Successful County Fair Show

HAPPINESS IS DOING YOUR BEST AND BEING RECOGNIZED FOR IT !

It was great to see such a good result from those who came to the Marion County Fair 4-H Dog Show. I was extremely proud of all of you. I know that the low pressure weather bothered a few dogs behaviors, but you trainers (yes, that's you) handled it like pros. It's just the way it is and you deal with what you are given.

It was sad that a couple members of our club did not come to the county show, but those of you that came shone like the stars that I know you are!!

It was absolutely button-popping to know that each and every one of you took the Top Dog Test knowing that if you don't at least try, you can't place. And, a few of you received honors because of it. ALL of you received your tests back, so learned from the experience, right?

Because, I was in charge of running the Agility portion of the show in another building, I didn't get to witness your prowess in the obedience and showmanship rings. However, I can testify to your outstanding handling in the agility setting. All of you demonstrated exactly what we worked on all year. Even when a challenge came up for your particular dog.

The other exciting thing about the 2010 year in particular was the addition of the TROPHIES. Yes, some of your parents, other clubs, and our club contributed to be able to purchase those for the winners. They were beautiful and I believe gratefully accepted by the winners. IF you were one of those who received one of those AND it had an attached envelope with the sponsors address on it PLEASE be sure to send a thank you letting them know how much that trophy means to you. Maybe you could tell them about how special that day was to you and a little about your dog.

A special thanks to Mr. Miller who helped transport the agility equipment. Those who helped set up and take down. Leader Mrs. Miller for staying with the Obedience building show, and Leader Christi who I didn't get to see but in passing, but I am sure was helping facilitate those of you getting to your classes at the appointed times.

It all gets a bit chaotic on a show day, but if we all work together, it will get done and there is ALWAYS room for suggestions for improvement.

Here are a few photos that I managed to get... I am still hoping to get some more from parents.

Above from Left to Right:
Mackenzie C. and Oscar; Melissa M. and Macy; Jennifer B. and Carlisle; and Kiersten T. and Pedey.

If the rest of you will send in photos, I would love to post them as well.

DOG BUCKET LIST

Here is a list of all kinds of dog equipment that you may be using as you train your dog in while doing the 4-H Dog Project. You will NOT need ALL of this. But you should keep what you need to go with you in a show bucket or bag. I personally like a bucket with the handle : ) Carry only what you will need. KEEP your equipment in the bucket when you are not using it and it shouldn't get lost . Then when it's time to practice or leave on a trip, everything is in one place.

THE ITEMS THAT ARE CAPITALIZED ARE THOSE THAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR BUCKET EVERY TIME.

VET FORM - you must have proof that your dog's required shot's are up to date. If you have not yet done so please visit your vet to have them complete your 4-H Vet Form. A new form is required every year.

LEASHES -6 FOOT leather or nylon, chain leash, retractable, martingale

COLLARS - TRAINING (choke chain), flat (agility), household collar, showmanship

TREATS- (small) string cheese, "sausage" pressed (ask Ellen), hot dog, pellets or cookies. Most important is that is something special that your dog will love and that it is easily carried, given and consumed. Only treat when rewarding for successes. A Ziploc or treat dispenser to carry treats in.

PICK-UP KIT - Poop bags or Ziploc baggies, and some paper towels or napkins.

Toys squeeky, jack, kong, bone, rope, frisbee

Grooming - any kind you use, curry, paddle brush, rubber brush, T-comb single, T- comb double coat, any grooming spray or perfume. Toe nail clippers or file.

First Aide Kit (optional) few bandages and whatever else

Advanced Training: Dumbell, Scent Articles

Clicker (if used)

Hand Sanitizer (good idea)

WATER - In a well-sealed bottle, & bowl to drink from or reusable glad containter.

VET FORM - ALWAYS HAVE IT (put it in a large ziploc or page protector.

Armband for Show Number (optional)

DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOU:

CHAIR- camp or folding chairs if not at site.

NOTEBOOK: Paper, pen, calendar

DRINK: waterbottle, juice or whatever. Plus any snack if you need it.

MONEY: If you are going to another show, it's always good to have a little $.

NOW.... What's in YOUR bucket? (or bag)

VOTE FOR CLUB OFFICERS This Thursday

Club Officers for our Waggers 4-H Dog Club will be tallied this Thursday at club.
If you have a conflict and cannot attend club, OR if you just wish to vote before club time you may do so by emailing your choices to ellenspencer22@gmail.com before 1 p.m. on Thursday.

VOTING -
Each clubber will receive one ballot and should vote for a person to hold one office. In other words, do not vote for the same person to hold more than one office. Of course it is acceptable for you to vote for yourself in the position you'd most like to accept.

Here is a brief description of the offices and their responsibilities.

President- regularly runs meetings.
Start meeting on time & run according to schedule.

Vice-president- assists president, lead pledges. Recruit demonstrations.

Secretary- takes attendance, announces calendar events, notes "meeting summary". Gets familiar with paperwork filing of the club papers (Ellen will oversee that part).

Treasurer- keeps monetary record, reminds people of money related items. Adult help will be provided.

Sergeant of Arms- facilities: set up & clean up. Chairs, tables, flags, posters, handouts, etc.

Hospitality- welcome guests and coordinate any refreshments. Make sure we have hand sanitizer, napkins, plates, cups, etc. Recruit volunteers and give reminders.

Historian- create/keep scrapbook; use a three ringed binder to keep a record of our year. Be creative with photos, fliers, notes (secretary can help). It is important to be neat and as complete as possible, as this record will stay with the club for future reference to history.
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As an officer it is important to come to club early if possible so that you are ready to fulfill your duties. You will be a representative of what it is to be responsible young 4-H leader. So be a good example not only to our club, but to others you meet. My goal is to be at club at 6 p.m. so you can arrive anytime after that. That is also a good time to come to club early if any clubber has need for additional information (like missed previous week).

Don't worry about uncertainties of your office. As a club leader I will make sure you are equipped and help you in any way possible. You will get the hang of it, develop skills as you serve in your office and be good at it. :-)

As officer you are chiefly responsible for your duties, however --- you may ask for help from others. One of the greatest characteristics about our club is the willingness of fellow clubbers and even adults to offer help. Just ask for help when you need it, or offer it when you have it to give.

I am very excited about our 2010 Warren Waggers 4-H Club Year.
Now vote for who you believe to best fulfill the office.
We will announce the results at the end of club on Thursday (4-15).

THE OFFICER BALLOT

President: Shelby Trees, Erin Lego,

Vice President: Kiersten Tuggle, Melissa Miller, Allissa Arnold

Secretary: Matthew Uhrig, James Reed

Treasurer: James Reed , Mackenzie Carr , Shelby Trees

Sgt. of Arms: Erin Lego, Shelby Trees, James Reed

Hospitality: Melissa Miller, Shelby Trees, Kiersten Tuggle, Shelby Cleek, Erin Lego, James Reed

Historian: Shelby Trees, Erin Lego, Melissa Miller

If you are voting early send your ballot selections to ellenspencer22@gmail.com
BEFORE 1 P.M. of this Thursday.

2010 WARREN WAGGERS YEAR STARTUP

Let's Get Started
It is once again time for our Warren Waggers 4H Dog Club Kickoff meeting. This year we will still be meeting at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, we will be holding our meetings in a different building. We will be meeting in the Commercial Building.

How do you get there?
Enter the fairgrounds from the main gate (SW corner) drive up the far West drive all the way onto the main West-East road. Continue on that to the far East end of the grounds. The Commercial building is located South of the Poultry building and East of the little fairgrounds Office building.

This initial meeting will be: Thursday, April 8th, 2010 6:30 PM - 8 PM in the Commercial Building.

DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG TO THE FIRST MEETING.

We will be continuing our meetings at the same time weekly with a couple of date exception which will be shown on the calendar.

Share the Fun
Feel free to introduce your friends to the possibility of joining 4-H and maybe our club by inviting them to join us. Participants will have to be in 3rd to 12th grade of school, and their dog will need to be healthy, an not "in season", and must be current on vaccinations before it can come to club meetings (here is a form which your veterinarian needs to sign).

Questions: Just post a "comment" below.

WHERE's The Marion County Fairgrounds

The Marion County Fairgrounds is located in the Southeast corner of Marion County near the intersection of I-465 and I-74.

Marion County Fairgrounds
7300 E. Troy Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46239
Click here for interactive Mapquest map!

ENROLL IN 4-H

Our Warren Waggers 4H Dog Club is focused on the Dog Project however we are more than happy to help you enroll in Marion County Indiana 4-H. This year the process has become more streamlined with the introduction of the option to enroll electronically. I encourage all of you who sign up for the dog project to also sign up for the dog poster as the two projects work well together and will be easy for you to do as you learn more about being a responsible dog owner/handler.
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This from the Marion County Extension Office:

We are happy to see that so many of our 4-H families are responding to our on-line enrollment system. We think giving them the option this year to enroll either electronically or with the traditional paper method is making it very easy for new and existing members to sign up.

It's hard to believe that we're already into our first full week of April and our Marion County fair enrollment deadline is coming up next month. We want to make sure every family understands that while they can enroll in 4-H at any time over the course of the year, if they wish to enter their projects in the fair they need to enroll by May 15. Can you please assist us in getting the word out to your 4-H families that it's time for them to send in their enrollments? They can visit www.indy4-hyouth.org and click on "Enroll in 4-H" to begin the process. As leaders you also have the capability from the site to click on the "Forms" tab and print out enrollment forms for those club members without computer access.

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So, if you would like to enroll in 4-H in Marion County, just click that link above and then on the Green Link that looks like this >>Click here to ENROLL IN 4-H
and follow the detailed instructions including the printing and signing part. This enrollment process needs to be completed by May 15th, 2010 to be able to show in the Marion County Fair.