News

SBTC  Board of Directors  Call for Nominations
The SBTC Board of Directors elections take place at the general membership annual meeting in November, during the Ocala Regional Specialty.  If you are interested in running for a position on the Board, please send your self nomination to Lisa Lane via email: topsyterv@gmail.com. Each of the following Board seats is for a two year term:

President
Treasurer
Director (Seat 1)
Director (Seat 2)

The Story of "Nik" by Jane (Nik's forever home mom)

Nik came to me housebroken, with the most impeccable house manners you can imagine. But what she didn't have was confidence. And that brought with it all the issues that come with its lacking....barking, aggression, fear. 

First we had to work on bonding, building trust. As her innate Terv loyalty strengthened, we were able to take on the real challenges...strangers, socializing and new experiences. Nik soon learned that strangers aren't so bad...they know how to throw the ball for her. And at the park, there are so many interesting scents, that she hardly worries about passersby. During our vacation recently, we proudly strolled along the downtown streets greeting strangers with ears up! And boats? Who cares if they seem scary at first . . . some of the best smells in the world flow right over the bow when heading up river.

It has been such a joy to watch over the last three months as Nik has begun to open up, a little at a time.  As she starts to show just a little more confidence and playfulness, and as she learns new things. We have a wonderful adventure ahead of us.  

Florida Rescue Activities

As the Rescue coordinator for Florida, Gretchen Brown is tasked with coordinating the acquisition and placement of any displaced Belgian Tervuren. Below is a recent story on the efforts it takes to ensure our beloved Belgians are protected from danger and given the best possible conditions to flourish. If you need Belgian Rescue for assistance, visit its website: http://www.belgiantervurenrescue.com/ or its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/belgiantervurenrescue/

Earlier this year two female Belgians (1 Terv, 1 Groenendael) showed up around Jacksonville in a shopping plaza. 

The post was on Facebook, on a Saturday or Sunday.  I had called the original poster on Monday, and asked permission to send in a club member to identify them.  Lynne Wetherell answered my first call and verified they were actually Belgians. The two girls had been picked up by a caring veterinarian.  Dr. Evans of Doctors Inlet Animal Hospital had caught them and transported to her clinic. We remain grateful to her and her staff for being conscientious and concerned.

Angela Grinsell contacted me and volunteered to act as a daily contact since on her way to work she drove by the location where the two Belgians were being kept.  I greatly appreciated her efforts and having a Belgian person face to go along with the organization.

Lesley Newman and Angela checked shelters, put up posters, scanned the lost and found ads around the area where the Belgians were found, looking for possible owners.  I contacted the people I know in the Belgian Sheepdog club and the Tervuren owners I know, who all scanned the internet in hopes of finding an answer on the Belgians owners.  

The main concern was that two Belgians were found together...highly unusual. Both females, both about the same age.  We expected an owner to show up. Belgian Tervuren Rescue (BTR) was contacted and kept in the loop of what we knew, and what we were doing. After a few days of no results, BTR's President

Linda Friedow asked if  I would like her to put the post up on BTR's Facebook page.  Of course I said yes.  Within hours....a Belgian Sheepdog breeder contacted us.

She was sure that Belgian Sheepdog was of her breeding.  Even better, she had a chip number that was implanted in the puppy, before the puppy left her.  

We could identify them now, we had an owner's name and contact information.  Unfortunately, due to illness, the owner would not communicate with the breeder, therefore, returning them to the owner was not an option. 

After a flurry of documents passing back and forth, Dr. Evans relinquished the two girls to Angela Grinsell. Angela asked Chris and Nancy Luther to act as temporary fosters during the Christmas holidays and into the New Year.  This gave us some time to find permanent homes for the girls. The Sheepdog was transported back to the breeder and the Terv found a loving home with a knowlegable Tervuren owner who had lost her previous Tervuren rescue about a year ago.

I would like to thank everyone involved in this rescue, which could have gone south very quickly.  An observant breeder knowing her stock, put us on the right path. The breeders' chip in the Sheepdog gave us proof.   Those who scoured the internet looking for lost and found ads.   Lynne, Leslie, and Angela, being boots on the ground, they all contributed to a sucessful outcome for these two Belgians. Linda Friedow for saying "yes" to everything I asked. My friends in the Sheepdog world, that gave me contacts that were out of my area.

Anyone I have missed, I am careful who I mention.  Please be aware, I am forever grateful for all the help that rescue and I received. Everyone that took time out of their day to help is appreciated, even if not mentioned by name.  Many people used their individual strengths to have a good outcome for these two girls.  

I have recently been contacted by the Tervuren's new owner.  The new owner is ecstatic with her girl, and her new girl has some farmland, a soft bed, and a caring, knowledgdable owner with contacts in the Terv world.  

Rescue can be tough, but, it can also be very rewarding. Thank you to all that rescue.  We are a special breed.

Regards,

Gretchen