Articles published in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor. Nothing may be copied unless the Editor grants permission. 

Dates & News:

ZimDog News, can be accessed from: www.vanerp.net.

Zimbabwe Kennel Club:

The Zimbabwe Kennel Club office will now only be open on a Friday each week, 09.00-12.00 & 14.00-16.00 CAT.

The AGM was held Sunday and there was a call for nominations, but none came forward and so I believe the new committee is now as follows: Mrs A J Bowling-Scott, Mrs M L de Sousa, Mrs S D McMillan and Mrs J F Schreiber, Mr C A P Fernandes and Miss J I Way. This committee should consist of 8 people and I wonder if they will co-opt a further two members to sit on that committee?

 The Kennel Club of Harare had their AGM after the ZKC one and people willing to stand in the new year were: Mr & Mrs Cory, Mr & Mrs Lamb, Mrs Houghton and McKinlay

Condolences:

I might have already put it in previous news: Mr. Bendish Walton passed away. Helen still lives at Christon bank and gets the occasional lift with friends and we are seeing her again at Kennel Club.

Virginia’s Anka (her only surviving dobe) died last week. She looked bloated and uncomfortable after a meal and it was diagnosed as torsion.

Graham’s German Shepherd Kazan came to the end of his wonderful and long show life.

Local Shows and Fairs

Woodland and other show dates for you to put into your diaries:

26 March at the Woodlands

29 to 30 April for the 6 breed shows in Bulawayo, which will be held at the Trade Fair grounds
"Combined 6-Ch. Show Weekend in Bulawayo, with Mr. Percy Green and Mr. C J Huyers, both from South Africa, judging the All-Breeds Shows, and Mr. Alex McKinlay from Zambia the Group Ch. Shows.  The Shows are being run in conjunction with the Trade Fair in Bulawayo.  Enquiries to Bruce Watson, watsonia@gator.co.zw".

28 May at the Woodlands

25 June at the Woodlands, Open Show breed judges Iona in conjunction with the fun show, the Pedigree Parade, so this is expected to be an enormous show. The Woodland have asked if we would mount an enlarged pure-bred pedigree Dog Parade such as the small one we put on last year at their Anniversary Fayre and, obviously, I have agreed since the attendance at the Fayre was massive and the Parade proved immensely popular with the general public who have little knowledge of Breeds which, to us, may be common place, but to them are unusual because they've never seen them, let alone put a name to them.   There are also the genuinely unusual Breeds, such as the Shar Pei, the Bullmastiff, the Briard and the new Vendeen, which are not often seen.

The Ladies' will be holding an Open Show at the Woodland on the same date, 25 June, around 09.00/9.15, (judged by Iona Bartosz) so obviously some Breeds will be present anyway, but I wondered if some of you could rustle up a couple of Terriers, Utility and Toys to give us more Breeds to parade; I can help out with 2 Breeds from the Hound Group, Gundogs I'm sure can muster a couple, and Working should be able to give us 5/6 Breeds I hope.  It can do nothing but good for the general public to be able to see our Breeds in a more natural state  - rather than trying to win a CC, which the public don't understand anyway!!

The Woodland will enlarge the catwalk area for the dogs, on a higher platform so that they can be seen more readily and we shall, this year, have the ring area for the dogs to relax in and wander about.

The Fun Show will commence around 10.00 and I will try and organize for the Parade to take place immediately following, or it may have to be during the Show, as everything is going on all at once, of course, at the Fayre.

1 to 2 July Champion Breed shows and I expect this to be held at the KCH Grounds, " The Ladies Kennel Association's All Breeds Ch. Show on 01 July in Harare, have Carol McCallum-Immelman judging and Hatfield Kennel Club's All Breeds Ch. Show on 02 July have Gerard Robinson judging - both from South Africa;  - enquiries to starr@mango.zw for Schedules and info.  The Gundog Ch. Show also takes place on 01 July and the Toy Ch. Show on 02 July"

30 July at the Woodlands

27 August at the Woodlands

26 November at the Woodlands, again the Christmas Extravaganza show [Contact Editor for booking a stall or a site, to sell your Christmas goodies etc].

News:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dogs-faq/medical-info/whelping/

The above website is an interesting and very concise article about whelping and what is needed to look after it all. Worth to have a look and read it.

Bumped into Tracey Pelham at the shops, fun, they are back and have their two Mallies here with them as well. People do come back to live here again !!

Pauline Antropus and husband have left to live in Margate and she already has started giving swimming coaching. 

The best way to live is:

To make your choices and once you have made them correctly be happy about them because they were the correct choices at the time.
You can always make different choices later and be happy about them too because they too were correct at the time you made them. Unhappiness only occurs if you expect the environment around you to be a certain way - that is never the case.
Its better to accept the environment the way it is, and then chose the best way for yourself to react to it. Then you can never be disappointed with life.

LOST AND FOUND DOGS/CATS:

SIBERIAN HUSKY (SASHA) FROM ROLF VALLEY TEL: LAURA NEAL 870587

Looking for homes:

1: There are ten beautiful Rotti cross puppies that are looking for good homes, they are 5 weeks old and are very cute. Please help them to find a loving family. Phone Robbie : 011 611 551 or 490519

2: Three cats Pus Pus, Lily and Socks Contact Clare for more details on 776-430 

There are two adorable Labradors that need a loving home; their owners are leaving the country. Both dogs are good with children and love to play; they may go together or singly. Mother 3 yrs old ( spayed) Son 1 yr old. Please phone Pam in the afternoons, evenings or weekends, 852016

English Bull Terrier Lovers. Magnificent white English Bull Terrier Male, 4 years, looking for kind and loving home. Came from a farm but owners have left. Please help as will be put to sleep if home not found soon.Tel Michelle on 884294 or e-mail gandami@mweb.co.zw

Jack Russell looking for home as only dog, not a fighter but has always been an only pet. Jock, tan/white, male 6 years. Docked tail not neutered. Tel Calla Van Zyl on 884226 or 091-252-744. To approved home only.

Looking for a good home for a 6 year old female Pure Bred Boerbul. Excellent guard dog but very dominant and probably needs to be an only dog. Prefer a Farm or big property Contact Colin Paterson 011-206626

English Bull Terrier Lovers. Magnificent white English Bull Terrier Male, 4 years, looking for kind and loving home. Came from a farm but owners have left. Please help as will be put to sleep if home not found soon. Tel Michelle on 884294 or e-mail gandami@mweb.co.zw

Looking for new home for 2 Rottweilers. Owner is leaving the country and cannot take them. * 2 bitches * Born in October 2001, 5 years old * They are sisters. * They have been kept by Japanese as their own children. * They have not been spayed. * Not pedigreed. * Calm character, but not grown up with children. * They might be difficult with other dogs. * Would like them to go together to the same home, if possible. * They must be treated as family, not as guard dogs only.  Please contact........Isao Honzawa    011 201 578   Yoshie Honzawa 011 613 821

A Boxer [Pickles], who was fetched from his temporary home, was let out to be put into its travel kennel, to be transported on a flight to his owners,. This happened outside an enclosed area and the dog ran away. A reward has been offered of 5 million, but so far dog has not been found. You wonder what these travel people think; let a dog out where it can run away? Something to think about when you leave others to do the job.

1 March: Hi,

Just to let you know ‘Pickles’ walked into an African’s plot just off the Chisawashi road last night. The African had been given a flier so quickly shut the gate then went by foot to the Kennels. The Kennel folk took him back and collected Pickles then phoned Joyce who went out with a friend to collect Pickles. Joyce took him to Chisi Vet where John Houghton was waiting. Pickles though thin and full of ticks is otherwise well. This was 1 week later practically to the hour. We can all sleep better now.

FOUND DOGS

NEW: BORDER COLLIE PUPPIE APROX 2-3 MONTHS OLD. FOUND ARUNDEL RD MOUNT PLEASANT: AT 2ND STREET VET TEL: 303518/9

E-mail contact via the Website:

1. Dear Ilse,

I met with you some time back at the German Shepherd Club in Hillside. You had come to judge some dogs at that time. I was a mere novice and had my new dog with me, I also told you his story.

The SPCA in Harare was called out to the Harare Airport, as a crate in transit from Zambia to Angola appeared to have dogs in it. They responded immediately and were able to rescue a bitch and five pups, one of the litter of six was sadly dead.

SPCA Harare managed to get homes for Mum and four of the pups, my husband heard about the one young man left and I went along to 'view' him and fell in love with Tzar and he lived with us for two years.  Sadly I had to leave Zimbabwe and was delighted when dear friends, Stuart and Liz said they would be happy to take Tzar on. The second sadness is that my friend Liz died - a dilemma with Tzar. Their friend, Rhona Harris, stepped in and took over the dog she had fallen in love with when he moved in with Stuart and Liz. She then wrote and told me that she had him I was thrilled to pieces.

I was also thrilled to get your email with the attached newsletter and his story and so am now able to make closure on a fine young man called Tzar, knowing he is once more loved and well looked after. I will keep in touch with Rhona and so in touch with Tzar. My very best regards to you and good luck with all the work you continue to do in Zimbabwe.

2. Nice to see that the show season is starting up again, but I should imagine that the entries will be somewhat depleted because of the intense lack of fuel.  May I wish all competitors good luck in their efforts in making their dogs Champions this year.  Meg and I often reminisce about our years of showing throughout the Country with our Shepherds, and all the wonderful times we had, and the friends that we made. I shall be watching Crufts again this year [on the TV] and hope that the Shepherd contingent put in a good show for the Best In Show.  Heard that Graham Rees had Kazan put down just recently.  They were a tremendous "team”, Kazan winning many a competition, and if not a winner, certainly giving other competitors a good run for their money He will be missed by many. Best regards to all Handlers and the GSD Council.   Barry Meg and Robyn Henderson

DOGGY DICTIONARY

LEASH: A strap, which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go.

DOG BED: Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.

DROOL: A liquid which, when combined with sad eyes, forces humans to give you their food. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and get the drool on the human.

SNIFF: A social custom used to greet other dogs, similar to the human exchange of business cards

GARBAGE CAN: A container, which your neighbours put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and mouldy crusts of bread.

BICYCLES: Two-wheeled exercise machines, invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards. The person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.

DEAFNESS: This is a malady, which affects dogs when their person wants them in, and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down.

THUNDER: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly, and following at their heels.

WASTEBASKET: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes, and old candy wrappers. It is important to evenly distribute its contents throughout the house before your person comes home

BATH: If you find something especially good to roll in, humans get jealous, and they use this degrading form of torture to get even. Be sure to shake only when next to a person or a piece of furniture.

LEAN: Every good dog's response to the command "sit!" especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events.

BUMP: The best way to get your human's attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

GOOSE BUMP: A manoeuvre to use as a last resort when the regular bump doesn't get the attention you require ... especially effective when combined with the sniff. See above.

CHILDREN: Short humans of optimal petting height. Standing close to one assures some good petting. When running, they are good to chase. If they fall down, they are comfortable to sit on.

LOVE: A feeling of intense affection, given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you're lucky, a human will love you in return.