From the Editor I live with a man who doesn’t like change – he inherited the trait from his mother. I embrace change! But I understand change can negatively impact some people. So, I apologize up front to any of you change-haters, as I’m still fooling around with the look of the Wire~News. At some point, I’ll achieve the vision I have for it. And I’ll keep it that way – at least until I get bored and want to change it again! I considered changing the Wire~News email address to make it easier to track information sent to me. But for now, I decided another email account might just send me over the edge, as I have so much email to review between my personal life, every-day job and this one. Sorry to whoever wrote to me and asked that I change their local club information. Even though I systematically save emails for Wire~News items, I could never find your email again, so please send it another time, and I will make the correction. I think there is one change we can all embrace at this time – the change in seasons! I love winter, but I’ve had enough this year. I really look forward to getting outside more and playing – in the dirt, with the dogs, in the woods and on the beach. As you get outside with your wirehairs at upcoming events – don’t forget your cameras and notepads and pencils, or however you might record them. We need more contributors to the Wire~News. If the same people who write time-after-time get tired of it (and I think some are), we aren’t going to have a publication! I included a list of topics for future issues, so please choose one and start writing now. The next issue is the Field Dog Issue, and there are a lot of events taking place this Spring – we’d love to hear about them and see pictures. Thanks to everyone who sent in material for this issue. It’s greatly appreciated by everyone. I published Kay Braddock’s article on Rally events again this Spring. It’s a great primer for those just starting their Rally training or planning to enter an event for the first time – thanks, Kay. Chico and I recently began obedience training this Winter and we’re really having fun. I sense his energy level pick up as soon as we enter the training facility. We start a Rally class next if we pass Novice, but I don’t think that’s a concern – you all know how smart these dogs are. Chico recognizes what to do as soon as I show him a time or two. And he loves his treats. Have a great and blessed Spring!
Ellen Herminghaus
FROM THE EDITOR
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Nice job on the Winter 2009 Wire~News! I do appreciate all your efforts and long hours in producing such a beautiful publication. This is indeed a publication for every GWPCA member to be proud of! I would like to offer a few suggestions for the Wire~News issue that follows the next National event. After each National, I would suggest listing all the “historical” NFC and NAFC winners and placements – maybe even include the Futurity, Derby, and Puppy. I have attached two spreadsheets that include the historical NFC and NAFC winners and placements (I received it second-hand – it was produced by Doug Ljungren. Perhaps he also has the Futurity, Derby, and Puppy placements?). I updated the list from 2006 (please check my information). I think this historical documentation is very important to provide to the GWPCA membership and for continued recognition to those dogs receiving such a high honor. I would think that newer members like me that were not around in the 1980s would find this extremely informative. I always felt that if historical information can be published more often, the less likely it will be lost over time. I am sure that I am not the only one that thumbs through the old Wire~News to learn and study the pedigrees of the great foundation dogs of the past. I was fortunate that someone passed on to me their old Wire~News dating back to 1982). For this year’s Nationals, I would have liked to have seen more photos of the field events but understand the weather was an issue. I would also suggest that all “National Awards” given out at the banquet should be listed in the Wire~News. Not only would this provide historical documentation but also provide information to those GWPCA members not able to attend. If one is unable to attend the Nationals, they never hear about the award recipients. I know New Titles are published in the Wire~News along with Top Field and Top Producers, but not the other National awards, including ROMS, Versatility, etc, that are presented at the GWPCA banquet. Maybe it would be good to produce a historical page on that as well (to bring everyone up to speed?). It would still be timely if posted in the next issue (provided there is space and time to do this). I have limited resources but will be glad to assist if needed. Thank you for your time,
Meg Eden
Note from editor: Your recommendations are good and will be passed on to the National Committee Chair, and to the historian, who I think is Pat Laurans (her email address is listed on the contributor’s page). If you would like to offer assistance to the historian in compiling the lists, I’m sure it would be appreciated. I will publish them in the Field Dog Issue this summer. Hopefully, someone on the Nationals committee will designate a person to make a list of all the awards given out at Nationals, so it can be passed on to the WireNews editor. I can’t attend all the events at this time because I’m limited on vacation from my job; otherwise, I would be the reporter. Hey! that’s what we need – a National Event Reporter. Any volunteers? Another member recommended the judge’s comments for the conformation events be provided in the WireNews as they had been in previous years. I did request this be set up prior to the event, but I think in the confusion of weather and other logistics, it just got overlooked. We’ll all strive to do a better job next year, and the more volunteers that step up to assist in such matters, the easier it will be for those who spend so much time in organizing the National event and reporting on it afterwards! Thanks, Editor ©2010 GWPCA WIRE NEWS
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