THE CAVALIER CHRONICLE

I hope you enjoy the June newsletter. This month the sports focus will be Fast CAT, and the "What's in a name" featured kennel is Lu Dunham's O'Skot Cavaliers. We're also introducing a new column to help us get to know each other a bit better, titled "Behind the Lead". This month will feature new members Dena & Ryan.

As always, thank you for continuing to provide content for our newsletter. If you have any overall suggestions, would like your kennel to be included in the "What's in a Name" column, have general feedback, and especially if you have brags, please send them to CKCSCAtlantaNewsletter@gmail.com.

Thanks - Beth Lassiter, Editor

July 2025 - NO MEETINGS

August 2025 - TBA - Board Meeting (no regular meeting)

The puppy picnic was a smashing success! We had about 15 to 20 people attend, and puppies and adult dogs. Everyone had a great time socializing.

We have been informed that Conyers moved their February show to June. We are unsure if this is a permanent move, and we are currently determining how to proceed. We will keep you informed as we learn more.

"What's in a Name" seeks to highlight our club's kennels and how they chose their name. This month, we're highlighting Lu Dunham's O'Skot Cavaliers.

Jess and Lu met in 1989. Lu had been "doing dogs" for about 10 years, breeding, showing and training Shelties in obedience, agility and conformation. Jess, who had always wanted to show pure-bred dogs, caught the bug and together they formed O'Skot.

Why O’Skot you ask?

We wanted something Celtic, since Shelties were from Scotland. Our first home was on Scott

Avenue and we had only one Sheltie, a stud dog, at that time. Skot means dart and so that

made sense! We added the O’ just because it was fun.

In 1994, Lu had a back injury while on the job and was pretty much totally disabled until a

miraculous surgery in January 1997. Even though Lu had a great recovery, showing Shelties was

no longer possible - a severe weight restriction meant that she couldn't lift them onto a table.

Unwilling to face not being able to "show dogs"; in addition to Lu losing her nursing career -

"Jess N Lu" began to search for a new breed that they could love and become devoted to.

Shortly after A.K.C. recognition in 1996, they discovered Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and

sought to learn as much about the breed as possible.

As if by fate, while living in Colorado, we went to a dog show and met the first AKC Cavalier

champion, CH. Wye Rebound of Rattlebridge and were immediately smitten. It was only natural

that once time and health permitted, we took a trip to Ohio and fell in love with the

Rattlebridge Cavaliers. In July of 1999 we came home with our first Cavalier, Ditto, now, CH.

Rattlebridge Ditto Master, CD. He soon became the most loved and most spoiled dog in the

history of Cavaliers. And, by November 2001, we had our first litter of O’Skot Cavaliers!

Nearly 25 years later, we’re still going strong, focusing on whole colors, but have at least 2 of

each color.

"Behind The Lead" is a new column to help us get to know each other a bit better. Each month we'll feature information about our fellow club members. This month we're welcoming our newest club members, Dena & Ryan from Atlanta!

What is your history with cavaliers?

This is our first time having Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but Dena has wanted one ever since she was a teenager, working at a pet grooming business on weekends. She met the sweetest little lady Cavalier and saw what amazing dogs they are!

Tell us about your current cavalier(s)!

Finley & Rowan (pictured), two young male Cavaliers from Linda Whitemire's Almeara Cavaliers; they are siblings to fellow members Jessica and Victoria's Gemma and Zorro!

What do you like about the breed?

Cavaliers are such friendly and companionable dogs and love being around people and in the middle of the action! That works for us because we love doing everything with our dogs! Dena is a strength coach and wanted dogs that weren't afraid of being around heavy weights and loud sounds, and Cavaliers are the perfect dogs for the job! Rowan and Finley go to work with Dena, greet and snuggle her clients from the safety of their pen, and take naps even during loud and heavy squats, bench presses, and deadlifts!

What are your interests with the club?

This is our first time being in a Cavalier club and having Cavaliers, so we want to potentially try a little of everything! We're interested in learning more about showing, scent work, agility, Fast CAT and seeing what our pups gravitate towards! We just finished a family manners class and have started an agility commands class that the boys are really enjoying already.

This month we're revisiting an interview with Lu Dunham (O'Skot Cavaliers) and Beci Markijohn (Kymerite Cavaliers) about Fast CAT! And if this piques your interest, be sure to keep an eye out for our club hosting a Fast CAT in the Fall - more details to come!

Beth: What is Fast CAT?

Lu: It’s like measuring a track star’s speed: Dogs run individually in a timed 100-yard dash, one at a time, chasing a lure. Fast CAT is an electronically timed race in which a dog's speed is converted into mph. Titles are awarded based on points that are determined by multiplying a dog's mph by its handicap, a derivative of its height at the withers.

Beci: Your dog is released by one person and runs, chasing the lure (plastic bags tied to a string) to another person. Your dog can be either prey-driven, or driven to get to the person at the other end of the chute.

Beth: Why do you / your dogs participate in the sport?

Beci: A friend of mine convinced me to try it with my B&T cavalier, Ramsay, when he was young. He LOVED it! It is an event that I can get outside and do with my dogs that is purely for THEM! They mostly get in the show ring for me, so I do Fast CAT for them because it makes them so happy.

Lu: It’s really fun to watch your dog run. Mine have a great time chasing the “bunny”. It’s a low pressure environment, lots of time to enjoy the outdoors and visit with other dog owners. The title rosettes are awesome!

Beth: How do I know if my dog will like it?

Beci: Does your dog chase butterflies, squirrels, leaves, birds, or anything that moves in your yard or on your walks? Your dog might be interested in Fast CAT! That kind of behavior often suggests the dog has a "prey drive" to chase prey. It doesn't always hold true, but in general, it mostly does.

Lu: You should try FUN RUNS. Fun Runs allow your dog to run the FastCAT track but it's not competing in the Fast CAT trial. Fun Runs are open to all dogs who are in good health, however females in heat are not allowed on the track. (It’s just too distracting to the boys!) The track is completely enclosed and safe. No training is required. If your dog loves to run, just come out for the fun of it! It’s great exercise for your dog and a great way to bond and have fun with your dog!

Beth: Are there any specific concerns for cavaliers involved in the sport?

Lu: If your dog is healthy, it can do Fast CAT!

Beci: You should be aware of the physical athletic shape as well as heart health and any other medical conditions your dog may have, and use your best judgment. Also be aware of the impact they're placing on their knees - patella injuries (while more common with CAT than Fast CAT) can occur. If you are planning to breed your dog, you might want to consider how much/often you are going to run your dog before the age of 2 years when you have the patellae officially checked.

Beth: Wait - what is CAT? How is it different than Fast CAT?

Lu: Instead of a straight 100 yard course, each dog chases after the lure on either a 300- or 600-yard long, non-straight course and must finish in less than 1 ½ minutes and 2 minutes, respectively.

Beci: In this event your dog must be prey-driven or at least enticed to leave you and chase the lure. Veteran dogs run 200 or 300 yards, half the main courses, depending upon height.

Beth: So how do I sign up for a Fast CAT?

Lu: The requirements for your dog's entry are: at least 12 months of age, have an AKC number (or PAL), and must pass physical inspection at the venue (an inspection committee will inspect each dog for lameness and fitness to compete). Females in season are not eligible to participate.

Beci: There are Facebook groups dedicated to Fast CAT in different regional areas of the country and clubs or lure operating companies that are hosting events often post their premiums and information about their events in those groups. You can also find events on the superintendent websites such as Infodog. However, the most comprehensive place to find all the events is through the AKC Event Search here. Under "Performance Events", select Fast CAT (FCAT), the date range of interest, and then "Retrieve Events". There will be a premium attached to the event of interest to provide further information about how to register. There should also be someone listed in the premium to answer questions: the trial secretary or the field chair. If you can't get the answers you need, feel free to reach out to me at kymeritecavalers@gmail.com I'm happy to help if I can.

Beth: Where do I go for more information?

Lu: Check out this video: Fast Cat for Beginners.

Beci: Also the AKC site has plenty of information for you here.

Would you like to volunteer and help the club out? We would love to have you consider taking on various roles in the club listed below. Please let Jim Utych know of your interest or any questions you may have!

Programs/Speakers – Do you have an idea for a topic or better yet a speaker that would like to speak to the club at one of the zoom meetings on a topic of interest? In the past we have had vet specialists speak regarding SM, CM, nutrition, and holistic approaches. We also have had an animal communicator speak to us on the topic and had an in person grooming seminar. Give us your thoughts, leads and topics!

Fundraising Committee – We would like to have someone as our point person for fundraising – especially this pays for most of our Specialty expenses! You would coordinate raffles with Kathy Knoles Small Dog Club Facebook Fundraising for our club, manage the sponsorships and trophy donations by soliciting via Facebook and email, working with Ashley Powell who does a GREAT job of sourcing items from vendors for our raffle baskets and auctions.

Did you know that in addition to our website, the club also has a Facebook page AND an Instagram account? These social media accounts are managed by club members Victoria Babcock and Jess Hillman. If you have suggestions for fun posts, etc., please contact them at

victoriaandjessbahill@gmail.com

If you haven’t “liked” our Facebook page, head on over and click the “Like” button!

Our Instagram page is: https://www.instagram.com/CKCS.OF.GREATERATL

Do you know a club member who needs some sunshine?

Our Sunshine Committee Chair is Ashley Powell. If you know of a club member that needs to be remembered or encouraged, please be in touch with Ashley.

Ashley can be reached at ashncav@gmail.com.

Why Does My Dog Have Gas?

It’s totally normal for our bodies to produce gas that accumulates within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but some dogs develop an ongoing excess of this gas buildup. What causes chronic gas problems? There are several reasons:

• Diet: Foods that commonly cause dog flatulence include beans, soybeans, peas, milk products, high-fat diets and spicy foods. Many dogs (and cats) are lactose intolerant, and feeding them milk or dairy products often causes gas and an upset stomach. And some dogs are sensitive to grain products.
• Low-Quality Dog Food: Many dogs don’t easily digest mass commercial dog foods that have a lot of preservatives and artificial ingredients. These foods can cause excessive fermentation in the colon, which produces a lot of gas. If you’re feeding your dog cheap food, you may want to consider switching to a high-quality diet.
• Change In Nutrition: Changing your dog food can cause temporary excessive gas. It can take a week or two for your dog’s tummy to adjust to a new diet. If after a few weeks your dog’s gas symptoms haven’t resolved, you may want to consider an alternative diet or go back to the original food.
• Swallowing Too Much Air: Some dogs can swallow a lot of air when they eat or drink too fast, especially right after they exercise. Fortunately, this type of gas usually isn’t smelly. Eating too fast can also cause indigestion.
• General Well-Being: Dogs who are overweight and/or too sedentary have a higher risk of developing chronic flatulence, regardless of what they eat. Just as with humans, our digestive systems work more efficiently when we’re not overweight and up and moving around. Help your dog lose weight and take them out for regular walks.
• Underlying Illness: If your dog’s gas is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or other symptoms, it could indicate an underlying GI condition, which could include inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal parasites and other conditions. Be sure to contact your vet if your dog is experiencing these other symptoms to help rule out underlying health problems.

What Can I Give My Dog For Gas?

A change in your dog’s diet and well being is the best way to relieve gas in dogs. But in the meantime, there are some products and home remedies that you can give your pup for temporary relief.

• Fennel: Sprinkle some fennel (dried or fresh) on your dog’s food. If she eats kibble, just add some water, so it sticks to the food.
• Parsley: This herb is more than just a garnish — it can reduce odor in the digestive system and even ease bad breath. You can chop up a couple of tablespoons of fresh parsley and sprinkle it on your dog’s food. You can also give your dog AKC Dentacare dog treats, which includes dog-safe parsley and peppermint essential oils.

Long-Term Gas Remedies

If you think your dog’s diet is the culprit behind their gassiness, changing their diet and adding a daily dog probiotic can go a long way to improve and even eliminate the problem for good.

• Change Your Dog Food: Switching your dog to a premium diet could be the solution to them excessive gas. Look for low-fat, all-natural dog foods without preservatives and artificial ingredients.
• Use A Daily Probiotic For Dogs: If your dog suffers from chronic gas or digestive problems, a daily dog probiotic could also help. Probiotics for dogs work the same way as they do for humans. They’re formulas that contain living gut-friendly bacteria found naturally in the digestive tract and other areas of the body. The goal of ingesting probiotics is to maintain healthy levels of good bacteria, prevent GI problems and boost the immune system after it’s been disrupted by illness, infection, antibiotic treatment or other stressors.

Ingredients

2 cups of whole wheat flour (stone ground adds a nice texture)

2 eggs

1 tablespoon of dried parsley

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup water

Instructions

1. In a mixer or food processor (with dough blade), blend together all ingredients, adding them in the order above. The dough should be slightly firm but not wet and sticky to the touch. Add small amounts of additional water if needed until your dough reaches the correct consistency to be rolled out.
2. Roll out the dough until it is just under a 1/4 inch in thickness. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Then cookie cut the desired shape you want.
3. Bake for 25 minutes. Shut the heat off after 25 minutes and let the biscuits sit int he closed oven for an additional 15-20 minutes so that the cookies dry out and become crunchy. If they are too soft, they might spoil in the cookie jar!

Voila! There you have it! A nice sized batch of crunchy dog biscuits.

Other variations:

Add vegetable, chicken, or beef broth instead of water.

Add additional ingredients such as carrots, shredded cheddar cheese, or apples.

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL CLUB OF GREATER ATLANTA

www.ckcscatlanta.org

Beth Lassiter, editor

CKCSCAtlantaNewsletter@gmail.com