It has been a busy summer here in Dutchland and you can get an idea of the fun by checking out the photo montage in this issue. The stifling heat kept some of our older Pyrs away from the Pyrenean Fun Day, but for the hardier Pyrs and their people it was a grand event.

It began on a serious note with a demonstration of canine CPR presented by Mona Bennett and Debi Steineder from the Southeastern PA Chapter of the American Red Cross. Cheli Witt and Chelsea Unger really gave the CPR dummy the once over, but the Pyrs enjoyed the fumbling attempts of their people to take their pulses.

After a magnificent Penn-Dutch potluck lunch (minus the usual burgers and hot dogs due to the drought restrictions on open flames), the games began. Penny had retired to her air conditioned limo by this point, but it was reported that everyone had a great time, with the "Simon Says" game being a favorite (click here for photos).

Among those present were: the lovely young Nevica Wool-Lewis accompanied by Strider and the folks, Rouven and Kristen; Chip Manwiller with Jay and Annette; Weezie Gill with Jane; Abbie Edwards with Doug and Kathy; Benn Vaichunas with Joe; Brutus and Kayla Gress with Ben and Kathy; Lilly and Rupert Lamoureaux with Joe and Patti; Paxton Murray with Kristin and John; Odin and Maggie Murray with Diane; the Wilson family; Candace Ryan; Sue and Chalie Gellak; the Kintsfathers; the Simons; the Hillards and Kathy Setlock.

August brought the Delta Society Pet Partners' animal therapy workshop at the Coombs' home near Gettysburg. This event was jointly sponsored by Penn-Dutch, the National Capital Area GPC and the Potomac Valley Tibetan Spaniel Club. It was very informative, but wow, those Tibbies can yap!

The lovely Moira Kozemchak (who had passed her Therapy Dogs International test that morning) demonstrated some of the basics, backed up by a Lab from the Delta Society group. Stephanie Alleman is looking into scheduling a day-long people-only training session for the Delta Society test somewhere in the Penn-Dutch/National Capital Area GPC region. This would be of interest to both beginners and those already doing pet therapy visits, as the Delta Society recognizes several levels of ability (click here for photos).

Pyrs are really getting into this pet therapy thing. The last issue of the Therapy Dogs International newsletter featured three Pyrs, including our own Clondike Kintsfather, and the latest issue of Pyr Tales from the Dallas-Fort Worth GPC features a wonderful article about a theraPyr from the Tails on Wheels pet therapy group.

Unfortunately Hurricane Floyd rained out the Lehigh Valley KC show and our Supported Entry, and the Fun Match scheduled for October 2nd has also been postponed. Check out the Penn-Dutch Web page for future information on this event (http://www.pyrbred.org/pdgpc).

Barring any more natural disasters, hardier Pyrs and their people will be congregating October 16th at Nockamixon State Park for the Fall Walk-in-the-Woods. This event is always a lot of fun and maybe Penny will actually get out her Nikes and attend this year.

We hope for a big turnout for the Dog Lovers' Holiday Bazaar, Sunday, November 14th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the National Guard Armory, Roosevelt Blvd. and Southampton Rd., Philadelphia, PA. This is a great opportunity to socialize our Pyrs and get the word out about Penn-Dutch Rescue.

December brings the fabulous Holiday Party, now with FULL Pyr involvement, so keep an eye out for a great dog-related gift and bring the whole family out to Lancaster Central Park on Saturday, December 4th. This is a great way to start the holiday season off with a bang.

On a sadder note, we mark the passing of two noble Penn-Dutch Pyrs, the Gills' Ms. P.B. Marple and the Blackwell's Sasha. Ms. Marple had long been a fixture at Penn-Dutch events and Penny remembers fondly her lecture on human behavior modification at the 1994 Educational Seminar. It has helped a whole new generation of Pyrs bring their humans up right. Sasha Blackwell came to Penn-Dutch late in her life, but she was a wonderful Pyr and we will miss her. We offer our condolences to the families of these beloved friends.

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