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Greetings!
| If you're a golfer, GSP Rescue NE needs you NOW.
Rescue has scheduled its first annual golf fundraiser for Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Woods Of Westminster golf course in Westminster, Mass.
Unfortunately, we are currently without a chairman to run the event, and if we cancel, we'll lose our $500 deposit.
We'd prefer this money went to support our needy dogs, and so we want to keep this event moving forward.
If you play golf, or know someone who plays golf, and would be interested in running this charitable event, please let Celeste know immediately.
Tentative plans include a 9 a.m. start, with lunch at 1 p.m.
Cost is $99: Golf (18 holes and a cart) and buffet dinner (chicken or roast beef, dessert, drink and gratuities)$29: Dinner only. Can you help us? We and the dogs would be forever greatful. Thanks in advance, Celeste,Audrey and Michele GSP Rescue NE Board of Directors |
Important Mr. Fonda Update
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 | As handsome as the day is long, our good friend Mr. Fonda. |
On Feb. 6, Peter Hallett posted on Facebook this update on our old friend Mr. Fonda:
"Today we took the old brown dog to the vet. It was an early appointment and he did NOT want to get up. I rolled him off the couch, got all his gear on to go outside, took the gate down, turned around to carry him downstairs and he was alr eady back on the couch laid out with his pal Gunny. So we went through the process again.
"At the Vets we had him seen for a cough he's developed. All his tests seemed fine and while we talked, Fonda was banging his face off the bottom of the trash can until the vet put it up out of reach. We decided to go ahead with x-rays and blood work so Jonnie and I went for a coffee while they did their thing. Leading Fonda to the back room, the old brown dog grabbed the vets' lunch bag on the way past his desk. So far he's not making much of an impression.
"When Jonnie and I returned, we looked at the x-rays while Fonda tried to get the jar of treats off the counter. He didn't get the treats and he has lung cancer. Mr. Fonda was upset he didn't get the treats.
"It's appropriate to feel sad, but not sorry. The old brown dog is just that. He's nearly 14 and after struggling with this all day, I realize this is not a death sentence as long as we allow him to live his life as a happy boy. We can make him comfortable and perhaps slow the progression through medication so he will continue to do what Mr. Fonda does best. Eat other peoples lunch, steal bread and sleep on Gunny. We don't know how long it will be before he tells us it's time. I couldn't give you that answer any easier today than yesterday. All I can do is laugh at his antics, take pictures, and continue to rejoice in the spirit that all of us who have GSPs in our life are experiencing.
"We are a GSP rescue and I promise to celebrate the breed through Mr. Fonda and any other free spirited GSP that comes my way. Because of that, I wish not hear how sorry you are of his diagnosis, but rather how happy you are of him or any old brown dog that has graced your life.
"I'll keep you all updated as things may develop. In the meantime, let us continue to share stories, in word and in pictures, and work diligently to save as many old brown dogs as we can."
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Truth
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Westminster Quiz
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Well, a GSP didn't win the Westminster Kennel Club show this year -- but a German Wirehair who bears a striking resemblance to Gruff, who's available for adoption through GSP Rescue NE -- came close!
Take this quiz and see what you can remember about the last time a shorthair won the whole enchelada.
1. What year did this German Shorthaired Pointer win Best In Show at Westminster?
2. What was the dog's registered name?
3. For extra points, what was the dog's nickname?
4. For extra, EXTRA points, who was the handler?
(Answers below.)
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Lucky Dog Contest!
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 Is your adopted dog the luckiest pet ever?
Let everyone know and win some money for yourself and GSP Rescue New England.
Petfinder.com is offering the "Luckiest Pet Contest." Go to the Petfinder website and check out the directions.
One lucky pet can help GSP Rescue NE win a $5,000 donation, as well as a $500 gift card to Petco for yourself! Petco is celebrating lucky 2013 by sharing the stories of the luckiest adopted pets -- then helping adoptable pets find homes. Pet parents will upload a photo or video of their pet and describe why he/she is the luckiest, giving color to their life before and after adoption.
Lucky pets can enter the contest now until 11:59 a.m. (just before noon) on Feb. 20. Entrants will select a Petfinder member when submitting their story. The voting period will start on Feb. 21 and visitors can vote once a day for animals throughout the contest, with the voting period ending March 18.
The luckiest pet with the most votes will win a $500 gift card to Petco and a $5,000 donation in their name to the designated organization.
When filling out the information on Petfinder, the code for GSP Rescue New England is MA212.
Good luck!! |
Labs Are Tops; GSPs Rank 15th
| The results are in!
The American Kennel Club has announced its annual list of the Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. with the Labrador Retriever celebrating its 22nd year in a row as the most popular breed in America, tying the Poodle for the longest consecutive reign at No. 1.
While the Lab continues to hold tight to the top spot, this year's list includes some surprise moves. Bulldogs muscled their way into the top 5, knocking the Yorkshire Terrier back to sixth place for the first time since 2003, and bigger breeds are rising in popularity across the board.
But more important that all that, out of a total of 175 breeds, GSPs rank No. 15. That's not a bad ranking!
What are the top 10?
1. Labrador retriever 2. Yorkshire terrier 3. German shepherd 4. Golden retriever 5. Beagle 6. Boxer 7. Dachshund 8. Bulldog 9. Poodle 10. Shih tzu
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Fighting Bloat In Dogs
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If there's one thing that both mystifies and terrifies dog owners, it's the little-understood, often fatal condition known as bloat. This is when a dog's stomach fills up with an abnormal amount of air, fluids, and/or foam, causing it to swell and twist on itself. This can lead to low blood pressure, shock and damage to internal organs. Unless it is noticed and treated quickly with surgery, it's almost always fatal -- often within hours. Any dog can develop bloat, but it is common in large-breed and deep-chested dogs. including German Shorthaired Pointers.
There isn't a worse, more horrible feeling in the world than finding a perfectly healthy dog dead in his kennel, knowing he died in that manner. And for the first time, in order to combat the condition, the AKC Canine Health Foundation has announced The Bloat Initiative, an effort to research and battle bloat.
The initiative will address the need for both education and research.
CHF has released a Bloat Initiative Request for Proposals (RFP) to the research community. A committee of experts in the field will review the proposals and invite selected researchers to submit full proposals. Funding decisions will be announced by Oct. 1.
"Bloat is devastating for dog owners when it occurs. Through this major funding effort, researchers, for the first time, will have the resources they need to work towards establishing the causes and pre-dispositions for bloat," said Dr. Shila Nordone, Chief Scientific Officer of CHF.
"Once we understand why bloat occurs we will have better treatment options and possibly be able to prevent the syndrome from occurring in the first place."
To help educate dog owners about bloat, CHF will launch a free webinar in mid-2013 describing possible causes of bloat, susceptible breeds, symptoms, medical intervention, and explanation of research needed.
"Because bloat progresses so rapidly, part of our focus is on educating the public on the signs and symptoms to look for if they suspect their dog may have bloat," said Nordone.
For more information about bloat, visit www.akcchf.org/bloat.
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Recalls
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Dog Socks
| Here's a great idea! Indoor/Outdoor socks for dogs - for traction, allergies, snow and heat!
Who knew? Power Paws, the traction sock from Woodrow Wear is suitable for both indoor and outdoor needs.
Indoors, use for traction, mobility, warmth, protecting hardwood floors, and protecting foot injuries. Outdoors, spray with Scotchguard and use for snow (keeps ice, salt, and snow from pads), year 'round for allergies, and in the heat (hot pavement and sand will not burn pads).
Power Paws are available in 8 sizes to fit Chihuahuas to St. Bernards. There are 11 designs, including general-purpose and fun, holiday patterns! Power Paws are eco-friendly and made of cotton/elastic for comfort.
They do not need buckles or Velcro to stay in place. They can be machine washed and dried. 98 percent of 80,000+ dogs do NOT mind wearing them, says the company.
Call or email with questions or to request a sample. Visit www.woodrowwear.com and visit http://www.chicexecsmedia.com for samples or for a feature!
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Westminster Quiz Answers
| 1. 2005
2. Ch Kan-Point's VJK Autumn Roses
3. "Carlee"
4. Michelle Ostermiller |
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Look Who's Been Adopted!
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More GSPs have found their forever homes!
They are: Buster, Lucy, Cairo and King
Hooray for the dogs!! Hooray for their new families!! :-)
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Donations
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Donations have gratefully been accepted this month from:
Danelle Gatcombe, in memory of Poppy
Shanda Tinney
United Way of Mexico
Animal Welfare Fund
Caryl Johnson
Catherine Parmentier
Mary Jean Moken
Sujata Varadharajan,in memory of Gino
Tracy Landauer
Brigette Robinson
Thank you all for your generosity!
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Thank You, Donors!
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For those who have graciously made donations to GSP Rescue NE and would like a receipt, please contact Celeste.
And, once again, a big THANK YOU to you all. :-)
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Calendars Are Selling Fast!
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We still have 2013 calendars featuring our rescue dogs available but they're selling like hotcakes! Contact Celeste to order yours before they're gone! |
Bobo's Playland
|  Bobo's Playland has extended their generosity to GSP Rescue NE until the end of February. 50% of all sales of their products will go to rescue. There are new wonderful cards for Valentine's day, fabulous local coffees made expressly for Bobo and some other new products! Check it out! www.bobosplayland.com |
Help Us With
Our Year-Round Fundraisers
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Zeppa Studios designs and produces unique gifts for dog and other animal lovers.
Their Project Rescue was specifically created to help rescue groups earn money and for customers to save money!
Enter the coupon code for German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue New England (GSPRNE) during your online check-out or mention it to the customer service rep when ordering by phone. Customers get 10 percent off their order, GSP Rescue NE will get 20 percent.
For information or to see their product line, go to ZeppaStudios
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We need your help. We have recently partnered with Alphapooch to help us provide more comfortable living for our pet residents through their Buy a Bed Give a Shelter Bed Program. Alphapooch has agreed to donate a shelter bed to us for our foster dogs for every pet bed you purchase from their site: Alphapooch.com/pfgroups.
It's pretty simple. For every item you purchase for your family pets, the pets at our foster homes will get a comfortable bed to rest on! Alphapooch uses a wonderfully soft bedding material called Unreal Lambskin® that both cats and dogs just adore. We love the beds too as they are completely machine washable.
You can find more information on the program as well as their extensive catalogue through the link below (just click HERE to go directly to their website).
Help us make our foster homes a more relaxing place for our dogs while waiting for their forever home and while also treating your own pet to a luxurious new bed!
Thank you for the help!
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Book Donations Needed
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GSP Rescue NE is joining with
Got Books? as a new means of fundraising. Got Books? works by placing bins for recycled books in parking lots. If you have a parking lot with one extra space for a bin please contact Celeste.
This is a one year commitment. All you have to do is donate the space and call Got Books? to empty the bins when they're full.
Rescue gets paid per pound of books. Got Books? will work for rescue through active participation by the GSP Rescue organization and the community.
Requirements are:
1. Safety - The bin must be placed in a safe location for drivers, pedestrians and participants
2. Location - The Got Books? container should be visible to your members as well as the surrounding community
Successful programs establish a plan for getting books from the community. Posting information in the weekly program and bulletins, posting information on your website, and alerting local paper
about the Got Books? program and what Rescue is raising the money for. Every organization is unique and there is more than one way to accomplish the task of getting the books in to the Got Books? container.
Got Books? is a great way to increase recycling and earn extra money for programs within Rescue.
For more information on Got Books? or if you have room at your business to house a collection bin, contact Celeste.
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Dog Door Discount!
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GSP Rescue New England is listed among rescue groups and shelters that have participated in Hale Pet Door's Rescue Rewards program.
The Rescue Rewards works this way: When customers let Hale know that they adopted a pet (either recently or in the past), they receive a 10 percent discount on the cost of their Hale Pet Door. And then Hale makes a donation for that same 10 percent amount to the organization that the customer tells them about. In 2010, Hale donated more than $20,000 to rescues and shelters all over the country.
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Partners For Pets Program
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Bissell's Partners for Pets program supports pet adoption and homeless pets. When you buy selected pet products on bissell.com, you save 10% (with free shipping) and BISSELL will donate 10% of your purchase price to a pet shelter of your choice. For more information, click here.
Use the code ADOPT at the BISSELL checkout to receive the discount. Click here to view eligible products.
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COMEDY CORNER
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A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."
The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet..
"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything.
He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.
The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."
The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman.. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"
The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150." 
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