Halcyon Cardigan Welsh Corgis

14/11/2024

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29/10/2024

This was an idea I've had kicking around for a while now-- Our year, displayed in the ribbons we've earned!

With the exception of one Rally qualifying flat that fell out of my bag and was lost, this is every flat and rosette Wish has earned in 2024, in chronological order. Beginning with our first PT leg at our first Herding Trial, all the way up to our most recent Open legs in Agility. And everything in between!!

Rally was definitely our big focus this year, as we continue to work towards Wish's RACH. But, I'm thrilled that we also got to include Herding, Agility, Conformation, and even trying out UKC Conformation and Rally as well!

Wish has qualified in every Rally run we've entered this year (with the exception of the 3 I pulled us from in May, as we were both just exhausted), and has earned more than half of the triple Q's needed towards his RACH. He earned his RM title, his RAE title, his NAP and NJP titles, and two CWCCA awards of distinction: His Versatility Excellent (VCX), and Champion of the Heart - Companion for 2023. He earned his first PT leg in Herding, and two legs towards his OAP title. He earned a 5pt Best of Breed GCH Major as well as several 3 and 4pt majors and a handful of more points towards his GCHB, and an Owner Handled Group 3 towards his NOHS Bronze.

We even came home with a High Combined from one of our Rally trials!!

Every one of these ribbons represents a time I stepped into the ring with my dog. And that's a blessing and a privilege, as well as a lesson learned.

There aren't the words I need to express how proud I am of Wish. We have faced our challenges and will continue to face new ones as we continue as a team, but with each new challenge comes another step up that mountain that at once seemed insurmountable. He is every bit the versatile dog I strive for my breeding program to continue. He gives me his all in everything that we do. This has been an exceptionally eventful year for us, but Wish has never broken his stride or faltered. He is my steady, trusty right hand man. He challenges me to be better, every day. And he does it with unconditional love, trust and a smile on his face.

How many dogs can walk out of a show ring, showing their hearts out, and right into the Rally ring to earn a triple Q, and do that again three more days in a row? How many can then give 110% at a herding trial the next weekend, and again at an agility trial the weekend after that? Who is just as comfortable curled up in a camper trailer beside me as he is in a comfy hotel bed? And every day in between, be a steadfast partner, totally content to rest beside me while I work?

I couldn't ask for more, and yet he just continues to give me the world. He'd herd the stars and hang the moon if he thought it'd make me smile.

THAT is my goal as a breeder. Because everyone deserves to have a remarkable dog.

"Wish", GCH CH IntCH Samhain's As You Wish BN RM RAE NAP NJP FDC CA FCAT SCN CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VCX

23/10/2024

Another amazing weekend for the Halcyon crew!!

We attended the 2024 Wenatchee Kennel Club dog show, where Rynnie got to compete in an AKC dog show for the first time! This was her only opportunity to play in BPUP before she is 6 months old, and she had so much fun and even earned a Group 3! She is a little natural and I am so excited to continue her journey as she grows up. ❤️

She also got to try out a puppy fun run in FastCAT (about 1/4 of the course), and she LOVED it!!! This will definitely be a favorite for her once she's a bit older!

Wish, as usual, exceeded my expectations as well. Our main focus this weekend was to trial in Rally and work towards his RACH, and Woo delighted me with his enthusiasm and engagement!! All told, we walked away with two more triple Q's and a handful of Masters points towards his RACH, with scores of 82/97/97 on Saturday and 97/88/95 on Sunday, which also earned him two Third places and a Fourth place. Not bad for the only 8" dog!

And, of course, he got to play show dog, too! Wish earned Best of Opposite and Select Dog for another handful of GCH points towards his GCHB. I'm not sure whether I will pursue that as an official goal with him, as I'd rather focus on his RACH, but as long as he still loves it out there in the ring, I am delighted to be right there with him. ❤️ I thanked him for all of his hard work with a FastCAT fun run, which he adored!!

Getting to cheer our friends Sheri and Mavis of Roesiger Cardigans on to Mavis' conformation Championship was an extra treat. ❤️

We even had a tag along this weekend!! Kiki the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, owned by Neele, tagged along for some fun and good ring experience this weekend as well. She did an awesome job and I loved watching her find her fun out there with me!

While it was a whirlwind of a weekend and I spent most of it running back and forth from ring to ring, I learned so much and really got to watch my dogs shine. I am so beyond proud of them all and look forward to our next adventure. ❤️

23/10/2024

Catching up on purchasing win photos, and more to purchase when I can! A very good problem to have, haha.

First up! Rynnie's win photo for her IABCA Best in Show Puppy and 2x Reserve Best in Show Puppy awards, plus three Puppy Herding Group 1 and one Puppy Herding Group 2! As well as this adorable shot of her in the Grand Sieger ring. ❤️

Her very first time out playing show dog, and she rocked it! And on my birthday weekend no less!

Photos by BigWhiteDog Photography! ❤️

21/10/2024

Oops, I have some catching up to do!

Last weekend we tried something new--Competing in a local UKC show!

It was a fantastic way to get Wish back into the swing of dog shows (as we've been on break since May for conformation and July for Agility and anything else).

All told, he earned two Best of Breeds, a Herding Group 4, two Qualifying Rally runs including 2nd and 1st place, and his Total Dog Award! He now has 70* (if my math is correct *it was so not lol, thank you Neele) points and all of his competition defeats for his UKC Championship. Then last night after the show, we joined our friends at Agility League and got to have a couple of fun practice runs!! Wish found his speed again and delighted me with how well he ran. I'm excited to compete in Agility at the end of the month with him! And the cherry on top, as a thanks for all his hard work, he got to have a fun CAT run!

Kizzie tagged along as well, and while she didn't do the dog show thing this time, she did join Wish and I with Neele Yasha and Kiki for a lovely nighttime walk and had a wonderful time! Rynnie stayed home to rest from her big day.

Rynnie also had a blast, coming out for more show experience! She was up against an adorable Keeshond puppy for shows 1 and 2 and was the only puppy for shows 3 and 4, but I am continually impressed by how she puts her whole heart into everything. Just joyful, confident and "what's next?" And I am so very proud! She learned how to show on grass, saw more breeds she's never seen, met lots of people and had a great time!! She's coming home with four Best In Show Novice Puppy awards!

Wish is GCH CH IntCH Samhain's As You Wish BN RM RAE NAP NJP FDC CA FCAT SCN CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VCX

Bred by myself and Kim Kiefer

Kizzie is Samhain's Everything Happens for a Reason CGCA CGCU TKI VHMA

Bred by Kim Kiefer

Rynnie is Vestavia Ostara And the Universe Said @ Halcyon CGC TKN

Bred by Cathy Ochs-Cline and Olivia Navolio, with foundation work from Victoria McCarthy-Cruse

All three are owned and adored by me ❤️

08/10/2024

This past weekend was very special, as it was Rynnie's first time in the ring playing show dog!!

We attended a local IABCA show, where Rynnie totally exceeded my expectations. I wanted to give her as many opportunities in the ring as possible for experience, while letting her set the pace. Each time in the ring, she was having so much fun, wagging her tail the whole time while still being focused and engaged. All our training has definitely paid off so far, and she showed like a little seasoned pro. ❤️ In between shows, she was content to nap in her crate, play, visit with other show goers, or sit beside me watching the happenings around her, quiet and interested but never concerned.

Rynnie and I made it all the way to the Grand Sieger, which was the overall best in show competition!! She earned her International Baby Championship, and also brought home her fair share of big, pretty rosettes, which was an added bonus because it was my birthday this weekend and I am indeed a fan of big sparkly rosettes 😂❤️

Most importantly, we achieved our goal of having so much fun and giving her a fabulous first dog show experience!!

Show results:

SHOW 1:
-Puppy Herding Group 1
-Reserve Best Puppy in Show

SHOW 2:
-Puppy Herding Group 2

SHOW 3:
-Puppy Herding Group 1
-Reserve Best Puppy in Show

SHOW 4:
-Puppy Herding Group 1
-Best Puppy in Show

I am so proud of her and excited for our next adventure (in a week!).

01/10/2024

Rynnie got her first mail!!! Her certificates for her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Trick Dog Novice (TKN) titles arrived, so she got to learn about posing for certificate pictures like Wish and Kizzie do!

This is hopefully the beginning of many more certificates for her binder. ❤️

09/09/2024

Aderyn - Vestavia Ostara And the Universe Said @ Halcyon *CGC *TKN

(*pending AKC approval)

19 weeks old, she got all groomed up today for some pictures. ❤

Thank you so much to Neele for helping me take these pictures!!!

Rynnie is by Jai Jai (NBISS CanNBISS MBISS MRBIS CanRBIS CanCH GCHP Redbud Across The Universe FDC), out of Secret (GCH CH Vestavia Talking in Your Sleep CAX ATT FCAT CGC TKN SWN RATN)

Bred by Cathy Ochs-Cline and Olivia Navolio, with love and help from Victoria McCarthy-Cruse!

I am so over the moon with her, and am so excited to watch her continue to grow ❤

05/09/2024

Belated Extravaganza post, whoops!

The Cardigan Extravaganza is one of my favorite events of the year. It is an informative, fun and friendly gathering of Cardigan enthusiasts, where we get to see so many friends and dogs, and meet new ones!

This year, all three of my dogs came with me. Every one of them got to do their own fun classes with me, and I was so thrilled with how well each of them did, and how much fun we had!

It was so lovely as always to see so many of my dear friends of the fancy, as well as to meet and make new ones!

Until next year!!! ❤️

28/08/2024

I'll have a big wrap-up post of all the fun we had at the 2024 Cardigan Extravaganza up shortly, but first....

I am so excited to announce that Aderyn earned her first TWO titles this weekend, her Canine Good Citizen and her Trick Dog Novice titles, at the ripe age of 16wks old (she turned 17wks old on Tuesday!)

I originally just took her through to practice the exercises with distractions and other dogs working around her, to see what we could start working more on, but this puppy blew me out of the water!! Her focus, confidence, and JOY for playing and learning is remarkable and I am beyond excited to continue watching her grow and to continue playing with her!! She had SO much fun this weekend (all my dogs and I did!!!) 💕

So, *pending AKC approval, Rynnie is now...

Vestavia Ostara And the Universe Said @ Halcyon CGC* TKN*

19/08/2024

This weekend, we are delighted to be attending the Cardigan Extravaganza again!

Originally started as a way to introduce new and aspiring Cardigan owners to showing, training and caring for their dogs, the Extravaganza has continued to grow and is a fantastic educational event to attend, featuring a wide variety of fun and informative classes lead by experienced instructors. From basic care for your canine companions, to getting started in the show ring and trying out performance events like rally, obedience and agility, and more! Come explore some super fun things to do with your dogs!

And the fun doesn't end there. The Extravaganza also spotlights phenomenal vendors and local artisans, as well as providing a fun and welcoming environment to meet other Cardigan owners and enthusiasts and build connections.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Vallhunds are welcome, too!!

RSVP form is now live! Join the Facebook group "Cardigan Welsh Corgi Extravaganza - PNW" for access. Can't wait to see you there!

17/08/2024

We're coming up on nearly three weeks since Aderyn, aka Rynnie, joined us here at Halcyon!

Despite 2 planes, thousands of miles, a 3+ hour airport delay, and a shuttle trip all in the span of a day, Rynnie came into our lives like she's been here all along. She is an incredibly happy, steady, easygoing girl and she handled an immense amount of change in her little life with ease, and she has made herself right at home. ❤️

And oh, the joy and healing she's brought us. Wish and Kizzie both adore her, and my home is filled with the sounds of playing Cardis again! Kizzie zooms around like she's 5 years younger. Wish is delighted to have someone who wants to chase and be chased!

Rynnie is a thinker. You can watch her take in every new experience and analyze it, before she leaps in with full enthusiasm. We are currently doing short, sweet training sessions, working on foundations for important skills we'll continue to build on in the future for daily life as well as performance and showing. She loves to learn and picks up new ideas quickly, before adding her own fun spin on things. I am so excited to explore different venues and find out what games she wants to play.

She is also HILARIOUS. Just a silly, good humored baby dog who is always finding new ways to make us laugh!

Her breeders and raisers, Cathy, Olivia and Victoria did such a phenomenal job bringing her into this world and giving her such a solid foundation. She is an absolute delight and I look forward to sharing her adventures!

16/08/2024

Today was well check day for Rynnie and Wish! This was Wish's annual wellness appointment and vaccine updates, as well as Rynnie's new puppy appointment with our vet and to continue her vaccination series.

(Kizzie got to sit this one out, as she has been seen recently and is already up to date. She has been doing fabulously!)

Both Wish and Rynnie were model patients, and their veterinarian as well as the vet students were thrilled with their wonderful behavior and temperaments as well as their health!

Since Wish is 7 years old (turning 8 this November!), he is considered a "veteran" or "senior" dog (not that he ever got that memo, haha). He gets annual bloodwork and an exam with his check ups as an intact male to ensure all is well. I am delighted to report that Wish got a clean bill of health today and everything is looking great!!

And Rynnie made quite the impression as well. She is a perfect, happy, healthy baby puppy who gladly traded an exam and shots for some cuddles and peanut butter. Her tail wagged the whole time!

After their checkups, all they're due for now is a nice nap. ❤️

27/07/2024

They say the remedy for a broken heart is to let it love something new, so...

Introducing Aderyn, aka Rynnie, Lil Bit, and the dozens of nicknames I'm sure she'll continue to collect ❤️❤️❤️

Aderyn is Welsh for "bird", which I suppose is extra fitting since it will take 4 planes to get us home 🤣

Formally...

Vestavia Ostara And the Universe Said @ Halcyon

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to her breeders Cathy Ochs-Cline of Vestavia Cardigans, and Olivia Navolio of Ostara Cardigans, for trusting me with this sweet, special girl and for giving her such an amazing start to her life ❤️

And thank you to Victoria McCarthy-Cruse, for all of your wonderful care, love, and preparing her for life's many variabilities ❤️

Thank you all for loving her, and giving me the privilege to do the same! I hope that we make you all proud ❤️❤️

Rynnie is by Jai Jai, MBISS GCHP Redbud Across The Universe FDC, out of Secret, GCH CH Vestavia Talking in Your Sleep
​CAX ATT FCAT CGC TKN SWN RATN

27/06/2024

Waking up at 5am is totally worth it for a great day of friends, dogs, herding, swimming and beautiful weather to boot!!

The dogs got to try out ducks on Sunday, and everyone did a fabulous job! As a newer herding handler it was fascinating to see the difference in each dogs demeanor when working sheep vs ducks.

And afterwards, we headed down to the lake to cool off and relax before our long drives home!!!

27/06/2024

We were not able to attend the National this year, but I received word that Wish was chosen for the CWCCA 2023 Champion of the Heart - Companion award!!

I am beyond thankful and honored for my sweet boy to have been chosen for this distinction. ❤️

To say this dog means a lot to me is a grave understatement. I dreamed of a dog like him for years, and then from the moment he was born, I just knew he was what I'd been wishing for. He is my first for so many things, and he has taken me on the journey of a lifetime and has taught me innumerable, invaluable lessons. Together, we have achieved so many of what I'd previously thought were just wild dreams for me. He gave me confidence and belief in the magic of working with that dog who is just meant to be. He has demanded and inspired me to be better, every single day.

I sincerely don't know who, where or what I'd be without this dog. He makes my life whole and full.

I cannot thank him enough for giving me the honor of being his person. ❤️

Thank you to the CWCCA for honoring my boy. He is everything to me and I wish that everyone has the privilege of having a dog that brings this much magic to their lives as he has to mine. We all love our dogs so much, and our lives are made full by them!! ❤️❤️

12/06/2024

We are on a roll!!

We may not have many dog shows on our calendar this year (we might attend one more this fall, unsure yet) as we're focusing more on performance these days, but we are making the ones we do attend count!

Wish and I joined our friends for another 4 day show this past month over Memorial day weekend, and he continued to rise to the challenge and exceed my expectations!! I am still riding on cloud 9, even though we are both pretty tired, haha.

Wish qualified 9 more times in Rally (I pulled us on day 4, we were both exhausted), with 3 more triple Qs, four new placements, his new Rally Master Title, first Rally Masters points, and...

High Combined!!!

I still cannot believe it. My best boy played so happily with me this weekend, we are really finding our stride out in the ring again. ❤️ And because he's Wish, we juggled this with conformation as well, where Wish pulled off an Owner Handled Group 3 this weekend as well!!

He is adding the title RM to his alphabet soup, and his RAE has officially processed from our last show. His VCX has also been awarded by CWCCA!

And, Kizzie's CGCA, CGCU and TKI titles have all processed as well ❤️

I am so thankful to have these dogs by my side. There is nothing we can't do and we have come so, so far working and learning together!

Wish is now, *pending AKC approval:

GCH CH IntCH Samhain's As You Wish BN RM* RAE NJP FDC CA FCAT SCN CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VCX

And Kizzie is now:

Samhain's Everything Happens for a Reason CGCA CGCU TKI VHMA

Onwards and upwards!