Wine Country

This weekend we are headed up to Wine Country to the Wine Country Kennel Club show. Hummer and I will just be spectators while we watch Alexander in the Labrador ring perform with his new handler, Jeff Heim, who did so well with Hummer in his early show career. Hopefully we will get an opportunity to visit the Wine Country Kennels and see some up and coming Karazan Newfoundlands as well as say hello to some of the Veterans. It is a lovely time in the Napa Valley with the fall colors decorating even the vinyards with many yellows, oranges, and reds. Graced with a windy river and rolling green hills, it is a lovely background for the life of a dog as well as enjoyment of the culinary and fine arts. The dog show should be a lot of fun, especially if Alex gets awarded Best Puppy!!

A Tribute to Cher

This is a tribute to our beloved Cher who passed away this week, just before her 5th birthday. Deteriorating from a tragic disease, she was finally relieved of her suffering. Many dogs touch our lives in a very special way, she was one of them. She was one of the most wonderful dogs I have ever had the privilege to live with. She was sweet and fun and obedient and loyal. She was Hummer's best friend and we will all miss her greatly. I have a great love for the Labrador Retriever because of Cher. Rest in Peace, dear Cher-Bear.

Summer Vacation is Over

Enough about cats and lounging around on decks!!! It's Showtime! Look for Hummer at the Sir Frances Drake show in Vallejo on September 18th and 19th. The fall season is the best time for shows and Hummer is ready to go!

Cool Cat

Hummer's home is being invaded....by Cats!!!! It's so quiet and the dogs are so nice there that a renegade or orphaned kitten has decided to join the older Calico Cat, Aubrey,  in the front yard and has made it his home. I call him Rikki, because I was not sure if he was a boy or girl and I figured the name would fit either. He first appeared as just a 4-5 week old kitten, just a little ball of fur who would scurry off into the bushes when I approached. He would be eating out of the food bowl I leave out for my two older female cats. He was teeny-tiny and bounced off like a little furry ball. He is now at least 3 months old and has not left our yard. He hangs out with Aubrey, my 18 year old long haired Calico cat. I got him some toys to play with and he likes to lounge around by the food bowl. I say HE because he did pounce around and rolled over and I think I detected a boy appearance, so I will call him HE from now on. He lets me walk up to him from about 5 feet, but any closer he runs into the bushes. What will happen to this kitten if I can't take him to the vet for shots or worming? He seems really healthy so far and he has a huge appetite!! He likes the toys and he loves to hang around with Aubrey. I hope some day he lets me pet him. He will probably get older and wander off into the neighborhood looking for a girlfriend if I can't neuter him. Until then I look for him and try to get him to trust me to get closer. He's really pretty. I have no idea where he came from and if there were other kittens what happened to them. He has adopted us and as long as he is in my yard I will feed him. Rikki, the Cool Cat!!

Good Luck Alexander!!

Good luck to my little brother Alexander, Misty Mountain's Chariots of Fire, at the Richmond Dog Fancier's show in Dixon this weekend! He stands a chance to win Best Puppy!! I will be there too working hard to win Best of Breed in the Newfoundland ring with my buddies Bella, Bristol, and a few other blokes!! We have had enough bathing and brushing, lets get out there and Win!!

Something About The Newfoundland

Something about the Newfoundland
How they run and have such fun
Something about how they stay by you
And how they never stray

Something about the Newfoundland
They look so furry, big and round,
Something about how they look at you
Like they've known you since the very first day

Something about the Newfoundland
They seem to have written the book on love
About how it's not what they can take
But giving and sharing and swimming,

In the lake..... in the lake.......


A song about the Newfoundland


by Claire S.

Where is Cher?

Cher has been in Napa hoping to have a litter of puppies but the effort has been unsuccessful. Hopefully she will come home soon so that she can again be with her best buddy Hummer and meet her new family member, Alexander. They will also be good friends. We can't wait for Cher to come home.