Editors Note

This will be my last newsletter. One of our newest members, Jonna Anne will be taking over the newsletter. Please help her out by sending her your brags & any articles or information you would like to see in the newsletter.

Officers & Board of Directors

Sarah Blakeslee President

Rosiland Bayne ___________ 1^ST Vice President

Kathy Blakselee __________ 2nd Vice President

Robert Mondry Recording Secretary

Kathy Vaughn ___________________ Treasurer

Ruth Piatoff _________Corresponding Secretary

Ruth Piatoff _______________ GDCA Delegate

Dayle Lewis _________________Director 2004

Kenneth Bayne _______________ Director 2005

Charles Vaughn Director 2006

Scott Linderman_________________ Ex-Officio

Next Meeting

This is our annual meeting for the election of officers & board members. Location is the Blakeslee’s house on November 21 @ 1:00. If anyone needs directions please contact myself or the Blakeslee’s.

Membership

Membership Fees

Single Memberships: $25.00 plus $10.00 for trophies.

Family Memberships: $40.00 plus $10.00 per person for trophies.

There is a one time library fee for new members of $10.00

Reinstatement Fee $10.00

Litter Box & Brags

Gail Holmes Reports:

Omen's Rock My House "Diva," owned and loved by Gail Holmes and Sharon Bianchi took her first points at 7 months. She went Best Puppy in Breed, Best of Opposite and Winners Bitch on Sunday at the Belleville ON. Canada Show. We are very proud of our girl!!!

Christmas Party

Kathy Blakeslee is planning our Christmas Party. There is a flyer in this newsletter about the details. Everyone please to adhere to the deadlines.

New Champions

Kathy Blakeslee reports:

Anyone with new champions, please notify Sarah by the next meeting and no later. She has to have time to get certificates done.

Important Dates

Month of June: Nominating Committee to select officers & board members.

July: Specialty show.

By September 30^th Secretary will notify in writing club members of candidates that have been nominated.

October: Additional nominations can be made at meeting preceding annual meeting.

Month of November: Annual meeting with voting for new officers & board of directors.

Treasurer will send each member a statement for dues, which are due on or before January 1^st.

December: Christmas party.

January 1^st: New fiscal year starts.

BONE CANCER RESEARCH NEEDS DANES:

Researchers at the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are jointly working on a research project to investigate possible genetic risk factors for bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in dogs. They hope also that their research will result in improved treatment for this terrible disease. Danes, like many giant dogs, are at increased risk for bone cancer, so this study may result in information that can directly improve the health of our breed.

Needed are not only Danes that have been diagnosed with bone cancer, but also any Veteran Dane (6 years or older) who has *never* been diagnosed with cancer of any kind. To participate in the study, a blood sample is required; all materials will be provided by the research team (contact point below). The research team emphasized it is also absolutely necessary that all participants must also provide a three-generation pedigree (with birthdates noted for the dogs offering blood samples). All such information will be kept as privileged information for use only in the study and will not be made available to any outside parties. For the osteosarcoma-affected dogs, a report from the veterinarian documenting the method of diagnosis is also required. (Without this information, a dog cannot be used in the study.) For more information and/or to request kits, contact:

Dr. Kenine Comstock
University of Michigan
5121 Cancer Center
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
keninec@med.umich.edu

Below is a letter from Dr. Kenine Comstock about the disease and their
current research project:

"Eight thousand to 10,000 cases of a malignant bone tumor called osteosarcoma are reported in dogs in the United States annually, representing a very significant health concern. Sadly, in the majority of cases, spread of the tumor through the body and death follows within a few years. Osteosarcomas affect all dogs, but the disease frequency is considerably higher in large and giant breeds, including the Great Dane. It has been suggested that genetics may play an important role in this disease. Our group of scientists from the University of Michigan and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have initiated a project to identify the genetic risk factors for osteosarcoma. We expect that this study should lead to considerable improvements in treatment of osteosarcoma. In addition, our findings will allow the development of genetic tests for osteosarcoma that could be used to eliminate carriers from breeding populations, eventually reducing the frequency of this devastating cancer."

"We are collecting blood samples from Great Danes affected with osteosarcoma. In addition, we are collecting blood samples from healthy Great Danes who are over 6 years old and have never been diagnosed with cancer. To participate in the study, Great Dane owners can simply request a collection kit from us, take their dog to their own veterinarian to have the blood samples drawn, then send the sample back to us along with a copy of the dog's pedigree. We would greatly appreciate your help with this study.....I do need to stress some very important points: We absolutely need the dogs' three-generation pedigrees, birthdates and, for osteosarcoma-affected dogs, a report from the veterinarian documenting the method of diagnosis. Without this information, a dog cannot be used."

Best regards,
Kenine Comstock, Ph.D
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor MI
keninec@med.umich.edu

Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Ph.D
Broad Institute
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
kersli@broad.mit.edu

Best Regards, JP Yousha
Chair, H&W, GDCA
danehealth@gdca.org
432.684.8940

Permission to reprint as submitted for educational purposes is given.
Submitted by JP Yousha, Chair, H&W Committee, GDCA 2004.

IT’S THAT TIME FOR

THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

We have the Red Osier set again this year for our party everyone come and have fun we hope to have a good turn out. We will be honoring our new champions. We will also be having gift exchange this year everyone bring a gift of $10.00 or less and either mark it for her, him, or either everyone will leave with something. Rules for the exchange will be let known at the party.

DATE- DECEMBER 5, 2004

COCKTAILS AT 6:15 PM WITH SEATING AT 6:45

ALL PRICES INCLUDE TAX AND GRATUITY;

PRIME RIB - 16 OZ. $ 25.19

12 OZ. PRIME RIB & 5 OZ. LOBSTER TAIL $27.71

FRESH CHICKEN ALMOND $16.35

(Boneless chicken breast, sautéed in butter & wine, garnished in poppy seed & slivered almonds)

Dinners will include –crisp garden salad with house Italian or Crumbly bleu cheese dressing, baked potato, rolls, butter, dessert, and a beverage.

Please pay Kathy Vaughn by November 21, so she will have every ones money before that night. Red Osier will not except separate checks from individuals.

Please call Kathy Blakeslee with your choice by November 15 at 716-433-7304

EVERYONE IS WELCOME MEMBERS, FRIENDS, & GUESTS COME ENJOY GREAT FOOD AND A GREAT TIME. HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE!

Meeting Minutes

August 22, 2004 PetSmart Brockport, New York

Meeting called to order @ 12:42 PM

Attendance:

Members: Mark & Dayle Lewis, Charlie & Kathy Vaughn, Marilynn Kellogg, Kyle Preston, Sarah Blakeslee, Peter Blakeslee, Roz & Ken Bayne, Scott Linderman

Guests: Jonna Anne, Kandice Kraus, Patricia Alexander

Corresponding Secretary: Ruth P. absent

n No Report

Recording Secretary: Bob M. absent

n Pete Blakeslee is sitting in for Bob. No corrections or Questions

Treasurer’s Report: Kathy V.

n Report for Match. Motion to accept reports as given.

Mvd. Dayle L 2^nd: Ken B. Passed

Committee Reports:

Advertising: Lisa W. absent

n Suggestion made to advertise our July Show as well as June Match

Education and Therapy: Bob M. absent

n Pete for Bob. Bob sent a written report for his committees

n Ruth is going to look into who we contact for educational grants.

n Charlie requests an email of the library’s contents

n Question of a speaker for our fall seminar. Jim’s Vet? What month did we decide on?

Fun Match: Kyle P.

n Consensus to do again next year. Motion made to do next year

Mvd. Mark Lewis 2^nd: Ken B. Passed

n Discussion on doing digital pictures of winners at the match and sell them

n Discussion to reduce costs. Kathy V. detailed accounting of match.

n Try and hold it the same weekend on Sunday

n Do in conjunction with 4H

n Do CGC/TDI again

GDCA Delegate: Ruth P. absent

n No Report

n Sarah received a letter from parent club about this years nationals

Library: Bob M. absent

n Bob’s Report given with Education and Therapy

n Ken asked about Hazel Gregory’s tape.

n Discussion on other items that have disappeared overtime.

n Suggestions on:

n Sign out time limit.

n If not returned pay cost

n Put list on website

n Call ahead to request books or tapes.

n Only bring requested items to the meeting

n Boards to establish rules for library.

Membership: Roz B.

n Guests:

n Pat Alexander from Churchville

n Kandice and Bill with Tia {from Tom Riley} from Orchard Park

n Jonna Anne

Memorial & Sunshine: Roz B.

n Card to Mark and Dayle for Eli

n Plant to Ken and Kathy Lucy for Ken’s Dad

n Motion to pay Roz

Mvd. Scott 2^nd: Dayle Passed

Scooby Picnic:

n September 11, 2004 @ the Blakeslee’s

n Flyers designed

n List of food for Scooby Picnic

n Everyone to bring a 12 pack of pop.

n Do things in a timely manner

Raffle: Pete B.

n Have tickets but nothing to raffle

n July show table $174 & 50/50 $120

Newsletter: Charlie V.

n Any volunteers?

Show: Ruth P. absent

n Show went great. Thanks to everyone

n Sarah has a check from Kennel Club of Buffalo for supported entry $32

Judges: Ruth P. absent

n Need Sweeps judge for 2005

n Need Breed Judge for 2005 Ed Lyons cancelled.

n Motion to revert back to the list voted on to ask the following judges.

n Breed: Anita Dunne

Mvd. Ken B. 2^nd: Dayle L. Passed

n Sweeps: #1 Julie Ford #2 Julie Narcissi

Mvd: Ken B. 2^nd: Dayle L. Passed

RSA: Marilynn K.

n Next meeting 9/15/04 to get check

n Need new RSA representative ideally should be same person as show chairman

n Scott Linderman volunteered

Trophies: Sarah B.

n Albion trophies for supported entry are done, they are etched by Kathy B.

n Trophies for KCB (Sunday) did not get handed out need to send them, we have the list of winners.

n Next year- Charlie V. would like to see Dannyquest for our trophies. Sarah will price them and look into it.

Website: Kyle P.

n Kyle has 15 pages done

n Co-ordinate with Jonna and Mike Anne

Old Business:

n None

New Business:

n Marilla match Sept. 19, 2004

n Motion to reimburse Ken B. for sites at Hamlin for our tailgate party $60. Mvd. Scott 2^nd Kyle Passed

Next Meeting:

n Scooby Picnic nominating committee to present slate.

Litterbox and Brags:

n Vaughn’s Sadie went Best of Winners and Best of Opposite in Owego

n Jonna & Mike’s Nemo went Winners Dog at Owego

n Ken & Roz’s Rio went Reserve Winners both days at Owego

Adjournment: Mvd. Ken B. 2^nd Kathy v. passed

1:53 pm

September 11, 2004

Fun Match at the Blakeslee’s

Meeting called to have nominating committee read slate of officers.

Mark Lewis read the slate prepared by Mark, Pete Blakeslee, and Ken Bayne

The Slate for 2005 Officers is as follows:

President: Sarah Blakeslee

1^st Vice President: Roz Bayne

2^nd Vice President: Kathy Blakeslee

Corresponding Secretary: Ruth Piatoff

Recording Secretary: Robert Mondry

Treasurer: Kathy Vaughn

Delegate to GDCA: Ruth Piatoff

Director 2005: Ken Bayne

Director 2006: Charlie Vaughn

Director 2007: Dayle Lewis

Next meeting: Lisa Williams and John Benedetti’s house October 3, 2004

This is an occasional publication of The Great Dane Club of Western New York Inc. Friends of the club may receive three issues free. A subscription is $10.00 per year following the free issues.

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