B. A. C. K. C. S. C.
Bay Area Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club
April 1999
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B. A. C. K. C. S. C. |
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Bay Area Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club |
April 1999 |
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President's Message March 11, 1999, marked the fourth birthday of the Bay Area Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. The first Club meeting was held at a dinner that evening in Pleasanton, following the first of several ACKCSC matches which the Bay Area Cavalier fanciers put on for the AKC National Club. Since that organizational meeting four years ago, the BACKCSC has seen many milestones, from ACKCSC matches to our own, our incorporation, a series of Fun Days for Rescue, club meetings, programs, health clinics, and obtaining our accreditation to hold B-OB matches, to being approved to host the first ACKCSC Roving National Specialty - all accomplishments in which we can take pride. One of our club's most recent milestones, however, is not one we can celebrate. Instead, it's a very sad loss, and the first of this kind for our Club. BACKCSC member Suzanne Reger died suddenly March 2, 1999, of heart failure. Suzanne, her husband Bob, and their son Michael acquired the family's first Cavalier, "Bertie," from Patty Kanan two years ago. A cute little Blenheim, baby Bertie had little trouble capturing their hearts, especially Suzanne's. She was thinking at the time of her death that a second Cavalier might be fun for the Regers and for Bertie. The Regers live around the corner from Ronnie Cadam and Danny Thacker, and Suzanne decided on a Cavalier after meeting their dogs. Ronnie and Suzanne became friends, first because of Cavaliers and later through other shared interests. For our BACKCSC match next October, Ronnie has donated a special trophy for the Highest Scoring Dog in Match, in memory of Suzanne. Bob and Suzanne joined BACKCSC and attended meetings and club functions. I'm sure many of you remember Suzanne, with her gracious and friendly manner and her great delight in Cavaliers. Suzanne was a very active community member. As Dr. Suzanne Saliga-Reger, she was a widely respected emergency room physician who practiced at the San Mateo County Hospital. She had also been active in the Fine Arts Museum Docent Council since 1980, and she was a popular tour guide at the DeYoung Museum and the Palace of the Legion of Honor. She had recently been elected President of the Saint Francis Wood Garden Club. Services for Suzanne were held at Grace Cathedral, and BACKCSC members Ronnie Cadam, Danny Thacker, and Harriet Arnst were among the several hundred people in attendance. Suzanne's Cavalier Bertie, who had brought her much joy, was mentioned three times during the service. Suzanne is survived by her husband Bob and son Michael. She also leaves her parents, Sophie and Joseph Saliga of Clarksburg, West Virginia, and many brothers and sisters and other relatives. Belonging to a dog club lets us get to know people we might otherwise never have met. Lasting personal friendships often spring from our shared fondness for Cavaliers, and this is one of the nicest aspects of being involved with the dog world. For the members of BACKCSC, this also now brings us sadness, as we have lost Suzanne just as we were getting to know her. How fortunate we are to have had her with us, even for a time that was much too short. Bob has said he plans to stay on as a member of BACKCSC and will try to participate, and we look forward to seeing him, and Bertie, of course. In the meantime, I'm sure all of you join me in offering our most sincere sympathy to Bob and Michael and the rest of Suzanne's family. Donations in memory of Suzanne (Dr. Suzanne Saliga-Reger) can be made to the Fine Arts Museum Docent Council Memorial Fund, DeYoung Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco 94118. Joanne Nash, BACKCSC President
Mark your calendar so you can join us for the following BACKCSC activities: April 11 - Heart Clinic and General Membership meeting.
Dr. Elizabeth Settles, Veterinary Cardiologist, has agreed conduct
another Heart Clinic for our club. She will be ausculting with a
stethoscope pre and post exercise to be sure and give a correct
evaluation. A yearly exam for your Cavalier is highly recommended.
Dr. Settles will also speak during the business portion of the meeting. May 23 - NEW DATE - BACKCSC Cavalier Fun Day at Osage Park, Danville. A day of fun, friends, food, and Cavaliers. Great games, Cavalier care sessions and Canine Good Citizen are planned plus Dale and Kim on BBQ. July 10 - Cavalier Tahoe Week-end and meeting at Sheila Cassin's home. Watch your mail for more details (and start saving those quarters).
Welcome to Don Ricker, our newest BACKCSC member.
Looking Back It was a fun filled first quarter for 1999. Some of the Cavalier activities were: Golden Gate Dog Show - Two FULL days of Cavalier show-n-tell at the Cavalier benches. Adding to the atmosphere was the marvelous bench structure and decorations put together by Carol Albrecht which turned the area into a Cavalier English garden party. BACKCSC B-OB Match 3/13/99 - A huge turnout of Cavaliers and fun time followed by a goodie filled (chocolate!) meeting at Jo Anne Mittleman's.
Fred's Mysterious Vomiting I wanted share with you about my recent experience with my Tri-Cavalier, Fred. The day after Christmas Fred started sporadic vomiting - every 24 hour to 60 hours. We went to the vet (after 4 days) and had x-rays done - nothing abnormal showed. Fred was put on a bland diet but was still vomiting. The next week Fred had blood tests - again nothing abnormal came up. Fred continued on the bland diet plus vomiting medication, but was still vomiting about every 24 hours now. Five days after the blood test Fred went back to the vet for a Barium Series. The vet found a blockage in his intestines. The vet had to surgically go in to find out what was wrong. Fred had swallowed a small cat toy mouse (with a hard plastic body filled with catnip). The toy mouse doesn't show up on x-ray and after almost 3 weeks had made its way half-way through Fred's intestines. This came to a total of $1,210.00 in vet bills. Fred lost almost 4 pounds, I lost a lot of sleep but I am happy to say that Fred stopped vomiting after the surgery and returned to his normal self in 4 days. If you have cats and Cavaliers please watch-out for small catnip toys. By Janis Fox
Platelet counts in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Recent studies in Sweden, the United Kingdom and North America have established that many healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have low circulating platelet counts, especially when measured with automated cell counters. Manual counting usually reveals a higher number of platelets of relatively large size (megathrombocytes) in some but not all dogs. In the Swedish study, 102 healthy Cavaliers had mean platelet counts of 178,000/ul. However, 32 (31%) of them had platelet counts below 100,000/ul and 4 dogs had counts between 30,000-50,000/ul. The mean count for male dogs was significantly lower (147,000/ul) than that of females (202,000/ul). In North America, many dogs of this breed are found to have thrombocytopenia during routine health profiling prior to elective procedures or at annual checkups. Typical platelet counts range from 20,000-85,000/ul with some counts as low as 5,000/pl in clinically normal dogs. Ages range from 4 months to 10 years and both sexes are affected. These dogs can be presented for routine wellness exams, dental prophylaxis, or complaints varying from vomiting and diarrhea, coughing, back or joint pain or other illness. Diagnosis can be confusing as petechial or ecchymotic hemorrhages or other signs of bleeding are usually absent and thrombocytopenia is just an incidental finding. However, some Cavaliers have clinically expressed immune-mediated thrombocytopenic purpura, making the diagnosis more complicated. Dogs with thyroid disease, commonly seen in Cavaliers, may show a greater incidence of thrombocytopenia. Whether the chronic cardiac valvular disease prevalent at a young age in this breed could be a contributing factor is unknown, although no association has been found between the presence of cardiac murmurs and low platelet counts. Splenomegaly is not a feature of the condition. Preliminary evaluation of bone marrow megakaryocytes of severely thrombocytopenic, healthy dogs has shown no structural abnormalities, but functional studies have yet to be performed. The thrombocytopenia has persisted over several years of follow-up, and treatment with immuno-suppressive drug regimens has not resolved the low platelets counts. Pedigree analysis revealed that the thrombocytopenic tendency can be transmitted to subsequent generations, suggesting that this is a congenital, heritable disorder of the breed. Similar disorders occur in people. The clinical importance of these findings warrants comment. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that have thrombocytopenia as an incidental laboratory finding should have platelet counts rechecked by manual methods, and do not need treatment to attempt normalization of platelet numbers. A complete health profile including thyroid function is advised to identify any concurrent abnormality that may need attention.
April 10-11 - Yosemite Kennel Club all breed dog show & obedience trials at the Merced County Fairgrounds. April 17-18 - Sacramento Kennel Club all breed dog show & obedience trials at Cal-Expo. April 24-25 - Chief Solano Kennel Club all breed dog show & obedience trials at the Solano County Fairgrounds. May 7 - ACKCSC National Specialty in New Jersey. Patty Kanan is show chair and can provide information for anyone needing details. May 8-9 - Mensona Kennel Club all breed dog show trials at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. May 15-16 - Camellia Capital Kennel Club all breed dog show & obedience trials at the Yolo County Fairgrounds. May 29-30 - Hangtown Kennel Club all breed dog show & obedience trials at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. June 5-6 - Reno Kennel Club all breed dog show trials at the Reno Livestock/Events Center. June 19-27 - So. CA cluster week. A full week of shows and seminars. Patty Kanan can provide information for anyone needing details.
An old man and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel were walking down a dirt road with fences on both sides. They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there. "Welcome to heaven," he said. The old man was happy and started in with his Cavalier following him. The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed here. He can't come with you." "What kind of heaven won't allow dogs? If he can't come in I'll stay out with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life. I can't desert him now." Said the old man "Suit yourself, but I must warn you. The devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his area. He'll promise you anything. But the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend eternity on this road." Said the gatekeeper. So the old man and Cavalier went on. They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it. No gate, just a hole. A man was inside. "Excuse me sir. My dog and I are getting mighty tired. Mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?" asked the old man. "Of course you can. There's some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable," said the man behind the fence. "Are you sure my Cavalier can come in? The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed anywhere," said the old man. "Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?" came the question. "No sir. That's why I didn't go to heaven. He said the dog couldn't come in. We'll be spending eternity on this road, so a glass of water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won't come in if my buddy here can't join me and that's final," said the old man. The man smiled a big smile and said "Welcome to Heaven." "You mean this is heaven? Dogs are allowed? Why did that fellow down the road say they weren't?" asked the old man. "That was the devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a lifelong companion for a comfortable place to stay. They soon find out their mistake, but then it's too late. The dogs come here. The fickle people stay there. God wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from heaven. After all, He created them to be man's companions in life. Why would he separate them in death?" Thanks to Marilyn Abbott - from the Sonoma County Humane Society Newsletter ( the breed of dog was changed for obvious reasons)
I believe I found out who originated that old saying, "Man's Best Friend." George Graham Vest (1830-1904) was a Missouri lawyer. His practice was limited to civil cases of little significance. A nobody until one day he walked into a Missouri courtroom and delivered an unusual argument in an unusual case. He represented a client suing a man who had wantonly shot and killed his dog. The facts of the case were presented in routine manner; they did not merit unusual attention. It was the summation that lifted Lawyer Vest from obscurity to immortality. He stood before the jurybox and made the usual opening remarks, then he paused. When he began again, his voice took a richness never heard before and never heard afterwards. These were his words: "The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and good name may become traitors to their faith. "The money that a man has he may lose, it flies away from him - perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. "The people who are prone to fall on their knees when success is with us, may be the first to throw stones of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our head. "The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. "A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, and in sickness, he will sleep on the cold ground, when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world, he guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. "When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drive his master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the grave side will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death." These words won him the admiration of the world as well as this case. He became a U. S. Senator and held that position for 24 years. Thanks to Marilyn Abbott - by Charles J. O'Leary, Spokane, Wash.
Cavalier info can be found throughout the Internet. Here are some addresses: Betty Moore, an artist and Cavalier fan can be found at http://freeweb.pdq.net/wbmoore/ . Cavalier items can be found at http://www.holidayhelpers.olm.net/Cavalier.html Let them know you are a member of BACKCSC and receive a 10% discount. Jewelry of Cavaliers can be found at http://www.goldenwonders.com/catalog/page?ckcs (the devil made me do it. - Ed.) Barnaby,s Cavalier Attitudes is at http://195.172.83.98/ . Check out the Cavalier Screen Saver on the Birthday web page. (Linda says this one is CUTE - Ed.)
Early one cold, rainy Saturday we raced north in the hopes of rescuing a Cavalier before its untimely demise in the hands of the Ukiah animal shelter. Our prearranged rendezvous with said dog's owner was to be at the MacDonald's parking lot on the west side of Interstate 101 in Cloverdale, Calif. Phone Message: "a rescue Cavalier, here's the phone number," from my husband, Jeff. He had done good this time, even told the lady I would definitely be interested in picking up the dog that weekend. After a couple of phone conversations between her (Diane), Joanne Nash, Ronnie Cadam and myself, the final decision was made that I was to rescue my first Cavalier! Some of you may remember that I rescued a Taco Bell dog from the deadly needle last summer, and a while back I helped place a Cavalier in a new home. The Real Thing: My dear friend (no name) only needs a black & tan to complete her collection and had admonished me to be sure and call the minute the dog was crated in my car. This was to be the easiest way for me to repay a large debt to her for all the books she had been loaning me to read. As soon as the white truck drove tip we hopped out of the car to greet a very nice couple with the cutest little dog. Check Those Pearly Whites: As I examined the dog's remarkably perfect straight teeth we had a short conversation: I: "Who told you this dog was a Cavalier?" She: "My veterinarian" I: "Why did he think it was a Cavalier?" She: "Because she treats a breeder's dogs, from Mendocino" I: "Well, unfortunately, your vet is wrong. Vets don't always know breeds because they only have to practice medicine. And I can only rescue a Cavalier because I am acting on behalf of the Cavalier Club" I then explained the differences to them and let them know about other options to place the dog and wished them luck. As we tooled back down the road I called my book friend on the cell phone and gave her the disappointing news: Another False Alarm! By Harriet Arnst (BACKCSC provided the owner several all-breed rescue options to help place this dog. - Ed.)
You probably will not see any of these at your next dog show: Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up a lot Bloodhound + Borzoi = Bloody Bore, a dog that's not much fun Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier = Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed Pekingese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer = Spaniel Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by....oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dog that's true to the end Thanks to Jo Anne Mittelman
Bake a treat your dogs will love and that makes the house smell great!
Courtesy Jimmy G'scake Newsletter.
Makes approximately 3 1/2 pounds.
Jo Anne and Kumar are pleased to report that Lothlorien Graham and Y Cymry Blu welcomed their cousin Y Cymry Brighton to California! Y Cymry Brighton is a sweet and gentle 5 ½ month old blenheim boy from Washington.
BACKCSC has been chosen to be the host club for the first roving National Cavalier Specialty Show. The show will be October 21, 2000 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Congratulations to Joanne Nash and the others who helped your club gain this prestigious selection.
Your club directors and officers are:
Madison in Heather by Betty Moore |
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