In Memory of Margaret Betchart

Betchart Expeditions, Inc.

Bob Draper, loving friend of Margaret Betchart let me know that Margaret passed away suddenly on January 15, 2024. Margaret and Bob have been strong supporters of Sierra Pacific Great Pyrenees Rescue with their annual $10,000 donation matching challenge since 2013. Margaret Betchart and Bob Draper, own/run Betchart Expeditions Inc. specializing in natural history expeditions worldwide for friends of Betchart and members of museums, zoos, conservation organizations, and scientific professional organizations. Expeditions are led by excellent naturalists, archaeologists, anthropologists, or social scientists, and are known for the outstanding, unique itineraries, and special contacts with local scientists, conservationists, and other key personalities. Trips to all seven continents, from Alaska to Antarctica, Greece to Siberia, Greenland to Backroads China, plus the Arctic are offered. Every year there are new trips to capture the interest of their travelers. The picture (2016) shows Pam Tobin holding an honorary ribbon and presenting Margaret with a plaque honoring her great work for Rescue. A celebration of life is in the planning, but Margaret will forever be appreciated and sorely missed.

SPGPC Regional Specialties ~ May 16-18, 2024

We are hosting our four Regional Specialties with one on Thursday, May 16th in the morning and then another late afternoon Themed show beginning at 5:00pm. Then Friday, May 17th there will be a morning show and at 5:00pm we'll have our banquet and auction. On Saturday we have a concurrent Specialty with Coyote Hills KC and then Coyote Hills has a Pyr entry Sat afternoon and again on Sunday May 18-19th, 2024.

You don't have to have a show dog to participate! If you have an adopted rescue dog, PLEASE enter your rescue dog in this event on Friday, May 17th and at 4:30pm. We have a special event just for rescues call the "Parade of Rescues".

Fill out the bio (page 15 in the Premium List) and email me a nice write up about your dog and a good .jpg photo for the color program booklet. Make sure your dog is well groomed for the parade. Each dog will take their turn around the ring while their bio’s are read. Their final decent up a red carpet will deliver you and your dog to the judges who will present you with a red/white/blue rosette ribbon and an award presented from SPGPC rescue.

GPCA National Show & SPGPC Regional Shows ~ April 23-29, 2023

Prior to Covid, SPGPC was selected to host the Great Pyrenees Club of America National Specialty Show. We decided to combine our 4 Regional Shows with the National Show to draw the maximum entries possible. We had already faced challenges while in Covid and coming out of Covid. Most of the Hotels in California were experiencing staffing shortages and most were closed to large gathering type events. In the past, the practice has been that National Shows must happen in a host hotel which can be very expensive as was the case for us. For our Club Regional shows, we use county fairgrounds, which are far less expensive because we can do our own food or hire our own caterers. In a hotel you must use their amenities and they disallow outside food and beverage service. As the host club we were given permission by the GPCA to negotiate and sign contracts for space, food and any other requirements, which are many for an event like this. While we had a large number of dogs turn out for the shows, the Hilton Hotel in Sacramento was not up to the task of the first-time experience of a National Dog Show. Communications were either nonexistent or differing from one manager to another or the management to their staff, space allotments that we were promised were sold out from under us while appearing on our contact, but we pivoted and overcame the obstacles, and everyone agreed it was a GREAT Specialty. We had over 137 entries, did a parade of rescue event, owner activities and games planned for everyone with a dog at the event. We had a "Sip and Paint" with your dog, obedience, rally and carting trials and of course, everyone rooted for the dog in conformation that caught their eye.

So, would we do this again? NEVER! NEVER AGAIN! The expenses were too high! Personally, we covered over $34,000. which were expenses which the National Club left to us. The National has avoided responsibility and all communication on the subject. I believe that they did not live up to their financial obligations and took advantage of our club. Apparently, we aren't the only ones who have experienced that over time. Keeping affiliated Regional Clubs whole, should be a priority of the National Parent Club and if expenses at hotels are not sustainable, alternatives should be utilized.