August 2007 Ends
 

    
Uncle Tom & Grandpa Jim give Austen lessons in shifting gears on his new motorcycle!  Austen loves his new bike!

Thornapple Good Girl Gone Bad
CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Alan Domingo Ong on your gorgeous new girl!
After a very long NW Air ride, Rihanna arrived in Manila at 10am August 28th!

August goes out with a bang in Vermontville!
Vermontville - Potterville, Michigan tornado * August 24, 2007
We are okay ... the tornado hit about 2 miles from us and continued it's path
of destruction to Potterville which is about 12 miles down the road.
Thank you to everyone who checked on us!
Our prayers go out to the people in our community who lost everything.
It is a miracle that there were only 5 injuries, no deaths, in this disaster!
Here are photos we snapped.  Some were taken the night of the event.
Others were taken the morning of August 28th, when the road reopened.
There are aerial views and some close up photos of the damage on
www.richmichaels.com

above photos taken evening of tornado ... lots of people out looking!
    
The Shaffer Farm ** a beautifully restored brick farm home and hip roof barn. The weather forecasters stated this tornado was particularly
dangerous because there were no usual "tornado warnings" such as hail and the sound of a train engine. The owner of this home was alone at
the time the storm hit. Her first warning was creaking just before the house blew apart. She ran to the basement immediately, saving her life.
Aunt Ellen was working on web site when the storm hit Vermontville.  Austen was visiting for the weekend enjoying rides on his new motorcycle.
Austen begged Aunt Ellen to go to the basement. Aunt Ellen's insane reply was ... do not worry, Austen. It's just a thunderstorm. If we see
hail, we'll go to the basement. As the sky turned green, lightening bolts struck with fury, winds blew and buckets of rain came pouring down. We
lost power just long enough for the computer to shut down.What did Aunt Ellen do? She rebooted the computer and continued working on the web site!
 AUSTEN ... NEXT TIME ... Auntie Ellen will heed your advice!!!! 
    
these photos (above & below) were taken August 28 after Vermontville Hwy. reopened
(all photos taken while the car was moving so excuse camera shake and non level photos)
    
These homes are across the street from the Shaffer farm.
    
    
    
The home on the right is also home to a Boarding Stable.  Set behind the home and the demolished barn
is a huge horse barn and riding arena.  These were untouched so we are hoping the horses are okay.
    
Another Shaffer barn just east of the restored farmhouse and barn (right).  Debbie Neff share the photo on the right.
Trucks parked at their fairgrounds in Ohio waiting to depart for Michigan to help with the cleanup in Michigan.

FULL PAGE AD WHICH APPEARED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES THIS WEEK!

Who's Killed More Animals?
Picture of Michael Vick under which it says ... 8

Picture of a policeman preparing to bury a puppy killed by PETA
workers ... under which it says 14,400

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) loves to point the finger
at others, when they should be looking at their own record of killing more
than 90% of the animals left in their care.  According to government records
PETA has killed more than 14,400 animals since 1998.

Find out more about PETA's hypocrisy at:

www.PETAkillsANIMALS.com

Section A * New York Times * August 27, 2007
can be seen at    www.consumerfreedom.com

Good News From Megan & Sway in Oregon!
Congrats on the most recent wins from this last weekend.  Especially on another champion!
Update on the Baby Sway --  Best of Breed Olympic K.C. 8-19- 07 Patricia Laurens, and a pull in the group.
Sway showed like a ROCKSTAR!   Best of Breed this last weekend 8-26-07  Chris Walcowitz, was only a Sunday show.  
Hope all is well and that Shamba continues his winning ways.   Awesome that Nero is doing well, I really like that little
guy, think that he is going to grow up to be a very handsome dog. Talk to you sooner than later. Megan x Sway
Congratulations Megan & Sway!  Keep the wins coming!

San Antonio, Texas, under siege!  August 27, 2007
Forwarded From: Responsible Pet Owners Alliance  rpoa@texas.net<mailto:rpoa@texas.net>

TX-RPOA E-News
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance, the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization, not "animal rights" and, yes,
there is a difference. Permission granted to crosspost. Action Alert! Please forward and crosspost.

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance needs the help of everyone who has ever visited or plans to visit
 San Antonio,Texas, as a tourist, sports fan, participant in dog shows (conformation, breed or
performance events), participant in cat shows or any other event held in San Antonio. Please contact
the San Antonio Convention and Tourist Bureau (below) and tell them if the proposed revisions to
San Antonio's Chapter 5 Animal Ordinance pass, you will no longer visit San Antonio because you travel
with your animals and won't consider the city to be "pet friendly" any more.  You could say:

1) I will no longer participate in nor attend any animal events in the city, such as the River City Cluster
of Dog Shows, Alamo City Cluster of Dog Shows and the Alamo City Cat Club Show or will refrain from
spending any money within the city limits to do so. 2) I will not vacation in San Antonio with my pets.
3) I do not wish to spend money in any city that discourages pet ownership and has no understanding of the
human/animal bond.4) I will consider San Antonio a hostile environment, angry at anyone who owns or breeds
animals. 5) San Antonio will join the ranks of Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO, and other anti-pet cities in the US.
Send to: Scott White, Executive Director
Convention & Visitors Bureau
203 S St. Mary's
San Antonio, TX 78205
FAX: (210) 207-6768
EMAIL: Yvette.orozco@sanantoniovisit.com<about:blank>
Also "cc" a copy to:
Mayor Phil Hardberger FAX: (210) 207-4168
EMAIL: mayorphilhardberger@sanantonio.gov<about:blank>
For more information about this ordinance proposal, visit our web site: 
www.responsiblepetowners.org<http://www.responsiblepetowners.org/> and
click on the "Action Alert!."


Western Reserve Kennel Club * Sunday, August 25 * Junior Judge Ms. Julie Parker
BEST JUNIOR HANDLER OVER 32 very competitive junior handlers!
Congratulations Shayna & Shamba on an AWESOME JOB today!

Sugarbush Kennel Club * Saturday, August 25 * Judge Carl G. Liepmann
It's a FATHER, SON & DAUGHTER DAY!  Thank you Mr. Liepmann!
NEW CHAMPION!!!!  CH Thornapple Star Of Africa!  Winners Bitch for 2 points!
Nandi handled to her finish win by Victoria Davidson!
CONGRATULATIONS on your new champion, Di & Alan Falconer * New Zealand!
Thornapple Windspirit Masquerade "Nero" *** Best Of Winners for his first 2 points!
Nero is handled by Amy.  He was bred in Brazil by Marcia Bertero, Amy Garrison & Ellen Brandenburg
AND DADDY WINS BEST OF BREED!!!! CH Thornapple King Of Diamonds "Shamba"
Daddy is very proud of Nandi & Nero!
Congratulations Shayna Garrison on handling SHAMBA to a 1st place win
in a tough Junior Handling Class of 8 Juniors! Shayna won a $50 gift certificate
to Best Buy under Judge David L. Anthony. Way To Go Shayna!

Sugarbush Kennel Club * Friday, August 24 * Judge Mrs. Sulie Greendale-Paveza
Thornapple Star Of Africa "Nandi" * Winners Bitch * Best Of Winners

GOOD NEWS from Di in New Zealand!
Brilliant (about Nandi)!  Had a good weekend - Zippo got DCC & BOB at all 4 shows this
weekend although nothing in group.  He is coming into coat really nicely with a glorious
shine to his coat.  Should look really good for the Nationals next month!  His children
came with us to Wellington and they charmed everyone although not old enough to show
yet, took everything in stride.  I just love Zippo's temperaments - so easy going.
Kisses from Zippo, Di   CONGRATULATIONS, Di, on a wonderful dog show weekend!
Nandi can't wait to travel to New Zealand to meet her new family!

 

Exciting News from Sheryl in Singapore!!!!  August 25!

  
We decided to show Audrey today. It was the 14th and
15th Asian Kennel Club show. We won Best Maiden in the
Group Specials. We got 10 points in each show, so we
are 1/3 there! We only need 60 points to get her title.

Audrey was a good girl. She gaited beautifully. I was
so proud of her. She was a bit wary of the judge, but
she tolerated it. Her coat wasn't in perfect condition
( it hasn't fully grown back after her heat), but she
was still beautiful.  CONGRATULATIONS, SHERYL!
Also, Congrats to Sheryl's sister, Stacy, who handled Miss Audrey to her win!
What a nice birthday gift for Audrey! We are very proud of you all!