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Perfect weather conditions
- blue skies, a light breeze, and gentle temperatures -- encouraged this year's
participants in the MS Walk on Sunday, April 14, 2002, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
Energy swiftly spread from walker to walker, influencing an overall air of satisfaction
to the event.
Leading the Tenacious Tiger's team was the team mascot, Hansha's
Tiger, a Shiba Inu. This bold and brave breed of dog from Japan exhibited the traits
that are so much a Shiba - aloofness, loyalty, and courage. Tiger was pleased to
be part of the group that showed support for those that have Multiple Sclerosis,
like his owner, Debbie Schaefer.
The team completed the 6-mile walk, acquiring
walking sticks along the way. This year the Tenacious Tigers! raised pledges and
gifts from friends and corporations in excess of $4,500.00. Because of this accomplishment
services for rural communities will be provided for those with MS and books about
MS will be purchased for the lending library. Gifts also fund research, research
that has resulted in developing significant advances in the treatment for MS and
who knows, maybe this year the research will be the catalyst that is the basis for
finding a cure! Wouldn’t that be an incredible feat? Every single dollar donated
is valuable and is put to use.
The April 14 Walk showed
that many sponsors were willing to step forward and provide generously in this drive
against MS. Multiple Sclerosis comes and goes unpredictably, but the fact that more
people are aware of the condition today shows that there is greater understanding
because of this event. Contributions fund programs and activities that promote and
support knowledge, health, and independence.
As hundreds of participants
passed each other, they cheerfully chatted and visited, making comments and fun
remarks. Many felt that our handsome, four-legged mascot was an inspiration for
other dogs to follow. We saw another Shiba on the walk, and learned that another
Shiba family was there walking to support their family member that had MS.
Tiger's dignified manner and typical Shiba traits of poise, agility, and catlike
movements prompted additional comments from the crowd. At one point, Debbie's nephew
took Tiger on a sprint to use up some pent up energy. Both nephew and canine were
winded after this spurt, but neither was going to give in and stop walking until
the end of the trail!
As we walked, Tiger made sure he was not cornered or
confronted by other canines or humans. We noticed he was not successful 100 percent
of the time. Every once in while a walker "caught" his tail or patted his back.
When this happened, Tiger took it all in stride. He turned to look at the offending
person and sidled away so he would not experience additional expressions of affection.
His biggest challenge was at the very end of the walk when a young child had hopes
of giving Tiger a big bear hug. We rescued Tiger from this little one and spirited
Tiger out of her reach!
Once again in 2002 companies, friends, and communities
joined together to further this worthy cause. Each participant, walker, or sponsor
returned home with an understanding that they, as individuals, CAN make a difference.
Family members show their understanding and support for those struggling with the
disease and individuals with the condition have the knowledge they are taking an
active role in helping find a cure!
There is still time to be counted in
this year's totals, if you are interested in participating by sponsoring someone
in this event. Please contact Debbie Schaefer, team captain, at
Shibamagic@aol.com, or go to the National
MS Society web site at www.msillinois.org.
The Tenacious Tigers! team code is W02044.
All contributions are gratefully accepted, with thanks! Your support does
make a difference!
I went up to Sheboygan to show
to Dr. Randy Weckman. Had never heard of him, couldn't find anyone who had LOL What
a pleasure he was to show to ... I talked to him while we were waiting for pictures,
and his background includes quite a few non-sporting dogs as well as some terriers
(altho no spitz breeds). He also said that he thought shibas were a very neat breed
(I concur!)
The winners were:
BOB, BW, WD (2 points and Best Puppy)
Tammy Tzabo's Toby (Kori x Harlot) who went on to be pulled in the regular group
and won the puppy group under Edd Bivin. Hung around to watch my grandpuppy in groups
and puppy best in show and he did a good job :) despite being a little exuberant
a couple of times going around with the whole group. This little guy has yet to
be defeated in the breed, but ... next week he goes up against GRANDPA!
Jimmy
was RWD, but he showed about as well as he could (only one or two head shakes that
I can remember) and despite this being a very noisy building he didn't freak out
at anything, I think a light bulb is dimly lighting in that little brain of his
LOL plus I've found that he need a very tight collar because he doesn't like the
chain hanging ... so I bet I have to spend the bucks on another collar for him in
a few weeks lol
BOS,WB to finish was Karen Drentlaw's Mint, see her picture
below, (another champion for Runner!). This was nice since I have never lost when
I've shown one of Karen's bitches and so the pressure was on! However, hotly contesting
her for the win was the puppy bitch Hanako bred by Dorothy Warren that lives in
Green Bay and owned by the Vogt's that I was also showing. She did quite well for
her first show and the judge was very patient and nice with her on the table. He
allowed me to show her bite and then he went over her (then I restacked her) and
he just petted her for a while till she actually just stood for it, so he made it
a very positive experience which I definitely appreciated. She hasn't had a lot
of experience, and I've only had her for a week, so I was a little nervous about
how she would perform (especially with mom and dad watching and videotaping LOL)
Heard via the grapevine that Pat Doescher did well. On Thursday she finished
Cam (Hi-Jinx MMM MMM Good) with a Breed over specials. She also showed Karen Drentlaw's
Mint to BOS for 2 points leaving her need just one point to finish. Pat left before
finishing the weekend but Jane Chapin and Catty represented Hi-Jinx quite well winning
a 4 point major on Saturday. She now needs only one point to finish. She might have
finished on Sunday except for the fact that the show was CANCELLED due to rain!
Okay, so it took me a week... Steel City has always been a lucky show for me
for some reason through my whole dog "career" starting with my first major on Bambi
the malamute which was in 1976 <gasp!>. Anyway, this year was not an exception,
a relief since it was a 2.5 hour drive one way ... two days in a row!
Our breed judge on Saturday was William Usherwood and on Sunday W. Everett Dean
who was moving around pretty well considering he was hit by a car not too long before
Westminster. We had a nice time getting together again with Andy and Tina of Sandy
Oaks and their Great Dane Abby and two shibas Molly & Missy (Missy is Larry's daughter).
Even though they saved me a spot next to their motor home I sure got my exercise
for the weekend going up that hill time and time again!
Best of Breed Saturday/
Best of Breed-Group III Sunday
Ch.
Reno Sakura Jackpot
Owner: Jo-Ann Gray
Breeder: Chris Ross & Jacey Holden
Handled by Lynda Birmantas
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| Best of Opposite Sex on Sunday
looking for catalog!
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Best of Winners, Winners Dog
(for a major on Saturday):
Hi-Jinx
Phantom Phlyer
Owned by Lynda Birmantas & Patricia
S. Doescher
Breeder: Patricia S. Doescher
Handled by Lynda Birmantas |
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Winners Bitch and
BOS on Saturday for a major to finish:
Yankii's
Chamber of Secrets
Owned/Bred by Jo-Ann Gray
Handled by Lynda Birmantas
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Winners Bitch on Sunday
Yankii's Misbehavin of SandyOaks
Owned by Andy & Tina Gilles
Bred by Jo-Ann Gray
Handled
by Lynda Birmantas |
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