April - Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley

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The
April 2014
the newsletter of the
Bernese Mountain Dog Club
of Nashoba Valley
the club for new england berners & their families
Annual
B.E.R.N.E.R. Inc.
Issue
pages 6-9
Shelley Tyre Outstanding Service Award Recipient
Beth Atkinson with Juniper (L) and Gwen (R).
inside this issue...
Calendar of Events..............................2
Concurrent Specialty........................3
Annual Meeting Highlights..........4, 5
B.E.R.N.E.R Inc............................... 6-9
Of Interest to Members....................10
Birthdays, Congrats, Brags..............11
Welcome! New Members
David and
Susan McBride
Windsor, CT 06095
talidm@comcast.net
BMDCNV
Calendar of Events
Tricia Kouroriez
180 Park St
Newton, MA 02458
617-717-8604
e
s
a
c
Show
New Members
~ 2014 ~
April 7–12: BMDCA National Specialty
Hampton Roads, VA
May 4: BMDCNV OFA Clinic
Suffield, CT
May 31–June 1: BMDCNV Regional Specialty
Wrentham, MA
June 7: BMDCNV Spring Fun Day
Westford, MA
June 29: Summer Picnic I
Kittery, Maine
Have you joined the club in past 24 months?
July 12: Supported Entry
Tunbridge, VT
We’d like to get to know you! One of the fastest ways
to meet other members is by volunteering... for
anything! The other is the New Member Showcase...
and it’s fast and easy! Complete the quick summary,
hit submit, email your pic and you’re done!
http://bmdcnv.org/newmember.html
Please complete your submission by May 20th to be
included in our June Issue of the Berner Blatt.
July 26: Summer Picnic II
St. Johnsbury, VT
September 13: Supported Entry
Falmouth, MA
October 18 &19: BMDCNV Draft Tests
Westford, MA
the
October 19: BMDCNV Fall Fun Day
Westford, MA
Trophy Donations Needed!
FMI: www.bmdcnv.org/events.html
Concurrent Regional Specialty ~ May 31 ~
Trophies Now Available • Deadline April
FMI: Abby Patrizio at caraby@snet.net
BMDCNV
President
Marge Bumen
207-351-5988
president@bmdcnv.org
Vice President
Alise Burbridge
781-749-5253
vicepresident@bmdcnv.org
You can sponsor a trophy!
board of directors
Secretary
Directors:
Pat Buickerood
978-433-5267
secretary@bmdcnv.org
Karen Fox • 860-436-4292 • director_fox@bmdcnv.org
Treasurer
Martha McCormick • 860-456-8881 • director_mccormick@bmdcnv.org
Bruce Hallden
860-613-2646
treasurer@bmdcnv.org
Sue Mahan • 978-386-7292 • director_mahan@bmdcnv.org
Jean Michael • 508-947-6503 • director_michael@bmdcnv.org
Anya Wittenborg • 781-316-2364 • director_wittenborg@bmdcnv.org
2
BMDCNV
Concurrent Regional Specialty
Saturday, May 31st
Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds, Wrentham, MA
Breed Judge...Andrew Ritter
Sweeps & Veterans Judge...Fara Bushnell
Best Puppy, Best Bred-by-Exhibitor, Best Veteran,
Stud Dog, Brood Bitch, Brace, Junior Showmanship,
Veterans Parade, Parade of Champions & Title Holders, Dog Fun Zone
Hospitality Tent provided by BMDCNV Members
At the conclusion of Saturday’s Judging, Fara Bushnell will provide new
information & updates regarding Degenerative Myelopathy
Reserve your Catalog ($3) send E-mail to MargeBumen@gmail.com
Please Sponsor a Trophy - Contact Abby Patrizio caraby@snet.net by April 30th
THREE SHOWS IN TWO DAYS !!
Weekend Supported Entries - Ladies Dog Club - May 31st & June 1st
Judges...Virginia Lyne & Marc Cohen
4-6 Month Puppy Competition
100th Anniversary of Ladies Dog Show with commemorative pins
MB-F Secretary - Entries Close May 14th
Specialty Show Chair: Marge Bumen
SAVE THE DATE...
Enjoy A Beautiful Trip To New England In The Fall
BMDCA Back To Back Draft Tests - October 18th & 19th
Middlesex County 4H Fairgrounds, Westford, MA
3
33rd BMDCNV Annual Meeting
Dr. Harvey Cohen, Nutritionist and founder of Dr. Harvey’s
Dr. Harvey supports raw feeding and has excellent information on transitioning from
kibble to raw on his website www.drharveys.com
Include kefir yogurt to the diet By Nancy Bates; North Easton, MA
This creates an alkaline environment
r. Harvey’s passion for animals really shows. We learned and support prevention of cancer. We’ll
liver collects all the toxins in the body, so why would
be adding this Ariel’s diet.
you want to feed that to your companion animal? I sat in my 6-10 % of the diet should be grains
seat very assured that my 11 ½ year Bernese Mountain Dog,
- The grains act as a fiber brush to
Ariel, doesn’t have “any” liver in her diet. When I got home,
support prevention colon cancer.
I was appalled when I looked at the list of ingredients on our Joints and muscles need to stay
raw prepackaged foods and holistic treats. Even some of the
strong - Dr. Harvey highlighted the
salmon treats have liver in them and almost all the raw food
benefits of swimming. A few years
companies include liver as an ingredient.
ago, Ariel dove into a pond and I
“Rotate proteins and oils and...” Dr Harvey mentioned
thought she was going to drown so I
he importance of CQ10 for the heart. I was glad to hear
think we’ll check with our rehab facility and see if she can learn to
that since it is one of Ariel’s regular supplements.
swim in their pool.
D
“If you knew more about it,
you wouldn’t feed liver to a rat!”
Watch the vaccines - Luckily our town accepts titers so we’ve
limited Ariel’s vaccines and she’s been raw fed all her life.
I hope we can have Dr. Harvey back again. He has so much info to
share on herbs, homeopathy, etc. that he could do day long seminars.
I would love to hear more about bloat and cancer prevention. I’ll be
placing an order and Dr. Harvey will be a great resource for advice!
Steve Diers retires from BMDCNV Board of Directors
By Marge Bumen, President BMDCNV
Not just a
Treasurer, but
Leader…
Thank you Steve…for your long tenure in the role
of BMDCNV Treasurer.
Steve has served 4 terms as Treasurer since April 2006
and served on the Board with 3 Presidents: Craig Healey,
Lynn Jones & Marge Bumen. The Nashoba Valley Club
has been extremely fortunate to have Steve’s steady
leadership all of these years for:
• 50 Board meetings
• Over 100 Insurance Binders
• 16 Fun Days
• 8 years of club tax filings
Benchmark achievements during Steve’s tenure included:
• Development of new systems and methods to manage
our club’s fundraising efforts, retail sales, financial
reporting & investments for the club’s future.
• Laying the foundation for financing the 2008 National
Specialty. In 2006 the club began the planning and
work to host the BMDCA Specialty. As a result of
Steve’s guidance and forward thinking, our club was
in a strong position to turn a healthy war chest over to
Beth Atkinson, the BMDCA show treasurer.
• Initiating a survival strategy to get us through the slow
economy and escalating fixed operating expenses of a
very challenging 2010.
Steve aka
“MacGyver”
is always an
active, handson volunteer,
supporting our
events with
his skills and
know-how.
Early on, Craig
dubbed Steve
Steve Diers and Moffet cruise the grounds
as”MacGyver” at the 2006 Specialty.
there was nothing
(RV, car, generator, club finances, political in-fighting) that he
could not fix! Steve is a pragmatic leader. Steve will forge the
way, pick the safest route, and provide leadership to success.
See that orange hat over there…
The man with the orange hat is our “go–to” guy! THANK
YOU for the many years of dedicated service and countless
contributions to keep our club strong and vibrant. When we
think of Steve it reminds us of how true that it is…You meet
the nicest people at the end of a Berner’s leash!
4
33rd BMDCNV Annual Meeting
...Just Quietly Getting the Job Done
work before and after the show with mountains of financial.
• Supporter and founder of BERNER Inc. and currently an
active contributor to the duties of the Berner, Inc Board and
organization.
The membership nominates a club member in good standing,
who has made an extra special contribution to the club either
recently, in the past or on a regular and consistent basis. Here are
some words from the club members who made this nomination:
A tireless supporter of the Berner breed and the Club; Opens
her home and her heart to the needs of the club - having hosted
draft workshops, board meetings and other gatherings; Has
fostered & transported many rescue dogs; Always willing to lend
a hand, an ear or encouragement; Personally, I met her at a club
event and she was always supportive of me and my endeavors,
always a positive word to keep me going and to try new things.
So what sums up this Shelley Award recipient? She is about
no self-glory… just quietly getting the job done. She “Walks the
Walk & Talks the Talk” of all things Berner!
We gladly present this year’s Shelley Tyre Award to:
Beth Atkinson; Bolton, MA
Shelley Tyre Outstanding Service Award - 2014
Presented by 2013 Recipients - Lloyd & Lynn Jones; Intervale, NH
W
e are honored to present the Shelley Tyre Outstanding
Service Award for 2014.
This award honors someone whose service and contribution to
the club and/or the breed has been exceptional.
This year’s recipient exemplifies wonderful sportsmanship and
does all sorts of competition events with her dogs. She really
leads the way in showing others what a dog can accomplish,
and she does it in a way that shows how much she cherishes
her dogs. Her outstanding demonstration of her commitment
to the Working Breed and all that her dogs are capable of is in
the alphabet soup that follows her dogs names including: CGC,
NDD, DD, WD, BNDD, BDD, ANDD, TD, TDX, CD, VCD1,
VCD2, NA, RN, RA, RE, NJP, AJP, NFP, OAP, OFP, CH, & NAP ...
The Shelley award is given on an annual basis to a member
who has exhibited outstanding service to our club:
• Served on the BMDCNV Board from 1998-99 and again for
two terms in 2005. I had the pleasure of serving with her.
• Participated as an active volunteer for many projects &
fundraising events and as a committee member for numerous
Fun Days & Educational Programs.
• Served as Treasurer for two National Specialties-1998 & 2008
- Positions that required years of preparation and dedicated
...the Lady Continues to Shine!
Even though husband Phil demonstrated devious and conniving secretworthy efforts to get Beth to the Annual Meeting, she was not able to attend
to receive her award, because... guess what?... she was at a show! We heard
that Beth had a perfect Rally run and the fastest course time of day – not
just for her class, but every other class as well. Way to go! ­— Editor’s Note
BMDCNV By the Numbers...
THE BERNER
WAYS AND MEANS
PUPPY
FINANCIALS
ns
BLATT
tio
BREEDER REFER
Dona
RAL
$15,831 General p Dues $1464 Website sales/ RESOURCES
MEM
M
BER
O
SHI
NTHLY
P
EVE
IP
NTS
SH
ER
hi
MEMB
PROGRAM
504
DISTRIBUTION
$15,890 Members Mean’s 74 orders
9 Performance Events
ds
ol
eh
us
Ho
13
e
d
Members
$5563 Event sale
Inquiries
353 Activ
175 - Mailed
2 Health or Education Events $5,563 Way’s an
s
11 Renewals
es
$1
ns
60
pe
0
485 Active Members
Ex
Ne
61
23
w
in
5 - Electronic
7,0
ve
$3
6
nt
Gat
her
or
ing
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Eve
ol
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2 New Mem
$2669 Expenses
63 Rescue Househ
bers
$213 Net Gain
VOLUNTEER
Awards
Presenter - Martha Phelps, Volunteer Chair
Gold Pins Awarded to Chairs ~ 2013:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Megan McTavish, Regional Specialty Chair
Jim Todhunter, Regional Specialty Secretary
Megan McTavish, Breeders Forum
Alise Burbridge, Breeders Forum
Adam Conn, Supported Entry
Martha Phelps, Supported Entry
Abby Patrizio, Supported Entry
Carol Jensen- Winter Walk
Marge Bumen, Kittery Picnic
Julie Mott, Graphic Designer
Joe Beauregard- Draft Program Printing
Michelle Keck -Draft Graphic Design
Karen Fox, OFA Clinic
Phil Keating, Fall Tracking Test
Patricia Buickerood, Award Certificates
Martha McCormick, Draft Test
Margot Burwood, Draft Test
Steve Pflederer, Draft Secretary
Melissa & Matt George, Retreat Weekend
Lloyd Jones, Nominating Committee
Jean Michael, CGC Test
BMDCNV Celebrates Title Earners
Dog Name
Ledgewood’s Royal Invitation NDD
GCH CH Ledgewood’s Live It Up
CH Purple Fugitive Spring Auf Southwind BN
OTCH Ledgewood’s T For Tumble UDX OM3 ANDD
ABNDD MDD MBDD GMDD
GCH CH Tennescott White Mtns The Balsams
CDX RN NDD DD CGC TDI VDX
Tennescott White Mtns Moosilauke CD CGC
CH Back Country Pandemonium NJP TD
CH Country Road’s Belle of the Ball
Helvetia’s Best Dressed CGC BN
Olympian’s Chasin a Dream CGC
NV Rescue’s Beautiful Bailey CGC
Ledgewood’s Ziva CGC TDI
CH Maine’s After Hours
Helvetia’s Made to Order CD
Snowdin Spellbound’s Brighter Days BN RN
GCH CH Trailbounds Ready Set Sing V Rosas RN
Spruce Peak’s Pay It Forward V. Trailbound RN
Rosa-N-Skylyn’s Pandora RN CGC NDD ANDD RA BN
GCH CH Glenmegan’s Flanders Fire CGC CD NAP
OJP DD BNDD VD
Redbarn’s Jazzy Adeline RN BN NDD BNDD RA
Tennescott White Mtns Moriah CGC BN
5
Owned by
Abby Patrizio
Abby Patrizio and Kim Behrens
Adam Conn
Alison Jaskiewicz and Abby Patrizio
Barbara Beck-Wilczek and William Wilczek
Barbara Beck-Wilczek and William Wilczek
Beth Atkinson and Wendy Bennett
Craig and Tracey Healy
Jean Michael
Jeanne M. Robbins
Judith Hartman
Kathyrn Wilson and Thomas Pink
Libby Kesner
Margaret De Pasquale
Matthew & Melissa George & Dayna Merrow
Michelle Keck and Celeste O’Malley
Michelle Keck and Celeste O’Malley
Michelle Keck and Christine McLean
Wynanda Bell
Wynanda Bell
Wynanda Bell and Barbara Beck-Wilczek
Rescue Notebook
in July 2013 and plan to
hold another in 2014. We
continue to search for foster
homes for our rescue dogs.
At this time, we have a small
number of foster parents
who we lean on regularly.
We continue to work on
developing a back-up pool
of foster homes. Maybe
you’d like to be one?
Berner Inc. Year in Review
By Linda DeCelles and Gib Otten, Rescue co-chairs
I
n April 2013, Gib and I assumed the Rescue Chair duties from
Anya Wittenborg. Over the past year Anya has helped us ease
into the tasks that she handled so capably and devotedly for eight
years. We’re grateful that she continues to serve on the Berner,
Inc. Board.
Highlights of 2013
EDUCATION & RESCUE
The big event of 2013 was WE ARE THE RESCUE ARM OF THE NASHOBA CLUB
the rescue in December of
five neglected and abused
Berners from Vermont.
Due to the efforts of many people in New England, Berner, Inc.
volunteers and BMDCNV members, we have successfully placed
all five in adoptive homes.
In December, we were drawn into the search for “The Essex
Berner.” This male Berner had been abandoned in Essex, MA.
Several BMDCNV members participated in the search. After
coordinating with the local Animal Control and several weeks
of sightings and search efforts, the dog was finally secured and
subsequently adopted through an Essex rescue group.
New State Coordinators
In the past year the Berner, Inc. Board has instituted the
new positions of State Coordinators. They will handle rescue
business in their states under the direction of the Rescue Chair.
We’re grateful to Nancy Bard, the Connecticut coordinator,
Marjorie Cottle, the Rhode Island coordinator and Cathy Estes,
the Vermont coordinator. In 2014 we hope to add coordinators
for New Hampshire and Maine. Anya, Linda and Gib cover
Massachusetts.
Donations and Discounts
We rely on donations to keep our rescue account healthy. We’re
fortunate that most of the veterinarians and others we work with
give us discounts. The Board will continue to discuss fund-raising
strategies in 2014.
And we’re not leaving any $$$$ on the table! We’ve learned
there are two easy sources of alternative donations:
iGive.com... Thank you to all who have signed up and just look
at what your online purchases have generated for us! Amazing!!
So, just when you think your small online purchase won’t make
a difference, please consider joining iGive! It’s FAST, EASY and
FREE and a percentage of each online purchase comes to Berner,
Inc. EVERY purchase makes a difference and we need EVERY
dollar! Learn more... http://igive.com//Q6w2U?Jmt
Employer Donation Matching... Again, thanks to all who
have signed up with their employer to match your donation
to Berner Inc. No matter how small, that match makes all the
difference! Does your employer have a matching donation
program? Check it out, and if not, maybe they’d like to start one.
The Year Ahead
Our goal is to take in Berners who need to be rehomed before
the owners risk listing their dogs on an online message board or
surrendering it to a shelter. Our plan is...
We will continue to contact listers and help them rehome their
berners. Unfortunately, it becomes more challenging when listers
want money for their dogs, as our policy prohibits us for paying
for them.
We will continue to leverage communication sources - flyers,
online media and other sources - throughout New England to
raise visibility of our rescue capabilities.
We will expand our networking with other rescue organizations
and shelters to support Berner rehoming. We want every rescue
and shelter in New England to contact us when presented with a
Berner.
We will continue to use our Club communications - email,
Berner Blatt , Facebook - to keep members informed of how they
can support outreach, fundraising and friend-raising efforts. We
need member suggestions and recommendations! Join us!
Expenses
We remained in the black for 2013. However, a majority of the
Berners who came into rescue needed our financial assistance.
The costs can range from modest charges for grooming to
large bills for medical procedures. About a 3rd of our expenses
were incurred with the five Berners impounded in Vermont. It
continues to be a Berner, Inc. policy that we will pay for whatever
care is needed for a Berner taken into our rescue program.
Thank You for a Successful Year
To those who have provided the smallest of donations to the
longest foster stint... and everyone in between... we can’t be a
Berner rescue’s angel without each and everyone of you! You are
all caring and dedicated. You are persistant and comforting. You
are thoughful and motivated. Thank you for being there, even if
it’s for just one. It’s one more berner that we can wrap our arms
around and tell them they are coming home.
Volunteers
The Berner, Inc. Board continues to seek and rely on volunteers
for all our rescue tasks. We held a volunteer recruitment meeting
Rescue By The Numbers
Berner Inc 2013 - 2014
17 - Dogs in Foster
17 - Dogs Adopted
5 - Males (1) intact
12 - Females (5) inact
Breeder
14 - Known
3 - Unknown
Surrender State
2 - Maine
5 - Vermont
0 - New Hampshire
4 - Massachusetts
2 - Rhode Island
1 - Connecticut
Surrender Reason
5 - Impound
2 - High Vet Costs
3 - Economic Hardship
2 - Eviction
4 - Problems with Children
1 - No longer wanted
for breeding
6
Surrender Source
12 - Individual Owners
5 - Animal Control
Financials
$7636. - Individual & Corporate
Donations
$4800. - iGive donations
$11,000. - Expenses
Adoptive Homes
0 - Maine
1 - Vermont
0 - New Hampshire
11 - Massachusetts
0 - Rhode Island
4 - Connecticut
State Coordinators
0 - Maine*
1 - Vermont
0 - New Hampshire*
3 - Massachusetts
1 - Rhode Island
1 - Connecticut
*soon to be identified
2013
YEARBOOK
EDUCATION & RESCUE
Beckett
Brandy
3 years • Ashland, MA
3 years • Marshfield, MA
Cody
Ellie
Emma
Gabby
Gracie
2 years • Lancaster, MA
2 years • Naugatuck, CT
6 years • Plymouth, MA
4 years • Farmington, CT
3 years • Marshfield, MA
WE ARE THE RESCUE ARM OF THE NASHOBA CLUB
Greta
Gunnar
Lacey
Maya
Merry
3 years • Hooksett, NH
2 yrs • W. Greenwich, RI
3 years • Essex, MA
2 years • Chicopee, MA
3 years • Melrose, MA
Murphy
Sienna
Summer
Tank
Zuri
2 years • S. Windsor, CT
2 years • Boston, MA
2 years • Island Pond, VT
2 years • Marshfield, MA
1 year • Wesport, MA
7
It Takes A Village to Rescue Berners
By Linda DeCelles, Rescue Chairs
W
henever a dog is mistreated, neglected or abandoned, it takes a
coalition, or "village" of rescue volunteers, animal control officers,
law enforcement agents, court officials, veterinarians, dog lovers and
others involved in animal welfare working together to save that dog.
When a whole group of dogs is abused and neglected at the same time,
it takes an expanded “village” of rescuers to help the dogs recover and
find homes. Last December, Berner, Inc. became part of a large
village that gathered many people from across New England to
simultaneously save five abused Berners in Vermont.
It's many steps, with many roles.
It also takes a village of Berner, Inc. volunteers and BMDCNV
members to rescue Berners from individuals who can no longer
care for them and ask us to find them new homes.
First, the rescue chairs and state coordinators review intake
forms submitted by the owners. We call them for interviews and
to arrange an evaluation in the dog’s home.
Second, we collect vital information to help us place the
Berner in the most suitable foster home and with the best
adopters. We often call on volunteers and club members in the
proximity to evaluate the Berner and interview the owner in the
surrending home.
Third, we determine the logistics of transporting the Berner
to the appropriate foster home. We rely on volunteer members
to transport Berners from every point in New England. Often we
have relays with many volunteer transporters bringing the Berner
from first to final stop.
Fourth, If a surrendered Berner is ready for a new home right
away, a temporary foster home is set up with one of our “villagers”
(volunteers and members).
Fifth, If a match is made with one of the applicants we have wanting
a Berner rescue, the Berner makes a final trip from the foster home to his
or her new home. All of our adopters have previously had home checks
and in-person interviews before we introduce them to a rescue Berner.
The shape they're in can be challenging and costly.
Having been neglected, abused, ignored or too expensive, many
Berners come to us needing immediate attention due to lapsed health
care, lapsed nutrition or unacceptable companion dog behavior, before
they can be matched with a potential adopter. These Berners go to foster
homes for stays ranging a couple of weeks to several months. During the
foster period, a plan for success is determined and usually requires the
help of many - foster parents, veterinarians, trainers, groomers, etc. - until
the Berner is on a strong path for recovery and ready to be rehomed.
In the end, every one of our rescued Berners finds the best home sometimes with the fosters themselves! Many people come together to
place one Berner in one home, and all of them celebrate the new “citizens”
in our Berner village.
Latest Thank Yous to our Berner Village:
Berner, Inc. would like to thank the following who were part of our
rescue village in the past few months. These individuals and businesses
went above and beyond in helping us secure and provide needed
services to our rescue Berners: Colleen Rouhan (American Bullmastiff
Association), Pam Bartlett, Deputy Nick Oullette and Advocate Samatha
Allen in Vermont. Dr. Ryan Canales, Erika Canales, Practice Manager,
and the staff of Long
Trail Veterinary Center,
Williston, Vermont.
Berner, Inc. is deeply
grateful to LTVC for their
diligent and loving care
of rescued Berners and
the generous discount for
services. Dr. Sarah Hoy,
veterinary opthamologist,
waived her
consulting fee.
Berner, Inc.
thanks her for her
generosity.
Dr. Blake Liebert
and the staff of
Muddy Creek
Animal Center,
Rowley MA.
Berner, Inc. is
grateful for the
discounted fees for
the boarding and
medical care of
(and playtime with!) our Berners. Dr. Saria of Gold Coast Mobile
Veterinary Service, Milford CT, provided discounted follow-up
treatment for a foster Berner. Mary Ann Bartlett of MSPCANevins, a good friend to BMDCNV, offered to arrange emergency
boarding, if we needed it. Bark Plaza Grooming, Rowley MA, made
adjustments in their schedule to give one Berner a much-needed
deep cleaning and trim. (Bark Plaza is active in and supports local
dog rescue groups.
Latest Thank Yous to our Club Members
BMDCNV members and volunteers were front and center in
securing, transporting and fostering our rescue Berners. Our
special thanks go to: Brian and Jenny Hillery, for transport and
most of all, for their long-time dedicated and expert foster care.
Dave Gingras, for multiple (snowy) transports and fostering. Julie
and Jeff Zapatka for long-term fostering. Daryl Bichel and Dave
Elliott for short-term fostering. And there were so many other
BMDCNV members who gave us moral support, advice, and
referrals to potential adopters, as we searched for placements for the
dogs. Along the way to finding homes for our rescued Berners, I
was connected to many wonderful people in the rescue community
all over New England. I also was contacted by BMDCA members
and other rescue people outside of New England who were eager to
help us.
It’s gratifying to know that if ever Berner, Inc. has a village full of
dogs to save, there is a big village of rescue people to help!
the BERNER INC board of directors
President & Director - Alise Burbridge
Treasurer & Director – Tom McKinney
Clerk & Director – Anya Wittenborg
Director – Dawn Flaherty
Director – Linda DeCelles
Director – Beth Atkinson
8
Rescue and Social Media
the marsh. It took
two months before
he was finally
secured by patient
homeowners who
live by the marsh.
The frenzy
on social media
impeded the
efforts of the Essex
Animal Control
Officer to organize
a well-planned
search and rescue of the Berner. She told me that the situation got out
of control right away because of the unorganized communications on
Facebook and Twitter. All of us Berner people know from experience
that rescuing a loose Berner is a very delicate and deliberate process.
The ACO told me that had she been contacted about the loose Berner
before it got out on social media, she would have contacted Berner,
Inc. right away and co-ordinated a rescue with us. When she finally
got control of the rescue, she was able to set up a system for reporting
sightings and organizing the people who live in the area where he
was usually seen and was finally secured. Let’s hope that as social
media becomes more and more a part of our everyday dog world that
everyone learns how to use it sensibly.
By Linda DeCelles, Rescue Chair
I
confess that I don’t have a personal Facebook account. I love my
family, but I don’t need to know what they’re doing all day. I’m not
interested in “friending” people from my distant past (who are history
for a reason). I really don’t need to be “friended” by some corporation
that wants to sell me stuff. I have never used Twitter. I’m just learning
to send text messages. I’ve never taken a “selfie.” But I do connect to
the Berner, Inc. Facebook page.
Facebook at it’s best.
Check it out...https://www.facebook.com/pages/BernerInc/224164187613456 - You’ll find yourself in a virtual Berner world!
Many Berner Inc. Facebook “friends” will tell you stories and
show you pictures of their Berners. If you need to submerge your
consciousness in Berners, this is the place to go. Amid the many
submissions from friends of Berners you will also find advice about
living with our beloved breed. For example, there were several
postings about the right (and wrong) ways to handle children around
Berners. This is Facebook at its best, I think: Useful information
mingled with chatter for an overview of life with Berners.
A forum like Facebook connects inexperienced Berner people
with Berner veterans. Nevertheless, there is minimal editing and
few “filters” on social media, and a lot of bad information and
wrongheaded opinions get out. But this misinformation can be
corrected if Facebook friends keep messaging. Don’t be dismayed if
you read something that makes you shake your head in disbelief send a “friendly” rebuttal and be prepared for a lively discussion!
The Face behind our Berner Inc. Facebook.
BMDCNV member Ellie Kittler maintains Berner, Inc.’s Facebook
page. As I get more familiar with using Facebook, I will contribute
more Berner, Inc. material for Ellie to post. I encourage you to
submit your stories, brags, advice—whatever you want to share—
to Ellie, that will liven up our content.
Connecting with Rescue Organizations and Adopters.
Facebook as a location for Berner rescue, so far has brought some
attention to our adoptable dogs. Many “friends” comment on our
adoptable dogs on Facebook, and we received requests for adoption
applications from friends. We have helped other rescues and shelters
by posting notices for Berner mixes and other large breeds up for
adoption on our Facebook page.
Our Electronic Information Sources.
Between the Berner, Inc. website and our Facebook presence,
Berner, Inc. now has two electronic sources to get the information
out about our adoptable dogs. The Berner, Inc. website is our lifeline
for adoptions. All of our applicants come from the on-line adoption
application process. Maintaining regular content and adding new
information to a website is a time-consuming job. BMDCNV
volunteer Mimi Englander is our ready, willing and able webmaster.
Berner, Inc. will be working on giving her more material to enrich
our page. It’s an irony of our tech-based world -- which is supposed
to make information available faster and easier-- actually makes more
work for us as we try to keep up with the electronically paced world.
If only we could teach our Berners to take “selfies” and post messages,
we would have more time to provide “content” about them to our
electronic media!
With the best of intentions - a Facebook stumble.
Facebook and Twitter have their down sides, however. A case in
point is the recent rescue of the “Essex Berner.” As many of you know,
this dog was abandoned in Essex MA last December. With the best
of intentions, dozens of concerned rescuers and citizens in Essex and
surrounding towns flooded Facebook and Twitter with news about
the loose Berner. A crowd of people, alerted by Facebook and Twitter
messages, converged in vehicles and on foot on Rte. 133 when the
Berner was sighted running in the nearby marsh. The dog became
frightened and confused by the crowd and ran out onto 133 where he
was bumped by the slow-cruising car of a rescuer, and ran back into
the
BMDCNV
Berner Blatt
Editor
Linda Botti
bernerblatt@bmdcnv.org
Breeder Referral
Program
Megan McTavish
norarose2@sbcglobal.net
Historian
Vacant
historian@bmdcnv.org
chairpeople
These dedicated chairpeople provide essential services to you, our membership. Please
feel free to contact them with your questions, concerns, suggestions, requests for help
or offers of help. Our mission is to provide the best for Berners and their families.
Membership
Jim Todhunter
PO Box 5213
Framingham, MA 01701
memberchair@bmdcnv.org
Public Education
Martha Phelps,
Diane Smith
& Karen Allen
education@bmdcnv.org
Rescue
Linda DeCelles
Gib Otten
1-877-4BMDCNV (toll free)
rescue@bmdcnv.org
Volunteer
Coordinator
Martha Phelps
802-368-7656
volunteer@bmdcnv.org
Membership List Admin.
Jim Todhunter
Jeff Nowak
elisthelp@bmdcnv.org
Puppy Referral
Laurel Crowley
puppychair@bmdcnv.org
Training Resources
Paul Emerson
508-243-3922
training@bmdcnv.org
Ways & Means
Judy HartmanWeb Page Retail
Lynne BaileyBlatt Custom Orders
shop@bmdcnv.org
Members List
Moderator
Sharon Brady
moderator@bmdcnv.org
Regional Club Rep (RCR)
Karen Fox
rcr@bmdcnv.org
9
Trophy Chair
Donna Bennett
trophychair@bmdcnv.org
Web Master
Mimi Englander
web@bmdcnv.org
Going for the TriAthlete Challenge!
Preparing for National Specialty - Hampton Roads, VA
April 7 - 12, 2014
Tugboat and I are in training for the TriAthlete Challenge.
The TriAthlete Challenge is a special award given each berner/
handler team that earns a qualifying leg or passing score in
three or more working venues during the week of the National
Specialty. The eligible events are tracking, herding (JHD) or
above, obedience, rally, agility and draft. Only one score or
performance in each venue will count towards this award, and
the performance must be at the titling level, although the dog/
handler team may already have earned the relevant title.
It’s been a long time since we’ve trialed/tested at Nationals
and we want to do a good job. We are entered in herding,
drafting, and agility, so we try to split our practice time between
all of them:
Agility - We practice 3 times a week to work on jumping. Our
main challenge here is keeping bars up.
Herding - We get a herding practice about once a week, even
though it is indoors and often on ducks. This could be our
hardest challenge.
Drafting - Although we’re navigating snow banks everywhere,
we’re able to draft
maybe twice a week.
Our biggest challenge
is finding distractions.
Tugboat does very
well here in the woods
by ourselves. But I
remember only too
well our freight halls
in prior tests. So many
interesting smells,
sights, sounds. So
we need to round up some friends and their dogs to help us.
Also, we don’t yet have solid ground yet except on driveways,
parking lots, and roads. To adjust for that, we’ve added extra
weight to the cart and tried to find some uphill slopes.
And then, let’s not forget me... I’m old and not in top shape.
All three sports require me to run at times, so off to the Y for
cycling classes 3 days a week!
I know I’m lucky to be able to have this much quality time
with Tugboat. Each day our bond grows stronger. And what
does Tugboat think? “I can’t believe I get to have this much
fun with mom!”
— Barb Gibson; Edgecomb, ME
Mark Your Calendars! We’re hosting 2 Summer Picnics this year...
June 29 - Fort Foster - Kittery, ME • http://www.portsmouthnh.com/thingstodo/todoDetail.cfm?TodoID=82&CategoryID=17
July 26 - Dog Mountain - St. Johnsbury, VT • https://www.dogmt.com/ More details coming in the May Issue!
PLEASE JOIN US
for Family Fun with your Berner!
Meet Donna Bennett...
our new Trophy Chairperson
BMDCNV Spring Fun Day
My name is Donna Bennett
and I live in Old Lyme, CT with
my husband, a Great Pyrenees
and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling
Retreiver. Dogs are both my
work and play so there is never a
shortage of sloppy kisses and fur
in my life.
I joined the BMDCNV
approximately 20 years ago. At
that time I had “Chili” who
was my very first dog that I owned on my own and a huge
obedience challenge. I joined the club to connect with other
Berner owners in an effort to solve behavioral issues with my
difficult boy. The club provided a great support system and
some fabulous events to test our accomplishments. As all
club members can attest, you can’t own just one Bernese. I
went on to share my love with Ticket and Deca. I have been
without a Berner for almost 3 years. I have lost all 3 boys to
cancer with the last 2 leaving me at 5 1/2 years old. I adore
the breed and hope to have more tri-colored cuddlers in the
future, when my heart heals.
Saturday, June 7th • 10:30 am - 2pm
Middlesex County 4-H Fairgrounds, Westford, MA
• Puppy Corral...
Play Time for Pups of all Ages
• Big Berner Raffle & 50/50...
Lots of chances to win!
• Cookie Bake Sale
• Berner Workshop Discussion
• Portraits of You & Your Berner... by Sea Jay Photography
• Paws & Shop
with many New Berner Items!
• Paws & Ear Trimming Clinic
• “I want a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy” Discussion and Q & A
• Berner Tricks... Show off your
Berner’s tricks and learn a new one!
• Lunchtime Pizza Party
• Conformation Fun Match
10
Complete Schedule of Events will be available in May Issue.
Birthdays, Congratulations and Brags...
Happy Birthday
to the first Windbeam litter - 4/6/12
Happy Seventh Birthday,
and their Mother, Myoties Watching and Waiting - 4/15/09
— Neal & Carol Jensen; Cromwell, CT
Robbie-Bobbins!
You don’t look a day over five.
We love you!!!
— Susan & Jim Todhunter; Wayland, MA
Olympian’s Chasin A Dream, CGC
Happy 4th Birthday!
Thank you, Sherri, for our happy, happy boy.
We love you Bubba Dog!
Mom, Dad & Bacio
— Jeanne Robbins; Canaan, NH
Happy 1st Birthday Callie!
Brandywine’s Gentle Spirit
4-21-13
Happy birthday to my sweet, loving girl.
I’ve only had you a few months, but you
truly are a gentle spirit.
— Barbara Morss; Marion, MA
It’s still winter,
but someone
is having fun!
Our three year
old granddaughter,
Mira Cons
with Trigger
and Judy Cons.
— John Cons;
Porter, ME
Happy 4th Birthday, Lucy!
11
You came to stay with us as a 3-month-old
foster puppy “for the weekend.”
We knew then you would always be
our “little” girl.
— Gib Otten & Linda DeCelles
Rowley MA
Hero Dog Award
Spellbound’s Sunny Day,
“Oakley”,
owned by Stephanie & Bill Freeman
accepted her BMDCNV Hero Dog Award
at our Annual Meeting on March 16th.
This young Berner alerted her family in the early morning
of February 17th. Oakley sounded the alarm that a fire
was underway as smoke was filling their Vermont ski
condo, one of 36 units that ultimately succumbed to the
blaze. Oakley insisted the family “wake” and she would
not be ignored. Oakley persisted with her efforts, finally
waking Bill by sitting on his head. Many lives were saved
due to Oakley’s insistence for her family to take action.
Read Oakley’s story here.... http://tinyurl.com/nbqpkf4
BMDCNV
P.O. Box 5213
Framingham, MA 01701
LAST CHANCE FOR
APPOINTMENT!
All Breed OFA Clinic
May 4th
Contact Karen Fox:
foxfirebmd@gmail.com
Contact
Memberchair@bmdcnv.org
to receive an electronic color
issue of the Berner-Blatt
Join us on
BMDCNV
BERNER Inc.