Beach Blanket Bingo or Cardis in the pool!
The brindle girls like the pool too, they just don’t lounge around in it getting their photos taken by the paparrazi (me).
PJ never gets in the pool but he loves to attack the hose, a much more manly thing to do.
The life of a Solstice Showdog
Poor Banner is forced to lie in the “mud pool” to “condition her coat! When I took this photo she had been napping in the pool for 10 minutes, she is still there. She and Fifi are my Carotters Cardigans+Otter= Carotter.
Hot Dog!
Here in the desert SW June is our hottest month, we always think August but I think it is because we have been scorched for 2 months and we are heat crazy. This June is no different, the 1st day of Summer was yesterday and we are on day 12 in a row of triple digit heat.
We haven’t had rain in forever and because of water restrictions I am not watering any of the yards, just the trees. Our yards are dry dirt but I do fill the dog pools everyday, 1 because the love them and 2 because they turn into mud baths. I call it spa treatments. The black girls Banner and Fifi are especially addicted to the “spa”.
And they call it puppy love……..
Summer is almost here on the calendar of course in the SW it has been “summer” for awhile but often in the summer there are families looking to add a new puppy to their lives. We won’t have puppies here at Solstice until the fall but some friends have some pups available.
If you are looking for a corgi sized companion my BFF helped rescue and foster a Pem girl and her 9 mixed breed puppies and if you are in the Northern AL area she has a couple of girl babies looking for their forever homes, check with Leslie at http://www.keelmtn.com.
Those who read my blog know about Rider’s babies at Arylan, there is one red girl left looking for her own home, check with Harry.
I also know my friend Wendi in Farmington, NM has a couple of black/white girls from her orphaned litter of 12 looking for homes, sadly their mom was lost at their birth and Wendi raised these 12 babies without a momma dog. Her website is in my links under Morningside.
Of course if you are waiting for a Solstice puppy let me know so we can start chatting.
Hijacking my own blog
Most of the time my blog is used as a chronicle of the lives and times of the dogs at Solstice, we share the joy and the heartbreak of dog ownership and our personal successes and failures. But today I am hijacking my own blog to talk about USDA new proposed regulations which would create harsh and unintended consequences for responsible small and hobby breeders in this country.
I know many of you who read the blog are not breeders, you are great dog loving people who want to do the best thing for dogs, all dogs not just our favorite breed. You believe puppy mills and commercial breeders need to be stopped, taxed, regulated and more. Somebody needs to do Something! I agree with that too! But most of our lawmakers don’t understand the purebred dog community and our commitment to our chosen breeds, the life long dedication to the health and welfare of our dogs and when they impose rules they do it across the board and that impacts people like me.
I’m not a commercial breeder and I don’t worry about making a profit and I spend a lot of time matching my puppies to their new owners. Some of those new owners I never get to meet face to face. According to the proposed regulations I would be a commercial breeder, I own 5 intact girls and I have placed puppies with owners I have never met face to face yet I don’t feel like I am anything like a commercial breeder and I hope you agree.
So if you are a breeder or have ever gotten a dog from a breeder or maybe plan to get a well-bred dog from a responsible breeder in the future this affects you as much as me. If regulations like this pass you will one day only be able to get a dog from a government regulated puppy farm so please take a moment to join with the American Kennel Club and sign the petition to protect the small responsible breeders who are committed to the health and welfare of dogs.
Join With the AKC to Protect Responsible Small Breeders
The American Kennel Club has created the Join With the AKC to Protect Responsible Small Breeders petition in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) new proposed regulations which would create harsh and unintended consequences for responsible small and hobby breeders in this country.
Please join us by signing the Join With the AKC to Protect Responsible Small Breeders petition before July 16 when the public comment period to the Animal Care Division of the USDA’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service ends. The petition, along with AKC’s comments on the proposed rule change, will be sent to the USDA.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/join-with-the-akc-to-protect-responsible-small-breeders.html
We join with the American Kennel Club to express our concerns about the harsh and unintended consequences that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposed regulations (RIN 0578-AD57) to redefine “retail pet store” would have on responsible small and hobby breeders. Currently, responsible small and hobby breeders across this country provide Americans with healthy, well-socialized, loving family companions.
Under the proposed regulations, breeders or others who sell a puppy sight unseen, by any means including online, by mail or by telephone, would now be regulated in accordance with USDA standards, if you own more than four “breeding females” of any of the listed species, including dogs and cats. The effect of these proposed regulations would be to take away the public’s opportunity to obtain puppies from those breeders, who in many cases have dedicated their lives to breeding for health, breed type and temperament.
As the leader and expert in breeding and maintaining dogs for more than a century, the AKC supports responsible breeders and dog owners through its educational and inspections programs. As the only purebred dog registry with a care and conditions of dogs policy – which we have recently enhanced to create a comprehensive policy for the welfare of all dogs – more than 55,000 inspections have been conducted since 2000. We know through experience that regardless of the number of dogs owned or the manner in which breeders interact with potential puppy buyers, a “one size fits all” breeder regulation is unfair and unenforceable.
We sign this petition in order to alert the USDA that a “one size fits all breeders” type of regulation is not in the best interest of dogs and/or consumers in this country. We stand in support of the AKC’s comments to the USDA in opposition to the proposed regulations as written. In so doing, we demonstrate our commitment to the continued breeding of dogs by responsible small and hobby breeders throughout this country.
Lindy’s Tri kids
Baby Charlie
I thought these photos were a great representation of Solstice Cardigans and they just happen to be of Lindy’s Tri Kids. How wonderful to have such handsome, smart and willing workers who are wonderful companions. Pictured are:
Solstice Flying Ace, CD, RE, CGC aka Charlie who is a Lindy x PJ kid. Charlie is proving to be a great working dog he has completed his CD & RE in a year’s time and needs 2 legs to finish his RAE and is currently training for his CDX and Agility. Charlie’s person is Cody and they live in El Paso.
Solstice Manhattan Project aka Einie who is a Lindy x Oz kid. Einie is the beloved of Tara and Tim of Houston, TX, she is reportedly delights them daily and seems to need her people as a pillow. Einie reminds me so much of her Momma.
Arylan Custom Goldwing aka Rider who is also a Lindy x Oz kid. How handsome is he! Rider was Harry’s stud fee puppy and carries the Arylan kennel name as Harry is the co-breeder on the litter and is the breeder/owner of Daddy dog Oz and the Lindy’s breeder. Rider needs a single point to finish his Championship and was awarded 2nd place in his class at the 2012 CWCCA Nationals. Rider lives with Harry in Albuquerque, NM. Rider is also scheduled to be the Daddy Dog for Frosty’s upcoming litter in the fall of 2012.
I am so proud of these kids and their people, nothing makes a breeder happier!
Solstice Flying Ace, CD, RE, CGC
Arylan Custom Goldwing
Solstice Manhattan Project
Rider
Einie seems to always use her people as pillows
Charlie and Cody
He’s my brother, She’s my sister!
What a good day! Good news came early with Charlie and Cody earning another RAE leg with 1st places in both Advanced and Excellent, I think with Friday’s leg that makes 6 RAE legs for the team!
Not to be outdone by her littermate Bailey put on her own show and was awarded WB/BOS for her final 3 point major, so pending AKC confirmation she is now Ch Solstice Flying Circus! Bailey is my 1st BBE champion and in addition to WB she was also Best BBE and BBE Group 2.
By virtue of finishing from the BBE class Bailey will join Banner as an invitee to the AKC Invitational. Banner will be invited because she is an Amature Owner Handler Champion.
We still have 3 more days at my favorite cluster of the year, plus I get to go to Harry’s and play with puppies tomorrow! Yippee!
Point me in the direction of Albuquerque…………….
Yes I loved the Partridge Family and little did I know that I would spend so much time driving back and forth on I-25 between El Paso and Albuquerque but tomorrow I’m headed north for the High Desert Cluster dog show. Wish us luck!
Puppy buying 101
Four coins in the fountain?
Recently I’ve gotten quite a bit of traffic on my blog site and contacts for people looking for Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies, partly because my blog comes up when you do a web search and partly because Harry has puppies.
With the advent of social media, blogs, websites etc. searching for a puppy has changed. In the old days (which are not that long ago) you might go to a dog show and meet breeders or be referred by someone who knew someone, write them a letter or call them on the phone. People talked and planned on a personal level, now not so much. It is emails and blog comments, there is less personal conversation.
Baby Charlie, Solstice Flying Ace, RE, CD, CGC
Of course breeders now use Facebook and websites and blog sites to inform potential puppy buyers about upcoming litters and breeding plans so there is a lot more information available for public view. Which often times leads to a lack of communication instead of more.
I often get emails that say something like “I’m interested in your puppies, how much are they and when can I get one”. Not really an email that I’m going to take seriously. Which is too bad because the email might have led to a great home.
So here is the 411 on contacting and interacting with a breeder:
1st of all do your homework, and be aware that responsible breeders will be asking you as many questions as you are asking them. We want to make sure our puppies are going to the best homes. On the right handside of this page you will find a link to “Tips on finding a responsible breeder” you can use this as you do your “homework”.
Look at websites and read about different breeders and their policies and philosophies. Remember that you and the breeder are tied together for the life of the dog. Make sure both of your expectations are the same or at least something you can live with. Different breeders have different ideas about placing puppies. Don’t fall in love with a puppy until you know you and the breeder are on the same page. My kennel policies are located again on the right hand side of this page.
Open up a dialog with a breeder, with Cardigans we are a somewhat rare breed and you will most likely need to get on a waiting list for the right puppy. For example I may breed just once a year while Harry’s lifestyle allows him to breed more frequently. Most breeders will refer you to other reputable breeders if they are not planning on puppies.
Once you open that dialog ask questions and discuss your needs. Be honest, breeders want to make sure you get the best puppy to fit your lifestyle. Also be honest about other breeders you are talking to, we understand that people are often on multiple breeders puppy lists. Responsible breeders don’t always have supply of puppies and there may not be a puppy of the sex/color/temperment that matches your needs. I will say again, be honest, we won’t think less of you but let us know if you are going with another breeder so that we are not holding a puppy for you.
Once you start a relationship with a breeder you should expect updates and photos of the litter and then once the puppy goes home the breeder will expect updates and photos back. I know several of my puppies have their own blogs which is fun for me. We like to know what is going on with the babies and we like to know how they are growning up.
I hope this has helped you with your search, if you are thinking about a puppy from me later in 2012 I look forward to starting that dialog, you can begin by filling out my questionaire and letting me know something about the who, what, where of it all. If you need a referral I’m always happy to talk about Cardigans and point you in the right directions.
Hair She Blows!
That is right, coat blowing season is upon us, time to get to the summer clothes. Of course when do the Solstice Cardigans choose to change into their summer duds? That is right, after entries close for the High Desert Cluster in ABQ. It is one of my favorite shows and of course we have majors every day so what that is a great reason to blow our coats out. PJ is entered in breed all 4 days and is now naked, Bailey lost a lot of hair in the bath yesterday and she needs one 3pt major to finish her title. Frosty is looking OK, she needs 3 single points for her Championship and the baby needs everything and is entered the last two days but she seems to be OK on hair.
Not wishing bad hair on anyone but I hope the entire entry is naked!
Solstice Kennels 