Packerland Kennel Club put on an awesome Fast CAT trial this past weekend, June 6 - 9, 2024 held in conjunction with the Sail Into Summer Cluster dog show. For a new location we did amazing bringing in 594 runs plus an additional 150 fun runs. This would not have been possible without amazing volunteers who came out to help with our 4-day trial. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say ‘thank you!’ Without your help, our Fast CAT event would not have been as successful as it was.
Moving the location to Manitowoc meant that you all had to drive 45 minutes or more to work in the wind and a day of rain. It meant a lot to me that you did this. It was nice to see so many new faces, including my neighbor, volunteering their time to work at our Fast CAT event. I know some of you have already told me that you will work again next year. I am truly thankful for the volunteers who had to change their positions to cover for me while I was sidelined over the weekend. It was very hard for me to sit back and watch and to not be in the action with you!!
Our exhibitors were very happy with the way we ran our event. Holding it in conjunction with the all-breed show meant that conformation people could run their dogs in Fast CAT. Many comments were made that this was the only way they could run their dogs. Several conformation dogs earned their BCAT title this past weekend. It was a perfect way to end the day by allowing breed dogs to run and have some fun!
SPECIAL THANKS goes out to:
* My husband Pete who not only worked along side me for the 4 days but drove down to Manitowoc on Tuesday to recut the field so that it would be well manicured for our event. Many exhibitors said that this was one of the best Fast CAT fields they have ever run on which allowed many dogs to achieve their ‘personal best time.’
* Brenda & Les Boniface for the beautiful backdrop/photo display for title pictures.
* Cindy Pischke of Cima Photography who hung in there all 4 days capturing some amazing action shots.
* Pam Cornelius, my neighbor who helped me design our field signs and decided to work for a day. She wanted to see what Fast CAT was all about.
* Gail Okray and Margaret Meder who made up our Fast CAT flyers. Adding in the QR Code was a great help for day-of-entries.
* Aline Kleppetsch Dengees our Lure Operator from Fast & Fun Dogs, LLC.
* Jeff Dart our Event Secretary from Fast & Fun Dogs, LLC.
* Val & Jim Fiedler and Mike & Linda Allen who filled in whenever and wherever I needed help.
* Roger & Denise Mankiewicz (PKC member who donated water for the volunteers and an occasional dog )
* Lizzy & Cody Sulewski (PKC member who donated water for the volunteers and an occasional dog )
* Judie & George Viens (PKC member who donated money to put towards snacks for our volunteers)
* Olympia Simons (National Honor Society volunteer)
* Katie Baars (PKC trainee)
* Kathy Peotter (PKC trainee)
* Annette McDonald (MCKC and SKC member)
* PKC Club Members:
Leslie Tenor, Randy Tenor, Mary Lee Johnson, Gwen Newman, Sandy Dunand, Francine Lutz, Becky Noel, Sharon Hensen, Amanda Athey, Petra Kallenberger, Judie Viens, Diane Smet, Debbie Brylski, Regan Wallenfang, Kaz Stone, Kathy Broeckel, Karen Smith, Nancy Sawdo, Tarita Miller, Keith Rosin, and Candee Brey.
Again, THANK YOU all so much for coming out to work our Fast CAT trial. Without your help, this event would not have been as successful as it was. Looking forward to next year!!
Vicky Bloemer
PKC Fast CAT Chairperson