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December 1998 Contest Page
Summary:
Prize: 1999 Eskie Calendar(and a 1997 bonus as well....see pic below, and description in text!)
Featured Donation: Hearts United for Animals(see description below)
Winner: Heidi Mann (and her eskie Mikko)
Question: "Why is the phrase The Dog Beautiful the perfect title for the American Eskimo Dog?"
You can scroll down to get right to the winning entry, but first are further details on the December contest:
Our December contest was yet another very enjoyable experience! First, we'll explain what was "up" for the contest in December, and then we'll get to the results!
We offered a rather neat prize: an Eskie Calendar! We worked with Lynn(Saecasper) and were able to arrange a 1999 calendar for the contest. She has also informed us that she had some 1997 calendars left as well, so we ordered one of those as well. So...TWO calendars for the contest this month. A 1999 and a 1997. We figured if you love eskies, you'll love the extra pictures in the '97 calendar as well...and, hey, maybe you CAN figure out a way to relive the past!
You can take a look at the pictures from the calendar at Lynn's site at Starlight American Eskimos. This is the "home" page, so just click on the "calendars" button and you'll see some pretty pictures!
Lynn also carries other Eskie merchandise, so be sure to check her stuff out! Proceeds from Lynn's sales go to Healing Odyssey, a womans cancer group, so that's good news! You can contact Lynn in the following ways(though there is more contact info on her web pages!):
email: saecasper@aol.com Address(for the calendars): attn: Eskie Calendars Paramax Software 26665 Colt Dr. Corona, CA 91719
Paramax, of course, also makes the WinBreeder software!
...and ...for the month's donation, we stepped in a little different direction. So far, all of our donations had been pretty "eskie" specific, but we knew that we'll be doing some more "general" donations now and then, and this was our first step in doing that. Thus, we offered the donation to Hearts United for Animals, a no-kill shelter in Nebraska. They have a pretty neat web site, with all kinds of information and even merchandise that can be bought to help their shelter out! They have many ways in which you can help them, including "sponsoring" a pet until it finds a new home! Their web site can be found at Hearts United for Animals. And their other contact information:
email at: Dogshelter@aol.com and address and phone: Hearts United for Animals Home of Midwest Animal Shelter Box 286 Auburn, NE 68305 Ph.:402-274-3679
Our donation of $10 was sent to HUA in this month's winner's name shortly after the contest. And, we cannot forget that Lindy also continued her "Grimm" memorial donation, also $10 to the contest, so HUA received $20 from the contest this month...all to help out the animals that HUA helps!
...and ...for this month's "Question"!
This might seem a little silly, maybe even redundant, but we're looking for some creative input on this! As many of you know, the American Eskimo dog is known as "The Dog Beautiful". Well, ok....you look at an eskie, and it seems pretty obvious, they ARE beautiful! But, what we'd like to know.....is WHY! Why is the phrase "The Dog Beautiful" the perfect title for the American Eskimo Dog? Sure, we'd love to hear any historical perspective on this, but we'd also like to hear merely creative input as well. You can be factual, silly, poetic, whatever.....just tell us your thoughts on this question.
"Why is the phrase The Dog Beautiful the perfect title for the American Eskimo Dog?"
OK, for the results. Though we could only choose one winner, we had a number of very nice entries from eskie folks out there! And certainly don't want anyone to think that we didn't enjoy each and every one of them...we sure did!!! There was one thread that seemed to be most common throughout the entries though, that it was not just the outward beauty of the American Eskimo Dog, but also their "inner" beauty that makes "The Dog Beautiful" the perfect title for them!
And so we just have to make a little commentary on this as well! Being that this contest was run just prior to Christmas, it turned out to be an ideal question to ask for the contest! A number of mentions have been made about how wonderful the American Eskimo is as a companion dog, and being that the non-sporting group in the AKC is just that: companion dogs, the Eskie is a natural for that! As most of us know, and considerable mention was made of it in the entries, eskies are a breed that are very devoted to their people...and in all the ways that our eskies show they care about us, they are showing us what love really is all about....it's about giving, and not just receiving that love! Oh, yeah...our eskies love to BE loved, but they seem to like to make sure their people are just as loved!!!
And being that Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, it is a time to remember the fragility and beauty of youth, and the very gift that life, and salvation are all about! How beautiful the innocence of a child....when playing, dancing, failing, growing, learning, struggling, yearning, etc. And, how all these "little moments" add up to the very lives we all lead! Sometimes, as adults, we forget how to "be a child" for a few moments, and yet these are just as important in the process of maturing as are all the great feats and successes that we all strive for. Something that many of us can easily see in the everyday lives of our eskies: the moments of playing, learning, failing(though eskies don't admit to that much!), growing, and of course, caring! Something they share with us, and we often learn...the more you give, the more you receive.... It is the unselfish attitude that is the true expression of love, for it is an expression of caring for others.... Thus, the true expression of love is one of the most beautiful things any of us can experience. An experience that this time each year reminds us should be a part of everyday!
And...for our winning entry this month, we have a wonderful story of how graceful that beauty is! We have chosen Heidi Mann's entry for this month's winner....
| And now...for Heidi's Winning Entry: |
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When someone is first introduced to an American Eskimo Dog, they are immediately captivated by the thick white fur, intelligent dark eyes, and perfect smiling face. As one watches an Eskie frolic in the tall grass or deep snow, they notice the gracefulness and agility of this incredible dog. However, it is the beauty WITHIN this dog that truly captures the essence of the title "The Dog Beautiful". Almost two years ago we obtained Mikko from a family that did not have the energy to devote to this active dog. If they could not find a home for her soon, they were going to take her to the Animal Shelter. As we were making our decision to keep Mikko, the family let us take her for a ride to the park. Even though she was a puppy, I thought she would be reluctant to come with us in our car. To my surprise, she hopped right in and was raring to go. Her spirit and enthusiasm was what attracted me most. We drove to the park and played in the grass. Many people came up to ask what kind of dog she was and commented on her striking appearance. We made the decision to keep her and piled in the car to tell the family that Mikko had found a permanent home. On the way back, Mikko climbed into my lap and fell asleep. She looked so peaceful; we both fell head over heals in love with this precious animal. With each day since, we have grown to love her even more. We look forward to her kisses each morning, her willingness to accept new situations and friends, and her unconditional love. Mikko and I recently organized a visit to a nursing home with our local kennel club. A lady resident was unable to attend our program due to the cancer, which was spread throughout her body. We volunteered to visit her in her room since she was so disappointed in missing the program. Mikko led the way down the hall. We knocked on the door and were welcomed in. I sat in a chair next to Grace's bed with Mikko in my lap. She petted Mikko's head and told me stories of the pets she had in her life. Grace asked if Mikko could sit on her bed. I was hesitant to allow this, because Mikko was still excited about the action from the program, but I decided to give it a try. Grace called Mikko to her. As light as a feather, Mikko jumped onto the bed and immediately laid down next to Grace. Mikko put her head in Grace's lap and closed her eyes. Grace just looked down at Mikko and softly stroked her head. Never had I seen Mikko lie so still as that moment. Occasionally Grace's hand would tremble and Mikko would softly lick her as if to say "it's all right, I am here". When it was time for us to go, I gently lifted Mikko off the bed and set her on the floor. Grace softly whispered "Thank you, she is a beautiful dog". I looked down and thought, yes she is. The American Eskimo Dog will always be the most attractive dog to me. However, I have not found another breed that compares with the Eskie's inner beauty. The American Eskimo Dog has without a doubt earned the title "The Dog Beautiful".
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