Archive for the ‘Rattlebridge Cavaliers’ Category

I am off to up state New York tomorrow to judge two shows.  I will be visiting with several friends

who are coming to the show to see me with their Rattlebridge dogs. I can’t wait to see them.

I will also be glad to see fellow judges and dog show friends.  I have not been to dog shows

on a regular basis due to Al’ health.  Our friend Angie  who helps with our dogs and our friend

Sara who has two of my dogs who live with her, both hopefully pregnant:  Rattlebridge

Bounce in Her Step (daughter of my Bounce from frozen semen) and Rattlebridge

Mary Cassata (daughter of my Renoir from frozen semen).  I am happy to be having summer puppies,

but I will tell you this: if Senate Bill 95 passes, I will not probably be breeding dogs at least in Ohio.

Our Governor Strickland made a pact with the devil with HSUS and the Farm Bureau in an attempt

to keep HSUS from getting enough signatures to get their version of our newly passed farm bill on the

November ballot.  Part of the deal was that Strickland will back SB95 which is being pushed by the

animal rights zealots in Ohio and is being fought by sane people who do not want government control

with the ridiculous requirements in the bill for animal care.  I totally agree we need to fight the

substandard breeders, mostly the Amish, in our state. The standard of care can be inhumane to

downright cruel.

As soon as I begin writing about legislation and animal rights, I lose track of my original subject.  So—as

soon as I land in Columbus from New York on Monday Angie will meet me at the airport with another

packed suitcase so I can repack and take off to Las Vegas to catch up with two of my friends from the

last school that I served as principal who are attending a kindergarten convention.  I should not be going;

I don’t want to leave Al but he is covered and money is tight which has never stopped me to Al’s worry

perpetual worry.

I simply need to get away. Al has not bounced back from his latest chemo; I am worried sick.  He has stayed

bed for the last three weeks with no energy. After he was home after his last chemo which consists of a

cocktail infused directly into his liver through the femoral artery, he had a huge reaction to the antibiotic

Cipro causing him to go into scary hallucinations and dementia which got worse by the day until I hauled him

kicking and screaming into the emergency room. They admitted him and kept him for four days as Cipro can

cause dementia in the elderly. Of course I was the bad guy because I would not turn the televisions and radio

off because they were off when he insisted they were blaring.  His mind is back to normal.

I just wrote an article for “The Royal Spaniels” magazine about priorities changing; I did not expect any feedback

from Cavalier people and got none.  I feature it below. It talks about how we all get so caught up in the dog show

game, myself leading the pack, that we do not always pay attention to the human side of life. I have known dog

people who have taken a second mortgage out on their house or robbed their children’s’ college funds

order to finance a dog’s career to attempt to get to the coveted number in competition Cavalier in the country.  I

know how proud one can be of a dog that does that well; we have had three number one in competition Cavaliers in this

country and one in Canada. Was it sweet, yes, but oh so fleeting. As I say below, at the end of the day it is the dogs

that count, not the wins.

HAVING MY SAY: WHEN PRIORITIES CHANGE

Meredith Johnson-Snyder

Rattlebridge Cavaliers

In the last six months since Al has come out of remission and into aggressive liver cancer, my world and priorities have tilted. I find myself unable to wrap my once driven head around much of anything; I just cannot get myself together to finish articles, to keep up the good fight against anti breeding legislation, or to even embark on my spring planting frenzy. My energy level has pummeled, my goals have gone on vacation, and the normal activity of keeping up in the Cavalier and dog worlds has diminished. Facing cancer in one’s spouse takes center stage and normalcy goes on a back burner. My priorities have definitely changed and for the better right now.

Breeding, raising, and showing dogs can become a passion for those who do it with the right intention to improve the breed or at least to do no harm.

“Doing dogs” can become an obsession, an addiction, and a way of life. I am as guilty as anyone for missing family birthdays, sports events, awards ceremonies, graduations and weddings if one collided with a big specialty or judging assignment. My brothers, sister, and stepchildren and their families have never understood that they really needed to ask about my judging schedule or nationals in order to be graced with my presence; after all a judging contract is usually signed a at least a year in advance!!! The judging panel for a specialty or national may be made in heaven for one’s certain dog. Chasing the next BIS or National BISS can become the “holy grail” and the priority.

I have known those who did not make mortgage or car payment in order to pay entries, a handler to take a dog out, and/or advertising for said dog’s campaign. I have seen dogs become more of a priority than children. Thank God I have never gone quite that far probably because I never had children! I admit that priorities became pretty twisted when dog show weekends took top billing all too often in my life.

How absurd it all is, but then I am not alone in the dog world for having skewed priorities. When I asked a judge friend once what his religion was, he replied “the church of dog shows.” How many Sunday Masses or Holy Days of Obligation did I miss going to shows, whelping litters, or just begging off. Balancing my career and my dog show adventures was always a challenge and I retired earlier than I should have in order to be free to pursue my dream of showing and judging without the restrictions of a full time job—a job I would now love to do again if I wasn’t too damned old to do more than act as a substitute principal!

Why am I going on about all this? I am going on about “all this” because my priorities have drastically changed with age and with my husband’s cancer. I just wish I had had the good sense to change my priorities before nieces and nephews and step grandchildren had grown up without me realizing it, before so much money was spent on “doing dogs” and not enough saved or given to charities, before I had spent so much time away from Al who always supported me in my dog activities even when emitting terribly long sighs when doing the check book!

Was the drive to have beautiful champions, best in show dogs, performance and therapy dogs, and Register of Merits worth it? Yes, in a way, as dreams were fulfilled, goals met, and friendships made. It is wonderful to be able to look back at the journey of fulfilling dreams of wonderful Cavaliers. When I go back in my mind’s eye, the memories of my dogs will keep me softly even if all the ribbons and trophies will not keep me warm. However, all of those memories include Al who was my rock, my balance, my “curmudgeon” driving me crazy with his down to earth attitude when I just wanted to fly and he would be so damned cautionary that I would accuse him of always trying to put a damper on things. He should have put much more of a damper on me!!!

There comes a time in one’s life when the “footloose and fancy free” mentality of the young or middle aged comes into perspective. I think of my friend Anne Thaeder who rather put her life on hold to be her mother’s companion and then caretaker; she did so with joy and love. I hope that I am doing the same with my Al as gracefully as Annie and so many others finding themselves in the same situation do. My husband increasingly needs me in the “ups and downs” of chemo and if not total remission then just as much quality time as chemo and the Lord give to us. I have never been a very patient person, but am now learning patience. I have never really had to deny myself what I wished to do as an adult; Lord knows Al never denied me. Now he comes first in everything and I want to spend all my time with him. Suddenly “doing dogs” is not so important. Although still breeding a bit and enjoying looking at the show puppies grow up with our lawn as their show ring, I find that I am in no hurry to take them out; maybe they will be shown someday, maybe not, as their trotting around at home is as wonderful to me as their trotting around a ring. Even though missing the National this year did give me pause as I have a puppy that would have been competitive, there will be other nationals and other UK shows rather than this year’s wonderful one at Blenheim Palace. For one so once immersed in the dog show world as I, I have changed my priorities by the grace of God. Please say a prayer for my Al; he has been probably the only man in the world to put up with me. At this point he shakes his head with an empathetic yes!

MAY COLBY REST IN PEACE  12/25/00-3/27/10

“The Rainbow Bridge” is well known to almost all dog people; its sentiment gets us through the day and night when we lose one of beloved companions. 

As much as I believe in heaven as my very finite mind can understand it, I really would be lost there, if I get there at all, basking in God’s light without my beloveds by my feet, in my lap, and on my face and around my neck where my Wendy, Colby’s mother, has placed herself for all these years.  I can only imagine the pain that Colby’s family, the Kopacks   are feeling on losing him when I am still facing losing Wendy who is now 12 and 1/2 and as demanding as ever! Looking at Colby, I can see his mother as all of her children bear such a strong resemblance to her. In honor of Colby, another Rattlebridge Cavalier who brought so much love into his home, and to his family who loved him in return. Thank you Paul and Lorraine for giving him such a wonderful home:

The Rainbow Bridge 

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an
animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet
goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can
run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and
our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill
and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed
are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams
of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for
one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to
be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager
body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the
green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been
spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling
together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the
beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together

Author unknown

please God let him learn to sweep floors!!

July 20th is (or was as I am late in posting this) Al’s 80th birthday.  When I met Al on a blind date on January 20, 1984, I knew. After dinner having a drink, I wanted to put my head on his shoulder–the only person in the world that I ever did.  I had talked to Al on the phone for the first time two weeks before I met him; we talked about growing broccoli of all things and about his farm where we subsequently built our log ranch on the river in Delaware, Ohio, before the dogs necessitated we move to our larger farm in Marengo.  After talking to Al, I told my friends that I had met the man I was going to marry.  I was 39, successful in my career, had raised German Shepherds and was judging, doing community theatre, and enjoying my beautiful home in Columbus and the fact that my lovely mother lived with me;  in other words, I was used to doing exactly as I wanted as I had the freedom to do so.  I had ended a twelve year relationship with a  much older Middle Eastern  man because although he gave lip service to my dog involvement, he was really a control freak who little by little was reining me in.  I finally realized that I could not walk ten paces behind and ended it; I thought as used to my independence as I was and as driven in my career and dogs as I was that I would never marry or risk having another significant relationship as I could not allow myself to give up so much of me again. 

Then I met Al and married him in six weeks start to finish.  I was not going to let him go!  I asked him what first attracted him to me and he said “my moxie”–a quality that has driven him crazy ever since.  Al hated New Yorkers because he thought them brazen and pushy; I am from Brooklyn–brazen and pushy.  It took me years to figure out why I often turned Midwesterners off; only a couple of years ago did it dawn on me that Midwesterners are more laid back; not as pushy or as verbally assertive and aggressive as those of us from the East coast especially my Brooklyn. Once I figured this out, I have used being from Brooklyn as my excuse for everything!!!  Anyway, after twenty five years of marriage, we are still working out the kinks!!!  We have gone through a lot together and share the same code of ethics and hopefully incorruptible integrity.  As different as we are on the surface, we think the same way and are really made from the same cloth. Al has been my rock, my security, my refuge, and my love.  Any success that Rattlebridge has enjoyed is due to his steadfastness; I depend on him totally and would be lost without him.

Happy Birthday, Al, and many many more to come.

 Al the Befuddled!!!

Al with his wonderful Tia who was his girl for 16 years:

Below is my favorite picture of Al.  He and Ch. Rattlebridge Kathleen, ROM, were enjoying being on the water in this photo. “Katie” lived to be 14.  One of Al’s fondest memories is showing Katie to two best puppy in show wins at two old club shows beating me handling Ch. Rattlebridge Reginald each day for Best Puppy!!

One of our wedding pictures.

Al looks the same, but I will never be this thin again!!!

I had the honor of judging the Summerfest cluster of shows the fourth of July weekend in Ventura, California, and had a marvelous time as I always do when I judge these shows.  Our hotel was located right on the beach and the shows next door at the fairgrounds. I caught up with some of my judge friends and really enjoyed their camaraderie.  I judged some lovely dogs.during the three days of shows and then traveled to San Diego with my really dear friends Jeff and Tami Byroads who got their first Cavalier “Tilt” from me. Tami recently showed Tilt at the Bay Area Cavalier Club specialty where he won Best Veteran.

The Byroads home is San Diego is truly lovely, but the biggest treat, besides hanging out with my friends, was seeing my “kids:”  Tilt, Winnie and Costume Party.  Friends of Tami and Jeff’s were celebrating a birthday on the beach of the La Jolla Country Club. It was such a lovely night and the food was beyond delicious.  I went to California showing off my weight loss and came back with a bigger girth due to the desserts served at the party. The sunset on the beach was glorious.

Tami and I went to the San Diego zoo!  This Zoo is unbelievable and changed so much since my last visit several years ago.  The elephant exhibit was my favorite, but I enjoyed all we saw, just a little of the huge zoo.  Hopefully, all the walking took off a couple of ounces of dessert. 

I had the opportunity to talk to the Cavalier Club of San Diego about the responsibilities of breeding and ownership.  This is a rather new and very enthusiastic club who put on their first specialty show last February.  I was supposed to judge, but Al’s brain surgery kept me home.  Great club, great club members.   Until next time . . .

Rattlebridge Pistols at Dawn is a son of Ch. Rattlebridge Delta Dawn by Ch. Wildflower Jack-in-the Pulpit.  He is co bred and co owned by my great friend Sherri Meyer and me.

We have great hopes for him in the show ring, but his greatest asset besides his beauty is his outstanding Cavalier temperament.  He has never had a headache!

My friend Sandy just sent me this wonderful photo of her Murphy.  Sandy came to us for a girl, but all I had was this little boy.  I finally convinced Sandy that the boys are always special;  my favorite saying is that Cavalier girls love you, but boys fall in love with you.  Sandy tells me that I was so right (of course!!!); she cannot picture life without Murphy who just earned is Canine Good Citizen and is on his way to therapy dog and maybe other titles. 

My friend Donna reports about her “Casey:”

I just finished reading your “blog” about Wendy and I laughed so hard.  I think you have bred the “woo woo woo” gene into your Rattlebridge dogs.  Casey sounds like he is being neglected and abused anytime he is separated from his favorite humans ( this includes but is not limited to us, all the neighbors, the UPS man, mailman, any company,  his groomer,  and especially his pet-sitter). It’s hard to believe  that he has been with us for almost two years.

He embodies the  “joyous and carefree” description of Cavaliers. He knows every single neighbor, the UPS man brings him treats, and he has multiple play dates on a regular basis. He passed his Rally obedience class  (barely) and was either perfectly behaved or a total non-conformist. 

He continues to visit with Tom at the local assisted living center 
and accompanies him on his Meals on Wheels rounds.  I ran into Casey’s brother Truth or Dare” at a show in  Brooksville, Fl. They look so much alike.

Casey is saying “you sure look like me.”

I went to Tennessee a few weeks ago to visit with my buddy Margaret Valentine in Memphis.  We had our usual happy, relaxed time together just hanging out and going to her lovely lake house at Greer’s Ferry in Arkansas.  Our top winning Cavalier Ch. Rattlebridge Adagio lives with Margaret and I took “Gio” with me to Clarksville, Tennessee, to take  our Kelly who lived with Margaret to her new home in Clarksville, Tennessee where my brother and his wife live.  I had a great time visiting John and his wife Uni and then went on to visit Brenda Radford who was to give Kelly a new home.  Brenda had already embraced our Trixie and Gio’s mother, Ch. Rattlebridge Master Card, “Credit,” when show careers and maternal duties were over.  It almost killed me to let Credit go to a new home as I loved her dearly, but Al and I have always said to do what was best for the dog and at Brenda’s Credit would get much more attention than at home as we had quite a few other dogs at the time.  Credit and Trixie lead enchanted lives at Brenda’s.  It was wonderful seeing the girls once more. Credit is thirteen and still going strong, but I did so want to see her once more because one never knows when she will go to the rainbow bridge.  To see Credit and Adagio together once more was a very teary thrill. In the picture above, you will see Adagio, me (with my double chin, Credit, and the very elegant Brenda Radford.

Leading a queen’s life as she should, Credit loves to snooze on Brenda’s bed. Below is our Kelly who immediately made herself at home at Brenda’s by jumping into the rocker in the kitchen and staking her claim. 

We had a Cavalier get together today at a training facility. We had a short meeting of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of Central Ohio of which I am an officer.  We then had two conformation training classes for our dogs, mostly puppies or young dogs.  My three new hopefuls conducted themselves quite well since only one of them had been on lead.  They soon got the hang of it and made me very proud.  Rattlebridge Dueling at Dawn and Rattlebridge Danger at Dawn are six month old half brothers from the same mother, Ch. Rattlebridge Delta Dawn.  Miss Delta could not satisfy herself with only one stud dog but bred herself to another that somehow got through a dog door because he found her so irresistible.  AKC allows multiple sire litters with DNA testing.  So all is done and the boys are off and running!  Will post a picture of the both of them soon as I am really excited about them if they continue to develop as well as they have.  Nothing is ever certain in breeding dogs!

Our little girl by Ch. Rattlebridge From Dusk ‘Til Dawn out of Rattlebridge Alice Blue Gown handled herself beautifully for her first time on lead and a venture away from home. Rattlebridge Tete a Tete at Dawn is very sweet,  loving and well behaved The boys, her hooligan first cousins, are not as demure as she which is to be expected!

We had absolutely cold, drizzling, dreary weather today.  My newborn daffodils are really protesting by laying on their sides.  My tulips have all been eaten by deer or rabbits so won’t bloom and I planted at least two hundred bulbs!  The deer come right up to the sitting area by our bedroom window and heat all the birdseed from the squirrel proof bird feeder.  What effrontery!

Until next time . . .