NATHAN ALDERLIESTE

ANIMAL ADVOCATE GOES THE EXTRA MILE

Over the month of August, animal advocate Ethan Alderlieste, 17, will attempt to row a massive 310,000 metres, the equivalent distance of SH1 from Blenheim to Christchurch, to raise money for animal charity Marlborough Dog Pawz and Fur Ever Homes NZ.

Why are you such an animal champion, what makes animals special? Animals love you unconditionally. Their value to humans is exceptional and powerful. They provide comfort and emotional support, companionship, therapy and friendship and in return, they rely on us to care for them, to ensure they have food, water and shelter and more importantly love. If you could wave a magic wand, what one thing would you change regarding animal welfare in New Zealand and why? That there was more value placed on an animal’s life, that there was more education around caring for animals and there was so much more support for the agencies who care for the abused, neglected and abandoned animals. What pets did you have growing up and what are some of your favourite memories? Throughout my childhood, my family fostered a wide variety of animals - cats, dogs, goats, everything! I think some of my favourite memories would be raising bobby calves when I was in primary school and seeing what work needed to be put in to become responsible owner. In your opinion, what makes someone a good pet owner? If someone is looking at adopting a pet, they really need to deeply think about the huge responsibility they are taking up. The exciting thought of owning an animal can overrule the truth of large responsibilities and therefore people rush into adopting without knowing what they’re signing themselves up for. This is where the sad neglect comes into place as owners finally realise the huge responsibility. A good pet owner in my opinion is someone who deeply cares about others - someone who is willing to put their pet before themselves in any situation. You also need to know your schedule to understand if you have any time and constant energy to be caring, for example daily walks, playing and continuous love. Is enough being done to protect our pets and animals from abuse and neglect? No. Because there are animals suffering all over New Zealand! Not only pets but also on dairy farms, factory farms (chickens, pigs etc). It’s just incredibly overwhelming. If you could remove one animal from the endangered species list, what would it be and why? This is a hard one - so many! Whales, especially now that Japan has re-started commercial whaling!

To donate to Ethan’s cause, visit givealittle.co.nz/Ethan+Alderlieste

THE HOME OF

Hundreds of dogs and their owners will descend upon Marlborough from around New Zealand in October.

They’re making their way to the region for the Black Hawk 2019 National Dog Show; the first national dog show to be held outside one of New Zealand’s main centres.

Show chairman Keith Brown says the event will be held across four Marlborough locations, adopting a brand-new format for the competition, which is in its 65th year. “This is the first time it’s ever gone to a regional city in New Zealand … it’s coming to Marlborough because some of the facilities [in larger centres] aren’t big enough to hold in one area,” he says. Here, the Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000, Marlborough Convention Centre, Rewi Murray Polo Ground and at our own grounds in Omaka will host aspects of the national show.

Registrations for the event went on sale in July, prompting record sales. “We had 80 grooming sites available per day, and it goes over the four days. “They were sold within the first 20 minutes of going online. We increased to 100 and they were sold by the end of the day and then we increased to 150 sites and they have also sold out,” Keith says. “Entries don’t close until the 20th of August, but we had record entries for the first two days.” Keith and his organising committee have been working closely with the Marlborough District Council to organise and market the event.

He believes Marlborough’s unique location makes it a great place for people to get to from both the North and the South Islands.

“Marlborough is an easy location to get to for North Island exhibitors, rather than having to get off the ferry and drive to Christchurch they can get off the ferry and drive 20 minutes.”

Motels, hotels and holiday homes are filling up quickly for the event, with judges and a range of supporting vendors also

coming to support the show from around New Zealand, Australia and the globe, Keith says. “We’re selling Marlborough as a destination, not only in wine but also the Marlborough Sounds for things for people to do; the majority of people are coming for a weeks’ holiday.” Dogs will be judged on agility, obedience and conformation, with each category hosted at a different location.

“We are going to bring to Marlborough a concept that’s never been done before, to hold the three events in one town, to showcase everything that a dog can do.” Agility requires dogs to navigate an obstacle course without a leash or incentives, competing for both time and accuracy. Their owners are not allowed to touch them or the obstacles.

Conformation is judged solely on the appearance of the dog, judged on their structure and appearance in accordance to what is considered optimal for the breed.

Obedience measures how well dogs respond to various commands as set out in the show’s obedience requirements. Each dog is judged on its understanding and ability to respond to commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘stay’. Keith has been breeding dogs since he was a teenager, and in more recent years has spent many weekends travelling the world to judge international dog shows. “My parents bred dogs, a breed called Pekingese and I ventured out into American Cockers in my late teens. I’ve also bred Miniature Schnauzers, and shown Afghan Hounds and Giant Schnauzers and several other breeds to become one of the most foremost kennels in New Zealand history, I’ve bred or owned over 40 grand champions,” Keith says. A lot of work goes into breeding champion dogs, and the show is a chance for the public to gain an insight into that work, and the rewards that come with it, Keith says. “It takes many years of skill to learn how to breed and show dogs, so the public will have the opportunity to meet and greet those dogs and look at the insight into how to breed those dogs … Showing and breeding dogs is not for the faint-hearted.”

As well as the day to day training of show dogs, several health and wellbeing requirements need to be met and maintained for every dog, Keith says. He believes the show is a good demonstration of the types of things people can achieve while bonding with their dogs. “People can do things with their pet rather than leaving it in the backyard,” he says.

The show will run from Wednesday, October 2 until Saturday October 5 and is open to the public at a cost of $25 per family of four and $12 per individual entry. And $6.00 per child The black tie finale and judging event at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 is also open to the public at a cost of $10 per person and will include live entertainment and a light show. Starting time for this event is 6pm. Also an all breeds show will be held on the final day on 6 October at club grounds in Omaka. Tickets will be sold at the door for each event.