Updates here at Pawcific!

Last week we made a point to have a family photo session of dogs that we needed updated pictures of. It was a nice day, although cold and windy! I am hoping that I can get some more pictures of my crew in the near future but we are in the middle of another rainy spell, so it will have to wait until things clear up again!

First off is Fraser, my sable male. I can't believe he will be two in May already. He is a stunning boy, just needs more time to fill out and mature. Sadly, I am offering him up for sale as my breeding program in Cardigans is coming to an end for the time being. I love breeding the Cardigans but need a break from it to concentrate on other things in life. I have more information about him on my website, but if you would like to inquire about him, please email me at emluv2sing @ aol . com (without spaces).

Might I add that his black overlay is coming back now with his mature coat. He is going through a huge shed right now and is totally ungroomed in these photos. I wanted him to look as naturally himself as possible!

Next updated shots is of Pocahontas or Poca (for short). She is 11 weeks in these photos. As with any photos of her, she is very quick to do other things so it is extremely hard to get her to stay still!

Next update is Nola...she has just been spayed, so no more puppies for her. Instead she gets to go to a great retirement home in Portland. Before she left, I decided I better get an updated shot of her, even though she hardly has any coat (after puppies mothers shed out their coat completely, it's the most bald they will ever be!). Here it is!

Then we move to the Border Collies. First off is Dasher, the handsome Kahnel x Lucy son we kept from that exciting litter. He has been shown as a puppy a few times (with some prestigious wins to his credit already!), but Jenny has been concentrating on more performance training while he matures. He has two legs towards his Rally Novice title, only needs one more to earn that title. Then he also has his STDs title in ASCA herding. More herding titles will be coming soon! He is an amazing herding dog with tons of potential, lots of power and eye with the finesse his mother Lucy has. I am very proud to have bred and own him with Jenny (my sister) and Kathy (my mom). He turned two this winter and he now has all of his health clearances.

Next Border Collie is Dazzle! She is the Sparky/Dolly puppy I kept from that litter. She just turned two as well and after passing her health clearances we look forward to breeding her this Spring/Summer. After her litter, she will then get back to intense training in herding and back in the ring to finish her Championship.

Finally, you cannot forget about my wonderful phalene, Walker. Walker has been on vacation with Mary Jo Loye for the past few months. She kindly offered to show him in her area for us and finished his CH in 8 shows! He is now CH La Ren Moon Walker. Thank you to his breeder/co-owner Janis McLaren for trusting me with this special boy. He is back home and being totally spoiled. He will be making a few appearances in the ring locally and we get to watch his first litter of puppies grow up!

Bye 2010 - here we come 2011!

Happy New Year!

I thought it was time for another post. This one is mainly a post about all the wonderful things that happened in 2010 and what we at Pawcific South are getting ready for in 2011! Yes, lots of things happening and changing as usual...

First off my life in 2010...

As many of you know this past year I went through a great change in my career. At the beginning of 2010, I retired from being a professional dog handler. I still miss some of my amazing cliental and wish them all lots of winning in the future!! In March, I started the process of becoming an AKC judge. It is quite a process as many who have done it will attest, but in August I was granted provisional status for Cardigans, Border Collies, and Junior Showmanship.
In the judging realm, a highlight of 2010 was judging the WA state 4-H fair in Sept. Two weeks of judging many kids in both showmanship and obedience was rewarding and tiring at the same time. I was really pleased with my picks though and enjoyed it thoroughly.
During that time of paperwork, I finished my Massage school, and now am lucky to have started a new career as a Massage Therapist for People and Pets. If you haven't checked out my new portion of my website, you should at www.massage.pawcific.com
Amongst all the chaos of changing careers, etc. I managed to still do my conformation handling classes. My students are the best! I also became a part time teacher at Musical Beginnings in Vancouver, WA for piano and voice. I love getting back into music and doing more with that side of my life!
So, now I juggle 3 different jobs, a son, all my dog stuff, and yes, as many of you know I am also pregnant, but that really goes into the future side of things! Oh, and did I mention my amazing other half, Michael, who somehow puts up with my craziness, even if we live 2.5 hours away!

Evan's life in 2010...

Evan turned 6 years old this year. He has sure grown into a little man instead of that little baby boy I held not so long ago. He still attends The Gardner School and loves it. It is such a special school that I am really going to miss when we move. His classroom this year is Loowit, which is 1st and 2nd graders. He also over the summer started in swimming lessons. At first he was a little unsure but with some good teachers, he now begs me to be in swim lessons! This fall, he has also had the chance to be in the community basketball program, which he loved.
Without my family being so close though, it would be hard to raise Evan on my own. They are just great about helping me out with my work schedule, letting him stay behind when I am off to a dog show, that he now thinks are boring, or just watching him for an afternoon or evening while Michael and I do something on our own.

Dog happenings in 2010...puppies first...

Let's start out with the new puppies. I had two litters of BC puppies at my house at the beginning of the year. The Spark-ly puppies that are sure growing up to be beautiful and high drive BC's! And the Alice x Splash puppies who found really wonderful homes, including Alice who is now off doing agility and having fun!

During the spring/summer, I then finally had a Cardigan litter, after many false attempts over the past couple of years. The almost all sable litter was born from Lincoln and Nola, the Outlander series themed puppies. I still have two puppies that are coming together really nicely right now and will start their careers in 2011.

I also managed to share (well co-own) two Papillon litters. Many of you don't think of me as a Papillon person but over the years it seems to bleed in my life as well as what my Mom started with Joyvnture. I love the little dogs. The first one was Elma, born at the Elma, WA show in May. She became La Ren Joyvnture A Day In May and is co-owned with Janis McLaren, my Mom, Kathy, and myself. She is a pretty mover and I hope will grow into the promise we see right now. The other litter was our Cowboy themed litter from Radar and Heather. Unfortunately, this litter was our heartbreaking litter that we as breeders hate to have, but we all got through it despite loosing puppies. The three that remain are all beautiful puppies for their own purpose. You will see one, Sparky, Joyvnture Sparks-R-Flyin in the show ring with Le'o and her girls at Toreth. He is such a cutie!

Then the dog shows...

In 2010, my main focus was on one dog, Gr CH Pawcific Strike A Pose, "Vogue", who I co-own with Jeanette Jolly. Vogue did us proud by not only starting her specials career off with multiple BOB wins, but also coming away with several group placings, Select Bitch and AOM at the BCCGLA specialty, and finally Select Bitch at the BCSA National specialty show. In amongst the few shows we attended, she managed to pick up her Grand Championship as well as be amongst the top BC's in the nation. Did I mention she is only just begun her career? Yes, more big things ahead for this girl I am sure.

I also should probably mention my phalene, (that's the drop eared Papillon for those who don't know), La Ren Moon Walker. Due to the hardness of showing this dog (seriously he is one of the most challenging dogs I have ever shown, anyone want to try? Let me know privately), he wasn't entered a whole lot but am proud to say that he has done us all proud by the few wins he has managed to achieve. This past summer, he came away with two BOB wins, RWD at the LA specialty, and Best Phalene at the PAPS specialty. Plus, many Reserves to big majors.

In AZ, Sparky has made some head's turn by starting his herding career off with several beautiful runs in herding. He has his PT, as well as 2 legs in both started ducks and sheep, plus two ASCA titles.

Maybe I should get to the 2011 part...

What I will be doing in 2011...LOTS!!

Did I mention I was pregnant with my second child? Yes, due in April, so another little boy will make his presence known. Michael and I are excited although busy trying to figure out all the logistics for the future. Evan is really excited to have a new baby brother coming!
One of my main goals for 2011 is to start really working on my Massage practice. I enjoy the work I do for the animals and humans so much. Never thought that I would be blessed with the talents I have, but now want to share them with as many clients as I can! Once my life settles down a little more, I am hoping to take some more continued ed classes to solidify the new techniques I have learned. And also get some more practice at the amazing Body Talk system that really works!
In dogs...with all that is happening in my life, I had to really cut back on my breeding program and make some hard decisions to place some amazing dogs. It makes me really sad to see them go, but then again I have to do what's best for the future. Some of my co-owned dogs are going back with their co-owners while I am busy with a newborn. I have another couple who are off being trained or leased. So, it makes it a little less insane with a few less dogs at my house currently.
Puppies in 2011? Yes and no...we are keeping our fingers crossed for a BC litter early in the new year, although it is not happening at my house, but I still get to visit. A Cardigan litter is planned for the spring, but again is being leased by someone else, so I will have to play with the puppies from afar. I am hopeful later in the year I might feel up for a litter of my own and have several possibilities going through my head, but plans may be pushed back to 2012.
Lastly, the big volunteer position I have been working on is seeing the end of a long journey. Yes, in Sept. 2011 the BCSA national will be in Albany, OR!! Being the co-chair of this huge event has been challenging but fun. I just can't wait to show the rest of the world how the Northwest can put on a party!

And that is where I am going to end this long journey of 2010...and the future 2011.

Happy New Year all!

~ Emily

Updates from Pawcific...

November and December has been busy as usual. I have been away from home on several different trips.

The first trip Michael took me to Leavenworth, WA on Thanksgiving weekend. It was beautiful there and of course many fun events happened. Some odd ones that turned out rather nicely and others that I will always remember. Here is a picture Michael took with his tripod one evening. I was very cold as it was 20 out and Michael seemed to not get the picture exactly as he wanted too very quickly!

The next weekend we were off to compete at Eukanuba. Evan had to come down with us this year, so we promised him a day at Disneyland! Here are the only three pictures I took from that day of fun! We literally wore out the poor boy as he was a walking zombie by the end of the night and hardly got back to the car. I always enjoy visiting Disneyland, even if I was banned this year from most of my favorite rides due to being pregnant!

The auto ride was Evan's favorite.

In the dog world...as many of you know already, Nola ended up having a false pregnancy or ??? Your guess is as good as mine as we palpated and felt puppies then she just didn't have them. A good thing in my mind as I really didn't want to deal with a litter of puppies.
In other dog news...Jenny and I have been busy taking herding lessons. I have been training Lucy and she has been training Splash.

Lucy is still a princess show dog...yes she stops in a free stack!

One of my favorite shots of Splash. I love this dog on the move and just don't think he has been recognized enough. His first litter has the same gorgeous flowing movement.

Well those are the updates for now. Happy Holidays to all and safe travels to those traveling during these next couple of weeks. :-)

~Emily

A little bit of everything...

Since I didn't have much time today...I thought I would just upload some things in one post, instead of splitting them up. Here is my little bit of everything post!!

This is Walker...he is a Papillon puppy I am growing up for a local breeder. Yes, he is a phalene, and a very nice one at that! He is almost 6 months old and will be in the ring soon.
Just a little bit of spring outside my front door!

One more shot of spring!

Trophies for Chintimini KC...Wow 40 Cardigans entered!!!

Evan playing on my piano one night this week. He just loves to show off the piano!

Snow day

I took some quick pictures from my bedroom window. The Cardigans were just sitting and laying around, so thought I *might* be able to get an updated shot of Della (since everyone keeps bugging me for one!). Anyways....here is what I got!

A group shot...Left to Right: Della, just 6 mths, Clu, hoping with all fingers crossed she is pregnant this time, and Lincoln, 10 mths old

Della Bella

Della in a sort of stand

And of course Lincoln!

Hip Hip Hooray!!

Diesel came back OFA prelim GOOD!! He will be back in the ring soon, so watch out!!

Other news...I am so pleased with Secret, she not only won BOB two out of the three days in Puyallup, but also made the cut in both Herding Groups. These are some of our most prestigious shows with very competitive groups. She definitely makes me proud to be her breeder!

My heart dogs...

Since I am stuck in my house right now with snow still falling outside (I mean literally stuck, yes can't get out of my driveway, although could probably hike up to my parents house around the corner!)...I thought I would take some time to write a post about some of my special dogs. These are what I call my heart dogs.

Many people always ask me how I could ever part with puppies or give back dogs that I show for other people or let older dogs leave that I have grown up. It never is easy, although sometimes you are rejoiced to get a difficult dog to live with out of the house or rejoicing when that final puppy leaves from a difficult litter...but their are always those few dogs that stay forever. Those dogs are the ones that touch your heart or become a part of you.

These are my heart dogs. (in no particular order)

Ash, Aust/Am CH Ruatha Aisling CD RN, born in Australia, brindle Cardi, 12 yrs young, when we moved to Australia, I had to part with my very special Sheltie, Sky. Unfortunately his temperament was not sound enough to make the trip across the world, so we made the hard choice of placing him in a home before we left. My parents promised me to look for my own dog once we arrived in Australia. One of the first Cardigan people we met was Dorothy Hartcher of Llandwyn Cardigans. She only lived a couple towns away from us in the same area where we lived. Dorothy suggested we look at Ash, as Lisa had grown up the two sisters, but really didn't need both of them. So, Ash came home with us. Through out the years she has won many accomplishments, had several litters, and is now in full retirement laying around the house and being a grand old lady.

Sparky, Red Ryder at Real Pearl, red merle BC, 2 yrs old, imported from Hungary, yes Sparky is one heart dog of mine. When I first really became involved with the BC breed, I dreamed of having a red merle someday. A couple of years ago, I started my quest to find one. It took me a long time, at some point I almost gave up, thinking that I would just have to breed one, until I found Judit in Hungary, who just happened to have the pick red merle male available from her current litter and would love to send him to me here in the USA. So, Sparky came off the plane and to this day I love having my red merle. He always makes us laugh and is definitely the comedic relief of the household!

Haze, Ch Wildblue Silver Haze, blue BC, almost 7 yrs old, Haze was welcomed in to my household only a few years back. She needed lots of TLC and at first would only go up to my son. With some guidance, she quickly became the helper, healer, and stabilizer of the household. She welcomes everyone in, keeps those puppies in line, and is totally spoiled by my son, Evan, who has decided that Haze gets to sleep in his room now!

Conner, Can Ch Arbeitsheim Dear Connection, sable Papillon, 9 yrs young, Conner is my shadow. He came to me with some health issues, mainly mental, and said that I was the one to help him get through it all. After many years of recovering, he is totally healed and you would never recognize him as he is a totally different dog. Conner is very special to me and even though he doesn't go much of anywhere, (he still has huge crate anxieties) those who come and visit enjoy seeing Conner.

Those are my heart dogs. Many others hold a special place in my heart, but these are the ones who will stay here forever. ~Emily