Been doing a lot of talking to friends this weekend, especially since they are playing at the shows while I stay home. Happy to report that Ruff Ruff took breed yesterday down in MO and then CM got a Group 3! Nothing else other then Rosario was in the house and his mother got banned from ringside this morning. To which I must congratulate the winners today-Nancy and her open bitch took BOB over the specials. She is a very nice bitch but I do have to make a comment and this is in no way a bash on Nancy's dog, but on something that most people know I have an issue with overall in the breed-size.
Let's get one thing out in the open-this is my blog, my right to have an opinion, just as much as everyone else has a right to voice their own-I do believe that's called freedom of speech.
Now to the thorn in my side. The cardigan standard! It states in the AKC standard-"General Impression-A handsome, powerful, small dog, capable of both speed and endurance, intelligent, sturdily built but not coarse. " Ideally, dogs should be from 30 to 38 pounds; bitches from 25 to 34 pounds. Lack of overall balance, oversized or undersized are serious faults. "
Here's where I have the issue-a small dog, 30-38lbs? I will be honest, I have two large dogs in my house. Moose is 41lbs and 13inches, his sister Abbey is roughly the same. BUT when I walked Moose out into the BOB ring at the National Specialty, he looked normal!!! I don't showing him as a special often as it goes against my interpetation of the standard, but did so this time to prove a point. Will I never use him or Abbey in breeding, no, but will only breed to a more moderate dog or bitch and only keep them ore moderate offspring.
My poor Russ is 36lbs, little over 11 inches, well within the standard and constantly penalized as not being big enough or having enough bone. Poor Music is at the bottom end of the bitches and even though being more correct then most out there, never gets a second look. If we are going to point fingers at the coats of some dogs, the heads, and the bone, which all have serious faults associated with them, why are we not doing the same with size?? Shame on you who feel bigger is always better then correctness. Shame on those "responsible" breeders who brag about testing and what not, yet show oversized dogs!
And on that note, before I leave to teach a class, here's my take on another thing going on in the world of dogs. Responsiblity.
A responsible breeder fputs aside personal agendas and for the sake of the dogs they produce, keep all parties fully informed of the health of their dogs. This is not posting it on a blog or hiding it deep in a website, but calling, emailing or writting a snail mail letter to those concerned.
This goes for those that use those breeder's stud dogs, or lease a bitch from them or that might use an outside stud dog in their breeding program. If you produce or even own a dog, you need to keep the lines of communication open.
How responsible are you if you let your personal agendas get in the way? How responsible and what good is all the broohahah about testing do, if you keep those with your bloodlines in the dark about the simplest thing, that in fact has a great deal of impact on them and the choices them make for the dogs they love?
Full disclosure is the only responsible way. Ever play the game telephone? Word of mouth is more damaging and misleading then getting the full story direct from the source.
Shame on those breeders who taunt being responsilbe, who post about their testing but can't put aside a personal agenda, feeling more of the need to hurt others and the dogs they love, by not being open and honest and not going direct to those that could be affected most.
For me-I have a yahoo group for any one who owns a dog I bred, owns a dog I once owned or owns a dog that comes from my bloodlines. You are invited to join and we all have a place to share information. I email, I call, I write everyone when I can and more importantly, if there is something that comes up that might affect you or decisions you make with your dogs in anyway, I let you know, regardless of what kind of relationship we might have-good, bad or ugly.
So off my rambling and on to bigger and better things-teaching some kids about the wonderful world of dog ownership and training!
Later gators...
C
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Put the pressure on me, why don't ya!
After a day of obedience classes, running errands(Meredith seems to have outgrown not only her show clothes but her horse show clothes too), then the rain and well, I didn't get the painting done and dropped into the easy chair. As I drifted off to take a nap, I realized I still had some day light to take a few photos. So here ya go!
Turkeys and their partners the Pekins. Then some photos of the rest of the group. Sarah is sitting on about 10 eggs, so hoping that they are fertile and we get ducklings-she's been pretty good about brooding them. Last but not least for those with puppyitis, some of the crew. A big puppy pile because Mom just left to go out and as their bellies attest to, they can't waddle very far. The puppy on his back is the brindle male. We are lovingly calling him Grandpa as he has the same laid back personality as his Grandpa Fred. Enjoy!!
Later gators....
C
Friday, June 5, 2009
One of those days??
Ever have one of "those" mornings? Usually followed by one of "those" days?
Yeap, woke up with a headache-gotta be some sort of front moving in, after two aleve, still not kicking it. So the morning starts with a headache and goes from there.
I get out of bed and find my clothes.
I get my slacks, find socks-cool orangey peachy ones and go looking for the shirt that kind of matches.
Stop, watch puppies.
Oops, gotta get paperwork for Alec for this weekend.
Back to bathroom, now what was I doing, as I stop and watch puppies again. Oh yeah, shirt.
Downstairs to the laundry that I haven't put away or folded(still catching up on the whole broken dryer from last week). Start looking and realize that shirt was in the washer.
Okay, plan B-green shirt and cardigan denim shirt.
Back upstairs, plug in curling iron and stare at puppies some more.
Go pick up puppies for some cuddling.
Wait, what time is it?? Ugh, late!!!
Curl hair while watching puppies.
Now, where were those socks??
Look at clock, big UGH!
Out to the kitchen, start tea pot.
Back to bathroom, shut off curling iron, lights, look at puppies one more time.
Go get socks and realize that orangey socks, khakis, green shirt and denim shirt, really don't go together.
Look at clock one more time and oh well, feet are under the desk most of the day, no one will notice.
Make tea, drip it out of no spill cup as I go out the door.
Get to truck, sit, no keys.......
I managed to make it into work on time, though construction on the Hwy, reminder to self, take back roads home.
Unfortunately, I think the day has a lot of improving to do if I'm going to survive!
Hope everyone has a great weekend if I don't make it to post before the end of the day. Alec's going dog showing without me and I have a new obedience class starting up tomorrow, then holding a clinic for a neighboring county. Inbetween, painting, cleaning, weeding and if the rain holds off, riding a little.
Oh and looking at puppies ;0)
Later gators....
C
Yeap, woke up with a headache-gotta be some sort of front moving in, after two aleve, still not kicking it. So the morning starts with a headache and goes from there.
I get out of bed and find my clothes.
I get my slacks, find socks-cool orangey peachy ones and go looking for the shirt that kind of matches.
Stop, watch puppies.
Oops, gotta get paperwork for Alec for this weekend.
Back to bathroom, now what was I doing, as I stop and watch puppies again. Oh yeah, shirt.
Downstairs to the laundry that I haven't put away or folded(still catching up on the whole broken dryer from last week). Start looking and realize that shirt was in the washer.
Okay, plan B-green shirt and cardigan denim shirt.
Back upstairs, plug in curling iron and stare at puppies some more.
Go pick up puppies for some cuddling.
Wait, what time is it?? Ugh, late!!!
Curl hair while watching puppies.
Now, where were those socks??
Look at clock, big UGH!
Out to the kitchen, start tea pot.
Back to bathroom, shut off curling iron, lights, look at puppies one more time.
Go get socks and realize that orangey socks, khakis, green shirt and denim shirt, really don't go together.
Look at clock one more time and oh well, feet are under the desk most of the day, no one will notice.
Make tea, drip it out of no spill cup as I go out the door.
Get to truck, sit, no keys.......
I managed to make it into work on time, though construction on the Hwy, reminder to self, take back roads home.
Unfortunately, I think the day has a lot of improving to do if I'm going to survive!
Hope everyone has a great weekend if I don't make it to post before the end of the day. Alec's going dog showing without me and I have a new obedience class starting up tomorrow, then holding a clinic for a neighboring county. Inbetween, painting, cleaning, weeding and if the rain holds off, riding a little.
Oh and looking at puppies ;0)
Later gators....
C
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Imprinting
I promise photos added tonight but had to relate this very cute story about some really stupid birds.
As you know, Alec got two turkeys for his state fair project. They are bronze or American Broad Breasted Bronze. Goes along with our whole heritage theme as these were the first commerical type turkeys produced back in the 1930's from the original (unimproved) bronze birds that came in with settlers. But I digress.
Remember those photos of what the heck are these back in April? The two poults brooded down in his room/basement for about 4 weeks before being moved to the larger brooder in the garage. This happened when he was cleaning the cage one day and turned around to see one of them sitting on the top of the waterer, looking around the basement. If they can get up there and over the sides of the brooder, they were big enough to go out in the garage. Joining them a few days later were the pekins we took in from the school.
At this point they are very easy to handle but honestly, stupid stupid birds. They ran into the walls, each other, the waterer and yes, they started acting like ducks and play in the water.
Weather got nice the first part of May and they went outside in a smaller pen in the large duck yard. Once the adult ducks got used to them, we let the pekins and turkeys loose with the adults. No biggy right, well the dog yard is adjacent to the duck yard and the dogs love nothing more then harassing the ducks and Commander Cody loves nothing more then tempting fate and harassing the dogs. The noise is unreal at times.
We go out in the yard and the turkeys are the first up to us, you literally step on them as they are underfoot, pecking at your jeans, legs, shoes, or if you happen to be crouched down or bent over, yes your butt. They are known to jump in the wading pool and splash around-at midnight. But the best is yet to come.
As noted above, the backyard dog yard is only seperated from the duck yard by wire. We are adding some solid fencing this summer to solve the next issue. Yes the turkeys are imprinted on us--not a bad idea as they will be easier to handle at the shows, but now, they are imprinted on the dogs. A good way to risk getting eaten by a dog if I do say so. The dogs run the fence barking and the turkeys run the fence. Dogs stop, turkeys stop. Dogs move, turkeys move. Dogs rest, turkeys rest on the other side of the fence. It's unreal! I take Moose out to move ducks and turkeys come right up to him - he of course looks at me like what the hell??? They have no fear of the dogs and seem to think the whole barking and running thing is what turkeys do-well not the barking but they do talk a lot to the dogs.
Photos tonight if I get home and there's a enough light. It's our entertainment each evening-we are easily amused at times. Now it's a betting game--which turkey will be stupid enough to get too close to the fence or even stick their head through? Forgot, we did name them, I know, a no no, but fitting names none the less--Thanksgiving and Turkey Jerky! Befitting considering their fate this fall ;0)
Later gator......
C
As you know, Alec got two turkeys for his state fair project. They are bronze or American Broad Breasted Bronze. Goes along with our whole heritage theme as these were the first commerical type turkeys produced back in the 1930's from the original (unimproved) bronze birds that came in with settlers. But I digress.
Remember those photos of what the heck are these back in April? The two poults brooded down in his room/basement for about 4 weeks before being moved to the larger brooder in the garage. This happened when he was cleaning the cage one day and turned around to see one of them sitting on the top of the waterer, looking around the basement. If they can get up there and over the sides of the brooder, they were big enough to go out in the garage. Joining them a few days later were the pekins we took in from the school.
At this point they are very easy to handle but honestly, stupid stupid birds. They ran into the walls, each other, the waterer and yes, they started acting like ducks and play in the water.
Weather got nice the first part of May and they went outside in a smaller pen in the large duck yard. Once the adult ducks got used to them, we let the pekins and turkeys loose with the adults. No biggy right, well the dog yard is adjacent to the duck yard and the dogs love nothing more then harassing the ducks and Commander Cody loves nothing more then tempting fate and harassing the dogs. The noise is unreal at times.
We go out in the yard and the turkeys are the first up to us, you literally step on them as they are underfoot, pecking at your jeans, legs, shoes, or if you happen to be crouched down or bent over, yes your butt. They are known to jump in the wading pool and splash around-at midnight. But the best is yet to come.
As noted above, the backyard dog yard is only seperated from the duck yard by wire. We are adding some solid fencing this summer to solve the next issue. Yes the turkeys are imprinted on us--not a bad idea as they will be easier to handle at the shows, but now, they are imprinted on the dogs. A good way to risk getting eaten by a dog if I do say so. The dogs run the fence barking and the turkeys run the fence. Dogs stop, turkeys stop. Dogs move, turkeys move. Dogs rest, turkeys rest on the other side of the fence. It's unreal! I take Moose out to move ducks and turkeys come right up to him - he of course looks at me like what the hell??? They have no fear of the dogs and seem to think the whole barking and running thing is what turkeys do-well not the barking but they do talk a lot to the dogs.
Photos tonight if I get home and there's a enough light. It's our entertainment each evening-we are easily amused at times. Now it's a betting game--which turkey will be stupid enough to get too close to the fence or even stick their head through? Forgot, we did name them, I know, a no no, but fitting names none the less--Thanksgiving and Turkey Jerky! Befitting considering their fate this fall ;0)
Later gator......
C
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
plans
Taking a note from Dawn over at Daybreake, I'm going to start writing down my goals for my dogs. I seem to remember this as something I learned in 4-H, way too many moons ago. Every year at the beginning of our project we are supposed to write down our goals for the year. Every year, I did them at the end of the year when I was finishing my record book and turning it in for awards ;0) Wasn't until I started doing my FFA records during high school that I really buckled down and did it in ernst.
So here it is:
Moose-get his CD and CDX by the end of the year. What do I need to do right now? He's perfecting his on leash heel as his off leash is now awesome. Gotten slack on the on leash stuff. Little more work on recalls as we have been working on drops at class and need to go back to straight recalls. Dumbbell work is progressing-now need to work on the go out. Jumps-once he quits being lazy and dropping his tail, he's doing great on both. Hum, what else? Figure 8's are awesome after learning a new game to play while training with that exercise. Attainable? Yeap, just gotta buckle down and do it! I also need to find the shows to do it at. That might make is a little harder to get done.
Frankie-get his RN by February. CH first, then RN. He's got is sitter back-it was busted for awhile, but his downer is good. Now we need a stay-not there yet.
Eddie-I don't even want to think about that one yet, but yes, looking at his CD-short and simple, working on off leash attention. Then worry about everything else. I don't see that happening till late next year-he's always a work in progress and we do a lot of back tracking. Remember, everyone calls him the s l o w blue dog and there are days I agree.
Abbey-RN. She's got a good down, but stay and sit are far from ready. That's the biggest thing we need to work on, but I might put Alec to work on that one.
Lots of work to do and if I can quit watching those cute little puppies for a little bit each night, then it might happen. But writing it down helps me to remember what to do.
Oh, bugger---forgot the horses! Phoenix needs some major rail time as well as Glory. The goal with the big horse is to have her ready for the riding class at the Draft Show at State Fair in August. This should be interesting ;0)
Later gators....
C
So here it is:
Moose-get his CD and CDX by the end of the year. What do I need to do right now? He's perfecting his on leash heel as his off leash is now awesome. Gotten slack on the on leash stuff. Little more work on recalls as we have been working on drops at class and need to go back to straight recalls. Dumbbell work is progressing-now need to work on the go out. Jumps-once he quits being lazy and dropping his tail, he's doing great on both. Hum, what else? Figure 8's are awesome after learning a new game to play while training with that exercise. Attainable? Yeap, just gotta buckle down and do it! I also need to find the shows to do it at. That might make is a little harder to get done.
Frankie-get his RN by February. CH first, then RN. He's got is sitter back-it was busted for awhile, but his downer is good. Now we need a stay-not there yet.
Eddie-I don't even want to think about that one yet, but yes, looking at his CD-short and simple, working on off leash attention. Then worry about everything else. I don't see that happening till late next year-he's always a work in progress and we do a lot of back tracking. Remember, everyone calls him the s l o w blue dog and there are days I agree.
Abbey-RN. She's got a good down, but stay and sit are far from ready. That's the biggest thing we need to work on, but I might put Alec to work on that one.
Lots of work to do and if I can quit watching those cute little puppies for a little bit each night, then it might happen. But writing it down helps me to remember what to do.
Oh, bugger---forgot the horses! Phoenix needs some major rail time as well as Glory. The goal with the big horse is to have her ready for the riding class at the Draft Show at State Fair in August. This should be interesting ;0)
Later gators....
C
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
What a pain
I've been battling AKC and Onofrio for about 3 weeks now as results as posted, for the last show are incorrect in juniors. Thank goodness for honest kind people. The mom of one of the other juniors that did not win, called me yesterday and said did you know....? After a long conversation to which she said she had contacted both the AKC and Onofrio, she said she's helping out as it's the right thing to do. I didn't even contact her about this!
So my rant and rave about honesty, common courtesy and manners, I guess there are genuine people still out there. She had said, you know, my kid didn't win that day but it's not fair that they can't get it correct to show that your daughter did win. Two years ago I did the same thing. One of the kids in the class was excused when her nasty dog turned and attacked another dog in the ring. The dog that was attacked--was marked excused and he actually got 2nd in the class. That only took 2 weeks to get resolved. This time, I've about had it.
Seems the book was marked kind of wonky and now the judge is not returning correspondence from both the AKC or Onofrio on this matter. They(AKC and Onofrio) have to talk to her now to get confirmation on the results. So now I have a picture of the ribbon and dog to forward. Wouldn't you know that this was the one show where the Ms said-I'm tired, skip the photo, let's go home. Next step is pulling in the show chair and talking to them, then the AKC rep at the show. One of the other juniors has been contacted and they are helping out now too.
Why can't things be simple?? But at least I can vouche for genuinely honest people who know right from wrong and are willing to step up to a task with out being asked. Thank you!!!!
Later gators....
C
So my rant and rave about honesty, common courtesy and manners, I guess there are genuine people still out there. She had said, you know, my kid didn't win that day but it's not fair that they can't get it correct to show that your daughter did win. Two years ago I did the same thing. One of the kids in the class was excused when her nasty dog turned and attacked another dog in the ring. The dog that was attacked--was marked excused and he actually got 2nd in the class. That only took 2 weeks to get resolved. This time, I've about had it.
Seems the book was marked kind of wonky and now the judge is not returning correspondence from both the AKC or Onofrio on this matter. They(AKC and Onofrio) have to talk to her now to get confirmation on the results. So now I have a picture of the ribbon and dog to forward. Wouldn't you know that this was the one show where the Ms said-I'm tired, skip the photo, let's go home. Next step is pulling in the show chair and talking to them, then the AKC rep at the show. One of the other juniors has been contacted and they are helping out now too.
Why can't things be simple?? But at least I can vouche for genuinely honest people who know right from wrong and are willing to step up to a task with out being asked. Thank you!!!!
Later gators....
C
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thanks Laura!!! This blog award was sent from Laura over at Cooper Creek Cardigans and My Favorite People Are Dogs blog. She's had a little bit of a hard time the last couple of weeks and it's great to see her smile. Rule is: forward this on to ten other people/blogs--as in spread the happiness! And since Laura hit everyone on her blog which is most of the people on mine, well I only have a few others to add----
Annie's Blog http://annielul.blogspot.com/
Russ and Crew http://cardicorgicapers.blogspot.com/
Murphy, Porter & Colleen http://portermurphy.blogspot.com/
Winjammin' http://winjammin.blogspot.com/
Garrett http://ebonwald.blogspot.com/ or http://ramsayfarms.blogspot.com/
Dawn http://daybreakedogs.blogspot.com/
Ferris & Joann http://beaguile.blogspot.com/
Almost have ten there but like I said, Laura hit her whole blog list, so most everyone's already got one.
Hugs for the day--it's only Monday and I forsee a long long week-ugh.
Later gators.....
C
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