Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Go Go Dancer


Meet Go Go Dancer, aka "Sammi"

Owned and bred by Anthony Blais

Blais'N Red Setters
Princeton, MN

Oregon Bird Dogs... You ROCK!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAEV_8IOuzw&feature=related

U.S. Complete National Amateur Bird Dog Championship


Check out this cool video. This is the 2006 US Complete National Amateur bird dog CH. Alot of fast action with the dogs finding a lot of quail. You can buy this full version 75 min at www.moyocksoprts.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcKrltz610Y&feature=related

Monday, January 28, 2008

New PA Kennel Regulations Threaten Field Trialing...

This information is being cross-posted from several other websites, including the Cover Dog Message Board http://members3.boardhost.com/coverdog/index.html?1201567864

John Yates, President of the American Sporting Dog Alliance, has provided the latest update on proposed regulations for the state of Pennsylvania. The text can be viewed at the following links...

http://www.nrsftc.com/ASDA/PA_ProposedRegsPrelimDraft12Dec07.pdf

http://www.nrsftc.com/ASDA/PA_NewRegsExcerpts.pdf

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Red setters rockin' in the southland...

Congratulations to Dr. Boser and his red setter Picadilly for their first place finish in the Spring Valley Amateur Shooting Dog Classic, held in Grimesland, South Carolina. Right behind was Come Back Casey, who took the second place spot, handled by owner Rex Cottle. Boser and Picadilly topped it off with a 2nd place finish in the Spring Valley Open Shooting Dog Classic. This one-hour classic also awarded 1st place to Ravenwood Riley, English setter, owned by Joe Cincotta and handled by Matt Basilone, and third place to Ravenwood Pot A Gold, English setter, owned by John & Lauren May and handled by Matt Basilone.

Picadilly

Saturday, January 26, 2008

We Love Flop Eared Molly

Greg Keeler
Greg Keeler is a gifted poet, writer, poet, cartoonist, professor, and fly-fisherman who lives in the beautiful state of Montana. When he's not busy teaching creative writing at Montana State, he's busy doing some really creative stuff of his own. Flop Eared Molly is a song that is near and dear to our hearts. Anyone who has ever owned or owns a red dog will find a resonating chord in this little piece written and performed by Greg. While your listening to this great little tune about our beloved red dogs (click on the title above to hear), be sure to check out Greg Keeler's website... he's truly a gifted artist... http://troutball.com/



I couldn't resist throwing a couple of his paintings out here for you... these are my favorites...


From The Story Hills



Pine Creek


BE SURE TO VISIT GREG'S WEBSITE AT http://troutball.com/ HIS MUSIC AND WRITINGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE.
Having trouble hearing Flop Eared Molly? Try this link... http://www.nrsftc.com/FlopEaredMolly.mp3

Thanks to Greg Keeler for allowing us to post Flop Eared Molly on our website!

Friday, January 25, 2008

RED SETTERS RULE!!


Red setter RU Ch Brownhaven Burning Bright
Congratulations to Georgia Brown and Sheri Ebert, co-owners of Brownhaven Burning Bright, this year's Runner-up Champion at the SouthEast Continental Championship. Brownhaven Burning Bright is handled by Sheri. Great job, ladies! Brownhaven Kennels has a long history of producing winning red setters that get the job done.
Brownhaven Kennels, Canyon Lake, TX 78133

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Canine Toxins...

While most people are very cognizant of various materials around the house that might be toxic to young children, you might be surprised to find that many common household items can be extremely toxic to your dog. Here is a list of some of the common items thought to be toxic to your canine. (this information gathered from various internet resources)

Household plants that are toxic:

Amaryllis
Azalea
Broom (Cytisis)
Caladium
Crown of Thorns
Daffodils
Dumbcane
English Holly
English Ivy
Euonymus
Foxglove
Honeysuckle
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Jonquil
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily-of-the-Valley
Narcissus
Philodendron
Skunk Cabbage
Wisteria
Yew

If you believe your DOG has ingested any of these PLANTS and SHRUBS, you SHOULD ATTEMPT TO INDUCE VOMITING …AND…CALL YOUR VET

TO INDUCE VOMITING
Mix Hydrogen Peroxide (1 teaspoon) in a cup of water; or 1-2 tablespoons of salt per cup of water; or Syrup of Ipecac - 1/2 mil per pound of the pet.


ALWAYS CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Alert your vet that your pet may have been poisoned. Try to identify the specific poison so that antidotes can be found.


Household agent showing toxicity to dogs:

Antifreeze
Bathroom Cleaners
Drain Cleaners
Fuel (gas, oil, kerosene)
Furniture Polish
Laundry Bleach
Oven Cleaner
Poisons (rat, snail, roach bait)
Rust Removers
Varnish/Paint Removers


Remember, any household pest you eliminate with poisons becomes toxic to your DOG!
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING!!!! CALL YOUR VET!!!!


For caustic poisons do not induce vomiting. Try to dilute the poison with milk, an egg white in 1 cup of water, or 1-2 teaspoons of Milk of Magnesia in water.
ALWAYS CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY!!!


Sugarless candies
Sugarless candies can be toxic to dogs. Candies containing xylitol have been recognized by the National Animal Poison Control Center to be a risk to pets. This information was first published in July 2004. This compound can cause liver damage and death in dogs susceptible to being poisoned with xylitol. If your dog ingests sugarless candy it would be best to contact the NAPCC (1-888-426-4435). It is possible your vet will not be familiar with this source of poisoning as this information is fairly new and candies have not usually been associated with poisonings in dogs if they did not contain chocolate as the major ingredient.


Onion and Garlic toxicity in dogs
Dogs develop hemolytic anemia if they eat enough onions. It doesn't seem to matter whether the onions are cooked or not. The quantity of onions required is high enough that dogs can generally tolerate small doses of onions without any problem and moderate amounts of onion without clinically apparent disease, even though there may be measurable changes on lab test results. There are several case reports of onion toxicity and they involve whole onions or sizable portions of chopped onions (like a cup or more).

Grape and raisin poisonings in Dogs
The grapes and raisins came from varied sources, including being eaten off the vine directly. The dogs exhibited gastrointestinal signs including vomiting and diarrhea and then signs of kidney failure with an onset of severe kidney signs starting about 24 hours after ingestion of the grapes or raisins. The amount of grapes eaten varied between 9oz. and 2 lbs., which worked out to be between 0.41 and 1.1 oz/kg of body weight. Two dogs died directly from the toxicity, three were euthanized due to poor response to treatment and five dogs lived. Due to the severity of the signs and the potential for death, the veterinarians at the poison control center advocate aggressive treatment for any dogs suggested of ingesting excessive amounts of grapes or raisins, including inducing vomiting, stomach lavage (stomach pumping) and administration of activated charcoal, followed by intravenous fluid therapy for at least 48 hours or as indicated based on the results of blood tests for kidney damage.

Chocolate toxicity
The LD50 -- dose at which 1/2 of the dogs exposed to a substance will die --- is about 100mg/kg for chocolate. The dose that causes signs of toxicity, such as excitement, increased urination, muscle tremors and rapid heart rate may occur at a lower dosage. The other problem with dogs eating chocolate is that a lot of formulations of chocolate are high in fat and dogs often get enteritis or pancreatitis following ingestion of a lot of milk chocolate. Typical dosages of 44mg theobromine/oz for milk chocolate, 150mg/oz for semi-sweet chocolate and 390 mg/oz for baking chocolate match the dosages that have been published. Using a dose of 100mg/kg as the toxic dose the toxic dosages per pound of body weight for dogs work out to be roughly:
1 ounce per pound of body weight (2 ounces per kg of body weight) for milk chocolate.
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight ( 1 ounce per 1.5 kg body weight) for semi-sweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight ( 1 ounce per 4 kg) for baker's chocolate. Toxic signs may occur at lower dosages. Clinical signs may develop in some dogs with dosages as low as 10% of the LD50 dose.


Blue-green algae
Freshwater ponds, lakes and streams could be deadly to your water dog if they contain toxins borne by blue-green algae. The dangers of a “toxic bloom” of blue-green algae are well known in some states. According to a website published by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, certain environmental conditions that generally occur late in summer can trigger a sudden overgrowth of a certain family of algae called cyanobacteria. This type of algae occurs in many aquatic environments year-round, but may thrive to a dangerous degree in during periods of sustained warm, sunny days in shallow, nutrient rich bodies of water. In these conditions, the blue-green algae suddenly “blooms” – that is, reproduces exponentially. The algae produce a powerful toxin – one of the most powerful natural poisons known. The state of Minnesota warns its citizens about this hazard, stating that the blue-green algae blooms are occasionally responsible for the deaths of livestock and dogs who drink contaminated water.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Excessive drooling, vomiting, weakness and abdominal pain. Do not use Tylenol with your dog.



Be careful out there.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Ch Albert Collins


National Red Setter Field Trial Club
Spring Championship & supporting stakes


Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area Berea, Kentucky



Thursday March 6 through Monday March 10 2008 (tentative)
Drawing at the clubhouse 7:00 pm Wednesday March 5
(859-986-4130) Club House

Trial Chair reserves the right to alter running order of stakes if needed


NATIONAL RED SETTER CHAMPIONSHIP
$500 Purse Divided 70-30% to Winner & Runner-Up
1 Hr. Continuous Course-- Entry Fee $100
Qualification: American Field recognized placement in an Open All-Age, Shooting Dog or Derby Stake

THE 35th NATIONAL RED SETTER FUTURITY
$1000 purse divided 60/40 between owners and breeders of four placements
30 minute continuous courses Entry fee of $50
Futurity entries closed December 31, 2007
(late fee will be assessed for dogs nominated after this date)
Starting fee of $50 due at drawing.
Late entries will be accepted until time of drawing
Entries must be complete and dogs registered with FDSB.
Futurity to start at conclusion of Championship.

2007 Futurity winner Breakstone


IRISH SETTER OPEN ALL-AGE (30 Minutes)
50% purse divided 50-30-20.....Entry Fee $40.00

IRISH SETTER OPEN PUPPY (20 minutes)
Awards to Three Places... Entry Fee $25
May be run concurrently with another stake

IRISH SETTER AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG (30 minutes)
Entry Fee $35

IRISH SETTER OPEN WALKING DERBY (30 minutes)
Awards to Three Places.... Entry Fee $30

IRISH RED SETTER AND IRISH RED & WHITE SETTER
AMATEUR WALKING SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC (45 minutes)
Awards to Three Places... Entry Fee $50
Presentation of the Bob Sprouse Trophy to the winner
Dogs will be judged on Shooting Dog standards
Qualifications: Prior placement in any recognized American Field Trial in a Derby, Shooting Dog, or All Age stake.
TRIAL CHAIRS
Tim & Kris Hammons
859-986-7076

Horses available through Dennis & Bonnie Hidalgo (303) 886-6084
or Don Mullins (859) 986-9151

LODGING & MEALS
Knights Inn 859-624-2612 (special rates for trialers)
Holiday Inn 606-623-9220
Best Western 606-623-9121
Holiday Motel 606-986-9311
Mountain View Motel 606-986-9316

Camper hook-ups, kennels & stalls at Area Headquarters

Breakfast & Lunch served daily at the Area Clubhouse
There are many good restaurants in Berea and Richmond. The most famous for traditional southern cooking is Boone Tavern in Berea (Don’t miss the spoon bread!) - Jacket & tie required. Berea has some interesting shops featuring crafts of the mountain people

DIRECTIONS TO GROUNDS
From Richmond leave 1-75 at Exit 87 (Richmond Bypass), go east 2 miles to U.S. 421, south 5 miles to Dreyfuss Rd., East on Dreyfuss 1 mile to area headquarters. From Berea, leave 1-75 at Exit 76, go east to town center & U.S. 25. U.S. 25 north 1/4 mile to County Road 1061, east on 1061 to U.S. 421, north 2 miles to Dreyfuss Road, east 1 mile to area headquarters.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky requires a current negative Coggins test
and health certificate for all horses entering Kentucky.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

My Favorite Poem...

Tax his land, Tax his wage, Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat.
Tax his ties, Tax his shirts, Tax his work, Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his booze, Tax his beers, If he cries, Tax his tears.
Tax his bills, Tax his gas, Tax his notes, Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, Tax him more, Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb, 'Taxes drove me to my doom!'
And when he's gone, We won't relax, We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!

Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CDL License Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Perm it Tax Gasoline Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax), IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax), Liquor Tax, Luxury Tax, Marriage License Tax, Medicare Tax, Property Tax, Real Estate Tax, Service charge taxes, Social Security Tax, Road Usage Tax (Truckers), Sales Taxes, Recreational Vehicle Tax, School Tax, State Income Tax, State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Telephone Federal Excise Tax, Telephone Federal Universal Service Fe e Tax, Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax, Telephone Minimum Usage Su rcharge Tax, Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax, Telephone State and Local Tax, Telephone Usage Charge Tax, Utility Tax, Vehicle License Registration Tax, Vehicle Sales Tax, Watercraft Registration Tax, Well Permit Tax, Workers Compensation Tax.

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What happened? Can you spell 'politicians!' And I still have to 'press 1' for English.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

For you fly-fishers...

Before I immersed myself into the red setter world, I used to do quite a bit of fly fishing. We live in an area that has several excellent streams that support good population of various migratory fish species, notably steelhead. If you've never fly fished for steelhead, you're missing a great treat.

Anyway, here's a pic of a fly pattern called the "red setter." The pattern originated in the 1950's by Geoff Sanderson in New Zealand. He used the hair from his Red Setter dog for the tail. There are variations using different materials for the tail and hackle color but the body is most always orange or florescent orange. This fly has a tail of Rhode Island Red hackle (reddish-brown).


And, if you're heading out to do some fishing, there's no reason why you couldn't bring your red setter along! This is an old Irish setter called "Niner"... can't remember who sent me these pics any more, but it sure looks like old "Niner" knew how to fish!

Friday, January 11, 2008

The honest truth...


"Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. If the next centennial (which is our time) does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."


James A. Garfield, former President of the United States

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Lakeview Kennels... out for a run!

Jim Ashby of Lakeview Kennels takes a pack of red dogs out for a run!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Breeding the better red setter...

This coming March the National Red Setter Field Trial Club will conduct the running of the 36th Annual Red Setter Futurity. Over the past 36 years, the Red Setter Futurity has been instrumental in increasing the quality and calibre of the red setter. The National Red Setter Futurity is a major tenet of the Purest Challenge. Over the years, virtually every Red Setter champion has started their career by winning or placing in the Red Setter Futurity. Not only have these improvements lead to improvements in the calibre of horseback field trial Shooting Dogs, they have also fostered the improvement of the breed overall. The red setters being hunted throughout the United States, as well as the numerous placements in walking stakes, NAVHDA tests, NBHA trials, and other similar venues, is due in no small measure to the efforts of the Red Setter Futurity.



What is the Red Setter Futurity? A futurity is a field trial run specifically as a breeder’s stake. A breeder decides to breed a litter of dogs. He chooses a sire and dam that he hopes will produce puppies of the highest possible calibre. He "nominates" the litter to the futurity in the hopes that his choice of breeding will be the best, and pays a small nomination fee to register the litter (also called the "first forfeit" fee). For the Red Setter Futurity the first forfeit fee is $25. Once the first forfeit fee is paid, the puppies produced will be eligible to run in the futurity, when they are derby age dogs (typically around 2 years of age, depending upon the date of birth)


What do I do if I have a pup that has been nominated? In the year after their birth, individual puppies of the litter are nominated to run in the futurity. Again, a small fee ($20 for the Red Setter Futurity) is paid; this puppy nomination is usually referred to as the "second forfeit" fee. This fee is due no later than December 31 of the year prior to the actual futurity. When this fee is paid, the puppy is now eligible to run in the futurity once he/she reaches derby age. The futurity is typically run in the spring, on a venue that permits the use of multiple courses, each brace of 30 minutes, over quail-preferred habitat.



How do I enter my futurity dog in the Futurity? At the time of the futurity, the eligible dogs are entered by their owner/handler. A drawing is conducted, in the same manner as for any trial, to provide the brace number for the dogs. An entry fee is also assessed. The collection of the forfeit and entry fees provides a cash purse for the futurity. Both handlers and breeders are rewarded with cash purses, thus providing a monetary incentive for breeding and training the best possible red setters for the year. The current payout for the Red Setter Futurity is $1000, spread over four placements, between handler and breeder.



How is a futurity dog evaluated? Young dogs run in a futurity trial are evaluated for their potential as future championship field trial calibre horseback shooting dogs; these dogs exhibit the characteristics the National Red Setter Field Trial Club desires in its championship calibre horseback shooting dogs... style, class, drive, intelligence, bird finding ability, ability to handle, and ground race. Those dogs exhibiting the most potential as future championship calibre dogs are rewarded.



What are the rules for the Red Setter Futurity? The Board of Directors of the National Red Setter Field Trial Club has established the standards under which the Red Setter Futurity shall be conducted:

1. The Futurity shall be run in the spring of each year over preferential bob­white quail territory.
2. Placed dogs shall display an intense desire to find birds, a keen nose to detect the presence of game and ability to locate it quickly and accurately by body scent.
3. Placed dogs must show staunchness, positiveness and style on point but not necessarily be steady to wing and shot. (Staunchness should mean positiveness on point; where the dog establishes point but not necessarily where the handler can dismount, flush and fire before the dog moves on.)
4. Placed dogs must show determination under adverse conditions and intelligent adjustment to terrain and cover, the ability to hunt independently with speed and proven endurance.
5. Placed dogs shall adjust range to cover and character of the country and to show desire to please the handler.
6. The event shall be run under standards established by the American Field and Field Dog Stud Book, the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America and the National Red Setter Futurity.
7. The futurity shall be run, if necessary in order to name a winner under these standards, in two series.
8. The first series shall be run over continuous multiple courses, each brace to be run for thirty (30) minutes unless earlier ordered up. Said continuous multiple courses shall contain native birds plus liberated quail which shall be released in coveys in such manner as to simulate natural conditions as much as possible. The numbers of liberated quail shall be decided by the Futurity Secretary, the Club President and the Trial Chairman in consultation with the Area Manager.
9. If four dogs, which in the sole discretion of the judges are otherwise capable of placement have not pointed birds at the conclusion of the First Series. A Second Series shall be run, each brace being run for thirty (30) minutes unless earlier ordered up on a single course with liberated birds released in the manner previously indicated of sufficient quantity to permit adequate opportunities to point. The number of dogs called back for a Second Series shall be at the sole discretion of the judges and may be augmented by the judges if necessary in order to place four dogs that have pointed.
10. All dogs in each series shall be announced as "called back" in the order in which the judges would place them if they shall adequately demonstrate their ability to point birds by doing so. The callback shall be conducted from horseback.
11. Judges may not, except with the concurrence of the Futurity Secretary or his designee, who may seek advice from the Board of Directors of the National Red Setter Field Trial Club, deviate from these standards.
12. Dogs with bird contact must be fired over with a blank cartridge gun of not less than cal. 32.





If you have questions about the Red Setter Futurity, or would like more information, be sure to check out the info on our website at http://www.nrsftc.com/futurity.htm or contact the Futurity Chair at red_pups@yahoo.com

If you have a young red setter, be sure to check with your breeder and consider entering your young dog in the Red Setter Futurity. You might have a future champ on your hands!

2007 Red Setter Futurity Winner Breakstone
Roger Boser, breeder/handler

Tuesday, January 8, 2008


"People injured or killed in the Michigan firearms deer season include a Bay City man shot in the leg while trying to photograph his dog holding a rifle, which accidentally went off."

(from "The Darwin Awards")

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine... another scam...

Accoring to their website (http://www.pcrm.org/) the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research. Sounds a like nice, benevelant worthwhile organization, right?


In reality...


PCRM is an animal rights group. Less than 4 percent of its members are actual physicians. The group's goals are to stop medical research that requires the use of animals, and to remove meat and dairy foods from our diet by demonizing them as "unhealthy." People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has already steered more than $1.3 million to PCRM. Animal People News notes that PETA and PCRM are so closely connected that they should be considered "a single fundraising unit."


When longtime PCRM spokesperson Dr. Jerry Vlasak addressed the "Animal Rights 2003" convention, he openly endorsed the murder of doctors who use animals in their research. "I don't think you'd have to kill---assassinate---too many," Vlasak told the assembled activists. "I think for 5 lives, 10 lives, 15 human lives, we could save a million, 2 million, 10 million non-human lives."


PCRM president Neal Barnard is not a nutritionist, a dietician, or a biochemist. He's a non-practicing psychiatrist who claims that cheese is "dairy crack" and "morphine on a cracker." Barnard has also been PETA's "medical advisor" and president of The PETA Foundation.
In the past, the American Medical Association (AMA) has called PCRM a "fringe organization" that uses "unethical tactics" and is "interested in perverting medical science." When he was the AMA's Vice President for Scientific Affairs, Dr. Jerod M. Loeb wrote that PCRM was "officially censured" by the AMA. That AMA statement also condemned PCRM for supporting "a campaign of misinformation against important animal research of AIDS."


According to Newsweek , PCRM president Neal Barnard co-signed intimidating letters (on PCRM letterhead) in 2001 with Kevin Kjonaas, then the leader of a violent animal rights group described by the U.S. Department of Justice as a "domestic terrorism threat." The letters demanded that companies in 32 states and 8 foreign countries stop doing business with a biomedical research laboratory that uses animals in a small portion of its work. In march 2006, Kjonaas was convicted of domestic terrorism in federal courts.


PCRM gained a high public profile in 2004 by sponsoring a lawsuit against the late Dr. Robert Atkins (whose low-carbohydrate diet typically includes meat and dairy foods, two big animal-rights no-nos). PCRM has run newspaper ads looking for disgruntled low-carb dieters willing to sue their own physicians for prescribing the Atkins plan. PCRM also unethically leaked Dr. Atkins's private coroner's report to The Wall Street Journal .


PCRM discourages Americans from making donations to health charities like the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, the American Red Cross, the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation---solely because they support disease research that requires the use of animals.


For more info, check out http://www.physicianscam.com/

Thursday, January 3, 2008

The 12 Points of the "Bird Dog" Law...

Red Setter Champion Bearcat

The 12 Points of the Bird Dog Law

TRUSTWORTHY
A bird dog tells the truth. If he says a bird is there, then it is. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. His handler can depend on him.
LOYAL
A bird dog is true to his family.
HELPFUL
A bird dog is concerned about other people. He does his work willingly for his handler without pay or reward.
FRIENDLY
A bird dog is a friend. He is affectionate to his family members and to those who are with his family. He respects those who are with his family.
COURTEOUS
A bird dog is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners are important both in the field and in the house.
KIND
A bird dog understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated.
OBEDIENT
A bird dog follows the rules of his family and his pack. He obeys the rules in the house, the truck, and in the fields.
CHEERFUL
A bird dog looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully works on the tasks that come his way. His tail is always wagging and he is always happy to see his master.
THRIFTY
A bird dog works to pay his way. He makes good use of his casts and never wastes time or effort when hunting, but always works forward and keeps his nose to the front. He never blinks his birds and he always retrieves to hand.
BRAVE
A bird dog is courageous. He stands his birds with conviction and certainty.
CLEAN
A bird dog keeps his body fit and clean. He helps keep his home and kennel clean.
REVERENT
A bird dog is reverent toward towards nature, and is cognizant of his place in the natural world.
Red setter derby Her Ruby Red Slipper, aka "Ruby"

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

The lights are on, but nobody's home....



Uncle Sam has now decided that the government needs to regulate our light bulbs!

Washington, D.C. - Among the regulations packed into the newest energy bill that just passed Congress this week, a ban on the incandescent light bulb will officially end what Edison started 130 years ago. "If you outlaw light bulbs, then only outlaws will have light bulbs," says Libertarian Party Executive Director Shane Cory."The ban on incandescent light bulbs may seem almost comical," says Cory, "but it raises several red flags on the level of government intrusion in people's lives. From the toilets in your bathroom to the lights in your ceiling, there are very few consumer products free from some form of government regulation. I seriously doubt regulating light bulbs was intended to be a necessary-and-proper role of the federal government."Incandescent light bulbs will begin to be phased out in 2012, with a complete ban finalized in 2014. Manufacturers will be forced to switch to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, which can cost more than six times as much as the common incandescent bulb. While CFL bulbs are much more energy efficient, to maintain the bulb's longevity and achieve maximum efficiency, consumers must adhere to proper operating suggestions made by Congress, such as leaving the bulb turned on for at least 15 minutes."Not only do consumers have to alter how they use light in their houses, they must also take a number of precautions with CFL bulbs that were unnecessary when using incandescent bulbs," says Libertarian Party Media Coordinator Andrew Davis. "Because of the toxic levels of mercury in CFL bulbs, consumers will need to check with their waste management providers for proper disposal methods, and consumers will also have to research how to clean up broken bulbs. These bulbs may save energy in the long run, but at a great inconvenience to the consumer." The Libertarian Party believes in free market solutions to environmental problems, and vehemently opposes government regulation that interferes with private business and personal liberty. The Libertarian Party also maintains that solutions cannot come from America's biggest polluter: the federal government."How many Americans does it take to change a light bulb?" Davis asks jokingly. "I guess we'll have to wait for next year's energy bill to find out."

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

A True Free For All...


1941, 1943, 1945 National Free-For-All Champion Ariel.
"These standards glorify the ideal field trial dog, one with phenomenal pace, reckless range, extraordinary bird-finding ability, superlative game handling qualities, thrilling style on point, accurate location, beautiful manners, plus unlimited stamina."

---William F. Brown, former editor, American Field, refering to the expected standards for the Free For All type dog...

Bearcat

Bearcat
VOTE BEARCAT FOR HALL OF FAME