It’s the final countdown!

Well, we’re finally here. The PRA Fund Raising Event is this weekend. Some people have been camped on site since last Monday with the bulk expected today and tomorrow. The rosettes and prizes are sorted for the Companion Show and the dog food firms have been very generous. Wagg, Burns, Chudleys and Eukanuba have all sent contributions to the cause and we say “thank you” for it.

Last yeat the Space Hopper Derby saw a lot of “I’d love to have a go but don’t know if I could do it now”. No problems this year. For 50p a Hopper can be used for a re-accquainting session. Word has already been received though that one person coming has been in practice for weeks.

The ye testing vacancy has now been filled so the day is running with a very full card.Please be on time i.e. 15-20 minutes before your appointment so the drops can be put into the dog’s eyes…..and don’t forget your registration documents.

There are quite a few tombola prizes already with us but there can never be too many so bring things along.

Of course you can bring your own picnic but there will be food and drink to buy and yes, there will be toilets!

A last minute vacancy…

The eye testing at the PRA Fundraising Event on the 12th had been fully subscribed but there has been a last minute cancellation. If you WERE thinking about it but decided you had left it to late do give us a ring or email. You don’t have to be a Glen of Imaal Terrier person, all breeds are welcome

It ends today!

The auction on ebay of items to benefit the Glen of Imaal Terrier PRA Fund finishes today. This is not something that runs all year round but is a special event to co-incide with the PRA Fund Raising Event so you won’t be able to put a bid in next month…or even next week. The two Pedigree Chum items (Crufts Best Opposite Sex bag and Suit Carrier ) are gathering a lot of interest but there are still bargains to be had. The Weetabix card is an absolute steal and the T shirt sporting the logo of the campaign would make an excellent nightshirt.

Don’t leave it until the last minute to bid!

Final chance to……

join the list. We realise that folk don’t like to rush these things but final numbers ARE needed for the Soiree Saturday Night. The lights are up in the marquee so if the weather is suitable it will be out there but all the regular Soiree goers know the Tardis proportions of the kitchen at Hedge Green Cottage. You don’t have to be a Glen of Imaal Terrier owner to attend but an ability to talk is always handy; these little get-togethers aren’t exactly quiet & this one will be rather special. What else could it be other than the wake for Joe Welch? Ruth and he were great Soiree attenders so what better place to speak of the affection and love for a friend who has just left the room!

The challenge has been given….

It’s now less than a week to the PRA Fund Raising Event and a Challenge has been laid down. Theo & Huub has had the Lure out and about in Europe and have been running with the new “speed trap” so send this challenge: Can Uk dogs run faster than mainland European ones? We are relying on you all not to let the side down!

Yesterday was tent raising day. The marquee went up far easier than last year ( we are practised at it now) and hopefully the weather Gods will smile through the week. Just in case though the two smaller marquees were only “frame risen” in case the wind DOES get up over the next few days. Saying “can I have my tent back?” to somebody half a mile away is a poor use of resources. Well that was a reason given when it was mused as to why it couldn’t be fully erected!

Word comes that marmalade is set,  sweets made and cakes in the freezer ready to be thawed and iced. We are getting there.

If you fancy a day out…..

If  you fancy a day out and are in reach of Newark Showground have a think about Dogs Unleashed. It’s a new venture and on over the next two days.

American PRA Research Fund Raiser

The First GITCA Yearbook will be published in time to coincide with the 2009 National Specialty at Montgomery County Kennel Club.  We are celebrating our fifth year of AKC recognition and participation.  EVERYONE is invited to purchase a page to highlight their kennel, a special dog, an upcoming event, or to just wish the breed well.  Foreign Glen of Imaal Terrier enthusiasts are welcome to participate.  However, no ads for litters or items for sale will accepted.  Profits from the sale of the Yearbook will go to PRA research.

The Yearbook will be published in an 8 1/2″ x 11″ black and white format.  Each page will cost $25 and will include the use of one photograph.  Pages may be sent complete as an attachment in a .pdf file, or you may send your ideas and pictures for a page to be composed.  300 dpi is recommended for photo files.  One Yearbook is provided at no charge for each page purchased.

The deadline is August 1, 2009.  The Yearbooks will be handed out in October at MCKC or mailed to those not attending.  2009 GITCA Yearbooks will be available for sale.

Payment and discs with page content may be mailed to : Mary McDaniel, 597 Thornburg Road, Babson Park, FL 33827.  Make all checks payable to GITCA.
Page and content attachments may be sent to: AnatolianDoc@cs.com.

Ebay auction for PRA

There are a dozen items currently listed on ebay that have been donated for the PRA Fund. Overseas bids are very welcome. In many cases arrangements can probably be made to deliver items to shows.

All monies raised from the auction will go towards help funding the genetic research for Glen of Imaal Terriers.

It concerns all of us.

Puppy Farms (or Mills if US based) are something that should concern all of us. Of course you and I would have nothing to do with anything like that but what about your neighbour/friend/the lady in the vehicle next to you in the carpark, what about them? Where are they going to get their next dog from?

In this technology age it is a fair bet that they will turn to the internet and obtain a puppy from there but where do many of these advertised babies come from ? Some might come from you with your fully health tested dogs or your friends also with their fully tested stock but many won’t. They will come from places like this. Please consider supporting Puppy Farm Awareness Day on September 19th.

Down, down, waaaay down.

This weekend is Blackpool Show and the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a great big one only. Next on the calendar is East of England and there is only an entry of nine there.  The recent Glen of Imaal Terrier Association Show only had 21 entries and the majority of those belonged to the Committee; what in tarnation is happening?

Were the “doom and gloom” merchants correct? That was what the people were called who said that the awarding of Challenge Certificates to the breed would be a huge negative. CCs at some shows would mean shows without would see a reduction in entries so judges wouldn’t get the practice. This would mean judges appointed with a “huh, what are they to do with Glens?” so there would be even less entries. Some would say the answer would be to give CCs at all shows but

a) Where would the judges come from?

b) What exactly would be gained? Other than a chance to spend a lot more money on entry fees

The last non CC terrier breed, the Cesky, has just been turned down by the Kennel Club for tickets & their people are not really grieved about it at all. Have their owners and (maybe the KC) looked at what happened to the last terrier breed awarded?