Specialty News!

Metropolitan Atlanta Shih Tzu Club
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Best Puppy In Show
WoTeH'sin S'Dandi's Black Tie-N-Tails
Bred By: Yours truly :)
Owned By: Sally Watkeys

Picture to come!

GADS I'M THRILLED!!!

Our breed has lost a legend

I got the word on Friday from Joan that her lovely boy Max was gone. Max grew up and lived as a pet his entire life, but with an unbelievable desire to show. He spent his days running the house and yard, playing with toys and reminding Joan it was time for dinner everyday at 3pm even though dinner wouldn't be served for another couple of hours. It was just his way. He loved his momma's home cookin'.

Fanciers will always remember Max as one of the greats. His movement was flawless - he was the typiest black Shih Tzu out there.

He was still in coat and showing as recently as 2004, taking BOS at our National Specialty after taking breed both days before at the independent speciaties. I wish I could have been there. Joan and Tom were so proud. I can remember Joan's calls recapping the days. She was so excited and proud of her boy's latest accomplishments. We joked after she cut him down that she should grow him out again to show him this year. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. Even at the ripe old age of 15, Max was still playing with toys and loving life. Until last Thursday night.

To my friends Joan and Tom McGee - my heart goes out to you. I know what Max will always mean to you. He truly will be missed.

Solo is flying high!

If you've read through this blog, you will remember a little black & white boy born last August that I called Solo. He was a singleton puppy who grew up here fearing nothing. He began playing with the "big dogs" at 6 weeks of age. He was fully confident when he flew to Michigan last November with me to his new home at S'Dandi Shih Tzu. And Solo is now known as "Tuxedo" - officially WoTeH'sin S'Dandi's Black Tie-N-Tails.

Before he flew to Michigan he went to work with me one day and he was officially nick named "Killer" by one of the guys at the office. This puppy was havin' a ball being the center of everyone's attention during my workday. He spent the day being held and coddled by complete strangers, wagging his tail every step of the way. I knew then that he would be fine leaving the nest.

So off we flew Thanksgiving morning, and not a peep out of this puppy during the entire trip. We got to Michigan and within a few hours, this wonderpuppy was running Sally's kitchen with her crew - all complete strangers to him. And he didn't miss a beat. His tail and head held high, little Solo ran the kitchen, played with toys and started making friends with the other puppies, show kids and old timers of S'Dandi.

Sally kept saying how much she liked this puppy she now called Tuxedo. I was simply grateful he had a wonderful show home - hoping he would indeed be show worthy once he got old enough. I saw him again in January when I flew out to pick up Garnet. Tuxedo was just one of the gang and he didn't even give me a second glance. I watched him strut around thinking he had really nice movement. I was still in love with his headpiece, his topline and tail set too.

At the ripe old age of 6 months and one day, Tuxedo went Winner's Dog in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, and got a single point. It ended up he actually got another point due to an error in entry of another dog in his first show the day before - hey we'll take it! And not to be outdone, the following weekend, at 6 months and 11 days old, Tuxedo went Best of Winners for his first major! Four point major to boot! Gads - was I thrilled! This lovely puppy had 6 points before his 7th month of life was complete!

Pictured above is WoTeH'sin S'Dandi's Black Tie-N-Tails

Our new little girl

I am happy to introduce the newest addition to our household! Little Garnet is shaking things up around here! She is quite a dynamic puppy and I have great hopes for her future here. Garnet's mother is Aurora - S'Dandi's Lite Up the Nite and Garnet's father is my first homebred champion Cole who is a Tojo Midnight Max son. Max of course is a legacy within himself, so talk about heritage! Garnet's great grandmother is my first ever champion Booty, who is still, and will always be, very special to me.

I have to thank Sally and Richard Watkeys for allowing Garnet to come West. I have wanted a solid red girl for some time and this little wonder was worth the wait!

As a tribute to my baby girl Crystal, taken from me by cancer last November, Garnet will officially be known as S'Dandi's Crimson Crystal Of WoTeH'sin. In many ways Garnet reminds me of Crystal, only with a red dress on. Garnet is feisty and spirited like Crystal was as a baby, and Garnet is a big kissin' girl like Crystal. I miss Crystal with all my heart and sometimes I think she's come back just a little darker and, if possible, in a more mischievous persona. Garnet has come to me at a time in my life when I needed a puppy to keep my heart from completely breaking in two.

Thank you Sally - this girl is very special.

I Am Officially A Snob

I will not ever sell a Shih Tzu to someone I don't know with full breeding rights. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if I do know you, expect co-ownership. There is only one exception to this rule and if you don't know it's you - it ISN'T.

If I say anything else, I'll get myself in trouble.

Pictured above is WoTeH'sin Want U T'No Who I Am - "Iris"

Magic Man

I took Magic to Tucson last weekend for the IABCA Winter Seiger. It was a tiring trip, and cold, but well worth it.

The thing I like about the IABCA shows are the written critiques as well as the one on one time you get with each judge to go over the dog. In three shows you can complete an International title. I know of folks that have to keep going back to finish a dog, but I've been successful now twice in finishing dogs in consecutive shows.

My latest is International Champion WoTeH'sin Smoke and Mirrors - AKA "Magic".

Magic is a sweet little boy. He's a bit shy at first but he comes out of his shell quickly now. When I first started to show him earlier this year, he wouldn't walk. He'd put a few steps together but that's it. And each judge, patient as they were, told me they liked my dog but I had to get him to walk. And walk he eventually did - gathering four points in Traverse City last June. Since then he's been home, running the house, chasing the others around and being a dog. I expect to eventually finish him in AKC competition, but his sister Holly has to finish first. My checkbook can only handle so much. So in the mean time, Magic got his International championship and he'll run around some more until I decide to enter him in some shows here in the spring.

Pictured above is International Champion WoTeH'sin Smoke And Mirrors

My extended family

I've been blessed the past couple of weeks because I have received emails from a few past puppy buyers. The best part about these emails - besides the parts that say they adore their dogs and they are the best puppies one could have ever hoped for - the best part would be the pictures.

I was also at a dog show in Tucson this past weekend and I got to see a couple of past buyers who came to the show to see me and Magic. What a wonderful surprise! They raved about their puppy Zoey! We had a nice chat and I am so blessed that one of my kids is now their kid! Zoey is so loved! She is the light of her momma and daddy's life! And I feel so lucky to have my little one in their care - she is so loved and wanted!

Pictured above is Zoey Mallick of Oro Valley, AZ