Meet Our New BRAT Brothers at Solstice Kennels: Strider, Hoops, and JohnJohn and other doings at Solstice

Hey there, lovely readers! It’s been a hot minute since I last shared an update on our blog, but don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you. Life has been keeping me on my toes, juggling all the things that bring me joy and fulfillment. Here at Solstice, everything is going great. We’re embracing the best of both worlds – indulging in doggy things and savoring all the wonderful experiences that life has to offer.

Now, let’s talk about my health journey. In December 2023, I underwent Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery, and boy, has it been a game-changer! I’m thrilled to share that I’ve managed to shed a whopping 88 pounds since I embarked on this transformative path. However, despite this success, my back and mobility issues have taken a toll on me. But fret not, because on August 20th (which also happens to be the day after my 62nd birthday, yay!), I’m scheduled to have surgery that will hopefully restore my mobility and allow me to truly enjoy life again. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ve been sitting around twiddling my thumbs. I’ve been actively engaged in Scentwork, Barnhunt, FastCat, and NASDA activities with the Solstice gang..

Speaking of companions, we’ve welcomed three new BRAT brothers into our Solstice family in the past year. Strider (Hurrikane On The Mound), Hoops (Hurrikane On The Court), and JohnJohn (Vestaiva Ostara Up In Smoke) have joined our team. I proudly co-own these three young boys with my dear friends Cody Smith and Julia Dancy. Strider and Hoops live with us here at Solstice, while JohnJohn is living his best life with Julia Dancy in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. All three of these boys are having a blast, participating in various doggy activities alongside Cody and Julia.

In addition to the new additions, we’re cherishing precious moments with our 15.5 and 14.9-year-old girls, Bailey and Banner. They’re simply enjoying the simple pleasures of life – eating, sleeping, sunbathing, and being with us. Caliwags just turned 8, and she’s getting back into the swing of things with Barnhunt and learning the ropes of Urban NASDA games. We’re also considering training her for potential therapy dog visits in the future. As for the boys, JeffJeff and Marcher, they’re the competition boys, exploring the world of dog sports. Marcher is on the lookout for major wins to complete his championship, while JeffJeff is having a blast with Scentwork, Barnhunt and NASDA  and whatever adventures we embark on. Once my back is all sorted out, we’re hoping for even more fun times together.

In the meantime, I’ve been expanding my doggy resume, adding some new credentials to my resume. I’m still honored to hold the positions of President at both the Atlanta Obedience Club and Richmond Dog Fanciers. Additionally, I’m busy serving as a secretary for AKC Scentwork trials and NASDA trials. In addition to being CGC/Trick dog evaluator, I’ve also taken on the roles of FitDog 2 Instructor,  ATT Evaluator, Farm Dog, and FETCH judge. Once my back is on the mend, I’m excited about the prospect of judging or evaluating dogs up close, as it brings me so much joy to witness their incredible abilities.

Now, here’s something I’m really looking forward to – offering coaching opportunities for the dog show community. I often come across people on social media who are eager to dive into dog sports, whether it’s conformation or any of the companion or performance events. However, many of them have no idea where to start, what motivates them in dog sports, how to connect with breeders, or how to effectively work with their own dogs. As an experienced trainer and certified coach, I’m determined to put together programs that will help both new and experienced fanciers reignite their passion for the game. I’ll be sharing more details about this exciting endeavor as it unfolds, but if you’re interested in learning more, feel free to shoot me an email at mentormejinnie@gmail.com.

That’s all for now, folks! Thank you for sticking around and supporting our journey. Stay tuned for more updates and adventures with the Solstice crew. Until next time, keep wagging those tails and savoring every moment of this beautiful life.