I buried the lead……………..
If you are a regular blog reader you might have caught at the end of my CWCCA Nationals report a mention of a big life event happening at Solstice. I thought I’d take some time to fully explain the changes going on in our world.
You may or may not know I work for State Farm Insurance and have for the last 25 years. I’ve spent 1/2 my life at the Farm all here in El Paso, Texas. Earlier this spring I was offered the opportunity to relocate to our new Hub location in the Atlanta, GA metro area and after much consideration I made the decision to make the move from El Paso to Atlanta.
It is a big step and in May, we are making the move to Georgia. There are so many pluses, not just with my job but with our whole life style. Most of my bestest friends live in the Southeast and there is so many more opportunities to participate in dog activities. Sure there will be lots to get used too, rain, grass, bugs and traffic but there is always trade offs. There are so many things I’ll miss about the southwest and El Paso. Mostly the people, but I’ll miss the desert, the sunshine, the mountain. I’ll miss my beloved Miners and of course the best Mexican Food anywhere.
El Paso is my Mom’s (Ginger) home town and I’ve lived here since 1976 so it will be a big adjustment for us although I am returning to my southern roots. Ginger aka Mom is also moving with me. So Ginger, the dogs and myself are currently prepping for the move. We have to empty out the family home (built and lived in by the family since just after WWII) of all the stuff we don’t need to take with us. We are going to have to find a place to live in the area and we have to do it by mid May. Wish us LUCK!
What about the dogs? I had planned to repeat the Frost x Rider breeding as soon as Frost came in season (anytime now) but with the impending move I am just going to have to delay it until October. The Banner x Rush breeding is still on track for late June. Those of you who have expressed interest in these puppies I realize that for many of you I am moving out of your region and you may or may not want to consider a puppy from a Southeast breeder when you live in the Southwest. Please let me know where your interest lies and I totally understand if you want to consider other breeders closer to you. I know there a lots of great breeders in the Southwest and if you are in the Southeast I am always happy to introduce the Solstice dogs to new fans.
Stay tuned as our adventure continues!
The 2013 CWCCA Nationals
We are home, a lot earlier than others as our drive was only 4 hours. Being so close was a bit of adventure, it was really the 1st time I have packed the FIT for a dog show but I was able to get 3 dogs and all our stuff into the car for our trip to Tucson. It was uneventful to say the least.
The hotel was great, I got a cool courtyard room which gave us a nice patio and access to the lovely grass under the orange blossoms. We got settled in and hooked up with our friends. Our friend Renee spent a couple of nights with us and of course the dogs loved having an extra “petter” in the room. Plus they conned her out of cookies.
Monday and Tuesday we spent helping Polly at the agility trial, got to see PJ and Pippin’s girl Lucy get her Open Fast title. Her brother Finn got his herding PT title at the herding trial over the weekend. Those kids are mutli talented!
Tuesday night was the Megan and all three kids showed nice but no ribbons this year. It was a beautiful entry this year so many lovely dogs.
I “hung out” the rest of the week. Pitching in where needed and visiting friends and watching lots of dogs. We didn’t show again until Saturday’s Best of Breed competition. PJ show nice for Kathy and looked good in the big ring. Banner, worked hard for me but she really hates the show ring and so that was her last show, she will now be the happy house dog and her job will be to be a momma later in the year. Her favorite part was sleeping on the bed with me at night. Frosty was our big winner if we have to have a winner. Frosty made the cut in the bitch classes so that was a nice honor in such lovely company and before I knew it the week was over.
This show was bittersweet for me since in essence it was the last Southwest show for me. The last time I’ll get to spend with my SW buddies and it is sad and I had to not think about it a lot for fear of crying and carrying on. For those who haven’t seen my Facebook announcement, Solstice is relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in mid May. The details of that move will be in another blog later in the week.
Mine! Mine! Mine!
How cool is this? This is our personalized custom folding Stacking box created by the Custom Stacking Boxes by Dwysan. Kathy and Larry Davis are doing beautiful work and I can’t wait to pick mine up at the CWCCA Nationals next week. Although I think my box will be a demo box in their booth at the nationals.
If this wasn’t cool enough another personalized item arrived this week in the form of my kennel tags. Artist Janice Chapman created these hand painted wonders, I ordered two crate tags and a sign for my expen or RV window. I will be styling! Janice is on Facebook if you are interested in having tags done for yourself.
The Cardis are coming the Cardis are coming…….
To Tucson, AZ that is!
Starting on March 29th the annual family reunion aka the CWCCA National Specialty Show will be held in Tucson, AZ. This year it is the closest it has ever been for the Solstice dogs and the specials gang of PJ, Frost and Banner will be showing in our Megan even on Tuesday and then in Best of Breed on Saturday. The rest of the time I’ll be hanging out and helping with the event. Monday and Tuesday I’ll be at the Agility trials and the rest of the week who knows what I’ll be up to but it will be FUN!
Ch Arylan Flying the Colors at Solstices
Here is the count for the Breed Classes:
20 Sweepstakes (Puppy 6-9) Dogs 5 Red & Sable Dog
11 Sweepstakes (Puppy 9-12) Dogs 23 Brindle Dog
8 Sweepstakes (Puppy 12-15) Dogs 11 Black Dog
8 Sweepstakes (Puppy 15-18) Dogs 5 Blue Merle Dog
26 Sweepstakes (Puppy 6-9) Bitches 5 Red & Sable Bitch
15 Sweepstakes (Puppy 9-12) Bitches 15 Brindle Bitch
2 Sweepstakes (Puppy 12-15) Bitches 6 Black Bitch
9 Sweepstakes (Puppy 15-18) Bitches 4 Blue Merle Bitch
7 Sweepstakes (Veterans 7-9 years) Dogs Count Monday Obedience
4 Sweepstakes (Veterans 9-11 years) Dogs 1 Beginner Novice A Obedience
2 Sweepstakes (Veterans 11+ years) Dogs 5 Beginner Novice B Obedience
6 Sweepstakes (Veterans 7-9 years) Bitches 1 Novice A Obedience
4 Sweepstakes (Veterans 9-11 years) Bitches 4 Novice B Obedience
5 Sweepstakes (Veterans 11+ years) Bitches 2 Open A Obedience
2 Open B Obedience
6 Puppy (4-6 MOS) Dogs 2 Utility B Obedience
19 Puppy (6-9 mos) Dogs
10 Puppy (9-12 mos) Dogs Count Tuesday Obedience
6 12-15 Months Dogs 1 Beginner Novice A Obedience
4 15-18 Months Dogs 5 Beginner Novice B Obedience
8 Bred-By-Exhibitor Dogs 1 Novice A Obedience
1 American Bred Dogs 4 Novice B Obedience
4 Open Dogs 2 Open A Obedience
5 Puppy (4-6 MOS) Bitches 2 Open B Obedience
24 Puppy (6-9 mos) Bitches 2 Utility B Obedience
11 Puppy (9-12 mos) Bitches
2 12-15 Months Bitches Count Tuesday Rally
7 15-18 Months Bitches 1 Rally Novice A
14 Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches 5 Rally Novice B
3 American Bred Bitches 2 Rally Advanced A
12 Open Bitches 4 Rally Advanced B
3 Rally Excellent B
6 Veteran (7-9 years) Dogs
4 Veteran (9-11 years) Dogs Count Tuesday Rally
2 Veteran (11+ years) Dogs 1 Rally Novice A
7 Veteran (7-9 years) Bitches 6 Rally Novice B
2 Veteran (9-11 years) Bitches 2 Rally Advanced A
6 Veteran (11+ years) Bitches 4 Rally Advanced B
3 Rally Excellent B
2 Herding Class Dogs
2 Herding Class Bitches
40 Best of Breed Dogs
29 Best of Breed Bitches
9 Stud Dogs
7 Brood Bitches
1 Brace
7 Parade of Titleholders
1 Parade of Therapy Dogs
1 Jr (Novice Junior)
1 Jr (Open Intermediate)
2 Jr (Open Senior)
Grandpuppies!
I love stealing photos of my grand puppies to share on the blog. This is from Sharrie’s blog Highridge Highlights. Scooter the Collie then PJ’s kids Lady and Zippy, then Beaver (bred by Garrett Ramsey). They all look like they are living the high life at Highridge! Sending the babies off to their new homes is always the hard part for me but what a joy when you see what great lives they lead. Thanks Sharrie!
I cracked up when I saw this since the expression on Zippy’s face is much the same as his sister Bailey’s when I made her sit on the couch with her siblings for their birthday photo, isn’t there a family resemblance?
Beta Boy
I think he is doing ok! We miss him especially his Mommy Frosty, she has been looking for him.
Happy Birthday Babies!
Happy 4th Birthday to Bailey, Solstice Flying Circus, Charlie, Solstice Flying Ace, CD, RAE, CGC, Bonnie, Arylan Flight from Justice, BN, RN and Zippy, Solstice The Flying Farmer!
What a great group, PJ, Lindy and I are proud of our “kids”.
Congratulations Team Rockie Top!
We are so proud of our “family”! Give them some Altitude in Tulsa, OK.
Good luck Polly, Pippin and Lucy at the AKC Agility Invitational next month we will be rooting for you!
BB weekend adventure.
By this time next week our favorite puppy BB will be with his new family in the Houston area. He will be joining his Auntie Einie (Solstice Manhattan Project) as a member of Tim and Tara’s pack. He will be officially known as Solstice Mayan Paradox or Beta to his friends and family.
We have a long car ride next weekend so Auntie Cody and I took him up to Tularosa, NM for the White Sands Agility club trials. He thought it was pretty neat! He met a gang of 4 month old Border Collie puppies and held his own until they started to gang up on the little dude so I saved him before they scared him. Then he met an Pembroke named Jack, a big Border collie, a Papillon, some Whippets and his favorite a giant Rottie names Jimmy (a nice boy who let him climb on his head) and a whole bunch of people who made much of him.
On the way home we stopped at White Sands National Monument ( http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm) for a little bit of run time and of course some photo ops. He had a great time and when he ran into the breeze his ears were up and he looked like a Cardigan!
Captain Cute! Just needs a cape…….
He has been an excellent puppy, happy cooperative and just an all around jolly boy. I can’t wait to introduce him to Tara and Tim next weekend. Poor Einie doesn’t know what she is in for………… But we are going to miss him, especially his Mommy Frost, Granny Lindy and Auntie Bailey (Sienna not so much).
Mommy Frosty puppy dance
Frosty does this silly dance with BB every night. It also includes frapping from sofa to sofa. Love watching the “dog tv”.
Solstice Kennels 