A big surprise!

Even though Ryka and I were only in Masters for a couple of trials, we are ranked 48th in AKC preferred agility cardigan welsh corgis!!!

Wow! Really neat!

Year in review video

Enjoy our recap for 2014! 

Octane Cardigans 2014 Year In Review: http://youtu.be/rWijkM8YsJY

A great way to end the year!

The last trial of 2014 came to a close Thanksgiving weekend.  I was just hoping to have some good fun runs...and boy we got more than that!

CC won the Masters Jumpers class and got another 22 PACH points!





And Ryka got another QQ with placements!






And..Lzzy measured officially at 11 inches!!!  This means I can jump her at 4 inches!  Yahoo!!!

Famous Lzzy!

We asked to do a photo shoot for the National Dog Show 2 weeks ago.  It was a lot of fun and here she is!  With me!  LOL

https://www.purina.com/meet-purina/behind-the-breed-the-corgi

Happy Thanksgiving!

Officially Versatile

CC got her Versatile Certificate from the CWCCA last week.  She is my first versatility cardigan.  I am very proud of her!!!

Ryka Roo Double Q!

My first QQ in AKC Masters ever...this is very special.

We got 23 points today (1 point for every full second under the set course time).

Thanks Ryka for being my partner.

Our second place Standard run:




Our third place Jumpers run:




Meanwhile, CC had her return to agility after several months off.  She was wild!!!  WE did not Q today but her Standard run was amazing!  If it werent for me causing the wrong course we would have had it.

November Report

It has been a long time since an update, my minions...

Since CC lost her puppies I have kinda been in the dumps, but am planning for more pups next year...hoping this time it all falls in place.

I went to NY Comic Con with Lzzy and my friend Mindy.  Had a great time.

My birthday and Halloween came and went.

CC is back in trianing and doing awesome like she never lost a beat.  Lzzy is becoming a speed demon herself.

Lzzy earned her Rally Novice title as well!!!

Oh yes, and we landed on a comet.  How unbelievably awesome is that!  (Photo credit:  NASA and ESA)

The Best Laid Plans

You do everything to the book, and still get shit on.

CC had a the perfect pregnancy.  I fed her all the right food kept her fit. 

And yet we both come home with no puppies to love and snuggle.

She needed a C section which resulted in no live puppies. 

To those on my waiting list i am so sorry.  I am just as heartbroken as you are. 

Happy Birthday Priscilla!!!

I can't believe my heart dog turned 9 years old yesterday!!

I love Priscilla so much - she makes me smile and laugh daily.

Happy Birthday to the Mee Maw, Queen Bitch, Hog, Speckle Face and Miss P!

CC Puppy Watch! AKA Watching the Pot

Puppy watch 2014 has officially begun!

CC has had a steady temperature so far with no drop (between 99.9 and 100.4) but this morning was the first time EVER she was picky for breakfast.  Going to make her some scrambled eggs for lunch.

She is expecting 3-4 puppies so applications are being sorted through.  Sadly I have lots of great homes and families apply but not enough puppies (unless we get a surprise pup or 2).  So please be patient and do not be offended if I come back saying I do not have a pup this time.  Nothing personal at all.  You can always adopt me though (I am bit more independent than a cardigan).

Also, Mindy is placing her adult male cardigan, Radke.  If you want more info email her at rakkauscardigans@aim.com.

PUPPIES!!!

Wow - after 5 years I cannot believe I am typing this...but CC is expecting a litter of babies!

Fingers crossed everything goes well - naturally she is due right after New York Comic Con...so Comic themed pups!!!

Sire is the lovely Morgan (BISS Bronze GCH Xtacee La Amistad)

Puppy Plans!

I am VERY excited!  Not one but 2 litters are in the making! 

First up is CC and Morgan (BISS Bronze GCH Xtacee La Amistad).  Morgan has a great temperament and loves to herd.

CC is well, CC.  These puppies will be smarter than smart! 

Next up is Ryka x JR (GCH Cool George Xtacee z Domu Polanki RN CGC)

JR is a total sweetie as is Ryka.  Ryka is my "Steady Eddie" in agility and in about a yeat of trials is already in the Masters Class! 

For more info check my website! 

http://octanecardigans.weebly.com

Goodnight, Sweet Prince

I cannot believe I am even typing this...I am numb.  Tollar was a happy healthy cardigan boy...and now he is gone.  

His owner Mary was the dream home - spoiled, lots of attention, lived in the country with lots of places to play.  Never wanted for anything...

Mary and I are beyond destroyed by the sudden unexpected loss of Tollar.  He was only 5 and he was the first puppy that was born in my hands...he was special.  

Grammy Loves you Toll Toll.  I will never forget you.  

Weekend Report: JAG Trial and Hunterdon dog show

Ryka finished her AJP title with a first place!  

and after being Q-less for what seemed like forever,  CC and I got our first Masters Jumpers Q!!!  We won the class too and got our first PACH points - 22!  

Still can't seem to buy a Q in Excellent Standard with CC but once we get the kinks worked out I am hopeful.  She is so damn fast I am still learning to handle her.  

So now Ryka and I can chase Double Q's in search of our PACH!  

Hunterdon Dog Show - Lzzy got point #8.  Halfway there now!  

Wordless Wednesday AND Throwback Thursday!

Shop Small and Good!

I try to shop small business whenever I can.  A good way to support small businesses in my home is through pet supplies.  

I have some links on my website of businesses that I love and support, and I added one to the list.

The Evolved Dog!

Super super fast shipping (same day) - FREE - yes, FREE ground shipping.  And a personalized letter and email from the owner.  How great is that?!  

All products sold here are Made in the USA, even the toys and beds.

I bought a Eco Nap Dog Mat and it was well received!  Please check them out!  

Website:  http://www.theevolveddog.com/

Throw Back Thursday

I kmow it is a day early.  But I found some old photos and felt I had to post.

Whiskey was the old soul.  He was the kindest dog you could know.  I got to share my life with him for a short while as he was my "stepdog" but he was awesome.  I dont have many photos of him but if I could I would have a million Whiskeys.  

Love ya my big red dog. 

Go Lzzy Go!

Lzzy was entered in her first ever NADAC Agility trial and she was great!

NADAC offers "Intro" level classes for beginner dogs - Not as many obstacles and challenges as the higher levels.  We did Intro Jumpers and Novice Tunnelers (a course with all tunnels - weeee!)

She qualified both runs and beat out 5 other 4inch dogs in her class!  Awesome!!!

Her focus was great, she didn't wander off to say hi to the ring crew, she wasn't fased by the barking dogs on the trial site.

I couldn't be prouder!

Wordless Wednesday

Tongue out tuesday

CC on the see saw. 

Sum sum summertime!

Mindy and the mutts and I had a pool day a couple weekends ago and it was divine.  The dogs enjoyed themselves.

Ryka and Priscilla stayed home because getting wet would melt them (if you asked them). 

Agility weekend report: Good, Bad, Ugly

Good (Great actually): Ryka finished her AXP in 3 attempts!  CC's contacts and weaves were AMAZING.

Bad: Me handling CC.  we would have had a Q in Masters Jumpers but I.  Forgot.  A.  Jump....it was gorgeous.  One of those things I want to crawl in a hole and die.  In Standard I screwed her up too.  Bad.  Bad. bad.

Ugly:  Ryka lost her footing in the weaves in Jumpers and it was a NQ.

I trial sparingly and in about a year, Ryka is in Masters Standard and needs one more leg to be in Masters Jumpers!

So proud!

Agility update

Ryka double Q-ed again at the Gloucester County kennel club agility trial!  One more and she will have her excellent titles!

It amazes me that just a year ago we debuted in novice!  She is a great little worker and loves having a job.

Don't Piss On My Foot And Tell Me It's Raining

Here comes another wordy post:

I was born and raised in NJ, my family came over from Sicily and Naples.  We are well versed in our sarcasm.

You what else?  We hate being made fools of - and do not try to pull a fast one cause Karma is a bitch on PMS.

Months ago after the CWCCA National, a discussion on the Facebook Cardigan group for ShowCardi brought up the use of Ramps to judge our breed.  The comments were an outright NO, because it would only encourage breeding oversized dogs.

Cardigans do not have a DQ for weight but a range is listed in the breed standard.  The breed is supposed to be a SMALL herding dog.  Like hell are they supposed to be the size of Basset Hounds.

Also, judging in conformation is done on a table because it is silhouette breed.  these dogs are short.  They were always a table breed.  We already have a problem with breeders breeding oversized, unsound cardigans for the show ring.  This will only encourage it.  Ironically, the same club also banned breeding cosmetic faults like off colors and fluffy coats...but I digress

I am also a member of the CWCCA - one of the member benefits is to be able to vote on "important matters" concerning the breed and the club.  This ramp/table issue has gone round robin and it IS an important issue in our breed.

I also do a LOT for the breed in terms of Public Relations and such.

The issue on the ramps is people with mobility issues - however, AKC has a rule for that - an exhibitor needing assistance can have someone lift the dog on and off the table.  So a ramp will not be needed to a table breed.

Well, today - I got a notice that as of January 2015 Cardigans will be a ramp breed.  No no, none of the members voted on this.  This was done behind our backs!!!

My point is - why don't we matter?  You say we do, but what is the benefit of being a breed club member when all you are going to do is pull the wool over our eyes?

In the words of Charles Bronson "this ain't over".

Ryka standard Q

Ryka Q Excellent Standard: http://youtu.be/Ps7XmmGRVrM

Ryka Jumpers Q video

Ryka Q Excellent Jumpers: http://youtu.be/l48XCN-jM1A

Click on link

Q Q

Ryka got a double Q for her first excellent legs with first place runs!  I am so thrilled! 

CC well let's not go there.  She is member of the "one darn thing" club. 

Agility season!

Starting this weekend - begins the agility-a-thon for the crew!

Ryka and CC are in the same class now!!!

*choir of angels*

And I hope one of them gets into Westminster Agiltiy trial in 2015.

"Deep Thoughts"

"I hope some animal never bores a hole in my head and lays its eggs in my brain because later you might think you're having a good idea, but it's just eggs hatching" - Jack Handy

surprise surprise

Saturday Mindy and I went on a road trip to pick up my van from getting new brakes and the sliding door fixed.  On our way to the mall to meet Joanna, Doug, and the kids to get Echo back after being on vacation, we stopped into the Petco.

I wanted to originally check if they sold moss balls for my betta tank.  And I found betta fish in awful dirty cups.  I felt so bad I bought a pretty light blue double-tailed male.

I wrote an email to Petco corporate explaining my concern about the Bettas.  Yes they are "just fish" but they are still alive and need adequate care at the least (clean water and food).

I didn't expect a call back or an email.  I got a call from the General Manager of the store who gave me an apology and said the Betta Cups are checked on and cleaned at least once a week.  The cups were cleaned saturday evening after I left.

I hope to see clean Betta cups next time.  And I am glad a company did not ignore a concerned email about their pets.

This ain't a Scene it's an Arms Race

There is an article floating around from Showsight magazine called "We Eat Our Own" by Jacquelyn Fogel.

In it she describes the attitude of dog show competitors and breeders, how quickly we are to criticize another exhibitors dog or another breeder.  It is true, every word.

Dog people often relate to dogs better than people.  I know I do.  With that, I actually am writing a "wordy" blog entry.  

This "life or death" at a dog show needs to end.  I saw at a large show a long time breeder/exhibitor call the rep on another exhibitor WHILE THE SHOW WAS GOING ON screaming and throwing a fit.  Why? the exhibitor looked through the catalog while she was in the ring with her dog and said "oh thats the dog" within earshot of the person who complained.   As in they matched the dog in the ring to the name in the catalog.  Really.

Here are my lessons learned over my short time doing this.  This will keep it fun and enjoyable for all.  You may not agree with it, if not tough noogies.  It is my blog, and no i do not apologize for my grammar.  

1. You never lose - you win or you learn.

In conformation, you are paying for a judge's opinion of how your dog measures up against a written standard FOR THAT DAY.  If a judge doesn't care for your dog - brush your shoulders off.  Yes I don't like to lose - we also enter shows to win - but really in the grand scheme of things, think "well the judge preferred type X and my dog is type Y".  Or "well that dog is REALLY nice" or "that dog outmoved mine" or "my dog was being Turd Furgeson* in the ring today".  Yes some judges are pro-handler biased, and some don't flat out like my dogs. But if I find that out - I don't enter!  Why toss money away to just get frustrated?!  As Einstein said "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result" **

*Turd Furgeson was from the old SNL skit "Celebrity Jeopardy".  It is funny, but not for kids - look it up at home if you do not know.

**I think Einstein said this, at least the internet says he did.

2.  Don't fall into the Moon Door.


In the show "Game Of Thrones" (also not for children), in The Eyrie, there is a seemingly bottomless pit called "the Moon Door".  It is awesome.

Anyhow - Don't get sucked into a clique as a newbie by trashing everyone ring side.  Yes, so and so's dog might not even look like the breed it is supposed to be but that is for the judge to decide.  And if it wins - so be it.  How does it affect you or your breed?  Yes the dog MIGHT be bred but if it is so awful then chances are people with any sense and ethics will stay far away.  If you have a bone to pick ringside is not the place to do it.  Yes, I have lost too, I have gone to the car and SCREAMED with the radio up "WTF was the judge high on, and why didn't he (she) share?!"  But once that is over I am like - well...might as well drive home and watch tv and play with the dogs.  Gangs are just as dangerous in the dog world.  Certain breed groups are more prone to this.  Do not get sucked in to the mob rules or else you will fall through the moon door. (especially if you need to be "jumped in" to be part of a group of so-called friends.  That was a joke.  Sort of.)

3.  It is only a dog show.

Deep breath.  Repeat after me.

"It is only a dog show.  It is only a dog show.  It is only a dog show."

You will have lots more fun this way.  Dog shows ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUN.  Why else would anyone in their right mind wake up at the ass crack of dawn, brave all sorts of weather (I showed in everything from extreme heat to hail), dress in a suit?!  Your dog only knows your mood, and they want to please you.  They are endlessly forgiving.  They should be happiest with you.  Feral dogs do not stack for judges or breed based on who has the best tail set.

Smile, hug your dog, tell em how awesome they are and be happy you have the BEST DOG EVER.

4. You have the BEST DOG EVER.

You really do.  Your dog lives for you - to make you happy.  The dog doesn't care about a ribbon that cost 10 bucks to make, trust me I lost several rosettes to dog jaws.

You and your dog are a team and you bring home the best dog after every show.  This goes for trials too.

5.  Think before you speak.

This goes for newbies especially.  Saying "Foo Foo's breeder says she has no faults and IS The Standard for Technicolor Wifflehounds"* is a very dumb thing to say.  First off no dog is perfect, every dog has faults.  Second, Foo Foo's breeder needs to be honest to their puppy buyers.  To say an entire litter is show quality is talking out of your ass as much as it is when you trash another exhibitor.

Also, newbies - if you ask someone to critique your dog - and I am not sugar coating it here - be prepared to hear a lot of things you might not want to hear.  Whether the statements are true or not is another story, but for argument's sake let's say this is a completely honest opinion on your dog.  All dogs have faults and it doesn't change (at least it damn well shouldn't) how you love your dog.  But please do not get offended if someone says "his front is very wide and he is straight in the shoulders" or "he is short in body and his tail set is high".  YOU asked for a critique.

Also, for you "veterans" - step back before you speak about another dog.  If a newbie asks you for an "honest opinion" and you meant to joke by saying "well you can drive a freight train through his front legs they are so wide!", think on the flip side.  If you were new and someone said that to you.  Choose your words carefully.

*Credit to my friend Mud for first using the phrase "Technicolor Wifflehound".

6. The "eat your own" mentality is not limited to conformation.

Looking at you performance people!!!!

Now that I am competing at the highest level in AKC agility, I see the same people usually at every trial.  I see all sorts of handlers at all different walks of life.  The thing that makes me sad is when I see another handler yell at their dog or drag them off the course.  Agility is not a natural thing for dogs - you do not see wolves on the Discovery channel doing weave poles and a see saw.  These dogs do it because they love being with you!!!

Obedience exhibitors as well.  The dog is wanting to please you, really you feel screaming at them for not doing go-outs is going to get you anywhere?!  It is a GAME.

Saying all this, I know people may disagree with me.  I know I will never have ranked dogs in a sport.  I do not aim for that.  We only get one turn on this earth, make it count.  Do you want to be remembered as the person who "is a joy to watch run their dog" or "the mean person who yells at their dog"?

Conformation shows are under attack and are becoming a dying sport.  The General Public still thinks we are all crusty old white people who prance around a ring.  We need fresh blood and to do that we need to be a lot more welcoming.  Yes there are people who will always not heed well given advice but at least you can say "I tried".


::steps off soapbox::

The Best Face

Dog update

Ryka is just awesome.  Love this girl.  She is everything I want in a tiny package.  
Lzzy is doing so well for me.  She is also maturing nicely.    Lzzy flew to Florida with me.  She was training for a while for Service Dog work and the plane trip would be a big test.  She did GREAT.  Beyond my expectations.  Shout out to United Airlines and Tradewinds Island Grand Resort for being so accommodating.  The pics are of her at the resort in the pet areas.  (They are also pet friendly!)

Lady the Cocker Spaniel

A ranked Meech

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
01. CH Glasshouse Fire And Rain	Lori A Frost	12
02. CH Kingscourt Moon On The Moors	Sarah Davis And Linda Fowler	5
02. CH Glasshouse Two Bit Ante	Lori A Frost	5
02. Glasshouse Love Struck Romeo	Patricia Tomono, James Miccolis	5
05. CH Blacksheep Masterpiece Mystery	Sarah Davis, Joanna Kimball, Adrienne A Harkavy, Kaien Perusek	4
06. URX UUD UACH UROC Xtacee Recess Is Great	Norbert W Kowal And Christine C Kowal	2
06. Cool Sensation Z Domu Polanki	Heather Masch	2
06. Glasshouse Pvt Investigations	Lori A Frost	2

CC is a ranked dog in UKC!  Pretty cool.  Don't know why this is weird and blue.  But whatever.  It is only til Friday then out next show isn't until June - but still cool to see.  

Ryka Roo!!!

Ryka had her first agility trial after a few month's break (she was bred and the breeding didn't take) and she was awesome!!!

Double Q to finish her OAP and OJP titles!  She had 2 gorgeous clean runs in both.

I am SO happy because now - no more class conflicts!  Her and CC are in the same classes.  Yay!

National Purebred Dog Day

Today, May 1st, belongs to the dogs.

Purebred Dogs.  Well bred dogs, in homes with loving families.  Or those that do service work, military work, bomb detection, guard flocks, guard the home.  The agility dogs, the herding dogs, the bird dogs, the earth dogs...the foo foo purse dogs.

Today marks the first National Purebred Dog Day.  Spawned on Facebook it is spreading through the internet and social media.  I am owned and was owned by purebred dogs from them being adopted through a rescue or second hand, to my 5 well bred cardigans.

Do Purebred dogs include landraces and longdogs?  Lurchers and the like?  To me they do - if they were thought out and carefully selected to do a job and health tested.  Maybe to me this is more like "celebrate the dog you got from a great breeder" day.

I want to celebrate man's best friend by not vilifying responsible dog breeders, but celebrating them in the breeds they gave us, the diversity so a home has the right to choose a dog that will be the best for them.  The sleepless nights of puppies and watching mother dogs, the heartbreak when things don't go as planned.

I love my purebred dogs.

Musical musings

I am going to need this album...such talent.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I updated the website - a nice spring look.  :)

octanecardigans.weebly.com

End of the drought?

CC and I have been having the "drought".  The looong stretch of NQ runs in agility.  It was always one thing or another.

We did however get our first Time2Beat Q!!!

Ryka is also back in the saddle - 2 weeks is her next trial.

Also, wishing all the entries at the CWCCA National best of luck!  Wish I was there!

Priscilla's win pic

8 years old and still looks awesome

Edison dog shows

Thursday night and Saturday I showed Lzzy in the "March Madness" cluster in Edison.  Thursday night was the Herding Group Association show and New Brunswick Kennel Club show.  We came up empty handed every time but it was good ring experience for her.  She is not a fan of the venue for some reason and she was out of coat.  

I showed Priscilla in Veterans Sweepstakes Saturday and she got Best Opposite in Sweeps!  

I Love my Priscilla head!  

Plus I saw my friend Randie who took awesome pics of Lzzy!  

Worldess Wednesday

It is only a dog show aka "Let it Go"

Preach, sister.  (I am cleverly disguised as a responsible adult)



I love to show - even if I have to dress up for it.  I find it a fun thing.  My dogs could give a hoot if we win or not.  Yes purebred dog shows can be fun - and ARE fun.  We need that happiness back.  I laugh with my friends at shows how grumpy and standoffish the terrier people were when I took a puppy in at a fun match who was difficult.  Seriously?  Would it kill you to give advice?  LOL

I don't even mind losing - of COURSE we like to win.  Human nature, competitive spirit.  I am not saying I half ass it.

So why show?  I made a lot of friends (and I am sure some enemies) through conformation.  As I grew older I also got more open-minded.  To me form should follow function.  I want my dogs to live forever and not be riddled with disease and problems.  I am VERY lucky cardigans as a whole are that dog.

So next time you see me at a show stop on over!  

Iggy Pop herds too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti7uxqVV4N4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

CC herding today!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCzgZAL4i_o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Welsh Dragon dog bed

Jared Designs on Etsy made this bed cover for me.  Welsh flags!  It is really cool in that you stuff it with old clothes or whatever.  Washable too!  She shipped this quick from the UK. 

Look who is famous!

http://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/emotional-benefits-owning-dog-healthy-hollywood-185036007.html

Lzzy was featured on Yahoo!!!

Ryka PRA clear!

Just got the email from Vetnostics labs.  Ryka is clear for PRA!  Yay!

Wordless wednesday - Neil Peart aka The Professor

Theme Songs

My friend Krystal posted this on Facebook "What song would you come out to if dog shows were like pro wrestling?"

I picked this: DragonForce "Cry Thunder"




But then we got into Theme Songs for the dogs.

Priscilla was named for the Brooks & Dunn song "Neon Moon"

GCH CH Xtacee Neon Moon CD RE NAP NJP CGC TG-N TN-N



Iggy Pop gets 2 songs:  His registered name - "Breaking The Law" by Judas Priest

URO1 UlaMauna Octane Breaking The Law BN RE OAP NJP NFP CGC WV-N NJC O-TN-N



And his call name Iggy Pop! "Real Wild Child"



CC already came with her registered name so I gave her something that fits:  "Burner" by Motorhead

CH Cool Sensation z Domu Polanki RN OAP AJP OFP CGC TN-N NJC WV-N VC HIC



Ryka: "Fade To Black" Metallica

Xtacee Fade To Black @ Winddancer NAP NJP CGC



Lzzy: "Game Of Thrones" theme song

Xtacee Octane A Song Of Ice And Fire CGC

Dog furniture

I am the couch tonight.  CC and Lzzy

The deed is done

Ryka was bred.  Now the wait...almost 3 weeks from her date she looks rounder...I keep hoping she just turns into the puppy bus soon so it will confirm yay or nay.  Going to book an ultrasound appointment for first week in March.

And if so...I need to buy whelping supplies!

Lzzy pictures

Thank you Mindy (Rakkaus Photography) for taking these of Lzzy at Westminster!  She is growing up so nice!

She is 17 months old now!

Winning at Westminster!

History was made at the 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show!

Coco the Cardigan WON the Herding Group - first in our breed to do so!  Lovely lovely dog and Lois and "Team Coco" are very nice people - couldn't be happier for them!  Cardigans were well represented.

And, while it was a terribly long, very cold day - it was worth it.  Lzzy went WB/BOW for another point!  We got pretty Rosettes too!

So Proud!  We had a large entry this year and it was deep in quality - good job everyone.

Here is the video:   Lzzy and I are in around the 6 min mark.  It is a long video but worth watching.

CC's AJP title video

Weekend Report: New title!

Well make this the long Weekend Super Bowl 48 report:

Thursday: Amber and I went to see a live simulcast of the Shakespearean play "Coriolanus" starring my crush/fantasy Tom Hiddleston.  Hiddles: covered in blood, in tight pants, and takes a shower.  Check and mate.  

Friday:  Took CC down to the SOJAC agility trial - first trial of the year for us after a 2 month break.  We had a beautiful run in Jumpers to finish our AJP title!!!  I can't believe it - I am so proud!  Then I picked up Ryka from Lisa's house after her hot date...hoping for puppies April Fool's Day.  Amber and I closed the night with a Loki-themed tea party (no we do not have a problem) and yummy cakes and tea.  Earl Grey.  Hot.

Saturday & Sunday: Showed Lzzy up in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  No love for her either day and she was NAUGHTY.  She got to play with Border Collies though. 

Sunday there was no traffic.  It was to the point where it was creepy.  I figured Super Bowl in my town = nightmare.  It was not.  

Next week is Westminster!  

New Kennel site

New Website!!!! 

(Link above)


I decided to make a grown up looking website, and this am very proud of it!  Please check it out!

I will always keep up with this blog more but they link to each other!

I am proud of my work!

TV stars!

We had our 15 minutes of fame.

Lzzy and I were asked to be on the News 12 NJ show "The Pet Stop".  They were featuring local Westminster competitors for both conformation and agility.

Lzzy and I went to represent conformation.  We got to hang out with David Frei and other local people I have seen around trials.

All the dogs got along and most were intact.  Lzzy thought being a TV star was totally cool and tried to get back on TV after we filmed our segment.  She also loved David and the host of the show.

I do not get this channel but some friends of mine do and will record it for me.  

Picture of the group - Lzzy is the one kissing David and I am in the Pink sweater.  (click to enlarge).  

Pedigree for Ryka babies.

http://www.cardiped.net/testmating.php?dam=84102&sire=72391


Link above.  I am taking inquiries for puppies for performance homes and pet homes.

Puppies

Well here goes.

Ryka (Xtacee Fade To Black @ Winddancer NAP NJP CGC) is in season and will be bred to CC's brother, JR (GCH Cool George Xtacee z Domu Polanki).

This is a nice linebreeding and to see if Ryka can get pregnant and what she can produce.

Temperaments should be awesome, Ryka is very easy to live with as is JR.  Ryka has had her hips xrayed and she is CERF clear.  Ryka is a very sound little working machine and took to agility very easily.  She has lots of herding instinct too and side gait to die for.   They compliment each other as well phenotypically.

She came in season unexpectedly early so her DNA tests were not done but JR is clear for PRA, DM, and Pink so no worries there and he is PennHipped.  Ryka will be DNA tested after she is bred and I will share the results on here.

If all goes well I want to breed her to a handsome brindle boy I have had my eye on next year.

Litter Plans!

Hoping to have little Cardigan paws in the late spring!

Fingers crossed and more info to come!

Happy New Year!!!

wishing you all the best for the upcoming year!

Winter already is giving me the middle finger with a snowstorm and extremely cold temperatures.

But My New Years Eve was one of the best - friends and I played Cards Against Humanity, we watched Doctor Who and ate junk food.

Amber brought over Junebug, her mostly, blind/mostly deaf Plott Hound mix (I think) who is very sweet and loves my dogs and vice versa.  She is so docile you barely knew she was here!

I hope the new year brings me a litter of puppies and some fun adventures with my beloved dogs!