April 30, 2020

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Gold DiggingsA publication of MileHi GRC

Editor Kathy Bourland

2020/May MHGRC President’s ColumnCOVID-19/ Self-Quarantine: Day 45

Pandemic? Like everyone else, I have made a BIG effort to stay home during these unprecedented times, and do my part to “flatten the curve” to end this pandemic. In the last (31) days, I have left the house a total of (3) times, equaling a total of (2) hours spent running to Walgreen’s, the dentist (my temporary crown popped off) and to the bank to sign a signature card. That’s it. And though this situation may sound “challenging” on any level, I need to admit that I spend most of my days “counting my blessings.”

Fears of COVID-19 ARE REAL. I am in the “older (over 60) and pre-existing conditions (chronic respiratory issues) and yet, I am trying to remain very mindful of our luck so far. I am working with clients via “Zoom” so we don’t lose our therapeutic connection. My husband, Bruce, has been working from home since March 16, and believe it or not we still like each other. I hear updates from my family and friends in New Orleans, and their fears are constant. My heart is breaking for them all.

Question: Why should I feel such “calm” in the middle of a pandemic, most of the time? Answer: Canine companionship. All day long, I have two incredibly important canine companions at my side who constantly bring “love” in the form of … a wagging tail, unbridled excitement when I simply move from room to room, snoring (Clumber Spaniels are famous for their LOUD snoring talents!), going outside for walks… the list is long. Their genuine joy is exhibited consistently, and all day long.

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Just how scientific is this perspective?

To understand this and offer the validity of the benefit of this special relationship, I will highlight a few words from an article I read, published in the New York Times newspaper, by Alexandra Horowitz. (Director of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College and is the author of “Our Dogs, Ourselves: The Story of a Singular Bond.”

Highlights: “Quarantine, and even social distancing, is meant to impose an isolation that

most of us, as a highly social species, work hard throughout our lives to avoid. Even the most introverted of us need company — some touchstone of a shared existence through time. In reflecting on our changed society, the isolation of the elderly and the sick seems especially cruel. In many places, older residents quarantined in nursing homes cannot have visitors, and are suffering not just from potentially fatal infections but also from the loss of the company of their family members and the comfort of their presence and touch — a biological urge.”

What do dogs do for us humans? “Their simple presence, and their willingness to be touched, is viscerally satisfying.

Time spent reading on the couch is massively improved by a dog’s head resting on my leg; a warm, snuffling muzzle directed at me is instantly calming. Social media abounds with images of dogs (some bemused, some wagging their tails so hard as to sprain them) alongside their isolated persons: Dogs are now our proxy for other humans.”

Lessons learned: “Now, the coronavirus quarantine, by imposing similar hardship on us, is actually

giving dogs something that they’ve deserved all along: more of our companionship.”

Conclusion: “I hope we will maintain some of our current abnormal condition: giving our

dogs the companionship they need. I hope we will come out of this with a fuller appreciation of the privilege that it is to keep the company of animals.”

Returning to normal: When we return to our “new normal” how will we behave when we return to our familiar routines which require that we leave our companions for hours? I am betting that our appreciation of how “they” spend their days will make us all more thoughtful, considerate, mindful, and even a bit sad. Our precious canine companions will be “alone” (or with their fellow canine companions) and will return to their “normal” yet, like clockwork, when we return home, they will greet us only as they can: with pure JOY!

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Club Updates: Club business remains “scheduled” yet at the mercy of the pandemic. We will keep everyone posted through updates on Constant Contact. IF you have any questions, please feel free to email or call me directly.

•CANCELLED: General Membership meeting: Our next general membership meeting will be held on Sunday, May 17th, at the home of Angela and Bruce McLean. •CANCELLED: Fun match: Sunday, May 17th, we will also hold the annual “MHGRC Goldens ONLY Fun Match” •2021 MHGRC Nominating Committee: We need to form a “nominating committee” to select a slate of club members willing to serve in a variety of positions for the 2021 year. Please consider joining the board and supporting the direction of the club.

•2020 MHGRC Specialty: Angela McLean, chair of the specialties, is planning on hosting the events on August (Thursday/13th and Friday/14th). We will need to watch for any updates and cancellations that remain possible.•2020 July Agility trial: I guess, like Angela, Kathy Janda/Agility Trial chair, is planning on this event, yet will wait to see if we are able to safely gather at Douglas County Fairgrounds in July (3,4,5).•Breeder Referral: We are receiving requests for puppies weekly, 3 plus requests on the average. IF you know of any upcoming litters, please let me know so I can offer some support to these wonderful families looking for their family companion.•Website: Believe it or NOT… it is so close to being complete. Much of the “missing copy” has already been sent to the website designer who tells me she will add it to the website as soon as possible. (I am not pressuring Karen as she is a mother of 3, home-schooling, etc.) Yet, I am encouraged that we have made a lot of progress and that the public is already benefitting from the updates.•SOP/Standard Operating Procedures: This “HUGE task” is getting some traction thanks to Marcy Werner, Kate Bullock, Pam Biard, Mardee Kayser and more… Marcy is leading the effort and we are working hard on collecting information for the creation of these procedures.

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As we are well aware, the information is found in the “heads” of club members, and is NOT in digital form yet, and we are hoping to NOT lose all of this valuable information. THANK YOU ALL for tackling this complicated task!!!

I certainly hope that everyone stays healthy during their quarantine, and that we will return to our lives, despite knowing they will NOT be normal, ever again. I extend my thanks and gratitude to ALL who are in the line of fire (AND WE ALL KNOW A FEW) to care for those with the virus. (Club member Jen Rullo and her team do this every single day!) AND let’s thank other workers (Grocery stores, medical offices, etc.) also considered to be “essential” to our daily lives and are at constant risk. THANK YOU ALL!

Finally, if we are fortunate to be at home, remember how blessed we all are to have our companions, and the incredibly complex relationship we share with them that sustains us far beyond our own comprehension.

Let’s keep it simple: “Love” to a dog is spelled “T-I-M-E.”

Take care and I hope to see everyone very soon,

Suzie

Suzie JordanSkjordan0425@gmail.com(303.588.4874)

Kathy Frizell & Ticket

Seetheirbragslaterinthenewsle/er

April 30, 2020

Date Event Location

Sunday

May 17

CANCELLED

General membership meeting &

MHGRC GOLDENS ONLY FUN MATCH

Home of Bruce & Angela McLean, Littleton

Sunday

June 21

Board of Directors meeting (12:00 – 1:00)

General Membership meeting (1-4)

TBD

July 3, 4 & 5 MHGRC SUMMER Agility trial

Douglas County Fairgrounds

July 18 & 19 Field training days TBD

*July TBD MHGRC WC/WCX – TO BE CONFIRMED

TBD

July 24, 25 & 26 Seminar: Mitch White workshop

TBD

Thursday/Friday

August 13-14

Specialty shows: Agility, Obedience and Conformation

Island Grove Regional Park

Greeley, COFriday

August 14

General membership meeting

(held ringside after competition is completed)

Island Grove Regional Park

Greeley, CO

DATE: TBD MHGRC FALL Fun Match

(ALL breed obedience/rally, SPORTING dog conformation)

TBD

Saturday/Sunday

September 12-13

Hunt test/Chair: Susan Faulkner

TBD

Sunday

September 20

Board of Directors meeting (12:00 – 1:00)

General Membership meeting (1-4)

TBD

Saturday/Sunday

Oct 31/Nov 1

MHGRC Scent Work Trials Douglas County Fairgrounds

Castle Rock, CO

Date

5

MHGRC Calendar

April 30, 2020

Sunday

November 15

*General membership meeting: meeting and election of officers

TBD

Saturday

December 5 or 12???

MHGRC Holiday party TBD

Event LocationDate

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BIG NEWS! MFGRC WILL HOST 2021 GRCA NATIONAL

SPECIALTY IN FLORIDA

Thanks to the very generous gestures of the Cuyahoga Valley Golden Retriever Club and the Golden Retriever

Club of America, the Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club will get to host a GRCA National Specialty after

all: the 2021 GRCA National has been moved to Florida and will be held at the World Equestrian

Center in Ocala, Fla.

The MFGRC was originally slated to host the 2020 GRCA National Specialty in October but the event was canceled last week due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the CVGRC, which was to host the 2021 event, agreed to move its event to 2022, with approval from the GRCA, so that the MFGRC could finish what it

started and host the National in 2021.

Anyone who has already paid for grooming or vending space, RV parking or trophy sponsorship for the

canceled 2020 event will have the option of receiving a refund or applying their funds to the 2021 event. Full

details will be posted soon.

The 2021 GRCA National will take place over the last week of October, with the schedule to be announced

in the coming weeks.

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We are looking for club members to serve on the 2021 MHGRC Board of Directors

The board positions available include:• President• Vice President• Treasurer• Obedience/Rally representative• Agility representative

What’s involved? Here is an idea of the responsibilities for each position:

•President: Organize and delegate. Prepare the club calendar, run the board and general meetings, support the board and club members.

•Vice President: Handle membership (renewals and new applications) and maintain club roster throughout the year.

•Treasurer: Manage all club expenses and accounting responsibilities. (Accounting background required)

•Agility rep: Support the (2) annual agility trials hosted by the club, report all agility news to newsletter editor Kathy Borland

•Conformation rep: Organize and run (2) Fun Matches, report all conformation news to the newsletter editor Kathy Borland

•Obedience/Rally: Organize and run (2) Fun Matches, report all obedience/rally news to the newsletter editor Kathy Borland

Please consider joining the MHGRC board. The positions are varied, interesting and educational. The board

experience is rewarding, valued by all club members AND FUN! This is a wonderful way to give back to the club and support the wonderful events we host throughout the year. YOUR talents can be utilized to

help the club thrive, please considering helping us out. IF seriously interested, please call the current member and ask about

the position duties and responsibilities. Thank you,

Suzie Jordan (Skjordan0425@gmail.com)

April 30, 2020

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YEARENDTROPHIESBYJEANHERBERTDrumRollorBagpipesplease!Herearethe2019trophyrecipients.Congratula<onstoeveryonewhoworkedsohardthisyear!Wewillgetthetrophiestoyoueventually!

OBEDIENCEandRALLYTROPHIESTopObedienceElysian'sIYamWhatIYamUDX2OM2RETDMHWCXOBHFJeannevonBarbyHighCombinedZaniriOffToTheRacesUDPUTDBNGOREMHCGCWCXVCCCAFranciePusateriU<lityBElysian'sIYamWhatIYamUDX2OM2RETDMHWCXOBHFJeannevonBarbyU<lityAMACH2Fly'NHi'sTropicalChildUDBNRMRAE2MXSMJGMXFT2B2CGCADHFCCAMardeeKayserOpenBSpringcreekOaksRockyMtnHighUDBNRETDJHWCXKayWalkerOpenAMys<cDreaminzEz@ElysianCDRETDJHWCXJeannevonBarbyNoviceBCHShafferWritersTallTalesCDREWCPaulandLindaStranahan

RallyMasterTrophyFly'NHi'sHeavenlyMovesCDBNRMAXPNJPACT1CGCAMargieJacksonLookout’sMyOhMyWhoAmICDPCDXBNRMRAETDDebLewisFly'NHi'sMovin'OnUpCDXBNRM2RAE2AXAXJOFACT1CGCCCAMardeeKayser

RAETrophyLookout’sMyOhMyWhoAmICDPCDXBNRMRAETDDebLewisFly'NHi'sMovin'OnUpCDXBNRM2RAE2AXAXJOFACT1CGCCCAMardeeKayser

FIELDandHUNTTESTTROPHIESTopOpenFieldDogHeadsUpAllAboardQA2***Kathy&WarrenFrizellTopQualifyingDogHeadsUpAllAboardQA2***Kathy&WarrenFrizellTopFieldDogHeadsUpAllAboardQA2***Kathy&WarrenFrizell

TopHun<ngRetrieverTrophyZaniriOffToTheRacesUDPUTDBNGOREMHCGCWCXVCCCAFranciePusateriFiremark'sMoonshineatRockyTopCDXRESHWCXFredandDorothyPlumer

AGILITYTROPHIESTopAgilityTeamMACHFly'NHi'sWin'NTakesChargeMXBMJSXFJimandTakakoGregory

MACHTrophyMACH2Fly'NHi'sTropicalChildUDBNRMRAE2MXSMJGMXFT2B2CGCADHFCCAMardeeKayserMACHFly'NHi'sWin'NTakesChargeMXBMJSXFJimandTakakoGregory

PreferredAgilityTrophyCHPACH3Jema'sLastOfTheMohicansREAXAXJMXP17MXPS2MJP17MJPG2PAX6OFMFPMFPBTQXPT2BPCCAMichelleJanowiakandJenniferGrossnickle

VERSATILITYTROPHIESMostVersa<lePerformanceDogCrystalGlensBlueMoonBNRAAXPAJPSchwarz,Susan,WilliamLoehman,LucyVondracek

CONFORMATIONTROPHIESTopConforma<onGCHSCHSilverhillHighSocietySDHFCatherineBourlandandTheresaYeager

TopClassDogCHCrystalGlenTopsiderSueSchwarz,LucyVondracek,AnneShannon,ErikFoster

TopClassBitchCHCrystalKrishnaDreamsicleRNSueSchwarzandLucyVondracek

TopVeteranGCHCHWingwatcherBridgetoHistoryCDBNREJHWCXVCXJanOwenandClaireCaro

BredByExhibitorCHCrystalKrishnaDreamsicleRNSueSchwarzandLucyVondracek

April 30, 2020

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CH Sonador’s Forever Owl Drink To That “Stella” Owner: Sonya Dorr & Jennifer Hoffmann local training/ March 5, 2020 Placement/award: AKC Trick Dog Novice 

CH Forever N Sonador’s Kickin Up Dirt “Camber” Owner: Sonya Dorr & Jennifer & Randahl Hoffmann, Candace Nee local training/ March 5, 2020 Placement/award: AKC Trick Dog Novice

Starz Camera Ready SCE SBA SEA SWN CGC TKN CCA “Rebel”Kathy BourlandShow/date: Front Range Scent Work Club 3/7 & 8 , Adams County FGAward: Advanced Exterior title!!

Reg Name: Princess Corona II (Corona)    Owners:  Monica and Rick Keracik    Show/date: Front Range Scent Work Club 3/7 & 8 , Adams County FG  Award/Placement:  Corona earned four novice element titles, ten Qs, 3rd place in Advanced Buried, 4th place in Novice Handler Discrimination, and on March 7th, she earned the Novice High in Combined Division

A huge Congratulations to our club members who compete with their dogs in many venues. Last year club members put

138 titles on their dogs! We had titles in Agility, Rally, Obedience, Hunting and Field, Versatility, Conformation, Barn Hunt, Trick Dog, and Scentwork! A very versatile group. Keep

training during this tough time - you can even do trick dog with on-line videos!

April 30, 2020

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May2020FieldReportbyNancyEgo

Wearealldoingalotmoretrainingaloneinthesetrying<mes.Ihopepeoplearefindingwaystocon<nuetheirtraining.Luckyoneslikemehaveaspousewhowillthrowafewbirdsorbumpers.Afewremotewingerswouldbenicerightnow.Thereisalwaysyardwork(fieldrelated,notgardening!),andyoucan’truntoomanyblinds.Plentyofdrills,also,thatcanbedonealone.Ihaveputoutchairswithwhiteshirtsonthem,putthedogsonasitstay,walkoutandthrowthemarkandeithersendthedogremotely,orreturntothedogandsendthem.

JulieKnutsonatGun-ClubLabs,h/p://www.gunclub-labs.net/hassomeverygoodpodcaststhatyoucanlistentoforfree,lotsoftopics,oneofwhichistrainingalone.Andsomegoodonesonnewpuppies,too.

Hopefullywewillallbeouttrainingandcompe<ngsoonerratherthanlater,butthisiswhereweare,sotrytomakethebestofit.Atleastwearestuckathomewithourdogs.

Wedos<llhavetheMitchWhiteseminarplannedandthetrainingdaysthissummer,datess<lltobedeterminedalerconfirma<onfromthepropertyowneratHorseToothRetrievers.Ourhunttestisnotun<lSeptembersoiss<llonatthispoint.

WehavedecidedtonotholdtheWC/WCXtestthisyear.Wetendtohavealotofentrieseveryotheryearandthiswouldprobablybeayearoffewentriesanyway.Theremaybehuntteststhatre-schedulelaterinthesummerandthatcouldimpactfreeweekends.Istronglybelieveweshouldofferiteveryyear,butthisisaverystrangeyear,tosaytheleast.

RegardingtheMitchWhiteSeminar,theFridaywillbeadayforbasics.Verygoodforanyonewithayoungdogandalsogoodtoreviewforanyonewhomayhaveayoungdogany<meinthefuture.Saturdayisdrilldayandtherewillbelotsofgoodinforma<oncomingthere.ThosewhohaveanadvanceddogwillnotwanttomissSunday,andevenifyouandyourdogarenotyetatthatlevel,plentyofauditorspotsareopen.

Brags:HeadsUpAllAboardQA2-TicketOwnedbyKathyandWarrenFrizell

TicketandIgota2NDplaceintheAmateurstakeattheSouthTexasFieldTrialinFaye/eville,TXonFeb22-23,2020!

Givesusourfirst3pointstowardourAFC!

A/achedaphotofromthemoundweranfromwiththeamazingpondonthebackground.

Andhugecongratula<onstoKathyandTicketforwinningtheMHGRCfieldtrialtrophiesfor2019.It’sbeenmanyyearssinceanyonehasqualifiedforthem.

Staysafe!Hopefullybythe<methiscomesoutweareabletodoali/lemore.Nancy

April 30, 2020

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