Slice of Nice

  Today was the first day of conformation showing here in AZ at the Fiesta Cluster.  Today was a special specialty.  This past November, we lost one of our good friends, Cyndy Heisler, to Cancer.  Cyndy had made a name for herself here in the Valley of the Sun.  She was THE golden breeder here. She was a mentor to many and bred some beautiful dogs.  She did so much for showing Goldens in Arizona.

She bred her Sage to our Bailey and that produced Duncan and Tess.  Tess is Emma’s Mom.  Emma’s Dad, Kramer, won a Best in Show for Cyndy.  So, today during the speciality we had a moment of silence for her and our other good friend, Dawn who also lost her battle to Cancer last year.  In the ring, all of Cyndy’s friends gathered with all the Sonora (her kennel name) dogs in the ring to observe the moment.  I can’t tell you how many time’s I’ve heard “wow, these Sonora Goldens are all over the ring” as I walk ringside to enter and show.  Cyndy may have lost her battle to Cancer, but she will live on in the pages of each Fiesta Cluster program for years to come as the owner of some nice dogs who have given us our Duncan’s and Emma’s.  

Here are a few more pics from today.

Tess (Emma's Mom) with Vicki

Emma's sister, Tasha

Tessie

Emma

 As I was going through all the Valentine’s pictures, this one immediately made me think of an old married couple.  Casey (left) is just sitting there waiting and Ashby (right) has that curled lip of frustration, such as a husband who has said the wrong thing again.  How many times has this happened to you on Valentine’s Day guys?  It’s because you forgot the roses right or maybe you took your wife to the sports bar down the road?

Let’s go on to our next picture, because Ashby’s outlook is much better as a husband or boyfriend!  To me he has this “I just got lucky” look on his face.  All the romantic guys out there would say - “I got lucky the day I met you honey.”  Casey looks rather happy in the picture also.  

A lot of people say that Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday and they just don’t want to participate.  And while that might be a true statement, there are some good reasons to participate in Valentine’s day.  Number one reason - You don’t want to end up in the dog house!  But really, relationships are hard and we are supposed to work on them every day and give 100% and for those of you who do, good for you.  But for the rest of us, Valentine’s Day is a nice day to say to some one you love, “I Love You.”  The simple gestures of a card or dinner or flowers are part of the little things that just make your partner smile!  You might see a smile you’ve not seen in a long time.

Valentine’s Day is not just for couples either!  So many people can get down or discouraged on VDay, but think back to those days in grade school where everyone got a Valentine and the teacher got the carnation.  So, sending a card to a friend, flowers to your parents, or buying your dogs that extra special doggy treat is a great celebration!  Enjoy Valentine’s Day!  Make it special in your own way!

Don’t forget that Slice of Nice has Valentine’s Cards!  Click here to order yours now!  We’ll even send it for you!

Ginger and Coco

Coco and Ginger, how could you get them mixed up?  I mean it’s just so easy, one is ginger colored and one is cocoa colored!  Well, let me tell you just how easy it is to get them mixed up when you are doing a photo shoot!  Try as I may, I just couldn’t keep them straight and I’m sure their Mom must think I’m a nut.

Did you look closely at the picture?  If you did, then perhaps you noticed that Coco is missing an ear.  She had a mast cell tumor on the ear.  Thankfully they caught it early and feel like they have gotten it all.  Coco is doing well post surgery.  Her Mom and her groomer was telling me that one side of her face was a little droopier (if that’s a word) than the other as she heals from the surgery.  They see it, but I couldn’t tell.  

Coco is a very lucky little Cocker Spaniel to have a Mom that took her to the vet quickly upon finding the tumor.  Not all Cancers present tumors that owners can feel and have their vet deal with.

Most canine Cancers are silent killers and you don’t know that your dog is sick.  You have to watch for subtle signs in behavior to see most of the Cancers.  And when you get to your vet you have to ask them to search for it.  Since we have lost three to Cancer now, we are more aware of what to look for and the questions that we need to ask of our vets.  To find out more, visit the National Canine Cancer Foundation’s website.  

Tis the season for giving!  Don’t forget your favorite pet charity!  Ours is the National Canine Cancer Foundation!  Give your friends a gift too by donating to a charity that you both support in their name!