I am always intrigued to find out more information on English Springer Spaniels, field bred or show bred. It was to my delight that I stumbled upon the following website; www.birddogfoundation.com! The Bird Dog Foundation Inc, located in Grand Junction, Tennessee is the home to three facilities; the National Bird Dog Museum, the Field Trial Hall of Fame and the Wildlife Heritage Center. Due to the sporting heritage and geographical location, west Tennessee is known as the birthplace of America’s pointing dog field trials and home of the 100 year old National Field Trial Championship. Its proximity to the Mississippi River draws many waterfowl hunters, and is known to bird dog hunters all over the world.

The Bird Dog Foundation mission statement; “Dedicated to preserving the past and protecting the future for sporting dog fanciers the world over.”

The National Bird Dog Museum is home to the art and photos of more than 40 different breeds of bird dogs and memorabilia of the bird dogs and their breeders/ owners/ trainers. History’s most famous bird dogs are represented by notable works of artists and sculptors who have devoted their artistic abilities in the sporting dog world. The early history of the National Field Trials, which started at the Ames Plantation, as well as the history of Grand Junction are displayed. The National Field Trials continue to be held at the Ames Plantation every year just like the previous 100 years.

The Wildlife Heritage Center is an educational center for adults as well as children on upland game birds and waterfowl and the steps needs to protect them for the future.

The Field Trial Hall of Fame is a showcase for the bird dog superstars of the Field Trials and their human counterparts. In the 1930’s there was quite a bit of interest to honor the success of bird dogs and people who devoted their time and service to the sport. In 1953, rules were compiled by William F. Brown and on June 19, 1954 the Field Trial Hall of Fame nominations began. Nominations for outstanding bird dogs are based on their careers and for people dedicated to the field trials. This is where you can visit the website or the facility to see the outstanding Springers who have been selected for their distinguished abilities in the field!

Spring is the time of the year that everyone enjoys being outside and that includes your pets too! But this is also the time of the year that ticks are becoming active and seeking their next host. The deer tick (aka the black-legged tick) is the main transporter of Lyme disease. The deer tick attaches to a host that already has Lyme disease. Then the disease is transferred to the tick from the blood the tick takes from the infected host. The tick is unharmed in the process, and then moves on to a new host. The new host is then infected with Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is most prevalent in the northeastern portion of the United States. California and Texas are also becoming problem areas for Lyme disease. Unfortunately, ticks are frequently found in wooded or grassy areas, but can even be in your back yard.

If you live in an area that Lyme disease is prevalent, you can get your pet vaccinated against the disease. Contact your veterinarian for more information on vaccination. Also the use of a monthly topical product like Frontline will help control ticks.

There are symptoms of Lyme disease, however most symptoms do not show up until two to five months after being bitten by an infected tick. Symptoms include limping, shifting lameness of the legs, swelling of the lymph nodes, fever, loss of appetite, pain and or swelling in the joints, lethargy, and kidney failure. If you notice any of these symptoms with your pet contact your veterinarian immediately!

Did you know that you can become a puppy foster parent? Perhaps you don’t want to commit to owning a dog full time, or you don’t want to commit the next ten years to worrying about your dog, but love dogs. 

Most people think of Puppy Foster Care as a way to raise dogs for programs such as law enforcement, seeing eye dogs, and other service dogs. However, you can also become a foster parent of a puppy as a way to rescue them from a dog shelter. 

Animal fostering is a great way to help rescued animals in need (mostly puppies and kittens of course).  The fostering time can vary from days to weeks depending on the amount of care or behavior modification that is required to make the dog more desirable for adoption. 

There are many reasons why Puppy Foster Care has become popular. The biggest one is the overcrowding of kennels.  Your Foster home can provide space until space becomes available, or until a suitable adoption can be made. 

Puppy Foster Parents may perform the following tasks

• Provide medical care after an illness or injury – this includes highly contagious diseases such as kennel cough that could become a plague on a shelter. 
• Care for unweaned orphans
• Correct Behavioral problems – larger, untrained breeds, who are still puppies, but have developed into their terrible twos may have been sent on a one way trip because of an unfortunate accident. Once trained, they’ll be ready for adoption.