Mother Lode Bulldog Club

The first meeting of the Mother Lode Bulldog Club was held in 1980 at the home of John and Sandy Barron in Roseville, California.

Most of its original members belonged to the Bulldog Club of Northern California because they could not make the monthly two-hour drive to the San Francisco Bay area for club meetings.

There were enough interested Bulldog owners in the Sacramento area to pursue forming another Bulldog club.

Present at the first meeting were Doris Boyd, Ann Chiorino, Jo and Leonard Chera, Al and Nancy Liaty, Mike Parlin, Lynn Lageson, the Ayalaes, and John and Sandy Barron.

It was decided to take the name of the club from its club bulletin, "The Argonaut."

The name Mother Lode is in keeping with the 49'er gold mining history of our region.

Three of the original members are still in the club - Doris, Ann and Sandy. Paul and Jean Simmons and Mike and Virginia Hearne and Sandra Martinez soon joined and remain active members.
Member Claudia Marcus designed the club's distinctive logo.
Plans were immediately made to have fun matches, which were held in Galt. After a period of time, the club applied to AKC to hold the requisite number of sanctioned "B" matches.

Two of the club's "A" matches were judged by Bill Kenney and Rosemarie Blood.

The club's first AKC licensed specialty show was in 1990 and held at the El Rancho Motel, West Sacramento, California. The judge was Robert Newcomb for regular classes and Brenda Newcomb judged Sweepstakes. Ring stewards were Pat and Bill Kenney. Sandy Barron was showchairman, and the show theme was "Strike It Rich" with 49'er-themed trophies. Best of Breed was Ch. DyGro's Gilbert. 

The El Rancho Motel is now a Buddhist monastery.
Back-to-back annual specialties are held annual in February.
The club always holds themed specialties. One year the theme was "Singing in the Rain".  The show as held under a very large tent and a sudden April shower and wind come up and blew the tent down. Judging was delayed for two hours while the tent was restored.

The club took a big step when Patti Rungo joined.  The members launched a full-scale rescue operation and now rescue around 50 dogs a year.  Patti, Ann, Mike, Jean and Jennifer Sweet DVM, devote a great deal of time and energy to this effort. 

Joan and Tracy Storck and Illene Carroll participate in various educational activities at local schools and events.  Jack Storck developed and maintains our outstanding web site, which displays photos and biographies of rescue dogs.
Club membership is small, but constant. Some members show.  Some do not.  And all are dedicated to the club and the welfare of local bulldogs.
Submitted by Sandy Barron, secretary