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.

Hot Time in the Summer Time

Enjoying a little deck time and a dip in the lagoon with Lifeguard Hummer looking on. Alexander says he doesn't need a Lifeguard, he can swim like a fish! Come on in, the water's fine!

Make My Day...the First Day of Summer

The Fountain of Woof

It's the first day of Summer and the longest day of the year where the sun doesn't set until after 8:30pm. Of course I spent most of the day indoors at work and missed the sunset and watching the moon waxing to almost full and seeing the planet Venus full and bright in the summer sky. The dogs awaken early in the morning and are ready for their nice long walk before it gets too warm. Before our walk I gave Hummer a good brushing- out and combing which I will do again before his bath this coming weekend. He will also get a deep coat conditioner and a good trimming over the weekend. Alexander went to the groomer's and got his nails trimmed. He will also get a good washing this weekend and practice being on the grooming table and stacking. It may be June and the first day of Summer, but what it really means is that the Carmel Dog Show is just around the corner!! My favorite show of the year, Hummer got Best of Breed last year and we hope we will have another shot at that this year. Staying again in Carmel Valley, we are minutes away from the showgrounds and the town of Carmel where we can enjoy a nice stroll by the art galleries and shops and enjoy a great dinner at one of the wonderful restaurants there. This year we hope to get a photo in front of the Fountain of Woof!! Dog-friendly Carmel is a great place for a dog show and a great place for fun in the Summer. We will spend the next few weeks thinking about and preparing for this special dog show vacation. Maybe we will see Clint Eastwood strolling around the streets of Carmel.... that would make my day!

Reach and Drive

As one of the most beautiful and elegant of Giant Breed Dogs, THE NEWFOUNDLAND is  classified as a Working Breed,  capable of covering a lot of ground and pulling heavy carts as well as rescuing a person or a stranded boat in deep water. While observing the side gate of the dog in the show ring, one should notice a tremendous reach and drive as the dog propels itself across the ground with his large frame and well-developed muscles. The gate should be smooth and appear effortless while the tail functions as a rudder and should not be curled over the back like that of a Malamute.  The Newfoundland has a strong shoulder, well-muscled rear assembly and straight top line which is covered with a long dense coat. These photos are a primary example of a strong mature Newfoundland capable of demanding work.


Thank you Terri Muro for your excellent photography.

Hats Off!!!!

Hats Off!!! to the Chicago Blackhawks for winning the Stanley Cup in Ice Hockey 2010!!! And a special Hats-Off to Antti Niemi, the Finnish Goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks who worked his way up from Juniors and the AHL to show his talent and determination facing countless pucks to win the Stanley Cup for Chicago. Having had a son as a Goaltender in Junior Hockey in California and Canada, I know what a tremendous effort this has been for Mr. Niemi and what a fabulous job he has done for the Blackhawks team. He deserves his MVP status for the Stanley Cup, for without his astute attention to where the puck was at all times, there would have been many more goals. Niemi, your talent and athleticism pushed your team to the top. A jolly good Hats Off to you and your team. Competition is more than just winning.

First in Line

FIRST in the line up at the Hangtown Kennel Club show, Hummer got a good look from the Judge and moved in full gear as he ran around the very nicely groomed ring in Placerville over Memorial Day Holiday. Sharing the same ring times as his brother Alexander, they had their handler hopping from ring to ring. It was great fun!

CH Win N Rome's One and Only Isabella!

Congratulations to our friend BELLA, now Champion Win N Rome's One and Only Isabella, who finished her Championship by winning the Major at the Coyote Hills Kennel Club show in Vallejo this weekend! Hummer is looking forward to sharing the Best of Breed ring with her in her next show and many more future shows as they enjoy grazing, traveling, running around the ring and celebrating together. Well done Bella!!

Burning Down the House

Until I get another camera, which I have not yet had time to shop for, I will display other peoples' photographs, which, although they do not contain photos of any dogs, are much better than I could ever take with any camera. These are all photos of places where I would either like to be or go to, from Northern Canada to Italy, any beach with any sunset would be fine too. However, I live with dogs, and I also have a puppy who is into everything all the time. I let my dogs into the house, they are with me most of the time and enjoy the cool floors inside or the deck outside. Even though Hummer is content to sleep and relax after a long walk, the LABRADOR puppy, ALEXANDER, is busy chewing, sniffing, exploring, asking for..... something! Channeling a puppy's energy is the single most important thing a dog owner can do to keep the peace and to keep the house from being destroyed.
So far we have been lucky. So far I have been able to supply enough chew bones and toys to satisfy this exceptionally beautiful and energetic Labrador. Hummer has been spared many a time from the wrath of Alex who wants to play play play, and although Hummer is fine with it, he does get more tired and wants to sleep in his own corner. We have been working on ring craft and obedience with both the baby and Hummer. I look forward to their next show in Vallejo so they can channel their energy towards the show and not the corners of the house. Pretty teeth and regal stance are the order of the day. The HOUSE, although not perfecty clean, organized, or decorated, is comfortable for the dogs,from the garden decks to the cool marble floors, is not yet ready to be BURNED DOWN!!

Twist and Shout!

The Hollister show was a great time with great weather and the company of Fritzy,a young and spry Newfoundland and half brother to Hummer. On Saturday the Judge, the Honerable Burton Yamada, was giving Hummer a serious look but ultimately chose Fritzy for Best of Breed as Hummer was not gating very well. He must have twisted something and was not his usual smooth self. Hummer will have to get used to me as his new handler! This is sometimes the disappointing part of working with not a machine, but an animal who is like an athlete and has to be most careful before competition. Otherwise it was a most pleasant weekend and we look forward to training and getting ready for our next competition this month. Hopefully we will have something to shout about in the near future!

We are ready to Rock'n'Roll

In Memory of Gaia

While grooming Hummer today I was reminded of Gaia, his Sire. Although not exactly like Gaia, more a combination of Father and Mother, Gaia and Angel, Hummer has a similar sweet temperament that Gaia was able to profoundly project with his wonderful eyes and gentle nature. In 2006 and 2007 Gaia won a Specialty and many Group wins. He had a special presence and regal stature along with his big-hearted gentleness that made him irresistible to the judges. Gaia was 6 years old when he made his debut to the Northern California show circuit. He made a big splash as a mature and very large Newfoundland. As I look at Hummer with his more mature head and body and luscious coat, perhaps he will have as successful a career in the show ring in his 5th, 6th, and 7th years. We miss Gaia, and wish he were still with us. Other Gaia offspring will carry on his legacy, like Fritzy and Pilot, two most formidable Newfoundlands. Hummer will try his best starting with a show in Hollister on May 1st, to be the Best of Breed Newfoundland and carry on the memory of Gaia. We will never forget you, Gaia, Dog of Earth, Wind, and Fire, dog of gentle breezes and sweet rose petals.