EQUINE AFFAIRE
THE GREAT AMERICAN HORSE EXPOSITION
By Landess Witmer, Reno NV

Riders, trainers, breeders, and horse enthusiasts can meet the businesses, ride for the professional competitors, and test the newest equine product lines. Throughout the year, the Ohio-based company Equine Affaire offers four sites for a full spectrum of shopping, clinics, and top class demonstrations.
PetFolio magazine correspondents attended the Columbus, OH, event last spring. We were amazed at the breadth of clinicians, the wealth of vendors (three pavilions full!), as well as the diversity of the people we met.
“There is a fantastic variety of everything related to horses from the craziest things you would never have thought of to the every day things you need all the time,” explained Michelle McHardy, PetFolio contributing writer, and Reno hunter/jumper rider.
We discovered an unusual assortment of products and services at the Equine Affaire trade show. Does your horse have a short, thin tail? Not for long. Maybe he needs a tie-in hair extension for volume? We found tail ends for all breeds of horses from The Show Pen, Powell, OH (www.theshowpen.com). This is real cultivated horsehair legal with show associations. A 15- color hair chart online helps with your selection. Or you can send in a swatch from your steed.
“Of course, it doesn’t make your horse move any better, but it just makes the overall picture look great in the show ring,” answered Jason Miller, hair consultant. “This is starting to be standard every day show equipment; many horses have two tail extensions for show days.”
From the zany, we migrated to the exquisite.
These were polished, jet-black granite stall plaques from the Artistic Stone Company, East Montpelier, VT, (www.artisticstone.org). Solid granite portraits were created from any picture. Not only one of a kind, they were stunning replications of the strong character and beauty of a horse. Even if you can’t redesign your barn, you could still create a coaster or trivet from your favorite picture or barn logo for shows, gifts, or trophies.
What this husband and wife team creates will take your breath away. “We can duplicate in granite any photograph of your favorite pet or person,” noted artisan Richard Tousignant. “From fancy tables, furniture, and benches to farm name signs and antique stone watering troughs. Our art is personal, beautiful, and permanent with no maintenance.”
No matter how you enjoy your horse, an Equine Affaire event is the most fun you’ll have obsessing on your animal and meeting those who care as much as you do!

 

Plan to attend NOW! Upcoming Equine Affaires
2005      Sept. 1-18 • Louisville, KY      Nov. 10-13 • West Springfield,MA 2006      Feb. 2-5 • Pomona, CA

PICKING THE PERFECT LASSIE
A FUN, EASY, AND LOVING BREED
By Barbara Kubichka, Washoe Valley NV

EVERYONE KNOWS the happy and intelligent herding breed from the British Isles represented by Lassie from the popular 1950s television show.
That’s right, Lassie was a “rough” collie of the sable or gold color. Collies also come in three other colors: tri-color or mostly black; blue merle, a dappled gray; and the somewhat rare, white color. Collie coats are either long-haired “roughs” or a short-haired variety called a “smooth” collie.
When considering any purebred dog it is important to check with the national club for that breed for a list of reputable breeders in your area. For collies,the national club is the Collie Club of America (CCA) available on the Internet at www.collieclubofamerica.org. CCA Nevada District Director Tammy Russell-Rice can provide CCA information about Nevada breeders by e-mail at balverne@intermind.net
An ethical purebred breeder will abide by the rules set up by the breed club and not be in it for the money, but for the betterment of the breed. Health, good temperament, good genetics, and if possible, a “pretty” collie are what ethical collie breeders are all about. Check your puppy’s pedigree; you should see some kind of championship title in three or four of the ancestors back three generations. Then you will know your collie breeder is adhering to the breed standard.
Collies are usually a healthy breed with a minimum of health issues for the pet buyer. However there is one health issue, collie eye anomaly (CEA) which the ethical breeder is careful to check for in their breeding stock. An ethical collie breeder will always have the puppy’s eyes checked by a veterinarian ophthalmologist.
Most collies will have mild CEA. Except for the most severe CEA grade (a detached retina leading to blindness); pet collies can do fine with almost any grade of CEA. An ethical collie breeder will provide your puppy’s “eye check” along with the rest your puppy’s paperwork.
High grade nutrition is essential for your growing collie puppy. Check the dog food labels and think “low carb” when feeding—high “animal” protein and fat—and low grains. Make sure the fats contain balanced essential fatty acids, that is, a balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats. Your collie breeder should go over any nutritional questions you may have, and make some food recommendations. Remember you’ve invested a lot in your collie puppy, so give them the best for a long and healthy life!
You should also be given instructions on how to groom your new puppy. Smooth collies are pretty much “wash and wear” dogs, but rough collie coats require a little more grooming because the dense undercoat usually sheds in the summer weather, detaching from the root and traveling up the hair shaft like little cotton balls. It’s easy to spot and “rake” out. Your collie breeder should show you what brushes you need to get and how to use them on your new puppy. They should also show you how to clip the toe nails.
The Collie Breed Standards says collie ears must “tip.” Often this does not happen naturally without your help. If you want your puppy’s ears to tip, your breeder should also show you how to “tape” your puppy’s ears, or offer to help you do this as your puppy grows. It may take from six months to one year for the ears to tip. Without your help, the ears may not tip at all.
Collies are fun dogs and easy keepers. They are “loves” with a capital “L” and wonderful with children! You should enjoy your new collie for about a 12- year lifespan. Stay in contact with your collie breeder in case you have any questions about your wonderful collie.

Barbara Kubichka, is a CCA breeder who raises rough collies in Washoe Valley, NV. If you would like more information about collies as pets, contact her at Washoe Valley Collies at 775-849-1837, or visit her on the Internet at www.washoevalleycollies.com or by email at wvc@tuxnology.com

HOW TO BECOME A DOG LOVER
ONE MAN'S STORY
By James Turnage, Sun Valley NV

First, you marry one. When I started dating Sandy she had two cats, zero dogs. I loved cats and hers quickly took to me. We fell in love, got married, bought a house with a fenced yard, and our song became “Our House” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
Then I decided to get my wife a puppy. Before I knew her, she had two dogs that she’d loved deeply and cared for with all of her being until they died of old age. An ad caught my attention: “Free to good home, nine-month-old female Labrador.” Recalling “Cindy,” her beloved female Lab, I told her of my plan, and about the ad. She called on it, and with as gleeful a smile as I have ever seen said, “There are actually two, a male and a female, about the same age!”
Now—a little about me: I didn’t hate dogs, nor did I really love them. I considered them somewhat of a nuisance. My first wife had dogs that simply became an annoyance, and more work for me, so when Sandy said “two,” I couldn’t share in her excitement.
She arranged for them to be brought to our house to see if we all fit, and informed me of their background. They were rescued dogs—this lady had saved them from death’s door by removing them both on the same day from the euthanasia room.
The lady and the dogs arrive on schedule and into the house they come. They are both pretty wild, in need of major training, and Scout, the male, immediately urinates on one of our plants! But the lady is here for another purpose; she is interviewing us, and our home, to see if we are worthy. So we go from zero dogs to Scout and Karma, no puppy.
They were too destructive to keep in the house, which was okay, it was warm and we had a large, well constructed dog house. We brought them into the house for short periods, but I knew where this was going.
When fall approached, Sandy wasn’t going to allow them to sleep outside, so into the house they came. We couldn’t simply bring them in—they still weren’t adequately trained. I was afraid they would eat my remote controls or make a midnight snack of our cats, so we formed a plan. I would keep the dogs with me in the second bedroom with the door closed. I could control them and let them out for middle of the night backyard bathroom needs.
This was how it was for several months. Soon we began to leave the door open during the night, which proved successful; they stayed in the bedroom, or I’d find them in other parts of the house, always on the floor, but the door to our bedroom stayed closed. Our cats had decided that was their room—no dogs allowed. So I remained in the second bedroom where the dogs could wake me for their nightly backyard sojourns.
By now, I was quite fond of Scout and Karma. As male dogs will, Scout began to bond with me. I now knew him as the most gentle and loving male dog I had ever encountered, which I credited to Sandy, the kindest soul I have ever known.
It’s hard to ignore two warm creatures that want and need love all the time. Anyone who knows Labs knows that they are really just 50-pound lap dogs! When you leave and they’re put outside, you must apologize, reaffirm your love for them, and assure them you will return, probably with treats. I was instructed by my wife to do this, understanding it was not a suggestion.
Today the dogs are trained, or as trained as they want to be. Of course, I love them and very happy they’re a part of our lives. Our much loved cats have passed and Scout and Karma have the run of the house. Karma sleeps on our bed most of the time, and Scout on the bed in the second bedroom.
This is not the end of the story.
Throughout these years my bride has brought into our home several strays or dogs that were simply abandoned. They were returned to their families or homes were found for them—until recently—when a skinny black and white, hyperactive, young male wandered into our yard. As always, she made great efforts to find its home. After no response from a former family, she made attempts to find him a new home—ours! His name is Hunter, and, and he’s growing on me, or so I’m told.

James Turnage, and his wife Sandy will celebrate 10 years of marriage this year, and no doubt, will celebrate it with Scout, Karma, and Hunter in their home in Sun Valley, NV.

CAVALIA
A MAGICAL ENCOUNTER BETWEEN MAN AND HORSE
By Lisa Baran, Reno NV

IF you find yourself traveling to Montreal, you will want to purchase a ticket to Cavalia, an equestrian art event you won’t want to miss! As a matter of fact, this show is so extraordinary that you may want to book a flight to Montreal just to see this fantastic show.
For the first time on stage, Cavalia blends horses and people into a brilliant blend of visual effects, live music, dance, and acrobatics to pay homage to the poignant history and fascinating bond between humans and horses. Cavalia is a poem written in the language of sound imagery and extraordinary performances.
The show, now in Montreal, toured the West Coast and thrilled over 750,000 people in audiences in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, and San Diego. With more that 350 performances to its credit, Cavalia is more radiant than ever with new costumes, fresh choreography, new multimedia inspirations, and breathtaking special effects.
An equestrian cast of over 30 magnificent Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Lusitanos, Percherons, and quarter horses ranging from 18 months of age to 19 years work and perform in tandem with a human cast of 100 trainers, acrobats, and crew from countries around the world.
With a remarkable bond between the horses and their trainers, the trainers guide the horses through their performances using a series of finger and body gestures, talking, and clicking their tongues, making a game of the routines. Some of the horses rely on their photographic memory to do the repeat action night after night.
An incomparable show demands no less than an incomparable setting. At a height of over 100 feet, Cavalia’s 26,264-square-foot canvas big top with custom designed 160-foot wide stage and 200-foot wide projection screen is practically as thrilling as its acts.
The giant canvas top, consisting of four areas for the entrance, stables, performances, and canteen, took 71,400 square feet of canvas to create and takes 40 people and seven days and to erect—or dismantle. Additionally, 1,500 tons of sand is used on the stage.
Up to 23 riders and acrobats in 75 costumes have “raised the bar” for spectacular entertainment in the 21st century. The San Francisco Chronicle said the show is, “An equestrian sensation! A stunner!” All reviews assure that the artistry, the high-speed precision, colors, costumes, music, special effects, poetic drama, and awesome choreography in this amazing show creates an all-senses dramatic performance of life-time memory proportion with Cavalia.
For a taste treat of what is in store, visit Cavalia’s Web site and online ticket box office at www.cavalia.net, or call them for more information and ticket reservations at 1-866-999-8111.
Your travel agent can help you with the first available flight from Reno to Montreal!

FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH
CHOLLA, THE PAINTING HORSE
By Jessica Groach, Sparks NV

Like any great artist, Cholla, a northern Nevada watercolor painter, has a mind of his own. Not one to paint on command, he only works when the inspiration strikes; when it does, he is quite prolific. His work, like that of most artists, is the subject of a wide array of interpretations. Scholars may see any number of images in his minimalist, abstract works. Is it a goose? A man? A mountain? It’s impossible to truly know, and Cholla won’t tell you. He can’t - he’s a horse.
Cholla (pronounced ‘Choya’), a half mustang/half quarter horse that was named for a prickly desert cactus, has been painting since May of 2004. His owner, Renee, says she has no idea where these artistic urges came from. Last spring, while painting a fence outside her northern Nevada home, she noticed Cholla’s tendency to push at her arm. Renee’s husband jokingly said to her, “Why don’t you get that horse to help you paint?”
It may have started as a joke, but Renee thought, “why not?” Having recently taken a watercolor painting class, she had the supplies. “I figured I might as well give them to him—I’m not very good at it anyway!” she laughs at the memory. She set up a sheet of paper on an easel, dipped a brush into some of her good, new watercolor paints, presented the brush to Cholla which he took in his teeth, and Cholla’s career as a watercolor artist was born.
He began moving his head side to side, up and down, rolling the brush between his teeth, and as he began fostering his talent, he learned techniques like flicking the brush for a sprayed-on effect. It wasn’t long before Cholla was painting two or three times a week, sometimes more. When he sees his easel, he shakes his head and licks his lips in anticipation.
Today, Renee is showing a new piece of Cholla’s work to Stephanie Tsanas, owner of Alexandratos Gallery, where Cholla’s work is currently on exhibit. Could it be penguins? A horse’s face? Swans? It seems so silly to analyze the meaning of a painting done by a horse. And yet, there’s no denying the image is powerful, and amazingly, recognizable. Occasionally, paint will bubble exactly where a mouth or eye should be. Hay accidentally falling to the surface could perfectly create a bird’s bill.
When Renee approached Stephanie last year at a fundraiser, saying, “I have a horse that paints,” Stephanie’s first response was a skeptical, “Uh, okay…”But his work intrigued her. “I had to come out and see that it was the horse doing the work and not Renee,” Stephanie says. “But when I saw what he did, the intelligence was obvious.”
Stephanie began a sort of training process with Renee, teaching her to see when Cholla was “done” with a painting, or when he was ready to change colors or paper. Stephanie also began naming the pieces, which meant spotting recognizable images in these splashes of paint. Both women feel strongly that themes are emerging in Cholla’s work, including birds, bucking broncos, and even dolphins, giving it what they call an “Asian-feel.” These are no random strokes, Stephanie and Renee insist. There’s something spiritual and artistic coursing through Cholla’s veins. “Renee isn’t training him. There’s no crop, no ropes, no clickers. Something’s definitely channeling through him,” says Stephanie. But how does a horse know about dolphins?
“Maybe it’s reincarnation, somebody like van Gogh coming through him. We don’t know,” says Renee. In fact, it’s their theory that perhaps an ancestor of Cholla’s traveled to the Americas by ship, and that this ancestral memory is responsible for Cholla’s dolphin images.
Is there any chance that Cholla is just mimicking the strokes he saw Renee making on that fence? Any chance that those strokes are arbitrary? “If you see the way he paints, you can tell his strokes are intentional,” says Stephanie. “You can actually see him working a brush to get a stroke.”
Cholla’s original paintings range from $500 to $3,500, and giclée prints are $85. Portions of all sales go to various local non-profit organizations, such as the Virginia Range Wildlife Protection Association, Wild Horse & Burro Association, Art Paws in the Park, the Nevada Historical Society, the Reno Philharmonic, and many others. All pieces are embossed with Cholla’s seal and come with a certificate of authenticity. And all purchases are accompanied by a complimentary DVD that portrays the artist at work. Several originals actually come with the DVD of that particular piece from start to finish. Just think what might have happened if van Gogh could have made DVDs?

Jessica Groach is a Sparks-based freelance writer and an English instructor at the University of Nevada. Jessica is a passionate believer in rescuing animals from the pound. That’s how she found her cat, Peanut, who “advises” Jessica on all her articles for PetFolio.

NEVADA STATE FAIR DEBUTS
FLYBALL AND DOCK DOG COMPETITIONS
By William F. Schley, Reno NV

Sports shared by dogs and their owners continue to gain popularity in northern Nevada, but sometimes areas large enough to host the events can be hard to find. On Friday and Saturday, August 26 and 27, 2005, the Nevada State Fair will host competitions in the main arena with local flyball and Dock Dog teams that feature some of the finest canine athletes in the country.
“We’re hosting a flyball sanctioned tournament at the fair,” said Stacey Coleman, president of Silver Streaks, the Reno-based flyball team, “and we’ll have competing teams from California, Nevada, and possibly Utah and Oregon.”
Flyball enthusiasts define their sport as drag racing with dogs. A light pole just like the ones used at drag strips regulates the dogs’ sprint from the starting line. Each dog then jumps four hurdles before triggering a mechanism that releases a ball to the excited pooch. The furry athletes race back over the hurdles and return the ball to the handler while the next dog in the relay takes off.
Coleman also volunteers at flyball demonstrations for local schools. These demonstrations teach about dog-human activities and good dog citizenship.
While some dog sports allow only American Kennel Club papered canines—flyball presents no such restrictions. Coleman noted that mixed breeds and rescued dogs are all welcome as potential team members. Breeds who display marked prey response or which respond to toys work well. According to Coleman any breed can learn flyball, but Border collies dominate the winners’ circles.
Silver Streaks is currently seeking sponsorship for their events at the 2005 Nevada State Fair. Those interested in sponsoring the events or desiring more information on Silver Streaks can contact Stacey Coleman at 775-677-4015.
Special preparations will be made to keep the floor of the arena dry when the Dock Dog teams splash their way into spectators’ hearts. The Dock Dogs competition at the fair will be sponsored by Tamarack Junction Casino in Reno, NV.
“We’ll have a 40-foot dock set up with our 28,000-gallon pool at the end,” said Becky Ellis, president of High Desert Dock Dogs.
Canine competitors are encouraged by their human pals to race at full speed to the end of the dock then jump as far as possible into the water. In some events, ponds or lakes are used instead of a pool.
High Desert Dock Dogs will begin training this summer at the Sparks Marina. On August 6, the team will host an all-day Fun Jump exhibition from 9am to 6pm in the parking lot of Tamarack Junction Casino at 13101 South Virginia in Reno, NV.
Some of the highest achievers among Dock Dogs’ champions soar more than 20 feet off the edge of the dock before splashdown! Northern Nevada boasts a nationally ranked Dock Dogs champion. Gabe, the companion of Dayton, NV, team member Randy Bobula, took ninth place at the Dock Dogs national championships in 2004.
Greg Williams, executive director of the Nevada State Fair, was approached by Coleman last year about using the state fair arena for canine sports events. “Stacey noticed that the arena sat unused for most of the day,” Williams stated, “so we discussed how they could make use of the facility for these entertaining competitions.”
For more information about the Silver Streaks Flyball teams go to http://flyballdogs.com/silver_streaks/. Information on High Desert Dock Dogs is available at www.canyourdogfly.com. Registration for the Dock Dogs competition will be available at www.dockdogs.com by July 15, 2005.

Bill Schley is a freelance writer and entrepreneur living in Reno, NV. Benny, a large black Labrador, is his third guide dog. Bill loves all dogs and can only visit animal shelters on rare occasions, lest he fill his small home with rescued friends. Visit Bill’s Web site at www.williamschley.com

WANT A QUAKE WARNING?
(ASK YOUR PET)
By Cal Orey, South Lake Tahoe CA

Who predicted the earthquake that rattled Lake Tahoe's North Shore on June 26, 2005? California geologist Jim Berkland was on the money again. A 4.8 earthquake struck at 11:45am five miles from Tahoe Vista, CA, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). And Berkland—as well as some local seismically sensitive pets—saw it coming.
Berkland based his earthquake prediction on his eight-day window, the Full Moon on June 22, first day of summer on June 21, as well as the highest tides of the year, past drought followed by heavy rainfall/snowfall, all factors that can be shaker warning signs.
Berkland has been speaking to various groups of people for months about the expected increase in earthquake activity for California in June, July, and August. On June 21 he said, “I am 80 percent confident that there will be a 3.5 to 6.5 magnitude quake in northern California between June 20-27, 2005.” Andthis is the same month the swarm of tremors had California on edge. On June 18, after four significant quakes hit in less than a week, Californians were nervous, with some, such as myself, stocking up.
HEADS UP FROM LOCAL ANIMALS
On June 22, at 1:40am, in South Lake Tahoe when the Full Moon was big and bright, coyotes woke me up. My Brittany Simon barked at their eerie howling and the next few mornings Simon didn’t eat breakfast; neither did Simon’s pet pal, my neighbor’s sensitive rat terrier, Zorro. This strange behavior reminded me of when my cat Alex didn’t eat the morning of the 7.1 monster “World Series Quake” that rumbled the Bay Area on October 17, 1989. Berkland predicted that one too— four days in advance.
While cats and dogs may sense an oncoming tremor, horses might show unwillingness towards entering their barns or pens and often refuse to tie, too. “Andy, a gelding in the Santa Cruz Mountains stopped at a certain point on the trail and had to be led over a small interval that ruptured a few days later during the Loma Prieta earthquake,” adds Berkland.
THE GR-R-EAT SHAKER
On June 23, 2005, Kerouac, my sensitive black cat who has sensed small quakes around Tahoe before, began acting clingy (his pre-quake cue). USGS’s Web site “Mapof Recent Earthquake Activity in California-Nevada (http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recentequ/latest.htm) noted a 1.1 quake hit Tahoe Vista, about 19 miles from South Lake. I sent an e-mail to myself: “Wish cat would go away—it’s making me think quake.”
On June 26, about 11:30am, Kerouac jumped up into my lap. He was too affectionate. At 11:45am my cabin shook hard—I went into earthquake preparedness mode; quickly plopping him into his crate and putting Simon on leash in case of a mainshock or aftershock. (Five aftershocks happened between 11:45am and 12:02pm).
When I compared notes with Zorro’s “mom” she said when the quake hit, Zorro “ran around in circles in the living room and barked.” Her pooch might have sensed the P-wave (the fastest and first seismic wave which animals and humans often feel).
Meanwhile, Berkland isn’t surprised that two dogs and a cat sensed it coming. After all, the great Indian Ocean quake-tsunami of December past and the Great Alaska quake of 1964 both happened during a Full Moon. Animals’ sixth sense played a part in these unforgettable disasters, too.
Around the time of the Tahoe Vista quake, Melody and Howie Jaffray of South Lake Tahoe lost their young black Lab, Nitro, in an escape from their backyard. The couple did reunite with their pooch, thanks to Douglas County Animal Control (someone found the wayward pooch). Since 1974, Berkland’s earthquake theories include disoriented pets and lost cats and dogs. Is it possible that Nitro was sensing an oncoming quake? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, it’s best to be proactive for both you and your pet’s safety’s sake. For dozens of helpful animal related items, log onto www.hsus.org/search.jsp and type in “disaster preparedness”; and report your pet’s quake warnings at Jim Berkland’s Web site www.syzygyjob.net “Seismic Sentries.”

Cal Orey is the author of The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes: Jim Berkland, Maverick Geologist–How His Quake Warnings Can Save Lives. To pre-order go to www.sentientpublications/com/catalog/earthquakes.php or www.amazon.com