With the new database, I need independent checking of my results. If you question my results; please call. The chances of me having an error are not small. If you have a doubt, don’t assume I am correct.

Please use the same name for your dog at every pull. Nicknames are not always obvious (e.g. Cory for Encore Encore). And using only part of a long name can be overlooked since I am searching alphabetically (e.g., Bear when he was previously called Wild Bear – W is another 300 dogs down the list).

½ Point for Last Place

I believe I have corrected this problem. It is reported correctly on this months pull listings and the standings reflect the corrected values for past pulls. The newsletter is not going to republish all past pulls. I will slowly place the corrected lists on the web site.

A re-explanation follows. In calculating points; I had assumed the ½ point for last place was meant to be a consolation prize for being last and not getting any points. Thus, only the fourth place or beyond would be awarded the ½ point. Several challenged me on the calculation. In checking the rules, it was quite clear the ½ point should be awarded to last place regardless of rank.

In the old listings, the ½ point was not awarded if last place ranked 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, or last place was a provisional dog. Any disqualified dogs were viewed as if they were never there. If last place was 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd and not provisional (or disqualified), it should have ½ point added.

The Camano Island pull (pull 20) reported last month had a tie for 1^st place in the 80# class between Pete and Twister. Jane Riffle (reported via Judy Cooper) and Terry Reed indicated one should go back the needed rounds to find where one of the dogs was ahead.. Terry reports this was the method to break a tie at last season’s pull-off.

Being there is precedence, I have gone with this method for now. And it turns out this is what Judy used when reporting the pull results. Pete and Twister tied at 780# and 9 seconds. The previous round was 660# with Pete at 17 seconds and Twister at 25 seconds. Using this as the tiebreaker, Pete is 1^st and Twister 2^nd. And, the previous months listing did reflect this order.

The 1^st failing with this method is there is no way to document how the tie was resolved. I manually forced the order and have to alter the reports to explain the order. The 2^nd failing is what to do if there are no preceding rounds; or only one of the dogs did the preceding round.

Let your board representative know how you think ties should be resolved. Should we use the above method? What happens if the preceding round has only one of the dogs? What happens if no preceding rounds; or all rounds are a tie? If two tie for first, should they both get the same calculation, then the next dog is 2^nd or is he 3^rd. The board needs to address this issue. Let your board member know, and it can be an item at the next board meeting.

Pull 20 with the tie between Pete and Twister appears no different than listed. However we are now locked in on Pete being first. I am submitting it to Dixie for re-inclusion in the newsletter.

Pull 24 has the corrected weight pulled for Brooks as 620, not 628. And, Drifter’s owner/handler was changed to David Daly. And, Hoss is effectively removed. I am submitting it to Dixie for re-inclusion in the newsletter.

Pull 25 has the corrected weights for the unlimited dogs. I am submitting it to Dixie for re-inclusion in the newsletter.

Drifter owned by David Daly in region 2. Pull 24 (Yelm) introduced Drifter and showed him being handled by Bill Brink. I have changed owner and corrected the pull record to reflect Dave Daly as the handler.

80 lb. Class. Prince Apollo and Lady Hawk should be reversed. The pull sheet shows Prince Apollo in 3^rd with 980# and Lady Hawk in 4^th with 1100.

Pull 33, Denver, CO

New dog Cerabus assigned to Larry McGee was listed as region 9. Larry is region 3.

Pull 38, Kalkaska, MI

Lineup reversed on 60# class for Bailey (R6) and Desi (P). Desi is 13^th with 1.9s @ 65#, and Baily is 14^th with 6.4s @ 65#.

Pull 42, Tawas City, MI

C.J. in the 80# class was listed as from region 4. It should be region 5.

Speckles was handled by Ed & Jennifer Demers at the Lake George pull. I assumed he was Steve Jackson’s dog as Steve was already handling two other dogs in the same class (60#).

Bozz was handled by Stan Ponstein at the Lake George pull. Stan informed me this was Todd Allen’s dog.

For the following entries, the name spelling (bold) used is that in the database. Listed is the pull number and how the name was spelled on the pull sheet (underlined).

Instead of just assuming memberships, I am carrying this as a reminder that we have some issues to resolve. If you are on this as a "membership not assumed", besides not acquiring pull points, you are probably not getting the newsletter either

I have confirmation from the Treasurer on all the following. I am tracking until they appear on Todds’s list which generates the mailing list.

• Mike Sullivan (Region 9) – Apparently joined at the Loveland pull, Dec 13. The paperwork apparently went back to the organizer; which is why it is so late being entered. The financial sheet shows a collection of $34, but none of the membership lists show him yet.
• Sharon Schmidt (Region 2) – Re-joined at Deer Park on Jan 17.
• Devon Crouch (region 2) – Joined at Deer Park on Jan 17.
• Bob Sencenbaugh (region 9) – Joined at the Stock Show Pull on Jan 17.
• John Lucero (region 9) – Re-joined at the Stock Pull on Jan 17.
• Roy Gilmore (region 3) – Joined at the Dog Creek Pull on Jan 25.
• Eric Schenck (region 3) – Added to Kim Gilmore’s membership and upgraded to family. Jan 25.