After what seems like forever, CHATTERBOX is back and open for business. September, October and November have been a whirlwind of travelling and showing. We took in New Zealand, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England for judging and when I got back there were lots of critiques to write. In between we picked up our showing and now have two new Champions and another JW winner, so haven't been slacking! It has been a crazy, non stop few months but finally things have settled down and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only one more trip this year...to Orlando in December to the CKCSC USA shows and that will finish off a very busy year. Thank you everyone for your patience.......we are glad to be back on track. Here is the first of several catch up issues with lots still to report on. Stay tuned and do keep sending me all your Cavalier news. No matter how trivial you may think it is....if it involves your dogs it is of interest. Thank you.
TOP CAVALIERS IN GERMANY
2016
Nadine Schiefner and her Cavaliershave finished the year with great results. In the Cavalier Club of Germanyshe won not only Top Cavalier with GCH Royal Romance For You (CH Pascavale Nathan xCH Royal Romance Bless Me) but also Top Puppy with Royal Romance I'm Heaven Sent (CH Pascavale Lorenzo x CH Royal Romance A Samba Pa Ti ) who is co owned with Annette Haasz and although Nadine only breeds at the most 2 litters per year she has came out 2nd Top Breeder on points
"Romeo" TOP DOG AND TOP CAVALIER
"Angel" TOP PUPPY
TOP BITCH....Simone Frankenburg's Black Button vom Welfenhof
TOP JUNIOR ....Annette Haasz' My Heart of Diamonds Miracle of Life
TOP VETERAN Bettina Kuhlmann's Little Goldcrest Armstrong
TOP BREEDER....vom Welfenhof
WATCH OUT FOR HORNETS' NESTS
Tamsin Harman was walking Reggie her Cavalier in idyllic Bradley Woods in West Yorkshire when he disturbed a Hornet's nest. “It was frightening. I was taking Reggie for his usual afternoon wander in the woods on Wednesday when he started to lag behind.I called for him to come but he had found something so was giving it a good sniff. I carried on walking because Reggie always catches up.The next thing I could hear was Reggie squealing and yelping.I ran over to him and he was spinning round trying to bite his back end. As soon as I got over to him I could feel things landing on me, it felt like hot ash all over me.I saw a hornet caught in his fur on top of his head. I clipped Reggie on his lead and ran out of the woods. We took him straight to the vets where he was given an injection of painkillers and some to have at home. My doctor prescribed steroid cream for my bites. The Council were told about it and said they’ll be out in a week to have a look. Reggie is going to the park from now on.” Hornets are pests which aggressively guard their nesting sites when threatened. Their stings are more dangerous than those of bees and in 2014 it was reported that an entire family had been killed following a relentless attack by a swarm of huge hornets in Borneo.
SAD NEWS
Maurene Milton (Fontelania) writes that Anne Ruffell (Meadholt) died just recently. "It maybe only those in the South who will remember Anne. She was quite a character, a very forthright lady who called a spade a spade and took no prisoners, But we were always friends and I only spoke to her about a month ago after she had suffered a couple of strokes Although more or less immobile for years she managed to get people to take her to the theatre. A very determined lady who wouldn't let her infirmities spoil her enjoyment of the things she loved to do in life. We used to go to the Festival Theatre in Chichester many years ago." I recall Anne when we lived and showed in the South. Always interesting to talk to and a bubbly, friendly lady. RIP, Anne
LILY ROMPS HOME
ACCIDENT PRONE PETS
After reviewing nearly 1.5 million pet insurance claims received over the past year, The American Nationwide Insurance has nominated 11 worthy candidates for the 2016 Hambone Award. Each year, the nation's first and largest provider of pet health insurance, searches through its database of more than 575,000 insured pets to honor the most "Unusual Claim of the Year."
In addition, the veterinary hospital that treated this year's Hambone Award winner will receive a $10,000 award through the Veterinary Care Foundation to treat pets whose owners could not otherwise afford treatment.
This year's nominees include a Cavalier.Rocky enjoys taking long naps on the family couch, but one day his comfort turned into a calamity when he slipped between the couch cushions while asleep and dislocated both of his hips trying to get out. A Great Dane who swallowed a whole pair of pants, a Jack Russell terrier who fought off a burglar, a Sphynx cat who was crushed inside a reclining chair, and many more. All nominated pets have made full recoveries and received Nationwide insurance reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses.
Originally named after a dog who ate an entire Thanksgiving ham while stuck in a refrigerator, the annual Hambone Award has since been given to the most bizarre medical claim each year since 2009. Past winners include: Curtis, a Boxer who swallowed a barbeque skewer that disappeared in his body and nearly ended his life a year later; Charlie, a Labrador retriever who became entangled with a tractor; Ellie, a Labrador retriever who gobbled up an entire beehive and its thousands of inhabitants; Lulu, a hungry bulldog who swallowed 15 baby pacifiers, a bottle cap and a piece of a basketball; Harley, a pug who ate and subsequently passed more than 100 rocks; Peanut, a dachshund-terrier mix who survived a fierce squabble with a skunk; and Winnie, a mixed-breed dog who swallowed two pounds of uncooked onion rings.
On Sunday, November 6, the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury in Massachusetts hosted “The Blessing of the Animals,” which began with a call to worship led by interim minister Terry Newberry. Parishioners and guests sang the hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful” from their seats, with many holding tight to the leashes of various canine breeds. Reverend Newberry then invited each pet and owner to step up to be blessed at the altar, one by one. One of the first was Sherlock, a Ruby Cavalier.
JAUNTY JUNIORS
Three youngsters who recently attained their Junior Warrant
CHARNELL HOGANbred by Sandra Moger
CRAIGOWL OUT OF REACH bred by Norma and Gordon Inglis
BRYMARDEN HONEYCOMBE AT JUDYLAND(with KC app) owned by Mary Drewett and bred by Marilyn and Bryan Claydon
ROYALTY
Some interesting facts from Elsa Marie Kitching who lives in Wiltshire. "Hi Norma, Here is a lovely portrait of Queen Charlotte, who was the wife of King George 3rd with her toy spaniel .
Charlotte of Mecklenberg – Strelitz was born on May 19th 1744 and died on the 17th of November 1818. She married George on the 8th September 1761 just a few hours after meeting him and was a keen botanist who helped develop the gardens at Kew. She was not generally thought handsome, but was gracious and devoted to her husband and sadly had to suffer the pain of loss as her beloved husband deteriorated with dementia and she preceded him off this mortal coil.
.....below is another portrait of a younger Charlotte with what I think is probably a Maltese.
The couple had fifteen children, two dying in infancy which explains why only thirteen are seen in the garden behind the Queen who appears to be having a little bit of ‘me time’ with her favourite.
'Glendaruel House'