It is always hard for me as a breeder to come to a decision to place a dog I bred and raised and kept for myself as my new show prospect.  As breeders every time we match two dogs together and breed a litter we are hoping for 1^st and foremost a healthy happy litter of puppies, secondly we are looking for great companions and finally we are looking for our next show champion, a dog that will contribute to the health and welfare of the breed and be fun to show.  I had hoped Fifi would fit the bill and be a contributor to my program but alas realistically I know that she is a lovely average Cardigan Welsh Corgi and we strive to be above average. 

Fifi has some cosmetic faults that preclude her from being a great show dog or breeding prospect but her virtues are many.  She is cute and smart and all Cardigan.  She completed her Rally Novice title before she was a year old with scores that earned her invitation to the 2013 AKC Rally National Invitational.    She is a moderate girl with correct conformation and could make someone a nice performance dog or even a Jrs dog as I feel she is finishable. 

She loves WATER and her pool, she likes to chewies, hooves, rawhides, antlers and to play with stuffy toys.   She is good with other dogs but the only cats we know are the intruder cats in our yard.  We don’t have kids so I have no idea what she would be like around children.  She is good in the house, crate and car.  She is an independent girl and is just as happy hanging out with her “pack” or finding a quiet place to chew a chewie or lounge in her pool. 

She can be barky, especially in a new situation.  I have used the forced air pet corrector to reminder her about her inappropriate barking with good success.    She is a thief, we call her Fief sometimes as she will cause a distraction to steal the other dogs chewies (I said she was smart).   Of course she is a cardigan so she is smart enough to get into trouble sometimes.

Fifi rockin’ her Howloween costume.

Fifi is officially known as Solstice Fly Girl, RN CGC. Having earned her Rally title and her Canine Good Citizen designation.  Her parents are Oz, CH Arylan Mint Proof (Winners Dog at the 2010 CWCCA Nationals) and Lindy, CH Arylan Flying Start.  She is 2.5 years old (12/7/2010) and is black and white with brindle points.

I will place her with a spay/neuter contact unless she is going to a potential Jr show home and then a contract will be written with agreeable terms.

Fifi is currently located in El Paso but we are relocating to the Southeast so she will be in the Atlanta, GA area after the 1^st   week of June.  If you are looking for a nice Cardigan companion or performance dog let me know.  Please contact me via email right now as I am in transition and I will need to return your call.   My email is solsticecwc@gmail.com  let me know where you are and what a good time to call will be.

I will tell you her sibling sisters, Einie and Mandy B and CH Rider are well loved companions and that her Grandma Ginger is going to miss her Fief around our house when she finds a home of her own. 

Four coins in the fountain?

Here an update of cutie pie picture of our little man Beta Boy. Hey is growing up handsome. Living the good life with Einie and his people in Houston.

On our relocation we have found a new home in Lilburn, GA. I am going out first for my work report date and then Mom and the kids will be out at the end of the month. Things are moving along. Lots of stress and drama but hopefully it will be over soon.

So we will be off line for awhile. Email still works and look out for new adventures for Solstice!

You may or may not know I work for State Farm Insurance and have for the last 25 years.  I’ve spent 1/2 my life at the Farm all here in El Paso, Texas.   Earlier this spring I was offered the opportunity to relocate to our new Hub location in the Atlanta, GA metro area and after much consideration I made the decision to make the move from El Paso to Atlanta.

It is a big step and in May, we are making the move to Georgia.  There are so many pluses, not just with my job but with our whole life style.  Most of my bestest friends live in the Southeast and there is so many more opportunities to participate in dog activities.  Sure there will be lots to get used too, rain, grass, bugs and traffic but there is always trade offs.  There are so many things I’ll miss about the southwest and El Paso.  Mostly the people, but I’ll miss the desert, the sunshine, the mountain.  I’ll miss my beloved Miners and of course the best Mexican Food anywhere.

El Paso is my Mom’s (Ginger) home town and I’ve lived here since 1976 so it will be a big adjustment for us although I am returning to my southern roots.  Ginger aka Mom is also moving with me.  So Ginger, the dogs and myself are currently prepping for the move.  We have to empty out the family home (built and lived in by the family since just after WWII) of all the stuff we don’t need to take with us.  We are going to have to find a place to live in the area and we have to do it by mid May.  Wish us LUCK!

What about the dogs?  I had planned to repeat the Frost x Rider breeding as soon as Frost came in season (anytime now) but with the impending move I am just going to have to delay it until October.   The Banner x Rush breeding is still on track for late June.    Those of you who have expressed interest in these puppies I realize that for many of you I am moving out of your region and you may or may not want to consider a puppy from a Southeast breeder when you live in the Southwest.  Please let me know where your interest lies and I totally understand if you want to consider other breeders closer to you.  I know there a lots of great breeders in the Southwest and if you are in the Southeast I am always happy to introduce the Solstice dogs to new fans.

Stay tuned as our adventure continues!

The hotel was great, I got a cool courtyard room which gave us a nice patio and access to the lovely grass under the orange blossoms. We got settled in and hooked up with our friends. Our friend Renee spent a couple of nights with us and of course the dogs loved having an extra “petter” in the room. Plus they conned her out of cookies.

Monday and Tuesday we spent helping Polly at the agility trial, got to see PJ and Pippin’s girl Lucy get her Open Fast title. Her brother Finn got his herding PT title at the herding trial over the weekend. Those kids are mutli talented!

Tuesday night was the Megan and all three kids showed nice but no ribbons this year. It was a beautiful entry this year so many lovely dogs.

I “hung out” the rest of the week. Pitching in where needed and visiting friends and watching lots of dogs. We didn’t show again until Saturday’s Best of Breed competition. PJ show nice for Kathy and looked good in the big ring. Banner, worked hard for me but she really hates the show ring and so that was her last show, she will now be the happy house dog and her job will be to be a momma later in the year. Her favorite part was sleeping on the bed with me at night. Frosty was our big winner if we have to have a winner. Frosty made the cut in the bitch classes so that was a nice honor in such lovely company and before I knew it the week was over.

This show was bittersweet for me since in essence it was the last Southwest show for me. The last time I’ll get to spend with my SW buddies and it is sad and I had to not think about it a lot for fear of crying and carrying on. For those who haven’t seen my Facebook announcement, Solstice is relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in mid May. The details of that move will be in another blog later in the week.

How cool is this?  This is our personalized custom  folding Stacking box created by the Custom Stacking Boxes by Dwysan.  Kathy and Larry Davis are doing beautiful work and I can’t wait to pick mine up at the CWCCA Nationals next week.  Although I think my box will be a demo box in their booth at the nationals.

If this wasn’t cool enough another personalized item arrived this week in the form of my kennel tags.  Artist Janice Chapman created these hand painted wonders, I ordered two crate tags and a sign for my expen or RV window.  I will be styling!  Janice is on Facebook if you are interested in having tags done for yourself.

Starting on March 29th the annual family reunion aka the CWCCA National Specialty Show will be held in Tucson, AZ.  This year it is the closest it has ever been for the Solstice dogs and the specials gang of PJ, Frost and Banner will be showing in our Megan even on Tuesday and then in Best of Breed on Saturday.  The rest of the time I’ll be hanging out and helping with the event.  Monday and Tuesday I’ll be at the Agility trials and the rest of the week who knows what I’ll be up to but it will be FUN!

Ch Arylan Flying the Colors at Solstices

Here is the count for the Breed Classes:
20 Sweepstakes (Puppy 6-9) Dogs 5 Red & Sable Dog
11 Sweepstakes (Puppy 9-12) Dogs 23 Brindle Dog
8 Sweepstakes (Puppy 12-15) Dogs 11 Black Dog
8 Sweepstakes (Puppy 15-18) Dogs 5 Blue Merle Dog
26 Sweepstakes (Puppy 6-9) Bitches 5 Red & Sable Bitch
15 Sweepstakes (Puppy 9-12) Bitches 15 Brindle Bitch
2 Sweepstakes (Puppy 12-15) Bitches 6 Black Bitch
9 Sweepstakes (Puppy 15-18) Bitches 4 Blue Merle Bitch
7 Sweepstakes (Veterans 7-9 years) Dogs Count Monday Obedience
4 Sweepstakes (Veterans 9-11 years) Dogs 1 Beginner Novice A Obedience
2 Sweepstakes (Veterans 11+ years) Dogs 5 Beginner Novice B Obedience
6 Sweepstakes (Veterans 7-9 years) Bitches 1 Novice A Obedience
4 Sweepstakes (Veterans 9-11 years) Bitches 4 Novice B Obedience
5 Sweepstakes (Veterans 11+ years) Bitches 2 Open A Obedience
2 Open B Obedience
6 Puppy (4-6 MOS) Dogs 2 Utility B Obedience
19 Puppy (6-9 mos) Dogs
10 Puppy (9-12 mos) Dogs Count Tuesday Obedience
6 12-15 Months Dogs 1 Beginner Novice A Obedience
4 15-18 Months Dogs 5 Beginner Novice B Obedience
8 Bred-By-Exhibitor Dogs 1 Novice A Obedience
1 American Bred Dogs 4 Novice B Obedience
4 Open Dogs 2 Open A Obedience
5 Puppy (4-6 MOS) Bitches 2 Open B Obedience
24 Puppy (6-9 mos) Bitches 2 Utility B Obedience
11 Puppy (9-12 mos) Bitches
2 12-15 Months Bitches Count Tuesday Rally
7 15-18 Months Bitches 1 Rally Novice A
14 Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches 5 Rally Novice B
3 American Bred Bitches 2 Rally Advanced A
12 Open Bitches 4 Rally Advanced B
3 Rally Excellent B
6 Veteran (7-9 years) Dogs
4 Veteran (9-11 years) Dogs Count Tuesday Rally
2 Veteran (11+ years) Dogs 1 Rally Novice A
7 Veteran (7-9 years) Bitches 6 Rally Novice B
2 Veteran (9-11 years) Bitches 2 Rally Advanced A
6 Veteran (11+ years) Bitches 4 Rally Advanced B
3 Rally Excellent B
2 Herding Class Dogs
2 Herding Class Bitches
40 Best of Breed Dogs
29 Best of Breed Bitches
9 Stud Dogs
7 Brood Bitches
1 Brace
7 Parade of Titleholders
1 Parade of Therapy Dogs
1 Jr (Novice Junior)
1 Jr (Open Intermediate)
2 Jr (Open Senior)
 

My grandmother was a doll collector and since none of us in the family really has any appreciation for her collection I have gotten permission to start selling them to people who will appreciate them.

We have a collection of Baps German Storybook dolls.

The German Baps dolls were made to represent fairytale characters. These Baps dolls were created by Frau Edith Von Arps from the 1940’s to the 1960’s. Edith initially started selling her dolls door to door until demand for her dolls increased. Other Baps dolls were created to wear traditional German costumes by region as souvenirs. These handcrafted dolls were made of fabric and its facial features were carefully painted. The cloth covered doll head was sewn with floss cotton hair and its armature body made of wires was covered with felt. Fine stitches completes the seams and the dolls were then clothed with fanciful outfits. A great deal of craftsmanship was given to these dolls as its facials features were finely detailed even with its small measurement.

Another unique thing about these Baps dolls was that these were made to stand by using weighted metal for its feet. Thus, the dolls can stand on its own even with its cloth body without the help of a doll stand. With its tiny height of approximately 4 to 5 inches, these dolls were easy to love and collect.

If anyone has an interest in these dolls or has any additional history or expertise on their value please let me know. These were part of a collection so they have been gently handled over the last 60+ years.

Cinderella and Prince Charming  $125  SOLD

Goldilocks and the 3 bears $150  SOLD

Little Red Riding Hood $100

Alice in Wonderland $75   SOLD

Heidi and Grandpa $100

Peter Cottontail $125

Little Miss Muffett $75

Rumpelstiltskin $65  SOLD

Snow White and 6 dwarves (unfortunately when my grandmother let someones child see the dolls they stole a dwarf) $100 SOLD

Puss in Boots $65  SOLD

Jack and Jill -$75.00  SOLD

Three Little Kittens  $150

Little Bo Peep and Sheep $125  SOLD

Little Black Sambo  $200  SOLD

Three Little Pigs $125

Hansel and Gretel $125 -  SOLD

Bavarian Childern $65 SOLD

Chimney Sweep

I love stealing photos of my grand puppies to share on the blog.  This is from Sharrie’s blog Highridge Highlights.   Scooter the Collie then PJ’s kids Lady and Zippy, then Beaver (bred by Garrett Ramsey).   They all look like they are living the high life at Highridge!  Sending the babies off to their new homes is always the hard part for me but what a joy when you see what great lives they lead.  Thanks Sharrie!

I cracked up when I saw this since the expression on Zippy’s face is much the same as his sister Bailey’s when I made her sit on the couch with her siblings for their birthday photo, isn’t there a family resemblance?