THE CAVALIER CHRONICLE

As I write this, we are now two weeks past our 2025 Winter Specialty. Wow, what a successful event we were able to pull off. Both judges were pleased with the quality/depth of the dogs that were presented by the exhibitors. We had a lot of activities that helped to fund the costs of putting on a show. These include the Small Dog fundraisers run by Kathy Knoles that benefit various clubs throughout the country. If you are not aware of this, please investigate. She puts a lot of nice stuff up that anybody with a dog can use and sometimes there are non-dog items available.

Please make sure you pay special attention later in this newsletter to the 2025 Specialty Thank You's to get an idea of what it takes to pull off this show and the many generous people who sponsor the activities. The one missing item is Sharon Utych, who handles all the paperwork necessary with the AKC and Kennel clubs to get approvals and updates the catalog each year. This is a lot of back and forth that she keeps on top of for the club. She also keeps searching for the nice bags we had the last couple of years and other items to put in the bags. She also puts a lot of effort into trying to find major prizes that are useful to the winners (bowls, towels, etc.).

I would also like to remind all that we are one of the few clubs that do not charge for the Saturday Social. It is 100% funded by donations and the club.

Don’t forget to sign up for the puppy picnic on March 23rd (rain or shine as we have an indoor venue) and the eye and heart clinics. Both doctors have waived their minimums, so please make sure we support them.

Thanks -
Jim

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter. This month we're continuing the "What's in a Name" column - highlighting Finnickyskye Cavaliers, and the sports focus will be on Canine Good Citizen (CGC) - just in time to study up in case you want to test your dog(s) at the Puppy Picnic!

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

March 10, 2025 – MONDAY – Regular Meeting (7:30 pm)

March 23, 2025 – SUNDAY – Annual Puppy Picnic 11 am to 4 am – Lawrenceville KC Training Facility. Health Clinics start 10 am.

Join us on SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2025 for our annual SPRING Puppy Picnic! Fun Contests! Fun Match! Junior Handling Class! AKC Canine Good Citizen/Community Canine Citizen/Trick Dog Testing, Our Fun Balloon Dog Competition, Eye and Heart Clinics, Food, Fun & more!

Where: NEW VENUE RAIN OR SHINE!

Lawrenceville Kennel Club Training Facility, 2156 Oakland Industrial Court, Lawrenceville GA

Yes we are INDOORS! There will be a limited amount of chairs available and a restroom available.

Time: 11am to 4pm for regular activities - 10 AM FOR HEALTH CLINIC PARTICIPANTS

Fun Contests are $1 each, Fun Match classes are $5 each. Balloon Dog entry is $5.

The fun match is open to members and non members to have a fun time to show your dog in the ring! Even if you have NEVER shown before or have a cavalier that is "just a pet" (aren't they all??) you can have a fun time and show in the ring!

Ever wondered what it would be like to show? You can have fun and learn here! We will award prizes and ribbons and rosettes! Have an oldie seven years or older? Show them in the veteran class and vie for Best Veteran!! If you have an AKC major pointed cavalier, you can show them in the Match as "Exhibition Only". You cannot compete for Best in Match; however, we will be judging all the 'Exhibition Only" entries and select the "Best Exhibition Only"!

Fun Match judge is Mr. David Frederick (Twickenham US)

Fun Match entries are $5 each class entered.

Show off your handling skills as you are judged in our hilarious Balloon Dog competition! Grab your helium balloon dog and strut around the ring in a fun competition.

Entry is $5 (covers cost of balloon dog that you keep).

Beth Pederson will be teaching a few tricks at the picnic. Your dog will be able to perform at least 1 trick after this session! Beth will also have more information available about the Trick Dog program.

And if your dog already has a repertoire of tricks (or already has their CGC and knows just a few tricks), consider signing up for an evaluation for a Trick Dog title. The Trick Dog Novice checklist can be found here.

We will also be holding heart & eye clinics with board certified specialists. PLEASE NOTE HEALTH CLINICS BEGIN AT 10 AM. Be sure to get here by then as the doctors would like to leave as early as possible.

Dr. Darlene Blischok-Lapekas, DVM - Cardiologist

Dr. Ellen Belknap, DVM - Ophthalmologist

You may sign up and pay online on our website or pay via check or cash at the picnic. Cost is $55 per dog, per clinic.

PAY ONLINE HERE

Saturday's shows were judged by Ms. Susan Savage Green from Elk Grove, CA (sweepstakes) and Miss Leila Tarabad from Peterborough, UK (regular classes). During the social Saturday evening, Miss Tarabad remarked that she was very pleased with the quality she judged during the specialty, rivaling what she has seen in the UK.

Speaking of Saturday's social - LaVada McCosh worked her magic with a Western theme - providing Sonny's barbecue and even cupcakes in cowboy hats! The live auction kicked off with eager (and sometimes confused) bidders vying for the following items: a cold cast bronze piece entitled "A Gallant Gesture", a beautiful purse with a hand-painted blenheim cavalier, a Marilyn Pentz pendant with painted cavaliers, a sandstone tile Portrait by Lindsey Bittner Graham with a hook, and a CUSTOM MADE (for our club) large platter by Faux Paws Pottery with a whimsical print of 3 cavaliers with flowers and butterflies. Jim Utych served as Vanna White for several auction items - modeling the latest in cavalier fashion and entertaining us all!

Sunday's show wrapped with Mrs. Sharon Masnick from Hemingway, SC judging both sweepstakes and regular classes. The raffle for multiple baskets and silent auctions completed on Sunday. Silent auction items were an EZ Whelp box and a puppy gym.

We hope you will join us next year on January 31 & February 1 with the following judges:

Sweeps: Joshua Marshall (Forestcreek US)

Saturday Regular Classes: Paula Ayers (Brookhaven US)

Sunday Beginner Puppy and Regular classes: Carolyn Herbel (AKC)

Enjoy a few pictures from the fantastic weekend!

What a great Specialty weekend we had! Everything went off without a hitch!

Thank you to our members and friends who volunteered their time, money and support to make this one of the best Specialty weekends ever! A special thank you to:

• LaVada McCosh (and hubby John) – for coordinating the social hospitality from top to bottom – including the food, drink, décor. LaVada is also our hotel coordinator and negotiated our contract with the host hotel.
• Paula Ayers – for coordinating the judges and executing the contracts! Paula also stewarded the Saturday specialty for us!
• Jim Utych – for being our Saturday social live auction auctioneer, setting up/skirting the ringside tables and signage, breaking down everything after a long weekend, and storing it all so we can do it again next year!
• Linda Whitmire – for taking care of our trophies and engraving, bringing the table skirts and rosette stands and setting up/skirting the ringside tables and tear down
• Susan Kent – for co-show chairing the weekend and ensuring the prizes and rosettes and exhibitor bags were distributed. Also a huge thank you for helping in tear down on Sunday
• Beth Lassiter – for co-chairing the weekend and ensuring the prizes and rosettes were distributed. Beth also sold out our catalogs, updated our club Facebook page, set up the Saturday and Sunday trophy tables and helped with tear down on Sunday.
• Ashley Powell – for being the absolute champ of the basket raffle and silent auction in solicitation of baskets and items from vendors. We had the best baskets ever this year and more and more vendor participation due to Ashley’s efforts. Plus Ashley helped in selling raffle tickets, overseeing the raffle table and helping Carolyn and Alice with the raffle/auction items, table and proceeds.
• Alice Alford – for doing an awesome job in selling our raffle tickets to everyone in the building. Alice almost single handedly gets folks to purchase tickets around the show and I do believe a lot of the winners were All Breed folks this year! Alice set up the raffle table with bags, pens etc.
• Carolyn Powell – the work of the treasurer is a thankless job…so much work that no one sees. Carolyn kept all the monies straight, did PayPal invoicing, paid judges, hotel, travel expenses, AKC fees, etc. All of that and she also sold raffle tickets, worked the raffle table and so much more. We may be biased but we think we have the best club treasurer around!

• Sharon Utych - for taking care of ALL the things before and throughout the weekend - ensuring that the weekend ran seamlessly and was fun for everyone. We could NOT put on this specialty without your tireless work!! Note from the Editor: Sharon was originally not included on the thank yous, so the Editor took some liberties with the addition and may have missed significant contributions Sharon made. The Editor apologizes for any inaccuracy, but hopes that the spirit of inclusion is noted instead!

And thank you also to our sponsors and contributors who we could not have put on this show without!

Saturday Sponsors

• Best of Breed: Claire Ellis
• Best of Opposite Sex: Alice Alford - Monticello Cavaliers
• Select Dog: Beth Lassiter
• Select Bitch: Beth Lassiter
• NOHS Best of Breed: Beth Lassiter
• Winners Dog: Linda Bunting
• Reserve Winners Dog: Linda Bunting
• Winners Bitch: Susan Kent - in loving memory of JoJo
• Reserve Winners Bitch: Erin Keen
• Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show: Jackie, David, Ruby and Tommy Phillips - Thank you to the breeders for all their hard work and dedication to these sweet angels! We are thankful for you!
• Best Puppy In Show: Jean Trembley - in memory of Mrs. Anne “Robbie” James (Signacourt Cavaliers)
• Best Veteran In Show: Malinda Johnston
• Thank you to Jim & Sharon Utych for donating the class prizes for Saturday

• Best of Breed: Claire Ellis
• Best of Opposite Sex: Linda Whitmire – Almeara Cavaliers
• Select Dog: Claire Ellis
• Select Bitch: LaVada McCosh
• NOHS Best of Breed: Roger Smith & Lisa Barkow – Tribeo Cavaliers
• Winners Dog: John & Lori Bennett – Pinnacle Cavaliers
• Reserve Winners Dog: Erin Keen
• Winners Bitch: Susan Kent - in loving memory of JoJo
• Reserve Winners Bitch: Victoria Babcock & Jessica Hillman
• Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show: Roger Smith & Lisa Barkow – Tribeo Cavaliers
• Best Puppy In Show: Victoria Babcock & Jessica Hillman
• Best Veteran In Show: Roger Smith & Lisa Barkow – Tribeo Cavaliers
• Thank you to Beth Lassiter for donating the class prizes for Sunday
• Thank you to Finnickyskye Cavaliers for donating the major prizes for Sunday

Social Evening Donors: Alice Alford, Linda Whitmire

We have so many brags this month to share!! Please help us to celebrate the following members and their accomplishments!!

For detailed information, reference the flyer here.

While we had a great time at Jim & Sharon's home this past year, we are looking for another location to hold the party in 2025. There are a few options under consideration:

• Paces Ferry Inn (assuming we can reserve it)
• someone's house (but would require a host)
• a restaurant's banquet room (something like Magianno's, but this would require a pre-payment and may average approximately $50 per person)

Please follow this link to provide your input (via Survey Monkey).

"What's in a Name" seeks to highlight our club's kennels and how they chose their name. This month, we're highlighting Sharon and Jim Utych's Finnickyskye Cavaliers.

Kennel Name: Finnickyskye Cavaliers

Location: Alpharetta, GA

Established: 2014

Pronounced: "Finn-ick-e-sky"

Meaning: Finnickyskye is the combination of the names of our two original cavaliers, Finn & Skye. Skye's registered name was Brookhaven Dream Time so we decided that we would like to carry on the "Dream" theme whenever we could. Our boy Edgar is Brookhaven Dream Time at Finnickyskye, Catcher is Legendcrest Finnickyskye Dream Catcher, Lennyn is Brookhaven Number Nine Dream of Finnickyskye and our angel Hope - our 1st bred - was Finnickyskye Once Upon A Dream.

If you'd like your kennel to be featured, please respond to the next Newsletter request email!

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

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is an expert-made training program designed to help you and your dog be the best you can be - together! It's a great next step after STAR puppy, or as a first step in establishing basic manners with a dog of any age. The CGC test evaluates 10 skills that must be observed by an approved AKC CGC evaluator. After passing the test, your dog will be awarded the CGC title!

WHAT'S ON THE TEST

The test is performed on leash and assessed by an evaluator (which we'll have at the puppy picnic!) Your dog's collar should be a well-fitting buckle, slip, or martingale collar, or a harness. The following items are evaluated:

• Accept a friendly stranger. This test evaluates that your dog can allow a friendly stranger to approach them. The evaluator will approach you and your dog neutrally and greet you. Your dog should be under control during the exercise (e.g. no jumping on the evaluator) and show no sign of resentment, shyness, or aggression. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Sit politely for petting. This test ensures that your dog will accept petting by a stranger. Your dog will sit at your side, and the evaluator will pet your dog on the head and body. Your dog should appear under control during the exercise (e.g. no jumping on the evaluator), accept the pets, and not show signs of shyness or resentment. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Appearance and grooming. This test ensures that your dog will welcome grooming and inspection such as a veterinarian or groomer might perform. The evaluator will gently brush your dog, lightly examine ears, and pick up each front paw. Your dog doesn't have to hold a specific position during the test, but should not pull away intensely from being handled. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Out for a walk (walk on a loose leash). This test ensures that your dog can remain under control while walking. The evaluator will plan a course for you and your dog to walk which includes a left turn, a right turn, an about turn, and a stop in between and another at the end. Your dog should be attentive to you while walking and respond to your change in motion. Your dog should not be constantly straining, creating a tight leash. An occasional tight leash may be permitted. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Walking through a crowd. This test ensures that your dog can move politely in pedestrian traffic and remain under control in public places. You and your dog will need to walk closely by at least three people who may be moving. Your dog can sniff other people as they pass, but should not strain on the leash, appear over-exuberant, shy, or resentful. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Sit and down on cue, then stay. This test demonstrates that your dog will respond and remain attentive to training cues. Your dog will need to sit on cue, down on cue, and then stay in either a sit or a down while you walk 20 feet away. The evaluator will provide a 20 foot lead which will be clipped to your dog while you walk to the end of it. You will then immediately return to your dog. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Coming when called. This test ensures that your dog will come when called. Your dog will remain on the 20 foot lead from the previous exercise, and you'll walk 10 feet away from your dog. You'll then turn to face your dog and call your dog. Your dog should come to you. If your dog doesn't stay while you walk away, it's okay - the point of this exercise is the recall - not the stay. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Reaction to another dog. This test ensures that your dog can behave politely around other dogs. You and your dog will approach another neutral handler and dog from 15 feet away. When you meet in the middle you will stop and greet each other. Your dog should not attempt to go to or jump on the other dog. Your dog should also move on with you after you are done greeting. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Reaction to distractions. This test ensures that your dog is confident when faced with a distracting environment. The evaluator will choose 2 distractions from a list of approved distractions (usually one visual and one audio from common scenarios found in the public). Your dog can slightly react to the distractions, but they shouldn't panic, bark more than once, or react aggressively. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.
• Supervised separation. This test ensures that your dog can be left with a trusted person while maintaining training and good manners. The evaluator will take your dog's leash, and you will go out of sight for three minutes. Your dog doesn't have to stay in position, but should not show anything stronger than mild agitation. Click here for a video of the skill evaluation.

HOW TO PREPARE

There are multiple training facilities in the greater Atlanta area that offer CGC training courses, including all Petco locations. However, you don't have to attend a class to learn the skills - you can learn from the comfort of your own home. AKCTV even offers videos on some of the skills. Remember, though, when training at home, you'll still need to make time for socialization skills such as meeting new people calmly, and not reacting to the presence of other dogs.

WHAT'S NEXT

After the CGC there are more options to further your training as part of the CGC program. We'll highlight those next month!

Bad dog breath isn't normal — it's a sign of an unhealthy mouth. Try these home remedies for bad dog breath to turn those puppy kisses from smelly to sweet.

• Brush teeth regularly. Left untreated, sick teeth and gums quickly lead to life-threatening health problems. So please, brush your dog's teeth regularly— at least once a week. Supply your pets with treats to help them associate tooth torture with tasty treats, and use toothpaste made just for dogs. Pick a paste with a flavor your dog will like.
• Dental chews — just know which ones to choose. Dispensing a delicious dental chew lets your dog help you do some of the work to stave off bad dog breath. However, not all dog dental chews are created equal. Look for one that contains breath-freshening chlorophyll, cinnamon, and clove. Don’t freak out when you notice your dog's poop is a bit on the greenish side — that’s just the chlorophyll doing its green thing.
• Wheatgrass. Clip off some of the fresh wheatgrass and add it to your dog's food. This raw source of chlorophyll is an excellent remedy for bad dog breath.
• Add enzymes to their water. Chewing isn’t the only way pets can polish up their own teeth. Dogs can also drink their way to fresh-smelling breath with Healthy Mouth Dental Water, an all-natural cocktail made of enzymes, chlorophyll, and other ingredients designed to blast away bad dog breath. Simply replace your pup’s regular drinking water with Healthy Mouth-spiked wet stuff, and you’ll notice a difference within days, as the active ingredients work to kill bad bacteria in the mouth.
• Probiotics. Speaking of bad bacteria, you’ll want to be sure that your dog’s mouth is populated with beneficial bacteria that outnumber the harmful, halitosis-causing kind. That’s where probiotics come in. Use a probiotic made especially for dogs, and you’ll notice a big difference — not just in keeping that bad dog breath at bay, but in your dog’s overall well-being.
• Coconut oil. It doesn’t just boost the digestive, immune system, and metabolic functions — it also helps to combat bad dog breath. Put a lovin’ teaspoonful over your dog’s food every single day, and you’ll soon sniff sweeter breath— plus dogs love the taste. For them, coconut oil is a sweet treat. Some dog lovers even brush their pets’ teeth with coconut oil.
• Neem. Like coconut oil, neem (an extract of the neem tree) is one of those brilliant botanicals that have many positive effects on dog health. Besides being great for the skin and coat, neem is also excellent for promoting oral health in hounds and humans. Your dogs can take Supercritical Neem Leaf Extract by Organix-South; add one little black capsule to their food twice weekly.
• Cinnamon. You can add a sprinkle of breath-sweetening cinnamon to your dogs' meals at every feeding.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh mint
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 1 cup natural yogurt (sugar free)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1 tsp organic apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Chop and measure out the fresh ingredients
2. Blend all ingredients together using a food processor
3. Spoon mixture into dog treat molds and spread evenly, removing any excess mixture
4. Freeze 1-2 hours or until solid
5. Pop treats out of the molds and serve
6. Store treats in an airtight container in the freezer

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.

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL CLUB OF GREATER ATLANTA

www.ckcscatlanta.org

Beth Lassiter, editor

CKCSCAtlantaNewsletter@gmail.com