Zeke
While working on his Companion Dog title (he hopes to have it
this summer), Zeke picked up a Canine Good Citizen award. The Therapy Dog International
test was conducted at the same time, so we gave it a try. Zeke, being a very friendly
fellow, passed with flying colors. The examiner did warn me that "if he visits anyone
in a wheelchair, make sure their brakes are on" because he tends to fling himself
onto people.
I
am a teacher of emotionally disturbed children so decided that Zeke's calling with them.
When I told my class that he had become a therapy dog, they thought he was going to be
doing therapy with other dogs! I brought him to my middle school classrom many times this
year. He was unfailingly cheerful and had kisses for everyone.
The children, who live in a group home, are so starved for contact with pets. They all
love him. Zeke gladly accepts hugs and give back sloppy Stafford kisses. He does all his
tricks and shows off his obedience routine. We give demonstrations of clicker training and
he just hangs out in my classroom. Behavior is always better on the days when Zeke visits.
He is very sensitive and shows his upset by going into his crate when anyone is loud or
disruptive.
When he is not doing therapy, he spends his time with his two Stafford 'sisters', Cam
and Wynnie, or training inobedience. Zeke is clicker trained and would do a great job in
the ring if he could just learn to stay. He does have one 3rd place in novice obedience.
When he finishes his C.D., he is ready to go on to open obedience and, cross your fingers,
a C.D.X. - Jean Richardson
Trilby, The Model Stafford
Tracy Morgan a photographer was so taken with the Wells trio of dogs that she asked
Marney if she would let her use one of the dogs for a modelling shoot for a Hub
International catalogue, what follows is in Marneys (unmistakable) words.
How could I refuse? I did actually decide that Bertie was probably not ideal when I was
told other living creatures would be involved. So I decided that this would be
Trilby's big break as a super-model!
She would be modelling dog beds and accessories this time, where might it all end?
Maybe a Paris catwalk - or would that be dogwalk?
We arrived at the studio to find some Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds
along with Papillons belonging to the Urquarharts who own Hun International. Trilby
took it all in her stride, and although she had never met any of the dogs before, was soon
lying on the top bunk bed with a German Shepherd underneath as though they had known each
other all their lives. We had to place the dogs quite carefully while standing on
thin matting to protect the paper which formed the back-drop for the photos, so they
needed to be calm and co-operative as we did not want any marks on the floor or rips in
the paper, and, of course, once placed, the dogs had to stay put while the humans made
silly noises and waved toys around to make them look appealing (no problem for Trilby -
how could she look anything but appealing!?).
During the day, Trilby reclined on four-posters, lounged on chaise-longs and generally
behaved in an exemplary manner. One of my favourite shots was of her and a Golden
Retriever lying side by side on some mattresses, one fluffy, one flowery, with their heads
down and their eyes close, apparently asleep. The were only acting!
Part way through the after, someone asked me if Trilby liked cats. As I said, it
is difficult to tell when cats spend so little time in our garden! All I usually see
is the flash of a disappearing tail followed by very fast moving Staffords. After
some discussion, it was decided to try the shot of Trilby on a bottom bunk and the cat on
the top. I put Trilby in a down stay with her feet and body all nearly arranged as
requested and the cat was brought in and placed on the top bunk. To tell the truth,
id did not seem a happy cat - it had probably read a few books on Stafford's in its idle
moments and did not really care that this could be it's start to fame and fortune.
It would not stay still without two assistants, one either side holding it down while
Tracy wave a toy around to keep its attention and told the helpers when to let go of the
cat! Through al of this, Trilby (having given the cat a quick sniff when it was
first placed above her) behaved beautifully. She did not budge from her stay and
kept her eyes on me while I stood back behind the camera, talking to her and making little
noises to get her to move her head and ears around. When someone commented how
amazed they were at her good behaviour with the cat, I had to admit that I had been
somewhat impress, too! Not to say surprised!
Of course, I had a wonderful day being very proud of Trilby's behaviour and it is most
exciting to see her in a glossy brochure. Biggles, Bertie and
Trily's training has involved us in so many different activities, not just the
competitions that the training is for , I wonder what will be next?!!
Marney Wells
Phoebe's Story
Phoebe, (Thorax
Flirting Phoebe), a home-bred black-brindle South African SBT bitch, was born on 3
March 1994 to Tenacious Harlequin Heidi of Thorax and KUSA National Dog 1991 CH Millenium
Bunty of Odenda.
Phoebe had one beautiful litter and was Shown for a while but she never
quite "made" it in the Showring - gaining RCC's but never quite the main prize.
I think she simply exists to LOVE and be loved. Her name - Flirting
Phoebe - is also extremely apt because she is able to worm love and affection out of
even the dourest stranger.
A couple of months ago my
friend and accredited Canine Behaviour Pshychologist Shannon McKay smbull@iafrica.com (Shannon also breeds and
show Great Danes) officially opened her new dog training school and I decided to support
her by taking a dog for lessons in a discipline.
I thought Agility looked like fun and decided to try it with Phoebe who
has grown slightly stout after having been spayed at an early age. The extra exercise
would be good for both of us. Phoebe also has a near perfect Recall even though she
has never had official Obedience lessons in her life. So off we trotted to be introduced
to jumps, the tunnels, A-frame, dog walk and see-saw not to mention the long jump (still
the bane in our lives! Phoebe still has a couple of pounds to lose!) Needless to say we
both enjoy the sport tremendously and each little success is a major triumph to be shared
by friends and family alike.
I am not sure if we'll ever see the inside of
an Agility competition ring, because Phoebe still gets highly excited whenever new people
arrive at the training grounds, feeling it is her duty to go and welcome each and every
new person (especially if there are children too). We will have to see if I can discipline
her to first finish the course BEFORE she does her welcome spiel. However, time will tell
and she has made tremendous leaps and bounds (literally and figuratively!) in the short
time since we have introduced her to this sport.
Nelline Pretorius
Thorax Staffords, South Africa
thorax@mweb.co.za
http://www.staffords.co.za/thorax/thorax.htm
To view more wonderful pictures of Phoebe, click on: http://photos.lycos.com/PhotoCShare/PhotoAlbum.asp?CG=4jnrtr0ir7a13bv10188nkobks&AID=110242
Tyson
Tyson (Guns of Navarone) is out of Rufitufi Ida Red by Atta Boy bred by Mr
j & Mrs M Hollis he is 3 years old. He is owned by Mary Thurtle of Norfolk and
competes in Agility & Obedience
Tyson is used by Mary's local obedience class as the dog used to introduce
puppies and beginner dogs to the club as his temprement is rock solid.
Tyson is handled by both Mary and her 8 year old
daughter, and can be seen in the photographs during a recent Agility display flying the
flag for Staffords everywhere.
Tyson adores agility and has reached a high standard, Mary is hoping that
her new puppy, Zena (Allead Under a Spell) who is out of Ariadh Butter Wouldn't Melt by
Champion Vanoric Voo Doo will also compete in both disiplines.
Tyson & sister Xena (Allead Under a Spell) both took part in the Kennel
Club Good Citizen display team at Crufts 2003
Gus
Gus is a 10 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier owned by Jean Bond of
Upwell, near Wisbech. He visits hospitals, hospices and resedential homes in his duties as a PAT (Pets As Therapy) Dog. Jean and Gus visit
different homes 4 days per week, Gus has become a firm favourite with many of his
'patients', giving each person a piece of his love, it's certainly a good thing Staffords
have a massive heart.
Gus was rescued by the RSPCA from appauling circumstances, where he was
used as a 'bait dog', after lots of treatment he was re-homed and since this time Gus and
Jean have become inseprable.
Gus
has recently undergone a major operation on his back leg, which was by the same ostepath
vet, Gordon Brown that treated Katie (Araidh Kiss of Life) he has
taken this in his stride and is coming along famously, if fact he has recently been
shortlisted to the final 10 in the 'Golden Bonio 2001' awards.
Quite an achievement, but trophies are not important in Jean's own words 'he is my life
and I love him'.
Gus has just undergone an operation on his other leg and is in his recovery month so is
on reduced visits, but he recently fitted in a school visit as the children were doing
projects on pets, the school was at Emneth near Wisbech where Gus spent the afternoon
being patted and cuddled by the class, Jean has just received 26 letters, one from each of
the children telling her how much they enjoyed the visit from Gus.
Gus certainly deserves his place here as a 'Clever Stafford' - he is a marvolous
ambassador for the breed.
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August 13, 2003 ;){kind=link}