PLEASE NOTE: Westminster KC has moved from NYC in February to Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY in June. They will have Agility on June 11, Obedience on June 12 and Confirmation on June 12 and 13. Therefore, we will not have our supported entry at Greenwich and Longshore-Southport on our regular weekend since these shows will not be held. Our specialty is, at this moment, to be determined.

A LOOK BACK AT 2020

January:  Nutmeg member and Certified Trainer Melinda Harvey CPDT-KA, APDT conducted a Waterless Workshop on January 26 at Tails-U-Win in Manchester, CT. Emphasis was on behaviors needed to accomplish tasks in Water Work in the coming swim season.

Also, AKC Meet the Breeds was at the Javits Center in NYC.  There were two days of doggy delight on the 25th and 26th. Several members, headed by Ylisa Kuntz, participated with their dogs.

February: The Westminster Dog Show and Agility Trials in NYC were the place to be on February 8 – 11. Also, a Nutmeg Supported Entry at the Working Group Show in West Springfield, MA on February 29 and March 1.

March: Covid 19 strikes! Registration opened for our planned Scent Work Trial and our Health Clinic. Sadly, the Scent Trial was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. The Health Clinic was postponed a couple of times, but finally accomplished in June. Our annual meeting at Port Chester Obedience Training Center on March 8 - with dogs invited - was lots of fun. Good food, good company, and good fun right before the national shut down.

April:  All hands on board! There were many, many submissions of your wonderful dog(s) perfect photos in our annual Calendar competition. Proceeds from the sale of Nutmeg’s annual calendar have, in the last 8 years, resulted in donations of over $39,000 to the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation for support of canine cancer research.

May: Our planned AKC Scent Work Trial had to be cancelled this year due to Covid. Our All Breed Health Clinic that featured four veterinarian specialists providing a variety of tests (eyes, ears, cardio, x-rays, blood work, etc.) at discounted prices was moved to the end of June.

June: Dog shows were CANCELLED due to Covid – including our supported entry at the Taconic Kennel Club Show in NY, as well as our specialty shows at the Greenwich Kennel Club show and the Longshore/Southport show, both in Norwalk. At the Greenwich show, Nutmeg normally features a general club business meeting and a delicious picnic lunch; the Longshore/Southport show normally offers a tasty ringside breakfast for all participants. All cancelled due to Covid! Hoping for better things in 2021!

Beginning on the Monday after the Specialty shows, Water Work! Again, Covid rears its ugly head. Rather than our formal classes, we were able to offer limited participants “play days” with experienced mentors several times a week. Donations to defray the costs of boat storage, maintenance, and transportation, etc. (things that our class fees normally covered) were not required but were gratefully accepted.

And our Health Clinic finally took place. Wildly popular, we had 32 different breeds and our vets and techs conducted over 200 health tests.

July and August: Supported entries at the Farmington Valley and Ox Ridge shows in Springfield, MA cancelled due to Covid. Water “play days” continued.

August would have been the first of our 2 Water Trials for the season; the second was to be held in late September after the conclusion of the National Specialty in Virginia Beach. That was also cancelled. Instead, Nutmeg ventured to some different sites – taking our water work to the road. The first was on July 11 and 12 at Camp Pomperaug in Union, CT. Fun! The second was on September 12 and 13 at Eagle Rock Day Camp in Washington, CT. More fun! Maybe we will have a Water Trial in a different location next year? Stay tuned!!

November: Grooming seminar with Groomer, Handler and PWD Breeder, Alexandria Lightfoot Vinopal. 

As we wind the year down – just a quick reflection on our commitment to support charities for our dogs and others – and humans that need and love them. Since 2001 the Nutmeg Portuguese Water Dog Club has donated over $98,000 to worthwhile organizations including but not limited to:

• Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Inc., dedicated to fund canine medical research focused on issues that affect the health and well-being of Portuguese Water Dogs.  Our contributions are earmarked for cancer research.
   
• Canine Companions for Independence provides assistance dogs free of charge to adults, children and veterans with disabilities.
   
• Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc., committed to partnering men and women who are blind with their elite breed of German Shepherd dogs.
   
• The Connecticut Humane Society, the leading resource in the state for companion animal welfare.  Our donations are earmarked for the Fox Free Clinic that provides health care for dogs whose owners cannot afford veterinary care.
   
• AKC Canine Health Foundation - the world's largest funder of health.