Welcome to our new members who joined us on Saturday! We hope you will enjoy your training with us!
CLUB ACTIVITY
Our world came crashing down on 26th March 2020 when we were ordered into a 3-week lockdown due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. We anxiously awaited permission to put our noses outside our yards, but it was not forthcoming. Within two months we were given the green light to walk our dogs between 6am and 9am, and boy, was that fun!!! The usually quiet mornings were disrupted with the wild cries of excitement and barking, leaving many an owner hanging onto his leash for dear life! Three months after day-1 of lockdown we were given the go-ahead to re-open the dog club, and what a wonderful re-opening at the end of June it was with dogs and members flying around the grounds, tails wagging and smiling faces! Except for the face masks everything seemed normal and we started training on Saturday, 4th July 2020, with the pain and suffering of lockdown temporarily forgotten! For many of us lockdown has not yet ended, but the knowledge that we can at least enjoy sunshine, fresh air and spend time with like-minded people is something to look forward to every Saturday.
“And the people stayed home. And read books and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply.
Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”
Kitty O’ Meara
And so, back in history… On the 21st of March 2020 we held our 56th AGM. We knew that it was only a few days before a lockdown and held our first AGM outdoors, keeping to social distancing even before we were informed. Our President, Mr Walter Binder, sent apologies due to the fear of infection.
We had a record numbers of members attend the AGM, which went smoothly. As usual we had the most enjoyable German fare and finished with Juan’Ri’s apple strudel, Annatjie’s Amarula tart and Bev’s milk tart. Thank you everyone for attending. Photos are on our FB page.
Our maintenance day was a huge success with many members jumping in and physically removing the paper thorns, which has costs us thousands of rand to eradicate. It seems we have been most successful. If anyone spots a paper thorn weed please inform us or even better, pull it out by the root. Thank you to Stefan for the use of your very fancy self-propelled lawnmower. Several members had loads of fun using it. Trees were trimmed, grass was cut, paper thorns removed, storeroom neatened. We started the day with bacon and egg rolls and ended the day with prego rolls and ice-cold drinks. Thank you to everyone who gave of their spare time, which before lockdown seemed so precious. Photos are on our FB page.
Work started on Gloria’s lapa just before lockdown. We will continue with the completion of the braai area and lapa. Are there any builders out there willing to give advice on such a small job? Our roof-wetting has been diarized for Saturday, 15th August 2020. Photo is on our FB page.
We will soon be training towards the Canine Good Citizen Test on Saturday, which is on 18th September 2020. Information will be emailed to you. Please read through it and discuss with your trainer. Many of our new members will try the Bronze and a few will go for Silver and the coveted GOLD!!!
Our annual obedience show, diarized for Saturday, 18th July 2020 has been cancelled, but we will have our year-end dog jumping competition on the 28th November 2020.
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Floyd. For those of you who didn’t know Floyd, he was a cheeky little Fox Terrier who always tested Irene. We feel for you, Irene, but rest assured Floyd is happy and waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Annetjie makes the most beautiful dog blankets and bakes amazing treats. Many of your doggies tested her treats on Saturday. Please contact Annetjie should you wish to put in an order – 083 379 7918.
Our annual long walk on the Magaliesberg mountain was postponed due to the Covid-19 lockdown, but we are pleased to announce that we will be walking on the mountain on Sunday, 26th July 2020. More details will follow soon.
Parasites like ticks, fleas and flies predate in the winter unless there is severe ongoing cold weather. Please take the necessary precautions like dipping, preventative collars and sprays. There are new products on the market, and you can keep up to date with the latest information brochures, which we keep in the club house.
We train with treats and comfortable waist treat bags are available from Ruben for sale on Saturdays. They are R110 each and the small treat bag is R90 – there is limited stock.
COLOURED TAGS
All member’s dogs are issued with different coloured tags. Your dog must please wear the tag at each training session. If you lose your tag, please get a new one from the trainers at R30 each. BLUE = PUPPY, GREEN = FRIENDLY dog, YELLOW = NERVOUS dog, ORANGE = NO DOGS (not dog friendly), RED = CAUTION (do not touch the dog). Please be aware of the colour tags, as it is a clear indication and warning to you and your dog to either befriend the dog or stay a respectful distance away.
Our Medical Aiders are Samantha and Chris, in case of any emergency.
PUPPY CLASSES
We have Puppy Club for pups between the ages of 3 months to 6 months on a Saturday afternoon. Socializing your puppies from a young age can be the best show of love, which you, their human parent, can give!
CLUB EVENTS
Many of our club events have been cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19
4th July – new intake of dogs
26th July – annual long walk on Mr Binder’s farm in Magaliesberg
1st August – new intake of dogs
15th August – roof-wetting Gloria’s lapa and potjie/braai with training on the day
5th September – new intake of dogs
18th September – Canine Good Citizen’s Test
3rd October – new intake of dogs
11th October – sheepdog demonstration
28th November – Dog jumping competition, trophy hand-out and year-end braai
December – club closed
INTERESTING WEBSITES
Here are most of the websites added to our Whattsapp group during lockdown. For those of you who never read through them, please take a few minutes every day and read the articles. They are most interesting and informative. Thank you to Noreen for keeping the Whattsapp group informed and often smiling!
https://phys.org/news/2017-02-dog.amp
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/ear-cropping-and-tail-docking
https://shopus.furbo.com/blogs/knowledge/12-reasons-dogs-howl-whine-and-cry
https://www.livescience.com/45196-why-do-dogs-wag-their-tails.html?fwa
https://cann-pet.com/why-is-my-dog-panting-and-shaking/
https://www.livescience.com/63239-why-dogs-scratch-ground-after-peeing.html
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/how-to-pet-a-dog
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/firework-fear-why-your-dog-does-or-doesnt-react-and-how-you-should-180975182/
https://theconversation.com/8-things-we-do-that-really-confuse-our-dogs-122616
https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/565081-dogs-could-be-early-warning-system-for-human-health/
US Service Animals – PTSD Service Dog Tasks | How They Help You
https://www.insider.com/dogs-who-were-military-heroes-conan-stubby-2019-10?amp
https://topdogtips/com/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-cold/
https://www.barkibu.com/blog/can-dogs-eat-sunflower-or-pumpkin-seeds-nuts-and-dried-fruit
WEBSITE
Thank you to everyone testimonials – they’re on the website! This is a powerful and easy way of advertising your club, so please make full use of it – www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za. Our Face Book page also has some interesting photos and information!
MAINTENANCE
Thank you to Elvis for looking after our grounds.
PRETORIA DOG RESCUE
Samantha and her team do a lot of wonderful work with Pretoria Dog Rescue. It is a worthy cause to support. Please put the word out that they have many, many dogs up for adoption. Check out their Face Book page for more information. Dogs bought from Pretoria Dog Rescue qualify for one month’s free training.
SPCA AND WETNOSE
Dogs bought from SPCA or Wetnose qualify for one month’s free training (excluding R330.00 club membership fee). Just bring along your receipt of purchase. The SPCA Newsletter has put out a request for more volunteers, so if you have any spare time, please consider donating it to a worthy cause. Please contact Celestie Mathews who is a volunteer at the SPCA. She has some wonderful fundraising ideas. Celestie also has a volunteer Whatsapp group that you can belong to, where she advertises the SPCA’s wish lists – 082 825 8442.
ANIMAL CHARITY
Our adopted animal charity is the South African Veterinary Association’s community project called Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC). They look after the primary healthcare of dogs and cats in disadvantaged communities, and offer vaccinations, de-worming, dipping and sterilization at a reduced fee. Please get involved in their MySchool card project – http://www.communityvet.co.za/
SATURDAY – gates open at 1.30pm
OBEDIENCE – new intake the first Saturday of every month at 2pm
Beginners – please arrive at 1.30pm and visit our Treasurer, Ruben in the club house – please bring a 1.2m cotton leash, slip collar and throw toy or dumbbell.
Obedience training – R220.00 per month, payable 3-monthly in advance. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND. This is not a course, but ongoing training.
PUPPY CLUB – 3pm – 4.30pm- Annual club membership – R320.00
R900.00 for the 6-week course – Puppies are welcome to join every week!
This class is for puppies between the ages of 3 months and 6 months. The puppies must have had their 2nd vaccination and been de-wormed. Appropriate tick and flea control must be administered before participating. Please bring your vaccination books. The members will have a lecture in the club house and thereafter learn the basics in puppy obedience, e.g. retrieve, heelwork, sit, down and stand. And of course, lots of socializing. Bring along a 1.2m cotton leash, slip collar or collar and throw toy. If the dogs advance well before the age of 6 months, they can join Beginner training. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND.
CONTACT
Secretary – Beverly – 083 272 1014
Chairperson and Chief Trainer – Tania – 082 430 1456
Treasurer – Ruben Muller – rubenmuller1959@gmail.com
Kind regards
TANIA QUARMBY
CHAIRPERSON
PRETORIA SHEPHERD DOG CLUB
www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za
Check us out on Face Book
WE’RE NOT IN IT FOR THE INCOME, WE’RE IN IT FOR THE OUTCOME