Page 174 - ShowSight - April 2020
P. 174

                MAYNO BLANDING
Without dog shows to attend, how am I keeping busy? I’m going to plant a big vegetable garden this year and take care of the dogs.
I’m in isolation because of high risk. I order all groceries, etc. to be delivered. I have retired my special, sadly, as I don’t know when it will be safe to show him again. However, I’m keeping him intact just in case.
I’m currently taking my time writing a book and also my life history.
DANELLE BROWN
I’m a retired ER Nurse, but I let my license lapse last year. So, with all the extra time on my hands, I’ve been taking online continuing education courses so I can have my license reinstated. I know with this pandemic the hospitals may be needing extra help and I want to be ready to go back to work if I’m needed.
Routine: Get up, feed Corgis, walk Corgis, give Corgis treats, pet Corgis, pick Corgi hair out of eyes, mouth, hair, etc. (social distancing isn’t their thing), give Corgis more treats, let Corgis out, give Corgis more treats, and repeat above. In all seriousness, the walks and outside time helps me keep my sanity. I’m a very posi- tive person and I believe as devastating as this is to our nation and world, we will overcome it. But we need to follow the social distanc- ing and self isolation guidelines.
As an owner-handler I’ve been working my dogs more, but it’s been honing our agility, rally and trick dog skills. All the fun stuff! As a judge, I have been studying standards more, especially the ones that have recently been changed. I also have dug out all my old judges ed material on several breeds. It’s always good to stay sharp by looking at old notes you took and may have forgotten about.
NICOLE TORRE
Do I work in healthcare? Yes. I have recently signed up for the California Health Corps. What type of position? Nursing. Dur- ing this COVID-19 outbreak, families have needed home care! I am currently trying to do more: Help with home care for those who don’t need to go to the hospital and take the risk with COV- ID-19. Volunteering for the California Health Corps to help in disaster relief.
Without dog shows to attend, how am I keeping busy? I am doing more as I stated above with healthcare needs. But in addition to that I am busy with puppy training for the up-in-comers to the ring. Also, trying to get in as much grooming as possible. A new thing I am trying is to offer as many services as possible via the Internet. I am doing webinar packages for people to purchase along with doing live one-on-one handling tips and training!
The state of California has order a Shelter in Place on March 19th, 2020, but my county had already been ordered a week prior to
that. So as of now, it has been about three weeks of staying at home not being able to go to dog shows or anything else except going to the store.
Has it altered my plans for the future? I don’t know that yet! I don’t plan for it to, but I think it is too early to say. We don’t know how long this is going to go on for and I am just trying to get by day-by-day. I am doing what I can for my clients, dogs, family and myself.
If you’re an owner-handler, are you doing more training? I am not an owner-handler, but I am doing more training with my dogs. I do this to enforce the muscle memory in my dogs and myself. Also, I have been working with my three kids in training and practicing for Juniors.
If you’re a breeder, are you going ahead with a breeding? Yes, I have had the time now to really think about it and plan hopefully a beautiful breeding!
JANET HARTMANN
My litter of Bichon puppies was delivered by C-section on the Friday afternoon that President Trump declared a national emer- gency due to the COVID-19 crisis. My bitch was a first time mom, who adversely reacted to the anesthesia. She vomited after eating a light meal. She looked at me with the the sad, miserable eyes of a creature in pain, ashamed of the mess she spewed forth. I reassured her that everything was okay. She fell asleep after I gently stroked her weary body. Soon it was to be midnight, but sleep was not to be mine, for many hours as I stood watch over her and the pups.
She was not readily producing milk. I knew I had to get colos- trum and fluids into the puppies. They needed antibodies and hydration. I prayed to the milk gods to help my little girl. The canine reproduction reference book came off the shelf. Each page addressing lactation was read and re-read in the hope that I would glean a bit of information not previously stored in my tired brain. Esbilac and nursing bottles previously ordered were delayed for an unknown number of days due to the COVID-19 virus. The plane with my precious cargo onboard was stuck on the tarmac at McCar- ran airport in Las Vegas hundreds of miles away.
By mid-morning the puppies had each found a teat. The milk gods had answered my prayers. I uttered a quick ‘thank you’. My bitch was still learning that the white squirming bodies resem- bling filets of sole belonged to her. This new mom cycled through acceptance and rejection. My mantra became ‘keep them warm and hydrated’. Out came the fleece puppy blanket and heating pad. Out I went to the store for Esbilac and bottles. The first supplemen- tal feeding went well. Then the puppies started to regularly nurse. I sighed with happiness and relief listening to the great sucking sound. Yet I remained parked by the whelping box throughout Sat- urday and into Sunday.
172 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2020
COVID-19 Q&A
“WE DON’T KNOW HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO GO ON FOR AND I AM JUST TRYING TO GET BY DAY-BY-DAY. I AM DOING WHAT I CAN FOR MY CLIENTS,
DOGS, FAMILY AND MYSELF.”











































































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