Spring 2017 Saber Tails 17
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
Cont’d from p 14
Advertising/Content Deadline
for June Issue of Saber Tails
is May 15th
“We were hoping our city dogs would catch on to what
they were bred to do, hunt rabbits,” Carol said. “After sev-
eral rabbit sightings, shouts of Tallyho!, lots of sniffing,
a walk through some muck around a pond on the hunt
property, and lots of excited running around, we headed
back to our set up to share our experience with our new-
bie handlers who were anxiously waiting for their turns
on the hunt field.”
Carol added she was encouraged by the more experi-
enced handlers’ stories about their dogs’ first several
hunts, and said the new handlers were told not to worry if
a dog did not pass their HIT initially.
“I was not holding out high expectations on my dogs. I
just wanted them to have a fun time off leash with other
peebs, hunting for bunnies,” Carol said, adding she appre-
ciated Lora’s leadership of the hunt.
“A big thanks to Lora for her perseverance, planning, and
hard work to actually pull this off. As soon as she found
out the hunt was approved by the PBGVCA, she put out
a request for help from members of the PBGVCA Club. I
volunteered to help chair the raffle.”
In addition to Carol and Lora, others who helped make
sure the hunt and its auxiliary events such as the raffle, a
dinner at a local winery, a BBQ lunch -- they were in Texas,
after all -- ran smoothly were Joan Burke, Bruce and Laney
Toenjes, and Tim Bryant.
“After the last hunt, the scores were tallied, ribbons passed
out to dogs passing their hunts, and participants began
packing up for their trips home,” Carol said. “I was proud of
both my dogs. Strudel passed her HIT test, and Mulligan
did very well, in spite of his progressing glaucoma in both
eyes. They both had a good time, and that is the bottom
line.
“I must say, I was very appreciative that so many judges
drove so far to Texas to judge our first hunt,” Carol contin-
ued. “We are looking forward to attending future hunts
and observing our dogs enjoying what they were origi-
nally bred to do. We hope to see our “new” hunt friends at
a future hunt, and also hope that the Texas hunt becomes
an annual event.”
As chairman of the raffle, Carol was able to collect some
wonderful donations, Lora said, including prints from
Sara England, a quilt made and donated by Rosalie Falcon
(Lora’s mom), a handmade hat from Laney Toenjes, some
wine, a dog crate, a dog bed, and too many other items
to mention.
“Always when it’s a first time, you never really know what
to expect with the donations or the profits,” Lora said.
“Overall, I think the raffle was very successful and many
exhibitors went home with unique items.”
Lora said she appreciated the willingness of handlers
and judges to travel great distances for the hunt includ-
ing Gloria Swaine and Lindley Henson, of Phoenix; Joan
Burke, of the Chicago area; Roni Kaluza, of Tennessee; and
the Toenjes from Iowa.
“Without all these people willing to travel, enter, and
judge, this would not have been a successful hunt,” she
added. “I also want to thank the other exhibitors for their
entries, great sportsmanship, and willingness to help
make this a success.” Hopefully there will be many more
shouts of Tally-Ho from the Lone Star State.