By NORMA LERNER
Edwardsburg Argus

CASSOPOLIS-How many grandmothers brush their dog’s teeth? This grandmother does from Edwardsburg, Gaye Joanis. She lives on Pine Lake Street with her husband, Jim, and is adept at cleaning her Shelty’s teeth, not only because it’s “good for him,” but it keeps his teeth clean for the dog judge.

Their dog named “Hershey” was shown Friday and Saturday at the Cass County Fair by their granddaughter, Hannah Montgomery, 13, also of Edwardsburg.

Hannah showed Hershey in both obedience and showmanship and took the top award of grand champion showman and grand champion advanced agility. Hannah is the daughter of Kellie and Jeff Montgomery, Edwardsburg.

Hannah has been showing dogs for nine years and belongs to the Flaming Youth 4-H Club. Hershey is six years old, and she has shown him for six years with clean teeth. Gaye says she cleans his teeth because “you’re supposed to.” She buys a special dog’s toothpaste.

Hannah says showmanship is how well the dog is shown to the judge. This involves lots of training, and the dog must learn how to sit, stay, lay and stay. Cleanliness is a big factor as well as knowledge. One question asked by the judge was, “What does it mean to pace your dog?” She said, “None of us got it right.” Their dogs were gaiting, she said. Their gait was shown when the dogs ran beside their handlers on a leash and in a pattern.
Taking the grand champion reserve honor was Brooke Lamb of Dowagiac who was the reserve grand champion showman. Brooke’s dog is named “Arwen,” a Springer Spaniel borrowed from Dale and Leigh Blunier of Edwardsburg.

At 19, she is a student at Indiana University of South Bend and belongs to the Silver Spurs 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Scott and Cathy Lamb. She also took the reserve grand champion in beginning agility with “Riley,” a Golden Retriever owned by Bill and Chris Gamble of Dowagiac.