Last month, we wrote about David Frei’s
from the AKC opening its own kennel, to legisla-
as partners in their engagement strategy.
retirement from Westminster Kennel Club.
tive activity entrenching Rescues and shelters as
I had hoped, as did most, that there would be
the only resource for dogs, to Westminster
The legislative front continues to be bleak as
a send-off, a thank you, acknowledgement, some
Kennel Club. Everything feels a bit chaotic,
more municipalities enact regulation that only a
address to the live audience prior to Best In Show
a bit out of order.
rescue or shelter can sell pets within city limits.
being awarded, that the Voice of Westminster
I think everyone is aware of the new “life flights”
was leaving after 27 years. It was not to be,
The AKC ‘s directional change is driven by the
for the importation of dogs. Declared as rescue,
David left elegantly, quietly.
need to rebuild interest in purebred dogs among
they are not subject to any USDA oversight, not
the average American consumer. The web site,
even health tests. The impact on the human &
I’m especially excited with this month’s set of
the outbound marketing, the new kennel
dog health community is real as the Midwest
articles as we cover old friends; welcome two
business, the web stores are all designed as a
dealt with a fatal flu, rabies, distemper. It’s not a
new writers – one a junior with a fantastic career
hearts and minds campaign. I agree that the
good picture. What’s needed is the fancy to use
ahead of her; the other offering fresh insight into
purebred dog needs to be restored in consumers’
its strength in numbers - we are in every State
attending Westminster; look into dogs’ noses;
minds as a first choice. Yet, in chatting with other
and begin working with our electeds, building
and one very special interview with
breeders, judges, handlers it seems that we have
relationships so that there’s an understanding
Bill McFadden. We have freshened up the look
been marginalized,
of our positive role and why purebred dogs are
of our magazine. We hope you enjoy the new
or reprioritized.
valuable. There have been some successes push
format.
I hope that this is tem-
ing back and I’m optimistic if we pull together,
porary and the AKC
work on offense, we can win these battles.
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In this issue Next issue
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Editor’s Welcome Pg.3 Westminster 2016, From the Eyes of a Junior
7
by Karrisa Groves
It’s Wonderful, it’s Weird and it’s Wowza!
9
by Marlene Groves
19
As the Wheels Turn by Laura Reeves PHA
by Christy Corp-Minamiji, DVM
27
The Sun Maid Kennel Club of Fresno
35
MAY
What Kind of Noses? Zoonoses.
Highlighting Owner, and Breeder-Owner Handlers
Rates Regular Page..................................................................................................................................................$200 Regular Spread..............................................................................................................................................$400 Front Cover (includes a 2 pg spread......................................................................................................$800 Inside Front Cover Spread.........................................................................................................................$750 Preferred pages (pg 3-10)...........................................................................................................................$350 Inside Back Cover..........................................................................................................................................$400 Inside Back Cover Spread..........................................................................................................................$800
WHO’S WHO AT BISD Publisher/Founder Kayla L. Kurucz Associate Publisher Richard F. Goldman Editor-in-Chief Leah Bertagnolli
Associate editors Laura Reeves, Elizabeth Turner-Brinkley, Deborah Davidson-Harpur Marlene Groves Art & Photography Director Megan Cloudman Sales Jess Pearson
Website Editor Ruben Alanakyan Creative Director Keith Flemming Social Media Maven Jen Smith Intern Karissa Groves B E ST
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My name is Karissa Grove. I am 14 years old and started showing dogs at the age of 9 years. I am a freshman at Elizabeth High School, in Elizabeth, Colorado. I am also a competitive gymnast, so I am not an everyweekend-kind-of-dog-show kid, and I don’t work for or with a handler; but I do love show-
Westminster 2016, From the Eyes of a Junior
ing dogs!
I have been lucky. The first dog I ever showed, a Border Collie, really got me hooked on the sport, and then a Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund gave me wonderful memories. I have shown at least 30 breeds total, but none give me more fulfillment than showing my own family’s bloodhounds!
So who knew that about 2 ½ years ago, after a
By
Karrisa Groves
difficult start in juniors with my difficult bloodhound breed, I would qualify for Westminster 2016? Never did I really dream it. Yet, there it was within my grasp after showing both my
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bloodhounds, Sebastian and his son Major, I really did qualify for this prestigious show!
I was not sure really if I would be able to go; I am grateful to my grandparents and parents for really making it happen. S H OW
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I
am also incredibly blessed with so much local support from dog show friends and many of my dog clubs. So, this 2016 WKC thing was really happening. Excitement was an understatement! I was honored to show Sebastian, my 6+ year
pretty convenient, but they did not run on the
The logistics of the show were nearly over-
old bloodhound in breed; he showed his heart
Meet The Breed day, and overall they need-
whelming, but thankfully my grandmother,
out for me! Of course it is always a little dis-
ed many more buses at the end of each WKC
Marlene Groves, who I inherited the dog
appointing not to be “in the ribbons”, but
day.
show gene from, tackled most all of that for
he did all I asked of him, he looked fantastic,
me. But still there were things like getting
moved fabulously, stood for exam, and rep-
Having never participated in a benched show,
time off school, getting homework and lesson
resented the breed well. Not to mention, he
this was a learning experience, and the “In”
plans, saving money, figuring what to wear,
flew, he is not a city dog, but a ranch dog, and
process was much easier than the “Out” pro-
and mainly making sure my dog’s needs were
this business of doing your business without
cess. Actually the “Out” process took hours
always considered in every decision for the
grass was not to his liking.
and was brutal on the dogs who were already
entire trip.
tired from a long day and then had to stand The Juniors at WKC 2016 were the best of
there in line for 2 hours just to get out. It was
Friends were part of it all, from Annessa Tow-
the best and I enjoyed being in the ring with
so exciting to be at Madison Square Gardens
ell, the other junior from Colorado who would
some of them, and truly loved watching the
watching groups versus watching it on TV.
room with us for a night; to connecting with
other junior sets. I find it very interesting the
It was another fun thing we shared with our
Callie Caoua, another junior, and her mother
breeds shown and found it nice to see a few
Colorado friends Alysha & Annessa Towell.
Diane to visit the Empire State Building; to
other hounds in juniors, including the Best Ju-
I particularly enjoyed the Hound Group and
seeing professional handlers from other areas
nior, Sophia Rogers, who beautifully present-
the Working Group; my favorite groups,
who have been nothing but supportive; to
ed her American Foxhound!
and the Junior Finalists, and of course
meeting other juniors I knew of, but did not
Best In Show!
really know too well. Friends sure made the
Junior Showmanship at the WKC level is also
entire experience more heartfelt!
like a showmanship seminar if you take the
Congratulations to all the winners! To me,
time to watch each set and each team. You
everyone and every dog who were invited
Sebastian and I (Team Groves), proudly partic-
can see overselling or overshowing; you can
and who participated is a winner! If you are
ipated in the Bloodhound Meet The Breeds,
see nervous handlers and nervous dogs, and
a junior and you qualify for Westminster and
and we met with the Public Education Depart-
you can see marvelously trained dogs and
can get the funds and logistics to allow you to
ment of the American Kennel Club (AKC). So
true teamwork!
participate; you should definitely go!
I would like to say, I have been told I am a se-
My heartfelt appreciation is given to all my
rious handler and it’s probably true. I want my
kennel clubs and my dog show friends who
Meeting Martha Stewart was pretty fun and
dog and my handling to be the focus, not me.
support me in the fancy, in the breed, and in
she even included us in her blog about West-
I saw clothing (and make-up), in juniors, which
this wonderful event! But my true pride and
minster with pictures! We also did a video
was from normal show attire, to beyond glam-
thanks go out to my awesome dog, Sebastian,
spot for Vogue.com, which was another very
ourous. We stayed at the Hotel Penn and it
for all he did for me!
unusual element to this show; and MSN put a
was a very old and dated building, but it was
photo online of us brushing Sebastian’s teeth.
very convenient for the overall event and our
Honestly we had so much media, it added to
room was very functional. I heard the Affinia
the overall excitement and special vibe of the
and the New Yorker were much nicer, but this
show and the trip!
junior was on a dog show budget! The shut-
not only did we come to show, we came to volunteer for the fancy of purebred dogs!
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t’s Wonderful, it’s Weird and it’s Wowza! By Marlene Groves
Let me start by saying this is my first time attend- dog show questions to the adoring public. The
er fun tidbits of the journey.
ing the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and
remarkable granddaughter, Karissa Groves, and
American Kennel Club (AKC) presence was out-
Of course my
my overall impression is it’s Wonderful, it’s Weird, standing, from their booths to their people work- our beautiful bloodhound boy Sebastian, were and it’s just Wowza! This prestigious event is
ing them to the organizing and facilitating of
my constant traveling companions and the rea-
unlike any dog show I have ever been to and of
media and outreach to working the actual show.
son for the trip. Team Groves, as they are called,
course the dogs and the handlers are all truly Wonderful.
came to show in both bloodhound breed and The Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) staff was
junior showmanship, and while they earned no
helpful even before we arrived, and they were
special ribbons, qualifying to receive an invita-
There is also a side of this that is completely
even more helpful once we got there. There is
tion is outstanding enough. I will add Sebastian
Weird… You know, thousands of dogs in a gi-
so much for a new WKC attendee to try to figure
showed impeccably in breed and was presented
ant city and frankly, no grass they are allowed to
out: for example, when the shuttle buses run,
to perfection in juniors.
visit.… or the dog check in, and the insane dog
where you get them, what form is the check in/
check out process!
out form for your dog. Yes, yes, I know there is
As the Vice President of the Rocky Mountain
a premium list and you read it and re-read it, but
Hound Club (CO), I gravitate to all hounds and
But the entirely of it all, from the Meet & Com-
gotta point this out, nowhere on the dog’s “yel-
watched many of the hound breeds show. There
pete and the Meet The Breeds, to the Breed
low ticket” does it say, hey, this is your check in
were some stunning breed representatives and
Rings, Groups, Juniors and Best in Show, to the
and check out form! LOL!
in many cases too few ribbons. Though I will
extremely interested public crowds, the limitless
note there seemed to be some confusion in
media, and overall buzz; yep for me it was just
Seeing friendly faces at this prodigious venue
some of the breed rings with a few of the inter-
Wowza!
helped, people like from our home State of Col- national judges not understanding Select Dog orado the lovely Cindy Vogels, connecting with
and Select Bitch, but that seemed to work itself
Each breed club, club member, and their dogs
helpful professional handlers such as Cortney
out in the end.
that put themselves out there to the general
Norris (NY), and then finding our Bloodhound
public are to be seriously commended! Dogs
people, folks such as Adriana Pavlinovic, Janet
Junior Showmanship had an impressive gath-
are mobbed by thousands of people hovering
Kelley, Beth Vanselous and Kathy Reid made it
ering of talent of both junior handlers and their
and petting and taking pictures, while humans
feel like a true family reunion. Thank you every-
dogs! My granddaughter was in the first day,
are in a non-stop question and answer mode
one!
the first set, and the ring was power packed.
explained specifics of their breed and general
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And from the sets of approximately 23, only 2 Meeting random dog show people in the hotel
finalists were chosen. So, to each of the juniors
lobby who tell you where to go eat or give you
who qualified, I say, “you ALL should feel an
a tip on something, or finding yourself sitting
enormous sense of pride for your invitation and
on the shuttle bus with a Facebook friend you
in your presentation of your dog at this phenom-
have never actually met. All of these were rath-
enal event.”
Terrier, Marilyn Johns and her Cavalier, and Rachel Meyers and her Havanese. Each junior well deserving of their honors, with Sophia and her Foxhound taking Best Junior! Well done juniors, well done! The future of dog showing looks amazing!
Now on to the Sporting Group, with a wonderful gathering of dogs and it was the German Shorthaired Pointer GCh Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey 1st, the Clumber Spaniel GCh Clussexx Man of Steel 2nd, GCh Shalimar’s The Animator the Labrador 3rd, and the Brittany GCh Rainbow Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome 4th.
Then Karissa’s other favorite Group, the Working Group and it was the Samoyed GCh Pebbles’ Run Play It Again Ham 1st, the Boxer GCh Mephisto’s Speak Of The Devil 2nd, the My granddaughter and I watched all the other
the Splendid Beagle GCh Torquay Midnight
junior sets and found each to be filled with very
Victory! Toys were next and they always put
capable handlers. What we appreciated most
on a fabulous show! The honors went to GCh
was the junior showmanship judges all allowed
Wenrick’s Don’t Stop Believing the Shih Tzu
proper time for each junior and allowed each
1st , Ch Pequest General Tso the Pekinese 2nd,
junior to present their dog as it needed to be
GCh HiTimes What The Inferno the Pomerani-
presented. (Probably should note a pet peeve
an 3rd, and GCh Infiniti Holding Kryptonite the
of ours is junior judges who all ask for a free
Italian Greyhound 4th.
stack for non-freestacking breeds). Well done junior judges; well done!
Rottweiler GCh Gamegards I’Ll Have Another V Braeside TT RN 3rd, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog GCh Derby’s Toast With Gusto 4th. Like my granddaughter, I also really love the all the dogs in the working group!
Last Group was the Terrier Group and the Skye Terrier GCh Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie was 1st, the Border Terrier Ch Meadowlake Dark
For the Non-Sporting, it was crowd pleaser GCh Imperious Hamitup Southern Bell “Ana-
Many of the older and more experienced ju-
belle” the Bulldog 1st, GCh Merry Go Round
niors should be commended for helping and
Coach Master the Dalmatian 2nd, GCh After-
answering questions to younger or first time
glow Maverick Sabre the Poodle 3rd, and GCh
WKC juniors. Junior parents, you too rep-
Sabe’s Simply Invincible the Boston Terrier 4th.
resented the sport and fancy fabulously by
This was a fun group to watch with lots of crowd
helping other juniors with outfits or hairdos, or
cheering!
whatever else was needed.
Side Of The Moon was 2nd, the Wire Fox Terrier GCh Hampton Court’s Monte Cristo 3rd, and the Lakeland Terrier Ch Snowtaires Next Generation 4th.
The Best In Show line up was lovely and the Reserve Best In Show was the dazzling Borzoi, and the Best In show the glorious German Shorthaired Pointer! Both are truly fabulous
The final for Monday night was the Herding On to the evening events at Madison Square
Group where it was 1st place to the German
Gardens where if it was your first time there
Shepherd GCh Lockenhaus’ Rumor Has It V
for the show you could not helped but feel the
Kenlyn, 2nd to the Australian Shepherd GCh
wonderment!
Wind Spirit Rod’s Amazing Grace, 3rd to the Border Collie GCh Majestic Elite Clever En-
The Hounds, of course, my favorite, were stun-
deavor PT, and 4th to the Puli Ch Cordmaker
ning; and the first three of the group placers
Mister Blue Sky. All outstanding dogs!
chosen I have seen and I adore. So well done
representatives of their breed and their group. My sincere congratulations to all the breeders and owners on their magnificent dogs and their wins.
Westminster 2016 was indeed Wonderful as were each dog that participated; and I actually think it would be an amazing trip and event to attend even without a dog. So, Westminster
Judge Virginia Lyne! 1st to the Exquisite Borzoi
Tuesday night started with the Junior Finalists;
Ch Belisarius Jp My Sassy Girl, 2nd to the Stun-
Madiline Martin and her German Shepherd,
ning Whippet GCh Sporting Fields Shameless,
Emma Rogers and her Great Dane, Kaycee
3rd to the Magnificent Saluki GCh Baghdad
Klang and her Briard, Kasie O’Brien and her
Eleganza Extravaganza (owned by a Colorado
Doberman, Sophia Rogers and her American
friend of mine, Lyndell Ackerman), and 4th to
Foxhound, Jonathan Pennella and his Russell
2017 that too could happen!
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As the wheels TURN Bill McFadden, in partnership with his wife
dollars to save a species nearing extinction,”
By: Laura Reeves PHA
Taffe, has set a standard for professional han-
Bill said, “Why is this any different? Although
that some people would be offended that he
dling with class, dignity and decorum for more
we do need to be careful that (preserving our
was a handler talking to a judge, despite the
than 25 years. He also is a breeder of Wire Fox
breeds) is what we’re trying to do…. I was
fact that their friendship long predates Mr.
Terriers and was invited last year to judge the
raised that these dogs (I breed) are a cradle
Shelton’s current job. As always, Bill was very
breed at the most important show of all Terrier-
to grave responsibility.”
practical and matter of fact. “You can’t do
dom in this country, Montgomery County Ken-
“We pay more for heirloom plant seeds, we
anything about it (people who complain about
nel Club. In 2003 he handled the incomparable
treasure our heritage,” he noted. “We need
handlers). Perceptions are what they are.
Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch Torums Scarf Michael,
to take back the language and work together.
People can always make something out of
to Best in Show at the Garden. If the test of a
Shelters and rescue groups, breeders working
nothing.” Which segued into talking about
teacher is the success of his pupils, Bill wins
with each other instead of castigating each
handlers, the good, the bad and the ugly, as
again. His most famous former apprentice?
other for what they did or didn’t do. Rescuing
they say. “There are some good kids coming
Arguably, Gabriel Rangel, who has won the
is fine, but so is purchasing an heirloom. They
up. The problem is, the turnover isn’t as quick
Garden twice now, in 2010 with the Scottie and
should not be mutually exclusive.
these days. Handlers are retiring later and later.
two years ago with the Wire Fox. Mr. Bill speaks
“I’d like to see us involving celebrities who love
I can remember when Corky (Vroom) turned 40
softly but carries great weight of wisdom in his
and own purebred dogs. Making advertising
and we all thought, ‘He’s so old! He’ll have to
words. He occasionally teases me, “You’re be-
spots and reaching the general public. I wish
retire.’ And he did shortly after that. I’m 58 and
ing loud again…” EEK! And I promptly hush…
I had been more involved and taken the op-
I’m still having fun and I’m not going to retire,
portunity when I won with Mick (the Kerry Blue)
hopefully, for another 10 years. And it’s tough.
I sat down recently to talk with Bill about the
to speak up on the Ellen show and other plac-
You have to clear some space at the top before
preservation of purebred dogs. A conversation
es about this. I thought Val (Nunes-Atkinson,
new folks can make it there.” Which led to the
that morphed into a wider ranging discussion
who handled CJ, the GSP to BIS this year) did
inevitable question, “Who would YOU hire to
of handling, the state of the sport, personal re-
a great job. She handled the media well and
show your dogs if you weren’t doing this?”
flections and generally applicable observations.
represented the sport with sincerity.
“Well,” says Mr. Bill, “It would depend on the
“I hate this us versus them thing,” Bill said in
“One other thing. I can remember as a kid we
breed. I think Janice Hayes is a great young
reference to the ongoing culture clash between
all sat around the breakfast table reading those
handler. I love how she is with the dogs, both
the “animal rights” groups and responsible
boxes. I learned all kinds of stuff. I got my PhD
emotionally, and physically taking care of them.
dog breeders. “We all love dogs. It doesn’t
from the back of a cereal box. I’ve talked to
She has great hands. For my own Wires, there
matter how pretty they are. It’s about what’s be-
people at Purina (whose parent company is
are only a couple people. And, no, I’m not
hind their eyes. We should all be on the same
Nestle). I think it would be great to get them
going to name them because I don’t want to
team.”
(Nestle) involved by putting a new breed each
hurt anyone’s feelings.” And there you have it.
“We’ve all seen people spend millions of
month on some of their product packaging,
A nearly extinct species to be preserved in his
with a tag line ‘To Learn More About Purebred
own right. A genuinely nice guy who shares his
Dogs, go to AKC.org’”
passion for the sport with anyone who
As we talked about his ideas and how he was
will listen.
involved with the “Preservation Breeder” con-
In the Year of Living Well, let’s all try to be a
versation that’s been taken to social media,
little bit more like Mr. Bill. Quietly.
very successfully, by Bill Shelton, I remarked
As always, this is JMHO.
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by: Christy Corp-Minamiji, DVM
What Kind of Noses?
Zoonoses 27 BEST
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!The first time I saw the word zoonoses in a
you probably wouldn’t take your dog to the
communications in all aspects of health care for
class syllabus in veterinary school, my mind
pediatrician along with your son. Nor would
humans, animals and the environment.
immediately went to the rubber “animal nos-
your local mosquito specialist be the first per-
Recently, a human cardiologist, Barbara Nat-
es” that my father would buy by the dozens in
son you’d expect to seek out for advice on that
terson-Horowitz, M. D., published a book titled
nature stores and zoo gift shops. Few things
terrible headache. But the world does indeed
“Zoobiquity” that charts the parallels between
amuse Dad more than wandering around with
seem to be shrinking. Forget six degrees of
human and non-human animal diseases and
a rubber rhinoceros snout fastened over his
Kevin Bacon; there’s less distance than you
makes an eloquent case for the need for a
own substantial proboscis. (Dad also does a
might think between Kevin and a slab of ba-
greater dialogue between veterinarians and
formidable Sam the Eagle impersonation.)
con.
physicians.
Once I figured out that our professor probably
Advances in vaccine and pharmaceutical tech-
However, these are big-picture, institutional,
wasn’t nearly as excited as I was about donning
nology led to a decrease in the incidence and/
mysterious-guy-behind-the-curtain issues.
an eagle beak or alligator maw, I decided that
or severity of a number of zoonoses. When was
On a smaller scale, how do zoonoses touch our
the word had to be a typo – “zoonoses” – it
the last time you saw plague-ridden corpses
own noses (and ears, skin, brains, intestines,
just didn’t look real.
being loaded into wheelbarrows complaining
etc.)? Contact between humans and animals
However, zoonoses (the plural of zoonosis)
“I’m not dead yet,” or knew anyone with recur-
happen all the time, so frequently that we may
are very real indeed and not nearly as funny
rent fevers from brucellosis?
not even think about it. That mosquito bite?
as prosthetic monkey faces. Zoion is from the
However, as discovered in Jurassic Park, “Na-
Human/animal contact and potential zoonotic
Greek, meaning “animal.” Nosos, from the
ture finds a way.” While our world may not be
transmission. Playing with the puppy while eat-
same language, means disease. Stepping into
plagued by hordes of velociraptors any time
ing a sandwich? Ditto. Sweeping up mountains
a present lacking in Doric columns, Socrates,
soon, shifts in populations, food supply, eco-
of rodent… um…offerings, while cleaning the
and bowls of hemlock, we find that zoonoses
nomics, and climate are changing the risks of
garage/barn/old vacation home? Yep.
refers to diseases that are transmitted between
zoonotic disease.
Prepping meat for dinner? You guessed it.
humans and animals (or, more specifically,
So how do these diseases get handled?
The list goes on and on. Even folks who don’t
between human and non-human animals). Yep,
For the last century or so, human and animal
own pets come into contact with the rest of
we are neither mineral nor vegetable, nor are
diseases have been kept pretty separate, but
the animal kingdom on a daily basis – unless
we sub-deities or cyborgs. Humans are part of
with incidents such as outbreaks of bovine
you live in a hermetically sealed chamber in
Kingdom Animalia, and as part of the animal
spongiform encephalopathy (gotta love the
Antarctica and are subsisting only on Tang and
kingdom, we are susceptible to an array of
image of sponge-brained cows) and West Nile
Twinkies, but if that’s the case there are other
viruses, bacteria, parasites, and prions (DNA
virus, not to mention the numerous reports of
health issues at stake.
wanna-bes) that infest and infect everything
food-borne illnesses in the last decade or two,
Should we panic? Rid ourselves of all non-hu-
from mosquito to mammoth.
folks in both medical professions are realizing
man species and any sickly looking hominid
Every now and then, a zoonosis will hit the
that we need to climb out of our individual
ones while we’re at it? Should we don hazmat
media spotlight and veterinarians run around
hamster balls and play together.
suits and bathe daily in hand sanitizer?
like the excited but slightly distant family of
Physicians and veterinarians have made ten-
Nah. For one thing, the hand sanitizer baths
the next reality TV star. We knewtoxoplasmosis
tative steps toward increased dialogue since
would make shaving a quite literal pain.
when he was just a little schizont, lurking in cat
the 1960s, but, for the most part, it’s been like
For another, these diseases are simply part
poop. Salmonella, E. coli, and veterinarians go
middle-school students at their first dance –
of existence on a living planet.
way back; we’ve partied together throughout
lined up on separate walls, staring awkwardly
many an all-nighter. Ringworm is good for a
and whispering a lot. Every once in a while,
laugh when it’s happening to someone else.
a couple will get out on the dance floor and
Rabies? Well, yeah… who doesn’t have a
revolve slowly and at an appropriate distance,
good story about that guy? What an animal!
but pretty much everyone has been waiting for
Bubonic plague may have gone incognito after
someone else to take the lead.
that whole Black Death scandal, but veteri-
However, in 2007, the presidents of the Amer-
narians know that she’s been spotted wearing
ican Veterinary Medical Association and the
sunglasses and a dark wig in the fleas of cats,
American Medical Association opted to work
squirrels and other critters in various parts of
together to develop a joint effort called One
the United States.
Health Initiative. The basic principle of One
So how does the medical establishment handle
Health is that all living things get sick, and that
the cross-over between human and non-human
the health of all living things is interconnected.
animal diseases? After all, you wouldn’t go to
From the One Health Initiative website: The
your veterinarian for a bad case of diarrhea or
One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for
a weird rash on your … anything, right? And
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Still, there are things t be done to minimize th of the wrong noses. 1. Wash hands after prepping raw meat; after playing with puppies, kittens, turtles, lizards, wallabies, giant squid, and small children; after cleaning up your pet’s “business” (really should go without saying); cleaning an aquarium or tank; after gardening; after fairs, petting zoos and aquatic touch tanks; and any other time your mother suggested that you “go wash those hands right now.” This is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent contacting a zoonotic disease.
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2. Ban bugs – mosquitoes and ticks are the FedEx of zoonotic diseases. Talk to your veterinarian about approved flea and tick preventatives for your pets. Take precautions to minimize mosquitoes on your property. Wear bug repellent. Check yourself and your critters for ticks after those lovely summer walks through the idyllic but weirdly insect-infested countryside. 3. You are what you eat (or, if you’re not careful, it’ll be what eats you) – check out these Safe Food Handling Fact Sheets from the United States Department of Agriculture.
4. Only you can prevent … parasites. Certain parasites of animals, such as hookworms, can cause disease in humans, especially kids, who love to get down n’ dirty where the parasites lay in wait for their next ride. Talk with your veterinarian about preventative care for your pet, such as parasite treatment or prevention, especially in puppies and kittens.
that can he risks 5. Be rabid about rabies – rabies is one of the most deadly and most preventable zoonoses. Any mammal can become infected with and shed the rabies virus, though some (bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes, dogs, cats) are more likely than others (dolphins, narwhals, beluga whales). Rabies vaccination for animals is both cheap and effective; rabies treatment, not so much. Talk with your veterinarian about an appropriate vaccination schedule for your own animals, and counsel family members (especially the smaller ones) about avoiding contact with wild animals, particularly those that look “sick” or “hurt.”
6. Avoid keeping pet food in areas where you prepare food for yourself or your family. This one is always hard to follow for those who feed their pets in the kitchen or dining room, but many potential bugs can arrive in a bag of kibble or can of dog food. 7. Special circumstances require special attention – if a member of your family has a compromised immune system (HIV, chemotherapy, transplant, diabetes, advanced age, very young child, pregnancy), talk with both your physician and veterinarian about the best ways to keep everyone in the house healthy.
8. If you get scratched or bitten, wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water. Zoonoses may not be the right sort of noses, but teamwork between animal owners, veterinarians, and physicians can diminish the dayto-day risk of these diseases – leaving us free to adopt more entertaining noses. Groucho glasses, anyone?
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THE SUN MAID KENNEL CLUB OF FRESNO The Sun Maid Kennel Club of Fresno held their
The Best in Show winner on Saturday was the
annual All Breed Dog Shows on February 6-7,
Bulldog GCH Wilson’s I’m Your Handyman.
The entire membership goes all out promoting
Owned and handled by Jay Serion from Wash-
their Valentine’s Day Theme complete with a
ington state! The Sunday Best in Show winner
2016 in Fresno, California!
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was Lakeland Terrier Ch. Snowtaires Next Generation. Owned by Lauren Parker and Barbara Decker of Ohio. Scholarship awards were presented to Junior Handler of the Year winner, Marie Stahmer, and finalists Ashley Barnes, KayCee Klang and Marrori Seifert.
The Sun Maid Kennel Club was proud to be
complimentary morning hospitality, an exhib-
the first club in California to offer the Pee Wee
itor appreciation buffet and dessert station
Special Attraction. It was great seeing the
before the start of group judging on Satur-
young handlers and their dogs. Everyone real-
day. In addition, SMKC presents $3500.00 in
ly enjoyed the event. Each exhibitor received a
Scholarship awards to the winners of the now
lovely rosette, dog toy and snacks. All awards
famous, California Junior Handler of The Year
were generously donated by Cathy Miluti-
competition!
novich, Belinda Brier and Johnny Shoemaker.
Complete with Obedience and Rally trials, this
With all of the incredible hospitality and effort
show is centrally located, enjoys great weather,
put on by the membership, it is no surprise that
and offers a friendly welcoming atmosphere!
the entries continue to rise each year! Come
Many exhibitors and attendees bid on exclu-
enjoy the magic and see what a truly great dog
sive items in our annual Silent Auction, which
show experience can be!
benefits the Junior Scholarship program, as well as a fabulous raffle. In addition there is a book sale with over 400 books, many being vintage books! The gorgeous trophy table served as a backdrop for many exhibitors’ photos!