Solstice Kennels

The year that was

January 7, 2016

2015 has been a weird competition year for Solstice. I love dog shows and showing in the conformation ring has always been my place in the fancy but this year we only ventured into the breed ring twice, once at the big Louisville shows in March and the CWCCA nationals. Having a house full of Champions/Grand Champions is very cool but it also makes you think about what you are going to do on the weekends.

Dog shows for me are very social, I see my dog show friends and family, I hang out with my best Buds and without a reason to go to them I have to re-think the weekends. Lucky for me the dogs never disappoint and there are a lot of other venues to play in and 2015 was a year of discovery.

We started off the year by entering our first Obedience trial. Miss Frosty and I began working on our Beginner Novice title and our first outing had some issues with “stay” we Q’d once and started our journey.

In February Bailey earned her Senior Barnhunt title, becoming the first Cardigan to achieve that title. I was so proud of her!

In March, Frost and I went to the Louisville shows. This show cluster was voted the #1 dog show in the country for the previous year. It was quite the thing. We took a couple of turns around the ring for fun and just enjoyed the show. Additionally in March we had another opportunity for our Beginner Novice title and again Frosty just couldn’t stick the stay but we did manage another Q which was just fine as it set us up nicely to finish our title at the CWCCA nationals the next month.

April was the month for the CWCCA National Specialty Show and we started out trying something new. Lindy and her kids Bailey, Bonnie and Charlie went herding and earned their Herding Instinct Test. They all loved those sheep! Then it was Frosty’s turn back in the Obedience ring and Ta Da! 2 first places and a new title (our first obedience title). PJ also strutted his stuff around in the veteran’s classes. Of course his veteran’s class is chock full of beautiful dogs but as always he made me proud.

As we seem to do we took the summer off, I did some non-doggy thing including a trip to San Francisco and the dogs hung out at home and chased squirrels.

In September we tried another new doggy game, I entered Bailey in the CAT in Chattanooga, TN. The CAT is the Coursing Ability Test which gives non sighthounds the opportunity to chase the lure. I wasn’t sure if she would like it but I figured we could try it out. She was nuts for it! She flew after the lure and got her 1st two Q ribbons. We also went Barnhunting, Bailey started her Master title hunt and Lindy had her 2nd chance in Novice. The Master Rats beat us but Lindy picked her Novice Qs for her RATN title. The NGABHA had a fun day and I took Bailey and Frost out to see the sheep and they both (along with Bonnie and Charlie) should great instinct and interest. Hopefully we will get to herd sometime in the future.

October had a lot of activities and club duties but we did manage to sneak in one more Barnhunt, sadly the Master Rats were still beating Bailey and I but Lindy picked up two Open legs towards her RATO title.

In November I chaired the Atlanta Obedience Club’s November Obedience trial and attended the fall CWCCA BOD meeting which didn’t leave much weekend room for doggy fun but we did make a quick run to Tennessee to run CAT one day and Bailey ran fast and complete CAT title and earned the first 1st Q towards her Advanced title.

December was all about work and RAIN and holidays and I had planned on one more barnhunt opportunity but we just had so much going on that sleep was important so we took the month off.

So that is our year in a nutshell, not a bad one for the Solstice Gang. 2, almost 3 new Barnhunt titles, 1 Obedience title, 1 CAT title and 2 CWCCA Herding Instinct Certificates. But even more importantly, lots of fun with my dogs and my friends which is why I do it in the first place.

In April of 2016 I will rotate off of the CWCCA Board of Directors, I have enjoyed and been proud to serve the National club but 3 terms was enough and this will free my mind for my job as President of the Atlanta Obedience Club and all of the local activities.

There was sadness in 2015 with the loss of Wicca and sweet Henwy. Always in my heart.

So what is in store for 2016? I plan to work on Bailey’s Master Barnhunt title and finish Lindy’s Open title. Frost and I are working on Rally Advanced and Companion Dog titles. Bailey will keep running in CAT as long as she loves it and work on the Advance title. I’m also going to start Bailey in Rally Novice for fun. I’d like to get the girls to a few herding lessons this year and I’d like to start tracking with someone. Oh, and have fun!

Here kitty, kitty, CAT!

November 23, 2015

Bailey has some new letters to add to her name. She completed the requirements to earn her CAT title. The CAT is the Coursing Ability Test.

The Coursing Ability Test (CAT) is an introductory event fashioned after the sport of lure coursing. It tests a dog’s basic coursing instinct or hunting-by-sight ability. The dog chases an artificial lure, and the test is a non-competitive pass/fail event with dogs run one at a time. To pass the test, a dog running alone must pursue a lure, completing the course with enthusiasm and without interruption within a given time.

Bailey is now formally as GCH Solstice Flying Circus, CA, RATS, RATI
This fun…..

CSPN7514 leads to this…….

Which leads to this!

I think she had a good time.

Super September

September 28, 2015

tags: Bailey, Lindy

I know some Cardigans that have been having a lot of fun.

Bailey and I went to our first CAT trial (CAT = Course Ability Test).

She had to excellent runs, she had a ball! Can you tell? She happily earned her first 2 legs of her CA title. We only entered one day so we will be looking for an opportunity to run again.

Then next weekend we went to the North Georgia Herding group’s herding fun day. Bailey and Frost (along with Charlie and Bonnie) had an excellent time with the sheepies.

Of course we haven’t had enough fun so Frosty went with me to work at Atlanta Obedience Club’s agility trial and I entered her in the match after the trial. She hadn’t done agility in at least a year. She had fun and did a great job.

Then we went Barnhuntin, Bailey and I debuted in The Master class and yep, it’s hard and it was Rats 4 – Team Bailey 0. The rats didn’t win everything as momma dog Lindy earned her Novice title with 2 first and a second place runs.

What fun we had in September what does October have in store for us.

Summer Days Slipping Away

September 3, 2015

tags: Bailey, Barn Hunting, Frost, herding

Seems like just yesterday we were waiting for summer to get here and then BOOM it was here and now it is almost gone, it is September already!

Maybe it is from living in the desert all those years or maybe it is just the hot weather in general but the Solstice dogs seem to typically take it easy over the summer and this summer was no different. The dogs spent the summer laying on the deck, chasing squirrels, eating watermelon and just being dogs. They were champions at those activities. We did very little training and most of the gang hasn’t left the place since May. Even our Obedience club took the summer off. I will say that I kept the gang home from some public events because of the Canine Flu/Kennel Cough that has been so prevalent this spring and summer and everyone has had a healthy summer.

But now it is September and I had a phone conversation last night with my good friend Kathy Davis, (Kathy is PJ and Frosty’s co-owner who lives in Arizona) and she asked me about what was going on with us here in the ATL. I realized that for the rest of 2015 is going to be a whirlwind! We have a pretty quiet Labor Day weekend but after that it is on like Donkey Kong.

Next weekend we will be heading up the road a piece to Chattanooga to try our paws at CAT (Coursing Ability Test). I am going to let Bailey give it a try. Here is the description from the AKC http://www.akc.org:

Coursing Ability Test

The weekend after that the North Georgia Herding Breeds Association is having a Herding Fun Day. Bailey and Frost have it marked on their calendar along with Cody and her two kids, Charlie and Bonnie. I’m looking forward to it after I saw how much fun the dogs had when they passed their Herding Instinct Test at the CWCCA Nationals. I hope I learn some new things as well.
We still have one more weekend in September and the will be taken up by Barnhunting! We haven’t been to a hunt since President’s day weekend, Bailey will start her quest for her Master’s title and now that Lindy has learned she can jump onto the bales we are going to try for her Novice title.

If the dog stuff wasn’t enough we have a Book Festival, an Arts & Craft Festival, A Food Truck Day, a trip to the Botanical gardens, training classes start and my club’s agility trial. Whoa! September is going to be BUSY. October is just as packed!

In October the humans have several festivals, including the Cheese Festival, some sporting events, and another club agility trial to work, club meetings, board meetings and a big barnhunt at the end of the month along with some local dog shows that may need attending.

So I guess with this weekend being the unofficial last day of summer, the dogs better chase the squirrels because they are going to be busy doing other things for the next few weeks.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig…….

June 15, 2015

tags: Blue Merle Pembroke Welsh Corgi

There is a new “fashion” trend in the dog world. There are people selling “Blue Merle Pembroke Welsh Corgis” They are marketed as rare and special, guess what folks? They are crossbreds, there is NO SUCH THING as a Blue Merle Pembroke. Don’t get sucked in by a slick sales pitch and pay big bucks for a crossbred dog masquerading as a registered purebred. Ask questions! Know the facts! Don’t fall for the scammers!

Remember you if you put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.

Here is a website that gives you information regarding what is true and what isn’t:

http://www.bluepembrokewelshcorgis.com/

#bluecorgis, #bluemerlecorgi, #bluemerlepembrokecorgi, #bluemerelepembrokewelshcorgi

Do you remember your first time?

June 9, 2015

tags: Frost, Windy

Do you remember your first time? I do, it was magical and special and I was so excited when it happened. Our first points!

Windy and I after winning our first points towards her Championship

I have been involved with showing dogs for over 20 years but I still remember when my beautiful Windy was awarded her first points. I was so proud and excited!

It is fun to remember the first time. I remember Windy and her first points, Windy as my first Champion, Stoney my first Agility titled dog, Wicca my first at winning a National event, Luna the first Champion to carry the Solstice kennel name, Lindy my first Cardigan Champion, Evie my first Mexican Champion, PJ my first Rally titled dog and UKC Champion, Frost my first Grand Champion and Group placer, Bailey my first Breeder/Owner/Handler Champion and Barnhunt titled dog and my newest first………..drumroll please……Frost my first Obedience titled dog.

I think you can tell by the smile on my face that I was pretty proud and excited. I hope that I can always remember to be excited when something is accomplished, that it never becomes just the same old thing and that each ribbon or title certificate brings a bit of joy, for if it doesn’t why am I still doing it?

My “war” cry…….. REMEMBER THE JOY!

Summer days

June 8, 2015

tags: Bailey, Frost, Lindy

We are less than two weeks from the Summer Solstice and the official start of Summer but the Solstice gang has already kicked it off here in North Georgia with our first Watermelon Sunday.

So what are we doing this summer? Hmmmm, well for one Bailey and I are going to start our run at the Barnhunt Master title and Lindy’s Novice title. Frost and I are going to keep working on our obedience team work so maybe later in the summer we will be ready to do some off leash work.

I am looking at doing some shows in other venues like UKC and ICE. I am jonesing for a puppy so maybe if I get Frost and Bailey out in the classes again I can stave off some of the puppy fever I have developed.

One other thing I am considering is a few herding lessons, the kids had such a good time at the CWCCA Herding Instinct test that I’d like to see what they could do with some training. Of course as always my dogs biggest obstacle is their handler.

Of course in August I’m heading out on my yearly trip to Northern California. This year I have plans to spend a little time in the bay area. I am so close every year but don’t take the time. This year I’m giving myself a little vacation while in California for the Richmond Dog Fancier shows. Excited.

Of course in between this and that I plan as always to enjoy the farmer’s markets, festivals, club activities and things Atlanta throughout the season.

What are your summer plans?

2015 CWCCA Nationals memories

May 19, 2015

tags: Bailey, Frost, Lindy, PJ

Here are some memories from our CWCCA Nationals experience. We started by having Lindy and Bailey herding instinct tested during the CWCCA Herding trials (Charlie and Bonnie were tested too). As you can tell both girls (as well as Charlie and Bonnie) think they were born to do this! Wait they were born to do this, I am thinking some herding lessons might be in our future.

Get them sheep

Frosty did me proud and STAYED during her Beginner Novice runs and did a good job earning not only her title but also 1st place in both trials.

Are you ready? Yes, she was!

Proud but blurry! Looking forward to the official photo.

Frosty’s swag, I’m super proud of my girl

Here are some blurry cell phone shots of my main man PJ in his Veteran Sweeps class with me and with a very talented young handler Mackenzie Mann showing in the regular Veteran Classes. Mac made him look beautiful and I thank her very much for offering to take him into the ring. He looked wonderful under your magic Mac hands!

Mac Mann making PJ look great!

Mr. Smiley PJ strutting his stuff

Hey! Check me out!

It was a great nationals week and I had a great time connecting with both old and new friends. It was fun introducing Cody to her first Nationals, I hope she had fun. We closed out our Nationals by spending time with Kathy Davis and Sharon Young in Atlanta prior to their flights back the Arizona and Alaska. Sharon and I got to take a quick trip over to Stone Mountain Park for lake walk so Banner got to close out the nationals vacation as the host dog. The secret lives of showdogs.

Banner and Gabby Kat hanging at the lake at Stone Mt.

Remembering Teddy-Henwy

April 29, 2015

tags: Henry

Last week was very traumatic for me. It is still so very easy to cry. It is hard to lose our doggy kids and losing one is heartbreaking but losing two in the same week is world rocking.

Once a dog comes into my home regardless of how long they live with me they are always a part of my family. Puppies placed with new families, older dogs retired and placed with their forever families are still part of my family. I celebrate their joys and successes and when they leave us my heartbreaks too along with their families.

Wicca’s loss hit hard but it was compounded by news that the day before a very special boy also left us for the Rainbow Bridge.

Henry was a beautiful puppy that I purchased from Harrison’s of Winbucks Cardigans, a wonderful pedigree and he was a puppy with lots of potential. Sadly for me he didn’t quite grow into his potential and I decided to find him a forever family to live a wonderful companion life. Along came the Huffman family, they had already lived with Frosty’s sister Phoebe and I was thrilled that Henry would have such a fabulous home.

It was luck for Henry he lived with the Huffman’s since around 5 years ago he suffered a disk issue and they were able to get him to rehab, something that was not available to me. Sadly it was this same issue which led to his loss. I am forever thankful that he had such a great retirement home. Whenever you place a dog your one hope is that the home is even better than yours. It sure worked that way for Henry.

Henry was a very soft and sweet boy which is why I always called him Henwy and his family had a previously well loved Henry so Henry became Teddy or Teddy Henry or just TH.

He was a sweet boy and he will be missed.

Teddy Henry

Winbucks A Means to Fly

10/11/2005 – 4/21/2015