News in Brief

Obedience show 9th &10th May

Levers Sports Ground

Agility show 11th & 12th July Levers Sports Ground

Rally & Fun Show 25th July

Levers Sports Ground

Wirral Alsatian Training Society

W.A.T.S ON

Inside this issue:

Dinky dog of the month 2

Items for Sale 2

The Bee Sting 2

Judging at TAG ~ Tori 3

Puppy class round up 4

Rally results 2014!! 4

Guide Dogs & Browns 5

Canine blood donation 6

Note to Masterchef 7 Angela’s Blog 8

Hilarious Hattie 7

April 2015

Angela The Editor

Hi Everyone – It definitely is Spring now! The blossom on all the fruit trees is at its absolute peak! Some people got up this morning and said “I know—I’ll go and run 26 miles today in the London Marathon!” Why would you do that?? In the same vein— why would you organize not one but three shows?? Be-cause they can! Our wonderful gang are putting their heads together to make sure people have the best shows possible. We have a reputation to maintain! Thank you in advance to all you people who are organizing our three “Shows”! See News in brief. Come and help—you will be so welcome!! At last after much negotiation (me begging) gorgeous Dinky is our dog of the month! Thank you Lynda! Go and make a cup of tea, and relax with YOUR Newsletter for 10 minutes ………

Issue 94

Dog of the Month Lynda Macnamara DINKY

Dinky was born on 5th November 2007. She was the first born in her litter which possibly is the reason she is so unique. It was very obvious she was different to her sisters and brothers as she was not able to feed and had to be hand reared. At one point she became ill as she inhaled food into her lungs. After this she wasn’t able to cope around the other puppies and became very grumpy with them, this resulted in a lot of handling and being kept separate. She became aggressive to her siblings and it was like she did not know how

to interact with them. It was obvious she was going to need a lot of special care and attention and that she would have to stay at home with her mum. As she grew up she continued to display strange behaviour, at times appearing to be in her own little world but she was a very happy dog. When she was 15 months old she discovered how to play like a dog and interact more normally. This was due to living with two pup-pies (Zante and Freya) who taught her to behave more like a dog.

WATS Who’s Who

The Committee 2015

President John Haddock

Vice President Kath Mangan

Chairman Irene Haddock

Secretary Jackie Weight

Treasurer Anne Cook

Director of Anne Hargreaves Training

Committee Marg Cabot Nikki Fildes-Moss Ian Nicholls Marg Nicholls Flo Williams

W.A.T.S

Please send articles for publication to ~

WATS Newsletter Editor Angela Morgan

Phone: 0151 648 6921 E-mail:idris0@talktalk.net

This is YOUR Newsletter.

We’re on the web www.wats.org.uk

Page 2

The Bee Sting

Which silly Chairman forgot to mention that Barbara and Dusty had gone up to grade 5?

Don’t worry Dusty she also forgot that I (the ugly one) had also gone up into grade 5!!!

Being part of a canine pack has helped Dinky to live a happy life as a dog with what were originally quite complex needs. Dinky showed what a real star she is when in Novem-ber 2012 her litter sister was critically ill and re-quired a blood donation. She gave blood to help her sister Lucia without any problem. Unfortunately Lucia was too ill and lost her fight against cancer. Last year she was called on to again give blood to try and help her friend Toggy who needed a particular blood type which Dinky was a match. Unfortunately he also lost his fight against cancer. We always knew Dinky was special but to do what she did on both occasions makes her a hero in our eyes. She still has some funny little ways and jerky move-ment but she is a happy girl who likes nothing better than her favourite treat – tangerines! I love Dinky!!

Items for sale

Two man inner tent for an awning £15 or nearest offers One man Inner tent for an awning £10 or nearest offers Canvas Larder £30 or nearest offers Caravan levelling wedges £10 or nearest offers Contact Paula & Keith on 0151 342 7811 between 6pm and 9pm

Page 3

Judging at TAG Agility Show ~ Tori Smith

Having taken and passed the Kennel Club 2 day Agility Judges Course in November 2014 I was ready to tackle the role of Agility Judge. My first appointment was at TAG on Good Friday. I received my Judge's Contract, signed and returned it, no going back now. I was given 3 classes to judge , 2 agility and 1 jumping in fact a Helter Skelter in total I had over 350 dogs to judge through-out the day. The day arrived and I was feeling anxious, excited and nervous, my first dog went clear and my nerves went. Everyone was very support-ive and only made positive comments on my courses and my ring party were fabulous, especially Marg Nicholls who scrimed all day, Andrea

Bascombe who managed the score board for the day, mum - Carol ring manager and under-study Laura, Philip who did any job going all day and the countless other Wirral members who came and gave their time as and when they could. I couldn't have done it and enjoyed the day so much without your support. The day ended in true Wirral style with special "Apple Juice", warm wine and a delicious Cream Egg cake served at the ring all provided by Andrea . I had a great time and am so glad I took the Judges exam so I can put something back into the sport I love. Looking forward to next time at Shrewsbury May Bank Holiday Monday,

Puppy Class Round Up 2015 ~ Ruth These are all the puppies who have passed there Kennel Club Puppy Foundation Assessment this year. left to right: Rebecca Nolan with Peggy, Helen Edwards with Skye, Victoria Griffin with Oscar, Debi Armstrong with Coco, Jan McKinnon with Evie and James Levington with Flynn. Also passing that month but not able to be in the picture were Linda Denton and Rusty, Jen Biggs and Chris Walsh with Wickett and John and Charlotte Isaac with Alfie. Well done to you all.

February's puppy foundation passes left to right: Sophie Hughes-Birch with Millie, David and Hannah Brannagan with Cas-sie, Julie and George Evans with Luna and the Levell family with Ace. Also passing that month were Claire Sudbury with Beau who could not be at class the night the photo was taken. Well done to you all.

March's puppy foundation passes from left to right: Laura and Dean Corrie with Dexter, Jill Plunkett with Alfie, Lesley and Brian Selby with Ted (front), Henriet-ta Stewart with Leo, June Curry with Daisy (front), Pat Peers with Molly and Kathy Beattie with Reggie. Also passing but not on the night the photo was taken was Susan Clarke with Leo and Angela Williams with Lilly. Well done to you all. Ruth was a bit shaky when she took the photos! Might have been when she hurt her toe. Maybe now that “Toe” is getting better the photos will improve!!

Page 4 Wirral Alsatian Training Society

Issue 94 RALLY RESULTS FOR 2014 AGM FEB 2015

LEVEL 1 1st Val Hunt & Maisie 14pts 2nd Peter & Kate Robinson & Indie 12pts LEVEL 2 Jt 1st Jane Sansom & Iina 30 pts Jt 1st Val Hunt & Maisie 30 pts Jt 2nd Peter Robinson & Indie 25 pts Jt 2nd Flo Williams & Mick 25 pts LEVEL 3 1st Sue Brown & Eva 12O pts 2nd Sheelagh Conlan & Shadow 108 pts LEVEL 4 1st Jane Sansom & Syde 51 pts OVERALL WINNER Jane Sanson & Syde OVERALL RUNNER UP Sheelagh Conlan & Shadow

MOVE UPS Jane Sansom Syde L3 Now L4 & 5 Gibbs L3 Now L3 & 4 Iina L2 Now L3 & 4 Flo L1 Now L1 & 2 Sue Brown Karl L3 Now L4 & 5 Eva L3 Now L4 & 5 Sheelagh Conlan Shadow L2 Now L4 & 5 Val Hunt Maisie L1 Now L3 & 4 Phil Kearon Max L1 Now L3 & 4 Millie L1 Now L2 & 3 Peter Robinson Indi L1 Now L2 & 3 Flo Williams Mick L1 Now L2 & 3 Elaine Ryan Millie L1 Now L1 & 2 Pat O’Connor Dotty L1 Now L1 & 2 Jane Hutchinson Doogal L1 Now L1 & 2

Well done everyone! Particularly Jane & Syde!

Guide Dogs and the “Brown’s” - Part 32!! These are the three guide dogs puppies WATs are sponsoring this year Isaac is a Golden Retriever cross Labrador he is six weeks old. He is a cute but quiet pup who loves nothing more than playing in the garden with his cheeky little sister Ivy. Ivy is also six weeks old. She is an outgoing puppy who loves to run around the garden with her brother Isaac. She is a very con-fident pup and loves meeting other puppies and people. Hudson is a golden retriever and is also six weeks old. He is an adorable, handsome puppy who is full of energy and excitement. This little bundle of joy loves to play and doesn't ever seen to be-come tired. Freddie is one of WATs previously sponsored pups. His training seems to be going well:-

Page 5

Page 6

Canine Blood Donation by Ruth Gardiner (She’s takin’ over)!

In recent years a couple of our club members have had dogs who required blood transfu-sions at a time when their dogs were critically ill. It is not something you would probably even think about until you are faced with the situation. There is currently a charity based organisation called Pet blood Donors UK, which is the only option available to vets (other than a donation from dogs known to them, owned by staff, friends etc) when blood is required by dogs during illness/accident – see www.petbloodbankuk.org for more information. As a result of our members experiences and wanting to find out if there was anything we as a club could do to help dogs in the future, some of our trainers and committee attended a discussion with three members of staff from Chestergates Veterinary Specialists to find out more information. Here are some of the details they gave us.

Reasons a dog may need a transfusion – anaemia, blood loss, clotting disorder

Blood types – there are 2 major canine blood types DEA 1.1 positive

DEA 1.1 negative (universal donor Both types are needed as ideally type-matched blood should be given at initial transfusion and any future transfusions have to be cross-matched

A dog would usually need to meet the following criteria to consider if it can be a donor: 1-8 years old In good health not on medication No fits, faints Vaccinated (not in last 14 days) No history of foreign travel Never received a blood transfusion Ideally >25kg (>10kg can be donors for smaller donations) Quiet temperament No heart murmur Available at short notice, anytime (where possible)

How do you find out if your dog can be a donor – An initial screening would take place at Chestergate which would include a health check, red blood cell count, basic biochem-istry and blood type check. The results would be forwarded to you and your local vet. If your dog is suitable your details would be kept on a register at Chestergate for the vets to contact you if a donation is required.

Donating – It takes a couple of hours and you can wait for your dog or call back to col-lect it. A health check and red blood cell count is carried out each time. An area is shaved on one or both jugular veins and front leg for the blood to be taken, this is supervised by a nurse giving cuddles and strokes while the blood is being taken. It is not normally necessary for dogs to be sedated but this can be done if required. Food and water are offered (and intra venous fluids if required) and possibly an overnight stay if it is late. Complications are very rare but would be reported if there were any.

The maximum donations a dog can give are monthly. You will receive an email shortly that will be sent to all members, to see if as a club, we could get a register of volunteer donors set up at Chestergates that could maybe also uti-lised by local vets.

If you think your dog meets the criteria please think about it and respond to the email that you will receive in the near future.

Page 7

Hilarious Hattie – Well you’ve just got to laugh! (Thanks Mrs. Nicholls)

It’s now nearly nine months since I came to live with my forever Mum and Dad but I still occasionally get on one of the beds and have a wee. Why do I do that? Mum and Dad get really cross with that one. They don’t shout but they let me know they are disappointed in me……… When I did it last Sunday Mum told me about the guide dogs puppies in this Newsletter. Each time they think it’s forever—they get moved on.

That makes Mum cry. So I’m taking on board that I am a very lucky dog and I will never wee on a bed again! I can’t say “hand on heart” that the food stealing will stop completely. Sorry. Last Sunday John and Irene set up a “Tunnel Challenge” at the field. It was great fun! And because there wasn’t any jumps “Big” and “Small” could run at the same time. We all loved it! There was rosettes! Jan and Kizzy came 1st!! 2nd was Scon’ed with Cahill!!!!! Ian should just enter tunnel classes! 3rd was my big sister Miss Tips with our Dad. Mum was made up. Tips doesn’t get to do much these days even though she absolutely loves it. 4th was Gerry with Bree and 5th place went to Val and Maisie. Mum was fussing Miss Tips and then she suddenly noticed me. Helloooo? “How did Hattie do” ? She asked. “She got two ‘E’s’ for Excellence”. Mum was over the moon! Apparently, my Mum used to be one of the sharpest knives in the box. Really? NOTE TO MASTERCHEF JAMIE SAID THAT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK HIS FAMILY WOULD GO “VEGGIE” AND THEY WERE FEEL-ING THE BENEFIT. I WAS DOIN’ REALLY WELL. SHALLOTS, MUSHROOMS AND A BLUE CHEESE SAUCE TO GO WITH TAGLIETELLE. I SAY I WAS DOIN’ WELL…… BUT THEN I SPOTTED THE PANCETTA IN THE FRIDGE! MAYBE TOMORROW…………...

Angela’s Blog Everyone who knows me knows that I cry at the drop of a hat. Though why anyone would cry at that is beyond me! I’ve dropped my hat loads of times. This week has been particularly hard for me. A lady who was brought up on the Wirral and now lives is Scotland came back on holiday and lost her dog “Grace”. Eventually, she had to go home to Scotland without Grace…………. Apparently Grace looks just like Miss Tips. When my mate Jan (on Facebook) rang me to tell me that Grace’s body had been found by a train line, I cried for hours! This was a dog who had been rescued from Cyprus and I had never met! As Richard Curtis says “It’s all about geography”. But what I loved about “Grace’s” story is the fact that she had over 750 face-book members who went lookin’ for her. Rescue Societies joined in and gave advice. Some people went onto The Wirral Way and takin’ their advice did not speak and just cooked bacon and sausages on their portable barbe-que. This could be at midnight!!! How lovely are those people? Grace left a legacy.

So, back to all those people who were looking out for Grace. It does my heart good. Jan tells me that Grace’s Mum had an e-mail yesterday from someone sayin’”Keep Grace’s page goin’ and we’ll send the money to Cyprus in Grace’s name. Graces mum got up this mornin’ and already a thou-sand pounds had been raised for Cyprus Rescue. I love you dog guys! Be happy with your four legged friends! Lots of love Angela x

Page 8