Eric

"ERIC" will be with us every where we go now, as I am having his Murial put on the bonnet of the car, so he won't miss out on any thing the shows shopping etc. Thank you all for your thoughts of saddness on our tragic loss. He will be filling the hearts with love over the bridge as he spread his love here. Miss you daily my best mate and Soul buddy as does your best mate & buddy "RAB". Till we meet again bye for now Eric from mum.xxxxxxxxxx

"ERIC" 'NIACHI SIR SCORPIO' 13THJULY O2 - 19TH JUNE 12 Half of me passed away with my Eric's passing, but I have many memories of all his Great Achievements that he & his buddy & Best Mate right to the very end "RAB" undertook with me. Eric was so Well Known and Loved by many he will be Greatly Missed by his Hundreds of Friends. He is at home in the Memorial Garden here with me and his little mates who were waiting to help him continue his loving work at Rainbow Bridge along with "Gunny" until I can join them. ScorpioLodge will miss him greatly and there will be a big hole left by his passing, but he will never be forgotten and my 1 blessing was he did not suffer & in no pain active to the end. REST IN PEACE MY FAMOUS TIRELESS COMMUNITY WORKER & AMBASSADOR, A TRUE CHAMPION OF WHAT A GERMAN SHEPHERD SHOULD BE

So in essence the GSD's no not want to leave the eastern seaboard. Thus Tas should not be disadvantaged by a National. RIGHT ON BILBO BAGGINS if it isn't possible for the amount of entries to get to any of the States that are harder, more expensive etc., etc., then you are SPOT ON why should we be disadvantaged. They expect us to plan, plan, plan, and get to the ones held over there, but when the boot is on the other foot who is stating that they could not come or even the shows be held because of the trouble to get the entries here. says it all ...Eric.

Thanks Freundhund, your reply says it all if that amount of dogs can't get into WA, NT, & our Beautiful Island of Tas, then Shows held in these arease at the same time should be an alternative to us exhibitors who can't get to the mainland states. We could write letters to National Council, Our Controling Bodies, but like a lot of other suggestions they fall on deaf ears a lot of the time. We would love to go to a National & hopefully god willing will get to one before it is too late for me to be able to travel at all. I have been told all about the event and try to imagine that volume of dogs I think it would be so spectacular and from what friends have said it is even more impressive than any-one could describe. We were thinking of flying over just to watch this year seeing it was the Jubilee, but it did not happen so will have to wait a while longer. As membvers of the Victorian German Shepherd Club we at least can keep up with all the news and really appreciate getting our magazine every 2nd month, plus the National Review. We notice that around the State of Vict. you can go to quite a few shows in a week-end EVEN THOUGH IT MAY MEAN A FAIR BIT OF TRAVEL. But maybe we can get our TCA to do something this time. Eric

Here Here Totally agree it is by choice [Or should be] but to a large majority for different circumstances that choice isn't a viable outcome. entry for these Shows close like most about 4 - 5 weeks before the actual Show in some cases even a lot longer than that. When planning for a great show and trip entering, booking and I presume deposit or more for Ferry or plane, accomodation etc. etc. then as the time draws near something UNPLANED FOR like Accident, Serious Health issues, of yourself, family member or your beloved dog or dogs, how many Airlines, Ferry Services, Accomodation places etc. etc. will refund either fully or partial. Entry fees like all Shows arn't and that is ok, it goes as donation for the Club Clubs running the event, which these days they need all the assistance they can rally up. Therefore the rule should not come into it as those of us who are unsure can still enter our dogs in both the National and Local and then decide sooner to the time as to our capibility of going to which ever one we can go to at that time. Then the National does not miss out on entry fees and we are still supporting our Local Clubs who also need lots of support. Eric.

Yep thats right Shaar. Have not heard what happened about it, but you are right a 4 berth trailer is about same size as box trailer so shoud be same charge. But anthing to make more profit for the big wig vompany, after all they know we only have the 2 choices boat or fly, and I think we would rather fly and have friends meet us other end rather than drive all way up from southern Tassie to boat then pay lot more for travel plus it take longer, where if we fly there in about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. done. less stress on dogs and us. Eric.

Yes it was with the crate, but she was also a nice big boned puppy and her new family was really pleased with her. We have found Air Express and usually Quantas give top service, taking extra special care of the babies. Thats our experience with Air Express as the couriers. We used Dog Tainers when getting a junior bitch in from NSW and they were good also. I hate to think about the Ferry especially if you have a 6 - 8 berth Dog Trailer. We have a 4 berth and room for 2 more in our Ute, but would still shudder to think what the return trip would be.. The Air charges are for 1 way only and that is another reason for paying the extra to purchase the molded crate rather than hire the mesh one. $85 crate costs for return compared to $120 hire return, then plus weight of puppy in crate. Eric

Just a short post in regards to the flights from Hobart. We fly puppies from Hobart to Melbourne age 13 weeks. The cost with cost of Crate [$85.00] and her weight [$141.00] Total for her flight through "Air Express" was $226.00 Air Express or [Toll] now have 2 flights every day 1 early on a morning [having to have dog there around 4.30 am] and 1 late afternoon early evening [ have dog there around 4.30 pm or on week-ends 3.30 pm] This was correct as at 29/8/09. Our puppy we sent had she weighed about 2 kilo more the price would have been a lot more, but she was lucky enough to just go under the 20kg. limit. She was 13 week old German Shepherd Puppy. It was also just a little dearer to buy one of the molded Air Express crates for the $85.00 as to hire one which was all mesh was $60.00. We preferred the molded one as she was protected a lot more from all the noise etc. The guys at Air Express were terrific with her allowing her to have her own blanket & toy in with her in the crate. She flew on a week-end and had to be at the Air Freight Terminal by 3.15 to 3.30 and flew out at 5.30 - 6.00 [i think now], but if they have their quota of dogs then you cannot get on and have to wait for the next one or one that hasn't got its quota. I don't know if this is the same at Launceston, as we deal with Hobart Airport. This was our experience and our views only.

Just want tp correct one of the posts asking me to get facts right. Well it was NOT ME [ERIC] who mentioned the bikinis and other comments made. It was in fact Angelsun, thank you to the other poster who did correct the error on my behalf. Thank you to all who agree that Tassie does indeed have a distict disadvantage and I respect the views of those who disagree after all it is a forum and it is a free country so we can all give our own views, hopefully without offending any one. These are just my views and a few others here in Tassie but now we are more informed, how-ever do feel for any new comers to showing that find out the hard way also, so hopefully once the TCA has been contacted they can do a bit more PA and advertise it and similar rules more. bye Eric.

the last thing we have to say on this is "Just because we wrote in Capitals does not instantly mean that we wanted the points come hell or high water!" We do not blame the Combined Breeds Club as I'm sure if they had been informed they would have passed on the info. The Controli9ng bodies need ro do a lot more communicating and keeping up with all the changes etc. We know now that is what happens and are wiser, and probably was not aware of it as much as many as we do not go to Shows all the time. The Gazette should be up to date with this sort of info so that Clubs can place on schedules etc. We were even speaking to long time Show-ers who go interstate also but like us if we had wanted to go we would have had to get reliable kennel people in to look after the rest of our special kids while we were away. So that is all I have to say on this. I'm glad that there are others who feel the same as we do.

In reply to Heidii's quote regarding needing to chase points that badly. Well that is not the case with us & our dogs. We like our dogs to actually earn their points and prefer other entries as it is a rather hollow victory if they have no opposition, much better for dogs and Kennel if they achieve high honours against good opposition. At present we are Showing young puppies and decided to make it a family day by entering their sire also for an outing. He has nothing to prove and does not need to chase points even though earning them would be nice, but he can hold his own and has done against some of the top Shepherds in both rings. We knew about the 500 km limit when told by past Shepherd exhibitors at the Show and that it had been changed recently to the 1000km. We were not the only exhibitors of Shepherds at the Show with other representatives there also from larger Kennels. We enjoy going to the Allbreeds Shows, & we have [when members] suggested to the Tasmanian Shepherd Club about a big sponsorship drive to be able to run a National or Main Breed Assessment at the Tas. Clubs grounds on the banks of the Derwent River at New Norfolk, which is very beautiful, Caravan park alongside, Motels, B & B's, Hotels etc. all close at hand and in one of the most picturesque spots in Tassie, but the Club did not look into it enough stating that they would not be able to get the support, which only shows supporters the lack of foresight and dedication to get these events here. I think most Tassie Showers and those from the mainland that have come across to events at the New Norfolk grounds could only agree what a beautiful position it is and should be utilized more. Also it is a big difference comparing travelling to the Melbourne Cup and travelling to the National. Eric.

Nope not at all, I travel yearly from Perth with big dogs ,i would love the option of hoping on the ferry & being able to take the car & float but instead i fly,hire cars & the likes.just to fly my 2 dogs is nearly $800 plus car,accom & the list goes on If you cant afford it its unfortunate but many people do head to these shows from many states which have it harder . I now of plenty of national shows held in Tassie that where very well supported by interstaters who didnt think twice same as the royal shows. Also now of many Tassie people who head over for royals & the melb cup carnival & the likes without a second thought. Yes i would be pissed at the no CC points not being printed but if you won grp or BIS that was still available. It is very common in the east & the entries arent cheaper .You are still entitled to all the other awards except cc/bob points

Nope not at all, I travel yearly from Perth with big dogs ,i would love the option of hoping on the ferry & being able to take the car & float but instead i fly,hire cars & the likes.just to fly my 2 dogs is nearly $800 plus car,accom & the list goes on If you cant afford it its unfortunate but many people do head to these shows from many states which have it harder . I now of plenty of national shows held in Tassie that where very well supported by interstaters who didnt think twice same as the royal shows. Also now of many Tassie people who head over for royals & the melb cup carnival & the likes without a second thought. Yes i would be pissed at the no CC points not being printed but if you won grp or BIS that was still available. It is very common in the east & the entries arent cheaper .You are still entitled to all the other awards except cc/bob points

Gunster 1/11/05 to 25/02/10 such a short life but your sons & daughters will live on for you. You were called back way too soon at only 4years., but there must have been a Special Job that only a NO1 SPECIAL AGENT could do so he took you from me. I know that you are watching and waiting at "RAINBOW BRIDGE" looking over your young family and all your extended family here at ScorpioLodge. You would have watched your dad's son and younger lkids do so well at the National and I'm sure you were sooling them along. WE MISS YOU EVERY DAY, BUT YOU HAVE NO MORE PAIN and Kate & Hermmi are doing you proud as are I'm sure your other 2 sons and daughter. Till we meet up again to make the final journey to-gether. Your Mom & Eric, Dad & Rab, Sister Sarah & Nephew Mac, widow Jilly [mother of your 5 beautiful kids], Scally & Poppi.

Firstly I would like to CONGRATULATE ALL THE DOGS, HANDLERS & OWNERS who took part in the National German Shepherd Show & Trial. WELL DONE TO ALL!!!! I represent a few Shepherd Owners who live here in Tasmania and although would love to be able to make the journey to the National, find that due to Health reasons & limited Income it is just to far and expensive, to travel to the mainland. So we entered the Combined Breeds of Tasmanian Back to Back Championship Show along with 14 other entries, only to find out just before going into the ring that there would be NO CHALLENGE, RESERVE CHALLENGE, BEST OF BREED OR RUNNER-UP BEST OF BREED FOR GERMAN SHEPHERDS. due to the National being held in Victoria and supposedly Hobart is within the 1,000 km. We were not informed by the T.C.A., nor was it in the Schedule, or Catalogue, no reduced entry fee not that that was a concern, but we feel victimised because we could not travel interstate, as well as most other Shepherd Allbreeds Show People. If they want to get down to the nitty gritty it is not even a NATIONAL BREED SHOW AS IT DOES NOT OCCUR IN EVERY STATE, only on the Eastern Side of Australia. Surely Tasmania should be exempt due to the fact of the cost to travel across Bass Strait. I think if Tasmania held a National here mainlanders would be wanting subsidised travel or not come. Who-ever passed this 1,000 km restriction motion through should be held accountable and it should be looked at very seriously. Here in Tasmania we only have 4 - 5 Specialist Shows a year and they are fading fast, so if we want to socialize our dogs and puppies we do Allbreeds Showing which are very frequent and enjoyable, plus the different Allbreeds Clubs look after there members very well and there are always a good turn-up of German Shepherds anywhere from 14/15 to 28 +. Hope others agree as I suppose West Australia is in the same boat along with the Northern Territory. Come on give the Little Island a Fair Go.... Keen Show Goer and Breeder in Southern Midlands of Tasmania.