December 2016~ End of Year Musing

Gazing out the window next to my desk, the landscape now barren and brown, my thoughts turn toward this past year.  What a year we had at Winters Wind!

In March, on Good Friday, we greeted our Tommi x Indigo parti litter of seven adorable babies, in blue & white and brown & white!  Being the Easter weekend of course the theme was anything Easter!  I have to admit that seeing a litter of parti puppies is like standing in front of a VanGogh painting and drinking in the color and swirls of the artist brush. Each puppy marked differently and the variation of coloring; it's truly a touch of the master's hand!

Around three weeks later, our Luna x Roux litter made its grand entrance! Grand it was!  Fifteen, yes 15 puppies were born in April and Luna made it look easy.  We had a mixture of colors: white, cream, black and blue. One little male was born outside as Luna took a potty break!  Ever prepared I had a towel ready and so our outdoors man was born!  I was so proud of this litter with: 6 puppies now in service work, 6 puppies in the show ring and 3 in wonderful pet homes.  This IS the reason I breed!  

So we had 22 puppies running around and what a feat of organization it was!  I was blessed to have my daughter in law there to help with the puppies and when they all had their land legs......they were quite something to keep ahead of!  I smile as I type this; as most mornings Amber and I had a Chinese fire drill going!  Trying to usher outside 22 pudgy bodies that wanted to make a jail break and run through the house and trying to catch them when they did succeed!  We had little sleep but oh so many good memories!

There truly is something magical about seeing and holding new life! The mystery and the awe of watching a new Mom, instinctively know what to do, the first attempt of baby to suckle and the sounds of new born puppy mewing, scooting toward Momma.  Such tenderness and love between the new born and Mom.  

It was during this exciting time that I learned I had stage IV cancer and would need to start treatments.  I believe in God and I knew he would be with me through this next battle.  My dogs too were my battle cry, as each day during treatments I would get up to care for my fur family. My son, Hobs and hubby, Rob were awesome help during the times when my energy was just a slow, molasses drip.  They would rise and we would work as a family team to care for puppies and adults.  

Show schedules and performance events were all cancelled.  The focus was on the fight.  Most families and people have been touched by this horrible illness.  It is draining for the loved ones who watch and support us, the patient.  Laughter and smiling is still the best medicine I know for both the patient and those around us.  We need to spread more of this wonder drug to others!  Even if you don't deal with cancer; take time to laugh, make another around you laugh and to be kind to everyone.  Sometimes it takes a BIG thing like a heart attack, car accident or even cancer; for us to see there is way more to life then us.  We are connected whole and so we should care, really care about every person our life touches.  This is the musing that I end the year with.

I am a Mom, Nana (grand mother), Wife, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, Friend and a Poodle Breeder.  I am grateful for my world around me; family, friends and my Poodle family.  Cancer is life lesson professor.  As you sit in this class room, you learn that life is short, there are no guarantees and anyone can be effected.  Treat each day with care, compassion and respect of the individuals that come into your life. Whether it is for a moment in time or a lifetime.  For each finger print we leave here is our legacy.  It will speak of us when we leave this globe; the whisper of who we are at the core will continue.

I share my thoughts as we close the year 2016, hoping that those who read this blog, will consider the ripple they leave here.  Make it one of kindness, generosity, compassion and of love.  Peace on Earth will only happen if we as individual people bring it into the sphere around us.

I am so blessed!  As I end this blog, my cancer has disappeared!  A PET scan revealed even my infected organs are back to normal size! My doctors are puzzled......I am not.  I believe in miracles and a God that is still here and active in our lives.  After all it does say in Proverbs that: "Laughter IS good Medicine!'  So take a dose often everyday! Share a spoonful with others and those you love.

 Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Testing isn't just for those in school!

Just think back; remember the days when the teacher or professor said, "Tomorrow we will be having a test over......" you fill in the blank.  For me it would evoke panic, terror even for I have test anxiety.  I would study, know all the answers and then........a veil would drop and B L A N K!

Okay, I'm definitely not a college student any long :)  And the Testing I want to talk about isn't Reading, Writing nor Arithmetic....oops now I am showing my age!  It is a much greater matter, that of Genetic Health testing in dogs.  

It is amazing to me to hear from potential Puppy buyers how they feel that reputable breeders charge more for their puppies.  Well, let's talk about just that. 

BYB (Back Yard Breeders), these are people who breed with no thought to their prodigy or the families who will buy one of their puppies.  It isn't really that hard to take two dogs, one a male and one a female (if designer dogs they aren't even the same breed!) and put them together at the right time and produce puppies.  To the buying public, these puppies are cute and adorable; just like our well thought out, championed and performance titled, health tested litters.  

For a reputable breeder the planned litter of puppies has been 2 or more years in the making!  We study pedigrees, make decisions on which male or female puppy will be adding to our lines and we set goals as to WHY we breed.  It isn't just to have puppies to sell but rather it is about how we can IMPROVE our chosen breed.  To add to the structure, temperament and health of the breed we love and live for.

After those careful decisions are made we then start the task of training the next future generation.  So after the original purchase price we spend hours raising a puppy that will walk into the conformation ring with confidence and take that ring and make it theirs!  The cost to Champion title one dog varies, but a breeder will plan a budget of $5000 + for and AKC title and around $2000 for a UKC title.  This cost is based on show fees, photos lodging, gas and meals.  If you use a professional handler for AKC the budget is going to be over the $5000 dollar amount.  So then if you want to move on to a Grand Champion title those fee's will be double!  Let's not forget all the grooming costs and equipment and time to maintain a Poodle show coat.

Now that our dog has his conformation title we move onto performance events.  It's great to have a beautiful dog however, we also want a dog that is sound and has the ability to do things!  Let's us a weight pulling title as and example for costs.  I need to have custom made harness that fits my dog, that is $350 average.  A wagon to practice with $90, sand bags for weight will add another $30.  Hours of time spent training and conditioning the dog for the event.  Now we are ready to compete; entry fees are $35 for each trial.  To title we must pass the designated weight for my dog; 3 times.  So that is a minimum of $105, again add the travel costs and we are at $500 or more!

Now I have at a minimum; a Champion dog with one performance title and I haven't factored in the cost of said dog!  Now it's time for health testing.  Let's say i do the minimum testing which is; Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Neonatal Encephalopathy,  Von Willebrand's Disease, hips,  cardiac, eyes, thyroid: I will spend around $1000.  Now if I do VGL testing that's $100,  Macrothrombocytopenia $75. Coat Color testing $65 per test, you can see the costs adding up and I have not factored in food, routine vet/health checks or leashes, kennels etc.

Now let's look at our BYB, what have they "invested" in their dogs and breeding.  Well, yes they had to buy a dog; the question here is what caliber of dogs are they investing in for their "lines".  They don't show or do performance in many cases so there isn't any investment there.  Most do NO health test, so again no cost incurred.  Yes, there is food and we hope routine vet care for their dogs.

Our BYB is asking around $850 to 1,500 for their puppies.  Do they offer a lifetime of support and a health guarantee for their puppies and the family?  A BIGGER concern for me as a Breeder is once that puppy goes home and the kids and family have fallen in love with their new family member, what happens 6 months or 2 years down the road and their beloved pet has hip problems or a genetic defeat that could have been prevented!  That poor family and dog are faced with large vet bills or worse yet the hard decision to euthanize their pet.

So when pet buyers ask WHY my dogs cost more then that BYB down the road; I have to wonder at the lack of knowledgeable pet buyers.  I mean would you buy a car and not have looked at reviews, ratings, checked under the hood and done a test drive!  You wouldn't buckle your children into a car that once down the road would malfunction or worse!

Why then would you invest in a lifetime family member and not have armed yourself with breed knowledge, ask questions of the breeder and checked for health testing! When you buy a puppy it isn't just an emotional investment because that face is so cute or that color is just what you wanted!  I know most people aren't looking for a SHOW dog but rather a nice family pet; okay but don't you want the BEST for your family!   To know that your dog is of sound structure, balanced, even temperament and intelligent.  A dog that you can trust with your children and grandchildren.

As a Breeder of quality, health tested standard Poodles; I expect you to ask questions and have your concerns answered.  To know that I will always be there to support and help you for the life of your pet or show dog.  I desire for you to take pride in your companion. it's pedigree and heritage.  It is a reflection of years of planned and careful breeding in preparation for YOU and YOUR FAMILY.  

That is what a true Breeder is thinking every time a litter is born.  We dream of the homes, families and achievements our little furry bundles will be in this life!  So count the cost....you can pay a good price for an outstanding companion with years of planning or PAY the price later.  That decision is yours.

My Doodle Thoughts

My thoughts on Doodles

This is a hard subject and it may offend some people; but as a responsible breeder of quality standard poodles I have a responsibility to speak out.  Why you ask?  I am weekly accosted by individuals about the wonders of doodles.  How they have great temperaments and are hypo allergenic.  Well folks that IS a Poodle!

Wally Conron, the breeder who experimented with mixing the Labrador with Poodles had good intentions.  He wanted to develop a guide dog that would be hypo allergenic for individuals who wanted a guide dog but were allergic to dog hair.  He now admits that he wishes he had never created this mix breed dog.  Funny but when he had his first litter of 3 puppies no one wanted a mix breed puppy; they only wanted a pure-bred puppy!  Here is a quote from Wally Conron; ”I went to our PR team and said, ‘Go to the press and tell them we’ve invented a new dog, the labradoodle.’ It was a gimmick and it went worldwide.”

So here is my first comment on labradoodles:  They are a mix breed dog, like oh so many unwanted dogs in the local shelters.  Labradoodles are not a recognized breed….plain and simple.  So if you saw a box of mix breed puppies for sale would you really pay $1,500 or up for one?   Even the word Labradoodle is not recognized by my spell checker but poodle is!

Mr. Conron also said; “It’s how the dog has been used and abused and sold under false pretenses, Conron says. When the pups were five months old, we sent clippings and saliva to Hawaii to be tested with this woman’s husband. Of the three pups, he was not allergic to one of them. In the next litter I had, there were 10 pups but only three had non-allergenic coats. Now, people are breeding these dogs and selling them as non-allergenic and they’re not even testing them.

”All these backyard breeders have jumped on the bandwagon and they’re crossing any kind of dog with a poodle. They’re selling them for more than a pure-bred is worth and they’re not going into the backgrounds of the parents of the dogs. There are so many poodle crosses having fits, problems with their eyes, hips and elbows; a lot have epilepsy. There are a few ethical breeders but very, very few.”

Here is where I really get a little riled up.  Health testing.  Reputable breeders spend around $1000 per breeding dog to test for genetic problems.  For most of us this happens after we have spent thousands in showing & performance fees to prove our dogs are sound and have the ability/brains to be titled.  We do this because we want our future puppy families to have confidence that the puppy they bring home and fall in love with will carry on the genetic lines of its parents.  It isn’t just about that cute fuzzy bundle of wiggles that pulls at your heart strings rather it is what will this puppy become as an adult.  

You will hear Poodle Breeders saying, “Why doodle when you can Poodle!”  If you are truly looking for hypo allergenic, go for the original…..the Poodle.  You want brains……….A Poodle is your choice!  It is consecutively in the top ten (usually 1 or 2nd place) of the smartest breeds. I’ve never seen a labradoodle on the list!  Looking for loyal family pet…..A Poodle is your dog! Want a dog that likes to swim…..A Poodle has webbed feet for just that function!  Hubby wants to hunt…..well Poodles were bred as a hunting dog!  Never let those show coats fool you!  Below all that hair is a retriever that can hold it’s in own in any hunting trial.  Even Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Si has a Poodle!  Looking for a versatile family dog?  A Poodle is for you!  Poodles will do anything you ask of them.  They want to please and love to have a task to do.  I know Poodles that are even titled in herding!  

Doodles may look cute but remember you are paying a high price for a “gimmick”.  A dog that may not be predictable in temperament nor health due to the fact it genetically is two different breeds.  I know that you have met some loving doodles, I have met many loving Heinz 57 dog that came from shelters.  But the owners knew that they wanted to rescue and only paid $150 for their dog.  They also were aware that their may be issues and were prepared to face them.  

As Mr. Conron stated, “All these backyard breeders have jumped on the bandwagon and they’re crossing any kind of dog with a poodle. They’re selling them for more than a pure-bred is worth and they’re not going into the backgrounds of the parents of the dogs.”  

Buyer Beware!  It was a PR Gimmick that worked in favor of breeders who want to make a lot of money on a “designer” breed.  Be an intelligent pet owner please.  If you want a doodle then go to your local shelter and rescue one!  Don’t encourage these mix breed breeders to continue to breed a dog that may have multiple health and temperament issues or thinking your getting a hypo allergenic pet for your family and it probably isn’t; by paying thousands of dollars for an animal that comes with no breed certificate or registry.   

‘I released a Frankenstein. … People say ‘aren’t you proud of yourself?’ and I say, ‘not in the slightest. I’ve done so much harm to pure breeding.’  A quote from Mr. Conron

"Sugar Plum Fairies"

Winter has bowed his head to Spring and her freshness.  Tulips of varied hues have opened their tutu's of colors; bringing cheer to the soul.  The Tulip Festival has come with its carnival fair food choices, a 5K race (that our son won!), the Queen and her Court ride down the street with their figure 8 wave and I get tears welled up in my eyes as the local school bands débuted their latest moves and the sirens scream as the fire trucks and police cars are the grand finale!

The Poodles here are all know that Spring is here!  The green grass beacons  a roll and a time to get the pool out.  I know it seems early; however for the past 2 weeks Luna and Indigo have been going to the dog pool and are learning the art of Dock Jumping!  They have taken to this sport like (pardon my pun) a duck to water!  The water has been in the low 60's so we keep the training time to 15 mins. per dog.  They don't seem to mind the temperature but if my poodles are wet............yes you guessed it I am WET!  Let me tell you 60 degree water is C O L D!!!!!!!  It's funny how people are surprised that Poodles like water.  When you explain they were breed to be water fowl retriever's; there is usually a look of disbelief.  It's that "how can a dog with hair spray swim" look!  Then I give the history of the poodle's roots.  I love that "A HA!" moment when people see what our amazing dogs were breed for. 

We are practicing dock jumping for our first competition, which will be in June.  Luna and Indigo are going each week to Southtown K9 for our dock time and learning the difference between lake and pool swimming.  The difference being when in a lake they just swim until their feet touch the bottom; in a swimming pool....they have to learn to swim to the ramp and then climb out.  This is hardest part of their learning but it's crucial!

Another new sport we are working on is Weight Pulling.  Now most people are surprised by this as well; thinking it is a sport for Pit Bulls, Bully's and other more heavy built breeds.  WRONG!  Luna and Roux who are my first two Poodles to learn this event are loving it!  The first part was getting used to the harness and having the wagon behind them.  Once we past that hurdle it is just slowly building on the amount of weight they pull.  The UKC Rules book states they must pull 8x their weight on wheels to earn a title.  So it will take some practice to get there.  I will tell you they love when the harness comes out.  It's Poodle Power time!

Indigo and Luna, besides the dock jumping are also involved in Fly Disc!  This sport is amazing......I love watching them leap, twist and pirouette as they reach for the flying disc.  It' Poodle Ballet....and just takes my breath away!  Their first fly disc event will be in June at the UKC Premier. 

This year at Premier, which is held June 10 -14 in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Winters Wind Poodles will hopefully title in:

MCPCA Specialty and conformation 2 shows a day over 3 days!  We are hopeful for 2 new Grand Champion Titles, 3 new Champion titles!

Lure Coursing.....looking for 3 new CA titles in this event; Luna, Kenzi and Roux.

Weight Pulling.....looking for 2 new Titles, Luna and Roux.

Dock Jumping.....Luna and Indigo for 2 Titles!

Fly Disc.....Luna and Indigo will perform a Poodle Ballet!  :)

I know this looks CRAZY!  However it's our chance for many of these events to title since these sports are not held in our area.  So let the Party Begin!!!!!! 

To relax before the madness I created a Fairy Garden by my  patio where  I try to have quiet moment in the day to unwind.  It's here that I dream of Poodle pirouette's  to the melody of  Tchaikovsky's "Sugar Plum Fairies"!