Photos from Chili cluster
Frost, Rockie Top's Flying Snow, RN
Banner, Arylan Flying the Colors at Solstice
Happy 2nd Birthday Ban Ban!
An October to remember
My last update was about our wonderful showing at the Chili Bowl Cluster in Alamogordo, NM. Guess what there is more good news to report. The NM Cardigan gang built majors all 4 days in Los Lunas and my girls won 3 of the 4! On Friday Banner was WB/BOS for her 2nd major. When the judge handed me the BOS ribbon she told me “She is really my best of breed, but I wanted to give the worthy WD they points so I put him BW”. (There was only one special so if she had put Banner BOB, she would have been BW too and not points would have been available for the WD). The next day we had a judge from “down under” and she gave me a critique of my dogs as I put them on the table. She loved Frost, her lovely movement won her over and she gave Frost BOB over 2 specials which bumped it up to a 4 pt major. On the final day Banner once again went WB/BW/BOS for her 3rd major. I was really fine with the WB and would have loved for the dog to cross over for the points but the judges are going to do what the judges are going to do.
To add some icing to an already tasty cake, Cody and Bonnie completed their Beginner Novice obedience title. Bonnie as well as Charlie make up what we call team CCB (Cody, Charlie, Bonnie), Charlie and Bonnie are PJ x Lindy kids.
So the final tally for the New Mexico circuit is:
Frost, Rockie Top Flying Snow, RN BOB over specials 3 times, 8 pts 2 majors
Banner, Arylan Flying the Colors at Solstice, BOB over specials 1 time, 10 pts 3 majors
Bailey, Solstice Flying Circus, BOB over specials once for her last single points.
Bonnie, Arylan Flight from Justice, RN and new BN title.
Frost and Banner now just need 3/4 singles for their championship and Bailey needs her majors. Of course the baby FiFi needs to grow up and look more like a Cardigan and less like an otter.
If our dogshow success were not exciting enough, I started my new position the next day (Monday) I have been in the same position for almost 24 years and it is exciting to be moving to a new department. The 1st week was long and exciting!
Then just to add some additional good news I have completed to the requirements to be designated an AKC Breeder of Merit http://www.akc.org/breederofmerit. I’m happy to have the designation to show to the general public that I am one of the good guys!
There is still a little over a week left of October so we will see what else happens but it has been a heck of a month!
Poor Sienna
This is what happens when you don’t win, we dress you up and make you look stupid.
The hard life of a showdog
The Solstice dogs live a hard life.
Wowzer what a weekend!
What a fabulous weekend the Solstice gang had at the Chili Bowl Cluster in Alamogordo, NM. The cardi girls Frost, Bailey, Banner and baby Fifi were entered along with little Sienna. And we had the best time! On friday Frost started us out by going BOB from the classes for 1 point, on saturday Bailey did the same, BOB from the classes for 1 point. On sunday, there were major points available and Frost repeated here BOB win for her 1st 3 point major and on monday not wanting to be left out of the party pretty Banner followed the older girls lead and was BOB for her 1st major. A pretty wow weekend! Of course we wouldn’t have had the chance if the SW folks hadn’t worked hard to get those majors build, this time my girls were the winners, next time it could go to one of the other outstanding dogs in our area.
In addition to the Cardi Party Sienna had her best showing to date with 2 major reserves this weekend, her time is coming we are almost there in the grooming department.
Team CCB was also in attendance, as always Cody is a huge help with the dogs and in fact she was showing Banner in the winners class when she was awarded WB. Of course aside from being a great friend/helper Cody and Bonnie got their 1st BN leg at the Obedience trial.
The 1st two days weather wasn’t the greatest so when we weren’t showing/stewarding we hung out at the RV the dogs were pooped as were the people.
As with the beautiful sunsets, the weekend closed and we came home. We are now packing up for a trip up I-25 tomorrow to Los Lunas for the next set of shows. Majors all weekend so we will see what happens.
It is that time again…..
That’s right, entries are in and majors are built so hair must fall off!
The day the world changed……….
Yes, I remember exactly where I was when this attack happened and No, I will never forget.
But I also remember with pride what happened afterwards, how we once again became American, the “Land of the Free and the home of the brave”. I hope that on the 10 year remembrance of 9/11 that we can remember that we are lucky to live where we do and that our neighbors are our neighbors. Maybe if we all try a little it could change a lot of things.
United we Stand Divided we Fall
Emergency Prep!
With mother nature causing havoc all over the country I am once again posting this article I put together for my breed club magazine. And yes, you have my permission to share.
Are you prepared?
Submitted by Jinnie Strickland, Solstice Kennels, El Paso, Texas
Fires, floods, hurricanes, blizzards, long term power outages. Natural and man made disasters can spell trouble for you and your dogs.
The key to surviving these traumatic events is preparation. Everyone should have an emergency kit available in case they have to evacuate their home. This kit should always be on hand either in place that is easily accessible or in a vehicle. Put it together now so that during times of stress it is one thing less to worry about. Everyone should have a kit for their family and one for the dogs. The following is a suggestion for your dog emergency kit.
Your Dog emergency kit should contain the following items:
Your emergency contact list, this information should be kept current at all times, make sure you include:
Your own contact information, cell phone numbers, email addresses
A friend or relative who lives outside of your area, preferably some one who knows your dogs
A Local contact
Veterinarian’s contact information
A local boarding facility
The local Animal control facility
A contact with your local or regional dog club or All breed club
Dog ID information:
Each dog should have a folder, notebook or file, which contains a copy of:
Copy of the dog’s identification records
AKC registration
Microchip number
DNA profile
Local licenses and copy of current vaccinations
Current photo and physical description and a premade poster for missing animals to attach current photos to if needed.
Emergency items:
You should be able to quickly locate crates for all dogs being evacuated. Folding wire works best since they can be more easily stored.
A collar for each dog with an ID tag attached with your emergency contact information
Leashes short and long
Food and Water bowls
Dog rug or blanket
Muzzle
A tie out stake
Waste bags/pooperscooper/deodorizer for accidents
Familiar toys/treats/rawhide or hoof to fight off boredom
Vitamins and/or nutrition supplement (helps with stress)
Food and water, recommended minimum 7 day supply and water with a 5 year shelf life
First Aid kit
Most of us travel with a First aid kit, you may want to have an emergency kit that includes eye wash, Betadine, Peroxide, scissors, gauze and tape, quikstop, tweezers, anti diarrhea medicine, antibiotic cream, Epsom salts, baby wipes, vetwrap, Flea and tick treatments, 7 days worth of prescription meds or normal supplements. Check with your veterinarian for more suggestions.
Now that you have your Emergency kit prepared take a moment and think about how you would get your dogs loaded and evacuated with less than 1 hours notice. How would you leave your property, what are the routes you would need to use to evacuate? Hopefully your emergency kit will never be needed but being prepared can help make an emergency safer and less stressful.
Solstice Kennels 