Around Dutchland, September, 1993

by Penny Pyrbred

First a few words for our editors. It is true that they 
did not specifically ask me to write this column, but they did discuss 
the idea, and anything said in the presence of a Pyr will probably 
get back to Penny. While my preferred method of gathering information 
is over a plate of tartar-control Milk Bones in some out of the way 
bistro, I also maintain contact with many sources by phone (Barb Bowes 
should check her phone bill more carefully). I also would like my 
readers to know that Penny has a very dainty, ladylike tongue. (Sorry 
about the caviar stains, though).

Now, on to the news. The main item of interest is the social event 
of the summer, the Penn-Dutch Summer Fun Match. This is one of the 
few events of the year shared by both the people and Pyrs of Penn-Dutch.

This year it was held at the Lancaster County Central Park, and the 
weather cooperated splendidly with reasonably cool weather and a few 
clouds to keep the heat down. In spite of this, I think that if people 
had fur coats permanently attached and sweated through their tongues, 
they wouldn't schedule outdoor social events for the end of July.

There was a really neat pavilion for the people to meet and eat under, 
but typically they put most of us Pyrs in our crates while they partied. 
Still, there were lots of fun activities for Pyrs and people alike. 
The day began with showing, largely a people activity. This is reported 
elsewhere in this issue, but I would like to say that Clondike 
Kintsfather participated in the Spay-Neuter Class, and was looking 
good after her stay at the fat farm. She might have won the class if she 
hadn't tried to take a bite out of BB Bowes. Either dieting makes her 
cranky, or perhaps she was so hungry, Pyr flank looked appealing.

BB and Bo Bowes did some carting in the afternoon, and made it look 
easy. That Bo is quite a hunk!

The Match concluded with Canine Games, a canine version of American 
Gladiators organized by Cheryl Seigfried and Jane Gill. There was 
a takeoff on musical chairs using paper plates, an obstacle course, 
and Penny's favorite, a relay race. In this event a person and a Pyr 
(or other Canine American) would run the length of the ring, stand, 
sit, lie down, and run back the length of the ring to tap the next 
pair. The neat thing was that both canine and human members of the 
team were required to perform the stand, sit and down commands. Maybe 
now our people will realize how silly this obedience stuff is. The 
winning team included Clondike Kintsfather (that must be some fat 
farm), Alex Manwiller, and a ringer, a Golden Retriever.

Everyone had a great time and some of us even got some 
barbecued chicken by looking exceptionally cute.

In other news, Penny has received letters, and taking a cue from Rush 
Limbaugh (maybe Clondike should let him know about that fat farm), 
she has decided that this column should concentrate on the most 
important opinions, hers. Therefore a new column called "Dear Penny" 
has been established and appears elsewhere in this issue.

Cotee Seigfried was upset by the last issue of the Pyr-A-Scoop, 
which incorrectly identified her as top scoring obedience Pyr at the 
National Specialty. As most everyone should know by now, this honor 
belongs to Frank (Francois?) Woodward, also a Penn-Dutch Pyr, and 
a real sweetie. Penny regrets the error, but thinks we Pyrs should 
give the new editors a break. They're only human!

That's all for now. See you at the Christmas Party. 

(NOTE: Please use your browser's "BACK" button to return to the 
Around Dutchland page.)