Champion Velvet

Last fall when I started to slipped into chronic pain, I had a little girl in coat who had three points.  As my ability to sit for long periods of time diminished, I was only able to brush this girl for shorter and shorter periods of time.  Couple that with the fact that she wasn't exactly a "coat factory", well I was ready to cut her down.  I called Greg and asked if he wanted to take Velvet, and I warned him that her coat was in terrible shape. 

I always tell Greg when I send him a dog to be honest with me when he gets the dog and he does his evaluation.  If the dog isn't worthy, I'd rather the dog come home than be an embarrassment to both of us.  I stressed that this time.  If he found her to be structurally sound, I told him to sit her out for a long period of time to grow coat.  I expected the worst.

Greg entered Velvet for shows immediately. 

And so Velvet's show career began . . . with winning.

I had second hand reports from people who knew others that saw her.  Velvet's coat was in bad shape they would say.  I always stressed to anyone with whom I discussed Velvet, that her coat condition was thanks to ME and MY inability to care for it.  Greg did a fabulous job with what he had. 

It didn't hurt that Velvet loved to go into the ring and wag her tail at everyone that would look at her.  Someone told me Velvet was a big flirt with the judges.  That made me laugh because I remembered her first weekend I took her into the ring.  She WAS a flirt.

Once she singled out, again I asked Greg if he wanted to sit her out to grow some more coat before attempting majors.  He said no.  The next weekend that he showed her, I almost wrecked my car when he sent me a text telling me Velvet got a 4 point major.

 The following weekend Velvet finished with her second 4 point major.

During one of our last phone conversations, Greg said to me "Imagine how well she would have done with hair!"  I can't imagine because she won almost every weekend she was on a lead with Greg.  I think the only weekend Velvet didn't get a point was during their two days in Chicago.  How on earth could I be disappointed with that??

Velvet is my 10th overall champion, my 8th home bred champion, her mother Violet's 4th champion kid and her father Magic's 2nd champion kid.

I am blessed.

Thank you Greg for your hard work, the magic you work with a brush and comb as well the kindness you show my dogs in your care.  You continue to do the impossible.  You have no idea how grateful I am for all you have done with my dogs over the past few years.

Good Things Come To Those That Wait

Today is a good day!  :)  

 

That is all!  Carry on!

Cute Overload

Two Weeks Old

More Playtime With Mom

Chester is now 11 weeks old.  He is a typical 11 week old singleton puppy.  He adores his momma and he loves to play!

 



AKC Breeder Of Merit - REALLY???

Anyone can swipe graphics from websites.  It really isn't that difficult to do.  So if someone uses a logo showing themselves as an AKC Breeder Of Merit - don't just make the assumtion that they truly have applied and been accepted into the program sponsored by the American Kennel Club.

Here are the requirements to be a member of this elite group:

Requirements

• Has a history of at least 5 years involvement with AKC events.
• Earned at least 4 Conformation, Performance or Companion event titles on dogs they bred/co-bred.
• Member of an AKC club.
• Certifies that applicable health screens are performed on your breeding stock as recommended by the Parent Club.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ensuring 100% of the puppies produced are AKC registered.

There is a place on AKC's website where you can actually check if a breeder has been awarded the distinction of being a breeder of merit.  Here is the link: 

 

http://www.akc.org/breederofmerit/breederofmerit_list.cfm

And finally - when you receive your puppy's registration - there will be proof one is an actual Breeder Of Merit:

 

Do your homework!  If a breeder advertises that they are a Breeder Of Merit then search for them on AKC's website.  Ask to see proof of their AKC titles on dogs they have bred or co-bred.  Ask what AKC club in which they are a member and contact that club to verify membership.  Ask to see health screen results. 

 

If you wait to receive your AKC registration and find at that point that the breeder in question is NOT a Breeder Of Merit - likely it's too late to do anything about the situation.  If you care about the integrity and honesty of the breeder you select, don't just believe they are telling you the truth.  Have them produce the proof.

 

I'll be reporting the "breeder" I found falsely sporting the Breeder Of Merit logo on their website.  How dare you lie about your credentials!  Some people will do anything to make you believe they are a responsible breeder when all they really are is a small scale puppy mill.

Playtime!

Here is Sabrina and her little boy Chester who is totally in love with his Aunt Samantha!  Chester will be going to his forever home the first week of April.  He is a lover of a puppy!  And he adores playing with Sam.

Enjoy!