President's Message

Happy New Millennium! The year 2000 will mark the fifth birthday of the Bay Area Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club - its first official meeting was held in February, 1995, though the idea for the Club was born in 1994. As you know, our club has made great forward strides in its first five years.

Do you know Cavalier owners - or a prospective Cavalier owners! - who might be interested in the BACKCSC, please suggest they call our treasurer/membership chair Kim Murphy at 510-272-0605. One of 1999’s innovations was the subscriber mailing list. Previously, we had no organized system to notify people interested in the Club of upcoming events and meetings. Thanks to Dale Martin’s idea, non-members who are interested in the Club can pay $10/year and they will receive meeting notices, event fliers, and the newsletter. Several subscribers have already joined the Club.

Our newsletter editor Bob Jones has moved the BACKCSC online, most appropriately for a regional club in the Silicon Valley area. Visit the BACKCSC’s new web site at www.savei.net/BACKCSC. You can also link to the BACKCSC Web site through the ACKCSC National Club Web site at www.ackcsc.org (look under References). Webmaster Bob has posted current and archived newsletters and all the latest information on Club events, including the upcoming Roving National, and more. Bob has also arranged for a program in which your on-line shopping can raise funds for Cavalier Rescue.

The newly-elected Board is planning 2000’s meetings and activities, and we hope you’ll all find interesting, educational, and enjoyable things on the Club agenda. You’ll see the annual Fun Day, matches, and health clinics, plus some new meeting topics and activities.

The biggest event of the year will be the first American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club Roving National Specialty - to be held right here in Northern California October 20-21, and the BACKCSC will be the host club. This is quite an honor for our Club - and a lot of responsibility and hard work. Plans are already in the works, including a two-day Specialty followed by the Del Valle All-Breed show. The National will take place on the Del Valle site at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. BACKCSC member Sandy Olsen is Del Valle’s specialty coordinator, so we have a very good contact with that club. As always, Del Valle is going out of their way to accommodate and help us.
Jo Anne Mittelman is our hotel contact person, and she has arranged for the nearby Hilton Hotel to be the headquarters; the tentative plans include a Welcome Party there Thursday evening, a Friday evening program by Animal Communicator (yes, the dog psychic) Lydia Hiby, and a banquet Saturday night. BACKCSC is also organizing a boutique at the Hilton, where items of interest to Cavalier fanciers will be available for sale to raise funds to support the Roving National and our Club (get your ideas to Harriet Arnst, who is also looking for Boutique staff).
We hope to have a show that will set the standard for roving nationals of the future in other parts of the US. It’s a big job, and I hope all of you will want to participate. Whether you are normally a “show person” or not, there will be lots of things to do, and we’re hoping you’ll all share your talents to make this a successful event.

Here is the specific info on the Roving Specialty:
American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club Roving National Specialty Show and Trial
Friday & Saturday, October 20 - 21, 2000, Followed by the Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore All-Breed Show on Sunday, October 23, 2000 at the same site, The Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA (San Francisco Area)

The Bay Area Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club is proud to host the first Roving National Specialty show for the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. The show will be in Pleasanton California (just east of San Francisco and just south of the Napa wine region).
We have a block of rooms reserved at the nearby Headquarters Hotel: Hilton Pleasanton at The Club 7050 Johnson Drive Pleasanton, CA 94588 925-463-8000 or 1-800-HILTONS, Fax 925-463-3801 Last date to make reservations 9/25/00 Shuttle to and from dog show from hotel $5.00 Special Room Rate $89.00 per night plus 8.05% tax $15.00 non-refundable pet deposit $50.00 early departure fee applies to all Hiltons Departure date can be changed up until time of check-in. Hilton Pleasanton at The Club Web Site

Again, Happy Millennium, and may the year 2000 be a great one for you and your Cavaliers, filled with health, happiness, prosperity and puppy biscuits!

Joanne Nash, BACKCSC President

I know this is the January issue but as I sit here in December preparing it the following arrived and I had to include them - Ed.

Holiday Etiquette For Dogs

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:

don't pee on the tree

don't drink water in the container that holds the tree

mind your tail when you are near the tree

if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open

don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:

not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans

don't eat off the buffet table

beg for goodies subtly

be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa

don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:

observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)

respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house

tolerate children

turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.

DON'T BITE HIM!!

Submitted by Sheila Cassin

How To Wrap Presents With Doggies In The House

1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, etc. in middle of living room floor.
2. Get tape back from puppy.
3. Remove scissors from older dog's mouth.
4. Open box.
5. Take puppy out of box.
6. Remove tape from older dog's mouth.
7. Take scissors away from puppy.
8. Put present in box.
9. Remove present from puppy's mouth.
10. Put back in box after removing puppy from box.
11. Take scissors from older dog & sit on them.
12. Remove puppy from box & put on lid.
13. Take tape away from older dog.
14. Unroll paper.
15. Take puppy OFF box.
16. Cut paper being careful not to cut puppy's foot or nose that is getting in the way as it "helps".
17. Let puppy tear remaining paper.
18. Take puppy off box.
19. Wrap paper around box.
20. Remove puppy from box & take wrapping paper from its mouth.
21. Tell older dog to fetch the tape so he will stop stealing it.
22. Take scissors away from puppy.
23. Take tape older dog is holding.
24. Quickly tape one spot before taking scissors from older dog & sitting on them again.
25. Fend off puppy trying to steal tape & tape another spot.
26. Take bow from older dog.
27. Go get roll of wrapping paper puppy ran off with.
28. Take scissors from older dog who took them when you got up.
29. Give pen to older dog to hold so he stops licking your face.
30. Remove puppy from present & hurriedly slap tape on to hold the paper on.
31. Take now soggy bow from puppy & tape on since the sticky stuff no longer sticks.
32. Take pen from older dog, address tag & affix while puppy tries to eat pen.
33. Grab present before puppy opens it & put it away.
34. Clean up mess puppy & older dog made playing tug-of-war with remnants of wrapping paper.
35. Put away rest of wrapping supplies & tell dogs what good helpers they are.

From Trish Hutchins, Submitted by Sherry Nagel

Upcoming Activities

Jan 30 - Club Meeting

March 11 - Club Meeting and B/OB match at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds.

May 21 - BACKCSC Fun Day (tentatively set for Osage Park, Danville).

July 1/2/3/4 - Sheila Cassin turns lake Tahoe into Cavalier Country! Again this year Sheila has extended the offer to join her for a weekend of Cavalier fun at her home and around Lake Tahoe.

Aug 27 - Club Meeting

Oct 1 - Club Meeting

Oct 20/21 - National Cavalier Specialty, Pleasanton Fairgrounds.

Nov 5 - Club Meeting, Election of Officers

Dec (date TBD) - Club Meeting

Something you would like as a club activity or meeting topic? Let a club officer know, we want your input.

Looking Back

Thanks to Mary Wissenbach, Kathy Tegg, Kim Murphy and Dale Martin, ring setup was well underway as members began arriving with their bathed and groomed Cavaliers. Tatianna, Chris and Carol Albrecht added lovely seasonal decorations to the Raffle and food tables. As match secretary, Mary Wissenbach took day-of-match entries, all enjoyed great coffee and pastries, anxiously waiting for the competition to begin.

Assisted by stewards JoAnne Mittelman and Kim Murphy, obedience judge Cathy Bones put 4 Cavaliers and their owners through their exercises in the Obedience classes, delighting spectators who are uniquely charmed seeing Cavaliers "work".

Myrtle Klensch then judged a lovely entry of 18 puppies and 9 adults in the Conformation classes, expertly assisted in the ring by Kay Hammel, steward. Best Puppy in Match was Court's Matinee Idol, owned by Donna Brock; Best of Opposite Sex to Best Puppy in Match was Jovial Irresistible Nature, owned by Kati Beran. Best Adult in match was Karabel Krystal Rose at Hathersage, owned by Kathy Fowler; Best of Opposite Sex to Best Adult in Match was Castlewood Crossbow Levi, owned by Nan Shupe. Congratulation to all these lovely Cavaliers and their owners!

In Junior Showmanship competition, Myrtle Klensch awarded Best Junior Showmanship to Chris Albrecht, from the Open Junior class.

While competition was under way the Albrecht family was divided between "manning" the Raffle table and mingling among the members and many spectators, selling Raffle tickets. We were fortunate that our ring site was so visible to passers by. More than a few stopped to have a closer look when they saw the Cavaliers and thanks to the Albrecht's skills, decided that even if they couldn't have a Cavalier they could at least have Cavalier Raffle tickets! Thanks to all the members and visitors who supported the raffle by bringing donations and buying tickets, the club made a record setting $532.00!

Another success was the Potluck Lunch that was supported by and enjoyed by all! Thanks to all of you for bringing such wonderful dishes to share! Thanks to Kathy Tegg for coordinating the potluck and to the many members who assisted with it's setup on the day…seems like we're onto something here.

Our next match will be in March in conjunction with Del Valle show. Our own Tim Mathiesen will be judging conformation, and the obedience judge is to be determined.

The following is a breakdown of expenses and donations from the October match. If you would like to donate any of these items for the March match, please contact Match Chair, Dale Martin, (510) 272-0605:

Ring fees…………….$50.00
Table/chair rental……$60.00
Flyers/postage……….$40.00
Ribbons……………...$45.00 (donated)
Trophies……………..$50.00 (donated)
Judges gifts………….$30.00 (donated)
Table decoration…….$40.00 (donated)
Coffee……………….$45.00 (donated)
Pastries………………$20.00 (donated)
Water/Sodas/Ice…..…$25.00 (donated)
Plates/napkins/cups….$25.00 (donated)
----------
$430.00
($280.00) (donated)
------------
$150.00

Submitted by Dale Martin

Sunday, October 24, 1999, marked another "first" for BACKCSC, by supporting a Sweepstakes and Veteran Sweepstakes for Cavaliers at the Del Valle Kennel Club's first ever Cavalier Sweepstakes and Veterans Sweepstakes, in addition to supporting the regular Cavalier breed classes .

We would like to thank Mr. John Gammon (Ravenrush Cavaliers, Clarksville, TN), for coming from Tennessee to judge these Sweepstakes. It was very exciting for exhibitors to know that they were showing their Cavaliers to a breed specialist of Mr. Gammon's reputation. Mr. Gammon's Best in Sweepstakes was Pinecrest Vicktoria Secret, owned by Judi Geldermann; Best of Opposite Sex in Sweepstakes was Rossbonny The Duke, owned by Sally Poole. Best in Veteran Sweepstakes was Ch. Marelza What A Cracker for Craigowl, owned by Laura Abbott.

Miss Betsey Leedy then judged the regular Cavalier breed classes, also supported by BACKCSC. Winners Dog and Best of Winners was Wyndcrest Desert Chieftain, owned by Diane Harris; Winners Bitch was Pinecrest Victoria Secret, owned by Judi Geldermann; Best of Breed was Ch. Annatika Andreas, owned by Dale Martin and Kim Murphy; Best of Opposite Sex was Ch. Court's Torlundy Bee's Knees, owned by Cindy Lazzeroni & Jean Brauner .

Ch. Annatika Andreas (Andy) went on to win the Toy Group later in the day under Miss Leedy, judge. Following Best in Show judging members of BACKCSC hosted Mr. Gammon for dinner at a restaurant in Pleasanton, where much of the conversation around the dinner table was, as you might guess, about Cavaliers!

Congratulations to all of the above for your wins on this special day in BACKCSC history.

Submitted by Dale Martin

New Additions

New club members:

LauraLee Misi

Kathy Fowler

Sherry Nagel

Molly Hughs

JoAnn Weise

New Cavaliers:

Sherry Nagel and Pat Speer are proud to announce they have joined the ranks of Cavalier owner. They have a 5 month old Blenheim boy, Robin.

JoAnn Weise is the joyous new owner of 8 month old Emma, of Rambler Cavaliers.

Bob and Arleen Proebsting make it a triple puppy month with their first Cavalier, 8 month old Abby.

Election of Officers

The following are your elected club officers.
Officers to serve one year terms from November 1999 to November 2000:

President		Joanne Nash
Vice President		Dale Martin
Recording Secretary		Jo Anne Mittelman
Corresponding Secretary		Mary Wissenbach
Treasurer		Kim Murphy

Directors to serve two years from November 1999 to November 2001:

Janis Fox                                      Kathy Tegg

Directors to serve two years from November 1998 to November 2000:

Connie Ricker (11/99 - 11/00)    Bob Jones

Health Corner

"First of all I want to thank all of The Club members for their thoughts and prayers during this terrible time. None of you know how much they mean to me.

STERLING SEES!!!!! He must continue to wear his "E" collar until the stitches are removed which will not be until January. All the trauma to the eye will NOT cause glaucoma! If it should, that will be way down the road, and the doctor really doesn't think it will happen.

The doctor is no longer concerned about Sterling's blood pressure. So I will be able to take him places with me! He will resume life as a healthy dog. As of right now he is allowed to guard "the estate" along with Reginald. Sterling can chase "the real and imaginary" to his hearts content!

Plant Warning:

Wilma Sutherland wrote: "I am sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news but Cathy White has asked me to pass on the news that her young dog "Coralaw The Magician" died today on the morning of his first birthday.

His death was caused by eating cherrytree leaves. At this time of year it is especially a hazard and Cathy wanted everyone to be aware of this.

Submitted by Sherry Nagel

Training Classes

The instructor is Barb Peppin. (Barb has been working with Katy Tegg's boys and is highly recommended). Classes offered include:

• Puppy Kindergarten
• Canine Good Citizen
• Novice & Advanced Obedience>
• How to Choose a Puppy

Classes are one evening per week with Session One starting Jan 5 and Session Two starting February 16. Call 925 284-2232 or go to www.LafayetteRec.com (page 19 in the Adult Online Catalog)

Submitted by Jo Anne Mittelman

Tricks of the Trade

It is sponsored by The Sacramento Council of Dog Clubs. Location is at Howard Johnson Hotel Bradsaw Rd. Sacramento, CA. Hotel number is 916-366-1266. Contact at the Sacramento Dog Council is Kathy Schorr.

Submitted by Jo Anne Mittelman

N. CA Shows

February 5-6 - Golden Gate KC, Daly City.

February 12 - No. Cal Toy DF, San Jose.

February 13-14 - Santa Clara Valley KC, San Jose.

March 11 - BACKCSC B/OB, Pleasanton.

March 12 Del Valle DC, Pleasanton.

March 25 - Richmond DFA, Vallejo.

March 26 Oakland KC, Vallejo.

April 8-9 - Yosemite KC, Merced.

April 15-16 Sacramento KC, Sacramento.

April 22-23 Chief Solano KC, Vallejo.

Other Shows

Westminster Kennel Club, New York will be February 14 & 15. Cavaliers and the other members of the toy group will be Monday. Last year our clubs' own Tim Mathiesen took Best of Breed with Ch Elvenhome Elrohir (Robert). This year the invited entries are:

CH Corneel V.H. Lamslag CD OA
owners: Janet York

CH Annatika Andreas (Andy, as we know him! -Ed.)
owners: Dale E Martin / Kim R Murphy

CH Garth Brooks
owners: John Low M.D. / William Matthews III / Christine Quinn III

CH Rattlebridge Masterpiece
owners: Meredith Johnson-Snyder / Lamont Yoder

CH Mostyn Celtic Sorin
owners: Barbara Gardett-Smith / Michael S Lamb / Diane M Mcnett

USA Network will broadcast the Group competition each night.

Cass' Holiday Biscuits

Gourmet dog biscuits are a hot seller in specialty bakeries and on the Internet, but nothing beats the taste and goodness of dog cookies you can make at home.

Biscuits are easy to make; even kids can do it (younger ones with a little adult help). Biscuit making is a great community service project for groups such as Scouts or Girl Guides. Animal shelters welcome wholesome, homemade goodies and what a good opportunity to teach young people about responsible pet ownership!

These cookies make great gifts at holiday times or even hostess gifts for dog-owning families. Some of our daughters' teachers have dogs and love getting bags of these cookies. Following the recipe are suggestions for packaging the cookies and some silly rhymes to put with them when you give them as gifts for holidays year-round.

Enjoy, and fire up that oven!

DOG COOKIE RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup rolled oats

1. Lightly beat the egg, and stir it in a large bowl with the milk, oil, and honey.

2. In another bowl, combine flour and oats.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir until mixture forms a stiff dough. (And it IS stiff.) Kids can mix this by hand -- nice and yucky!

4. Roll out or pat the dough between two waxed paper sheets to about 1/4 inch thickness. Do not make it any thinner. Take off the top sheet of waxed paper, and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.

5. Put the cut outs on a lightly greased metal baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. (**Note: the original recipe called for just 10 minutes but we found it takes at least a half hour for them to get crunchy but best to check at 10 minute intervals so they don't burn. The crunchier, the better for my guys.)

Keep the cookies in plastic tubs or in jars; there is no need to refrigerate them unless you've loaded them up with cheese in some sort of gourmet frenzy!

Thanks to Cass Liberman for giving BACKCSC permission to publish the recipe, Submitted by Sheila Cassin

AKC Information

Cavaliers in Cyberspace

  BACKCSC Web Site is now 'on line' at www.SaveI.net/BACKCSC . Your editor is also the new site webmaster so let me know what you would like to see included. Just drop me a note, bjones@email.com.

New Internet pet supply company based in San Francisco at 435 Brannan Street. www.Pets.com
Submitted by Sheila Cassin

Here's a great site with lots of phone numbers and contacts for emergencies, i.e.> poisoning, emergency preparedness, loss, and just neat information.
Good to have this in your favorites or bookmarked pages just in case!!
http://www.geocities.com/~olelo/shelties/emergencydoglinks.html
Submitted by Sheila Cassin

A new 'essential' Internet site!
www.dogtoys.com for, you guessed it, Dog Toys!
Submitted by Jo Anne Mittelman

Two Wholesale Distributors now have web sites (open to the public). Tiger's (yes, the Tiger that is at all the shows) www.tigersdogproducts.com and JB Wholesale pet supplies at www.jbpet.com .

THE BED PUPPY

by Ellen Morris
From - Winnie Clark, Submitted by Sheila Cassin

Rescue

Harriet Arnst ran up to the Martinez Shelter to confirm that the "Cocker/Poodle mix"was indeed a Cavalier. Thanks to the shelter volunteer that question the label and called the club. Upon the release date Marilyn Hill and Carolyn Green retrieved the older Blenheim female with Carolyn providing a foster home.

The second call came from the Santa Clara Shelter. Harriet Arnst ran down and confirmed the identity of this female Cavalier. Harriet retrieved the girl, she and Jeff are providing a foster home.