Based on some comments about voting I thought some further analysis of the vote was in order. The following graph numbers were taken from the NAFA voting results of the 5 candidates.
The most telling thing that I can see is the NO votes. Each delegate could vote for 3 candidates but from looking at the “No Votes” line, it is obvious that 19 delegates didn’t vote for a candidate. I don’t know that for sure, but logically you wouldn’t vote for a second or third candidate and not vote for a first.
If you subtract out the 19 that didn’t vote for anyone from the 80 that didn’t select a second candidate, you end up with 61 wasted votes. The question that I have is did the 61 delegates not selecting a second candidate knowing that they could select more than one candidate? It seems likely, if they knew that multiple candidates could be selected they would have.
I think the 3rd row is the most telling. If you subtract out the 19 that didn’t vote and the 80 that didn’t select a second candidate you are left with 146 delegates not selecting a third candidate. This tells me that 146 or more delegates didn’t think 3 of the candidates were worth voting for, why?
Conclusion
I think this tells us that many clubs are displeased with NAFA and its direction. Just add it up. Only 56.81% of the ballots were returned, and granted that is more than half. However, the 344 votes that were not cast for any candidate really tells the story. It comes down to one of three things, the clubs don’t care, the roster of candidates wasn’t appealing, or the delegates didn’t think it would matter if they voted or not. I tend to think it’s the latter. If the clubs thought something would actually change and get better by their vote, they probably would have voted.
It just seems to me that people should be more involved and fired up. I think that much of the problem stems from the Board itself. The leadership stresses secrecy and it stifles excitement and a feeling of worth. The attitude then becomes one of, I don’t care because nothing I do will change anyway.
Larry
The NAFA delegates have spoken with 918 total ballots returned (56.81%). It’s really a shame and there is really no excuse for the lack of participation. At least I’m glad that in my region (14), 80% (second highest rate of return) of the ballots were returned.
The Board of Director Votes and Percentages:
- Dale Smith - 768 (83.66%)
- Scott Stein - 591 (64.38%)
- Alisa Romaine - 417 (45.42%)
- Zachary Chernik - 320 (34.86%)
- Chris VanWert - 314 (34.20%)
I have my own idea as to why the voting turned out as it did and I will leave you to form your own opinions.
Clyde Moore Memorial Hall of Fame Votes and Percentages:
- Lyric - Whippet - 322 (35.08%)
- Bizzy - Border Collie - 319 (34.75%)
- Crackers - Mix - 269 (29.30%)
- Tab - Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) - 223 (24.29%)
- Cyrano de Bordercollie - Border Collie - 113 (12.31%)
For complete election results, please see the NAFA website here.
Larry
Say what, I know, that’s what I said too. Therefore, here is the medical description taken from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine website…
Hepatozoon americanum / canis
Canine hepatozoonosis is an emerging protozoal tick-borne disease of dogs that has been reported in the United States of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Florida. The causative agent of canine hepatozoonosis in North America is Hepatozoon americanum. It induces severe myositis and gait abnormalities, and is transmitted to dogs (the intermediate host) through the definitive host, Amblyomma maculatum. Another species is H. canis that causes a similar disease on dogs outside of North America. Transmission occurs when a dog ingests an infected tick, and then the organisms are released and invade canine host cells, where asexual reproduction and multiplication occur through schiziogony (Ewing & Panciera, 2003).
I know, I know, that’s not much clearer either is it? In English it says that Canine hepatozoonosis is a parasitic tick-borne disease that is effecting dogs in North America. It induces severe muscle soreness due to inflammation, which cause gait abnormalities, and is transmitted to dogs from the ingestion of an infected tick. Once ingested, the organisms (infected tick) are released into the ingestion system of the canine host, where asexual reproduction and multiplication occur.
Here are the clinical signs of an infected dog taken from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine website…
Clinical Signs
Infected dogs usually exhibit a waxing and waning course of recurrent fever spikes, muscle pain, and progressive debilitation for up to several months. In the later stages, dogs develop proteinuria and renal failure secondary to immunoproliferative glomerulonephritis (Ewing & Panciera, 2003). Death may occur 12 months after ingestion of the infected tick without treatment.
Meet Jake
About 5 years ago, Julia was in search of a Border collie and wanted to find a dog through rescue. She knew someone in the area that did Border collie rescue so they met for lunch one day and was told about a very cute Border collie that was looking for a forever home.
When Julia met Jake for the first time, his coat was still a bit bleached out from being kept outside. His history was and is somewhat of a mystery to this day and the only thing known is that he was a backyard dog and was in 2 shelters before Border collie rescue rescued him. Julia decided to take Jake and “He has from day one been the most amazing dog with a most wonderful approach to life and has been the noble BC to a tee.”
Julia trained Jake for obedience and flyball, and he was transformed into an exceptional athlete. To this day, his number one love is flyball. At the height of his game, he always ran 4.0 second heats and could run in any position. His personality is such that he has trained many a green dog the game of flyball.
About three years into his flyball career, Julia noticed Jake was dropping off in speed and she could tell that there was something wrong with him. He just wasn’t his self but he still ran around with the other dogs but not like, he had. Julia took Jake to the vet and after some tests; she was told that there was nothing wrong with him. She didn’t believe the vet because she knew Jake and something was definitely wrong with him. She was persistent and wanted an answer even if the tests didn’t show anything.
Julia’s vet eventually succumbed to her persistence and referred Jake to Auburn University Veterinary Medical School. Auburn took Jake in, kept him in the hospital, and ran a gamut of tests. Jake was finally diagnosed with Canine Hepatozoonosis. Julia’s first question was, “Is it curable?” In most dogs, it’s not, but if caught and diagnosed early there is a very good chance of complete recovery. Jake has been on an antimicrobial used in cattle for the last 2 years and has had only one flare up about a year and a half ago, and we are hopeful that he is cured. During this coming year, Jake will make the trip back to Auburn for more tests and we hope the news is good.
What Can You Do?
We all know our dogs and the way they act. If you notice, any sign of stiffness or discomfort in your dog that is out of the ordinary, take your dog to the vet and be persistent if you know there is something wrong even if your vet doesn’t. This is a relatively new problem and there may be some vets that are not familiar with it so have your dog tested. Auburn has taken the lead on this and has a blood test that can diagnose this along with other diseases. Tell your vet that blood samples can be sent using the Molecular Diagnostics form here.
Finally, just because you give you dog flea and tick preventive, don’t think this can’t happen with your dog. If your dog eats grass like most do, tick prevention will not help. If your dog ingests an infected tick all the prevention in the world will not help. So watch and be mindful.
Larry
