California and Bust

It was a loooooooooooong drive to Antioch, California in order to attend an ISWS Regional Specialty (BooFest!), which I've been to twice previously. It's been held every other year - but may soon become an annual event. The main purpose for going was for Tyler, because of an interpretation on the poorly written show rules regarding the attainment of an ISWS Grand Champion title....so I needed to go where the dogs were. I also had several others in attendance - Luna, Trouble, Gabe, Luna's daughter Missi, and Ginger (who was being dropped off for a friend to take home for a bit in order to be bred to one of her males).

Tyler came away empty-pawed, but I can't complain too badly. Gabe won the Bred-By Exhibitor Dog class, then went on to win Winners Dog/Best of Winners and Best Bred-By in Show! This gives him his ISWS-qualifying win towards his ISWS championship...which is fabulous! Although it does mean I will need to get him to some Rarities shows now in order to work on getting more points! Ember, who now lives with Alison of Tangaloor Silkens, won Winners Bitch from the Open class! Then Missi won Best Puppy in Show despite her very rotten behavior. She's certainly lovely - but she's also an electric-red, first class BRAT.

Tyler did get a little something while he was there - he had several trysts with his "intended", Cinder, who conveniently was in standing heat during our visit. So hopefully we will have news from Joyce that pups will be coming in late December. Cinder is our Duncan's sister and has that same, effortless, ground-covering stride. Her first litter has a great depth of quality and beautiful type, so I have high hopes since we will be getting a pup. Joyce was kind enough to put up me and the critters during our brief stay. The dogs enjoyed the romp through the landscaped and hilly yard, and Tyler....well....enjoyed his romp.

The drive itself was relatively uneventful, although in Mojave they had closed the freeway for a bit due to super-high winds which made it dangerous for high profile vehicles (and the Zoibus certainly qualifies for that!). On Friday night I decided to find a hotel to crash at, and came upon the Canyon Inn (somewhere between Flagstaff and Williams, AZ). It's fun to find a place to stay that's not the usual franchise and has its own "personality" - and this place sure fit the bill. The lady that checked me in was very friendly too. Good thing I chose a hotel, since it hit below freezing that night - and I was warm and cozy. It wasn't an expensive stay, they gave me a little goody bag and biscuits for the dog, and they even had free wireless internet. I must figure on staying there again.

On the way home, east of Henrietta, on a lonely (not to mention dark) 2-lane road, the Zoibus blew out its left rear tire. I didn't have good cell phone reception, but managed to get hold of AAA to ask for a truck to come out. It was getting chilly, I could hardly see, and I could hear coyotes. It too over 3 and a half hours to get a truck to me - thanks to a series of miscommunications - and I was a wreck by the time they got there thanks to the poor phone reception and wondering how long I would be stuck. Don't particularly remember the rest of the drive home since I was too tired. Thank goodness there wasn't any cars parked on the shoulder, since I tested the rumble strips on several occasions - those parts I do remember. Ended up taking a day off from work in order to sleep off the adrenalin hangover.

Victory in CA!!

Hip hip hurrah! Ass. (you know....short for "ASSemblyman"....yah, riiiiight) "Lightbulb" Levine has withdrawn, for the time being, the travesty known to dog fanciers as the "Pet Extinction Act" (which he calls the "Healthy Pets Act"). Good riddance to bad rubbish - now throw Levine in the bin too!! Better yet - neuter him! We don't need him adding to our gene pool - he has a lousy temperament!

I am not even in California (although dogs of my breeding reside there) and got fired up about this bill. Its passage would have had far-reaching effects through the nation, and I've heard hints that similar legislation will be introduced to the Texas legislature in the near future. Here's hoping that's strictly rumor! Being a member on the pet-law list (http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/pet-law/ - get on board if you want to be kept informed!!), I hear all sorts of horror stories about abuse of the law by animal control officers, as well as the propaganda spewed by the PeTA and HSUS - whose goal is to end the owning of pets in any way, shape or form. I also get to see success stories as well as see folks in action and get advice on how to act and protect my rights as a dog owner, breeder and exhibitor. I saw the initial push to contact CVMA-member vets and watched as those vets come out and speak against the CVMA who had originally put itself on the support list for AB 1634. More and more spoke out against the organization of which they were members. And success was acheived when CVMA removed itself from the support list for the bill and officially announced itself as "neutral". I believe this ended up being the death knell for Levine's "piece of work".

So three cheers for the hard-working good guys who helped get this flushed! Hip hip hurrah.

And here's my fave poster from the whole debacle. Goodness does it get its point across!!

California Heat

Hottest topic in CA (for the dog fancy at least) is the proposed legislation from "Lightbulb" Levine - AB 1634, the "Healthy Pets Act" aka the "Pet Extinction Act". One link to gather more information at (besides the previously referred PetPAC.net) is http://noab1634.com/ . There is plenty of information as to the procession of this disastrous legislation with regular updates and tips on what to do in order to protect your rights as a dog/pet owner.

Just say NO to mutts without nuts

Now...I'm all for spay/neuter if that's what one wishes to do. But do not mandate the process - it should be a CHOICE NOT LAW.

And speaking of updates - the latest horrid rendition of the bill may be found online by following this link. Read it and weep - then write.