Important Announcements from the ILR

Dr. Mark Morris, Jr. February 3, 1934 – January 14, 2007 Dr. Art Kennel, speaking for Morris Animal foundation, notified us that the e-mail that went out last week concerning Mark L. Morris, Jr., D.V.M. went out inadvertently without the header and with conflicting dates for his death. See complete information in the article in this issue of the ILRe-port including a writeup prepared by Mark's family. Dr. Kennel also said, "Mark has been a strong supporter of camelid research. We owe him a debt of gratitude. It would be appropriate for lama organizations and individuals to send condolences to the BOD of MAF, 45 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO 801112-5480. We urge you to consider making contributions of $50 or more, designated for llama/alpaca research in honor of Mark Morris, Jr." The International Lama Registry (ILR) is thankful for all of Dr. Mark Morris, Jr's, efforts on behalf of camelids.

Read the included:		1) ALSA President's Bulletin - November / December 2006 by President Kay Sharpnack
	FREE llama connections	2) I am introducing to you 2 wonderful new websites for llama lovers that are FREE to use. Tim Elmer

LLAMAS FOR SALE PHOTO ADS Coming soon on the ILR website - llamas for sale photo ads. Buyers will be able to link to the geneologies and animal information of the animal being sold - a feature unique to the ILR 'llamas for sale photo ads'. Watch for details in next month's ILRe-port.

Events Calendar ADD THEM YOURSELF or SEND US YOUR EVENTS to include on the ILR Calendar of Events on our web site www.lamaregistry.com/events.php! We will be happy to put it up for you. Call 406-755-3438 Mon. - Fri. 8am to 4pm MDT. Or fax your event information to 406-755-3439.

Dr. Mark Morris, Jr.
February 3, 1934 – January 14, 2007
From Dr. Art Kennel

Dr. Mark Morris, Jr., died suddenly and unexpectedly on 1/14/07. The son of the founder of the Morris Animal Foundation, Mark Morris, Sr., Mark, Jr., led the Foundation aggressively to rapid growth for the past decades. Under his leadership and the efforts of Dr. Allan Dewald, llamas and alpacas gained equal representation with other companion animals on the Board of Directors. Art Kennel was appointed the first Vice President for Llamas/Alpacas. Since 1994 the Morris Animal Foundation has been the vehicle for funding $1,313,216 of research projects for camelids for the llama and alpaca industries in North America and throughout the world. It has been a reliable partner in the promotion of the health and welfare of the animals we love.

Mark has been a strong supporter of camelid research. We owe him a debt of gratitude. It would be appropriate for lama organizations and individuals to send condolences to the BOD of MAF, 45 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO 801112-5480. We urge you to consider making contributions of $50 or more, designated for llama/alpaca research in honor of Mark Morris, Jr.

The following has been prepared by Mark's family

Mark Loren Morris, Jr., D.V.M.

Dr. Mark Loren Morris, Jr. died Sunday, January 14, 2007 at his home in Topeka, KS. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, January 19 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS.

Dr. Morris was born February 3, 1934 in New Brunswick, NJ to Dr. Mark L. Morris, Sr. and Louise Weber Morris. His parents had built the second veterinary hospital in the United States for small animals, and Mark grew up living in his family's apartment above the animal hospital. His father was an exceptional veterinarian and in the course of his practice developed a line of therapeutic foods for dogs and cats called Prescription Diet pet food. In 1948, his father signed a contract with Hill's Packing Company in Topeka to take over the manufacture and distribution of these products.

That contract moved the family to Topeka in the middle of Mark's junior year in high school. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1952 and then attended The University of Kansas until 1954. During this time became a passionate fan of K.U athletics that lasted throughout his lifetime.

In 1954, Mark was accepted into the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and received his DVM degree. While a veterinary student at Cornell, he met and married Bette McGehee, a student in the Graduate School of Nutrition. After graduation in 1958, the couple moved to Topeka, where Dr. Morris began his work in the family business, appropriately named Mark Morris Associates. Within just a few months of moving to Topeka, Mark was drafted and served as a Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Veterinary Corps from 1958-1960. He was assigned as a laboratory pathology officer at Fort Detrick, MD.

After the service, Mark and Bette moved to Madison, WI where he did his graduate studies in veterinary pathology and biochemistry at The University of Wisconsin. After completing his M.S. and Ph.D. in 1963, Dr. Morris returned to Topeka and expanded the Prescription Diet line of products. He became a worldwide authority on companion animal nutrition, and his passion to improve the health and well-being of all animals through better nutrition led him to mentor and teach others in his field.

He then developed the commercially successful line of products known as Science Diet pet foods, which is sold around the world today for healthy dogs and cats. As president of Theracon, Inc., a family partnership, he was dedicated to pet food research development, testing and education of the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Working with Gary Clarke, then director of the "World Famous Topeka Zoo," he developed the ZuPreem line of products for zoo animals. His son, David Morris, has continued to expand the line of products that now includes diets for exotic pets.

Dr. Morris published widely and was a visiting lecturer in small animal clinical nutrition in the United States and internationally. During his career, he was invited to speak at more than 200 meetings around the world. Most notably, he is the co-author of Small Animal Clinical Nutrition through its fourth edition, which now has been translated into five languages. It is the standard textbook on clinical nutrition used to educate veterinarians throughout the world.

In 1988, Mark Morris Associates and Theracon were sold to Colgate Palmolive Company, which owned Hill's Pet Nutrition. Then with characteristic vigor and enthusiasm, Mark and Bette turned their combined focus to learning how to manage financial assets. Dr. Morris often credited the Institute for Private Investors as his single most valued resource for contacts and information. He would say that the greatest contribution he could make to charitable causes was to grow their endowment, enabling others to fulfill the mission.

Through the years, he served tirelessly as vice-president of scientific activities of Morris Animal Foundation, the largest, non-governmental, non-profit organization funding animal health studies in the United States. Dedicated to improving the health and well-being of companion animals, zoo animals and wildlife, MAF has funded more than 1,200 humane animal health studies since its founding in 1948 by his parents.

Professional scientific organizations include American and Kansas Veterinary Medical Associations, American Animal Hospital Association, and American Association of Veterinary Nutritionists. Dr. Morris was a founding member and on the Board of Regents of American College of Veterinary Nutrition, and a member of the Cornell University Feline Health Advisory Board.

In addition to his leadership in the veterinary community, he was active in the Topeka business community. Dr. Morris was a Founding Director and Board Member of North Plaza State Bank and a board director of the Security Benefit Group of Mutual Funds. He also served on the Board and Investment Committee of the Topeka Community Foundation.

Dr. Morris's civic contributions include being a member of the Downtown Rotary Club; the Topeka Zoological Foundation; Topeka Friends of the Zoo; First United Methodist Church Board of Trustees and Finance Committee chairperson; the Kansas Masonic Foundation; the Grand Lodge AF & AM of Kansas.

Education in Kansas was a primary value for Dr. Morris. He served on the Washburn University Board of Regents; was a Trustee of the St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City; and served two elected terms on the Topeka School Board during years of transition for USD 501.

Dr. Morris will be remembered by his family as an affectionate and supportive husband, dedicated and loving father, and extremely proud grandfather. He never tired of pulling out photos of his long-awaited five grandchildren to show anyone who expressed interest.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 50 years, Bette McGehee Morris, Topeka KS; son Mark Lee Morris, wife Julie and granddaughter, Liza, Kansas City, MO; son David Morris, wife Darlia, and grandsons, Jack and Will, Kansas City, MO; daughter Cynthia Morris, husband Craig Curtis, and grandsons Mark and David, Eugene, OR. Dr. Morris is also survived by his sister, Ruth Morris Keesling, husband Thomas Keesling, Englewood, CO, their three sons Tom, James and Frank, and their families; and his mother's sister, Florence Weber, Denver, CO.

Donations in memory of Dr. Mark Morris may be made to: Morris Animal Foundation, 45 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO 80112; First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66603; Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute, Development Office, MS 3012, KU Endowment Assoc., 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City KS 66160.

PRESS RELEASE: ALSA President’s Bulletin November/December 2006 by ALSA President, Kay Sharpnack

2006 has rushed to a close midst the Grand National, Thanksgiving, and then the Christmas holidays. We can look back on this year as one of many challenges and changes, some of which were extremely difficult. The excitement and beauty of our 2006 Grand National Show was dampened initially by the Conflict of Interest crisis. I am very grateful for and appreciate the efforts of Board, ALSA attorney Tom Hayden, Executive Office Manager, Cheryl Ryberg, and the many ALSA members who came, spoke, listened, and helped resolve this emergency. Decisive moments are turning points that can make us stronger or weaker. I felt an atmosphere of unity and strength that had not before been present and the Grand National proceeded with a positive momentum.

Now, I will do my best to update you on Board work from the past two meetings. Your ALSA Team (Board, Treasurer, and Executive Office Manager) has continued to address concerns and issues (both yours for us, and ours for you and ALSA.)

1. Communications with the Membership
   1. Procedure for communicating Member Concerns
   1. Send issues and concerns directly to the BOD, not to the Office.
   1. Board response to Member Concerns
   1. Letters received 7 days prior to the next Board meeting will be put on Agenda for that meeting. * Please note that 2007 Board Meetings will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
   1. BOD utilization of Committees
   1. BOD sends issues to the proper committee for discussion asking for a response before the next Board meeting.
   1. Interaction with the ALSA Office & Cheryl Ryberg
   1. Cheryl is there to answer and help with questions and issues concerning shows, show records, animal records. She is also our bookkeeper and not to be treated as an intermediary between members and the BOD.


2. The ALSA Handbook remains a priority. Each of us, as an ALSA member, is responsible for reading and knowing the Handbook and rules under which we show and ALSA is governed. The Board is in the process of, once more, carefully reviewing the entire Handbook. Due to the expense of printing and mailing the 15 th Edition, it will not go to press until all changes thought to be necessary have been made and approved. Every section is going under the “magnifying glass” Committee by Committee.
   
   PLEASE READ THE RULES. If you have a suggested change, please read the Handbook first and consider how your requested rule change will affect the Handbook before sending it to us for consideration.
   


3. ALSA attorney, Tom Hayden was invited to attend the face to face meeting at the Grand National to meet the Board, advise us on a number of issues, and be available to meet with and answer any questions that ALSA Members might haveat the Annual Membership Meeting November 10th.
   


4. On the advise of Tom Hayden, the Board adopted a Retention Policy, which outlines the length of time various ALSA records need to be retained. Cheryl Ryberg and Tom Hayden are working on options for record storage.
   


5. Special Needs Classes will remain as exhibition classes at the 2007 Regional and Grand National Shows. There will be Class Ribbons, Premiums, and No Entry Fees. The BOD encourages ALSA Shows around the country to incorporate classes for Special Needs in their show schedules.
   


6. The Board has approved a new Protest Procedure and Format. This has been posted on the Website. Protests are now to be sent to the Protest Committee Chair and no longer to the ALSA Office. The proper forms can be downloaded from the Web.
   


7. The Board has revised the animal recording fee to benefit ALSA Members:
   1. The one time recording fee per animal is $20. During the year that the recording fee is paid, a person may request the ALSA Office to research all show results for the current calendar year and accumulate points for that animal.
   2. There will be a $25 per animal per year (not per show) fee for accumulating points on the animal in any year prior to the year the recording fee was paid going back through 2002. There will be a $25 per animal per show fee to research show results prior to the 2002 season.


8. ALSA will be represented on the ILR Lamaribean Cruise in January by Lora Crawford (who is paying her own cruise fee) and Wally Baker will be our rep at the annual Camelid Community gathering in Kansas in August.
   


9. Treasurer Wayne Rankin and the Finance & Budget Committee will have a Draft Budget for the Board to look at and approve before our January 10th Board Meeting.
   


10. The ALSA Investment account papers have been received and signed by VP Dan Milton and Cheryl Ryberg and, with the exception of $15,000-$20,000, all other monies will finally be moved into 3 higher interest bearing accounts: ALSA Investment Account; ALSA Membership Youth Scholarship Fund (previously known as the Tony Rollins Scholarship Fund); The Linda Pierce Memorial Award Fund.
    


11. Dan Milton continues to work with Jan Wassink , ILR Registrar, on creating a show module for use by all ALSA show supers that will be able draw off the ILR number and database to interface with the ALSA database. ALSA is not merging with the ILR.
    


12. Please note that the Performance Variance for obstacle sizes that was approved by the Board was just that – a variance (rescinding the course construction and obstacle measurement requirements adopted early in 2006) to cover remaining season shows including the 2006 Regionals and Grand National. The time period for the variance ended 12-31-06 . The reason for the variance was that some of the Regional Obstacle Volunteers could not alter the obstacles in time for the show. Remember, we are a volunteer association.
    


13. In December, the Board accepted the resignation of Terry Duesphol as chair of both the Grand National and Judges’ Committees. Terry, and his lovely wife Audean, have given their all in various capacities for a number of years to ALSA. Thank you Audean & Terry!
    
    The Board has accordingly approved:
          Norris Berg as Chair of the Grand National Committee
          Lavona Fercho as Chair of the Judges’ Committee
    


14. December 21st the Board held a short emergency meeting to approve a $1000 donation, per member request, to the Llama Association of Southern California (LASC) to help cover the cost of roses that will adorn the “first ever” llama unit in the 118th Rose Bowl Parade. Did you all see the LASC Rose Parade Llama Unit on January 1st? They were Awesome! 24 of the 26 participants are ALSA members and many of the llamas being led, driven, or wearing packs are current or past ALSA Champions.
    
    

The New Year of 2007 holds great promise for ALSA and her Members as we continue on this Journey of Change, moving forward trying to bring us up to date and more efficient in every way. Committees are working hard to help us facilitate these positive changes. I am honored to be your President. My goal remains: the BIG PICTURE, COMMINICATION, FINANCES. I promise to continue to do the very best that I can for each of you to energize ALSA and keep us on focus. We owe it to our lamas.

Press Release:

Link to Llama show talk email group:  http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/llama_show_talk/   
Link to Free fiber classified page:  www.llamafiberlover.com/ads

Greeting to All Llama Lovers,

            I am introducing to you 2 wonderful new websites for llama lovers.

The first site is only a year old but with new programs, it is www.llamashow.com. This site will give you information on every llama show in the United States (as many as I can find). When you go to this site, you can locate each show by state or by date. An exciting addition to this site besides show information is a survey that you can rate a llama show you have attended. Please fill out a survey for each show you attended. The results of this survey will be award presented to shows 150 and under and 151 and over categories. This will be an trophy, plus a cash award. The runner-up in each category will receive a trophy and a cash award, also. At this time, I have tentative permission from the superintendent of the Grand National to have these awards presented at the 2007 Grand Nationals. This award will be called the “People’s Choice Llama Show” award. You may find the information on how to be a sponsor and the benefits of becoming a sponsor, and a copy of the mail in survey by going to www.llamashow.com and clicking on the appropriate link.

The second exciting news is the formation of www.llamafiberlovers.com this new site gives loads of information about llama fiber and what to do with it. This site not only is for those already involved with fiber activities, but for the beginner llama fiber person, too. This site will walk you through the entire process of the lama fiber beginning from care of the fiber animal, shearing your llama, through to making something with you llama yarn. Not only will you learn from the experts about llama fiber, but there is also a classified section on this site for selling your llama goods and to shop for books, equipment, wool, ect. And it is all FREE. With no Adds. I must thank all of those responsible for sending me articles to include on this site. No Where will you find such a complete site about llama fiber then on www.llamafiberlovers.com

So, come and check out the two new exciting free adventures in the llama world: llamashow.com with it new rate-a-show program and llama fiber lovers’ site.

Sincerely,

Tim Emler
tim@llamafiberlovers.com

Classified Ads

Events - don't forget to check the ILR Events Calendar

Llamas for Sale

MOONSHADOW FARM - eye catching, well formed, nicely fibered llamas for sale, show, breeding and wool. Visit us at www.moonshadowllamas.com or contact us for sales list, hh@moonshadowllamas.com (1-12-06)

LLAMAS FOR SALE abbott@charlo.net (1-12-06)

ILR Upcoming News

LLAMAS FOR SALE on the ILR website - watch for specifics next month. Buyers will be able to link to the geneologies of the animals being sold by way of the ILR database. A feature unique to the ILR llamas for sale ads!

	Hinterland Llamas Kay and Eric Sharpnack PO Box 1839 Sisters, OR 97759 541-549-1215 541-549-5262 fax hinterlandllamas@highstream.net http://www.hinterlandllamas.com		Mountain Oaks Ranch Norma Stevens Richard Thibert 29560 Valley Center Rd. Valley Center, CA 800-692-4636 www.whyllama.com
	Traditional Lama Coalition % Heather or Kay 541-592-3612 eastfork@cavenet.com