Members of the Moore County Kennel Club have continued to be involved in various activities to further their continued interest in dogs.

"The welfare of the canine population and the education of the public in general is a high priority for the club and its active members," says a spokesman.

Members carry on activities to further the advancement of the purebred dog by showing their dogs in National and International AKC Dog Shows. The club members constantly practice proper and responsible breeding, and encourage others to do the same by example and education. They are also quite active in Obedience, Rally, Agility, Field Trials, and Earth Dog Trials. They support healthy activities for their dogs and encourage interesting behavior for both canine and human.

The club continues to take a variety of items to the military bases, Marine Camp Lejeune and Army Camp Fort Bragg. These items make the lives of the working military dogs more comfortable, gives them some extra fun items, working items, etc., anything to make the lives of these important canines and their handlers better.

One way the club raises money for these purchases is the sale of the program books sold at its annual shows. Maryann Phillips, ex-military herself, heads up the War Dog project, arranging for the items needed. She arranges for the visits and is on hand at the shows to explain just what the club does for the Military Canines. On the trips to the bases Bob Forsyth, an ex-Marine dog handler and member of the club, accompanies Phillips.

Another member, Ursula Walsh, who is "owned" by two Norwich Terriers, Harry and Sophie, participates in a special educational program with both of her dogs. Harry and Sophie are reading dogs for CARE (Canine Assisted Reading Education) at the Aberdeen Elementary School, especially for third-grade students. The program encourages children to read by having the dogs by their sides and interacting, therefore giving the children more self-confidence. In their spare time Harry and Sophie are also therapy dogs at Pinehurst Health and Rehab Center. Programs such as these are a way that the club members can pay back their communities.

Audrey and Edwin Mantel, who have raised dogs for Seeing Eye programs in the past, continue to educate children about Seeing Eye Dogs and their owners. They have gone to local schools and given Seeing Eye presentations to show how the dogs are trained and interact with their charges.

They do special exercises to explain and show, using bandanas on their eyes, to attempt to simulate in some way what it's like to move with only their dog to help them.

"It is hoped that when these children see a visually impaired person and a Seeing Eye Dog that they will have a better understanding as to what that person is going through," says the spokesman.

The Mantels also distribute coloring books throughout the public school system that explain the Seeing Eye program.

Last but not least is the Puppies Transport. Members are involved in the transporting of homeless puppies from North and South Carolina. The Greg Biffle Foundation sponsors the transportation of these puppies to the North Shore Animal League, Long Island, N.Y. The puppies are picked up from a foster home by members using their own vehicles and taken to Mooresville.

In Mooresville they are met by volunteers from the Greg Biffle Foundation, and the puppies are taken to Long Island, where they are guaranteed to find homes. In most cases these puppies would have to be euthanized. North Shore Animal League is known for finding homes for unwanted canines. The club's Puppy Transporters group is headed up by Ed Dalton, assisted by Steve Watson. Blaine Rowland and Nick Lynn have also made the trips.

"This takes dedication on the part of these members, and they are proud to announce that the group is about to deliver its 100th puppy," says the spokesman.

Moore County Kennel Club is also getting ready for its annual shows. This year the shows will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 14.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, there will be a special demonstration of the Camp Lejeune War Dogs and handlers.

"We are hoping that Corporal Ryan Zamora and his 10-year-old female Malinois, Lea, who are both special Purple Heart recipients, will be able to be there to talk to visitors," says the spokesman.

For information about the club or any of its programs, call President Nick Lynn at (910) 947-1748.