EDITOR'S MESSAGE
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
PUPPY PICNIC
Every member household was emailed the Evite invitation link for the upcoming Puppy Picnic on Sunday, March 24, 2019. Please RSVP to the Evite invitation so we have an accurate count. Be sure to place in the comments section if you will be participating in the Health Clinics. All the information regarding the picnic details can be found on our website at https://ckcscatlanta.org/2019-spring-puppy-picnic
Our member’s match judge will be Mrs. Nikki Parente (Autumnhill US) and we look forward to her coming to judge our match. Sign up for the match on the day of the picnic.
Sign up your junior handler for the Junior Showmanship Seminar and fun competition. Judged by Mrs. Parente. Rosette for best handler. Sign up at the picnic – it is FREE for juniors!
We will also be holding heart & eye clinics, which you can prepay for online at https://ckcscatlanta.org/puppy-picnic-health-clinic-online-payment-payment-form
You may also pay for the health clinics via cash or check only at the picnic. Forms available at the picnic. If you need multiple forms (for more than 4 dogs), contact Linda Whitmire to have them sent to you before the picnic to complete.
2019 SUMMER SPECIALTY
Our August 24 & 25, 2019 Specialty Shows have been approved by AKC! We will be holding two concurrent Specialty shows with the Conyers KC. Saturday will be Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes judged by Mr. James Schreffler (Stepamgar US) and Regular Classes with NOHS judged by Mr. Jean Tremblay (Halfmoon CAN). Sunday will be the fun 4 to under 6 months Beginner Puppy Competition and Regular Classes with NOHS all judged by Mrs. Jan Gallagher (Storyland US).
We will be holding a ringside silent auction. If you have any donations, please contact Paula Ayers. We appreciate and need your donations.
Also, we have our online store available to purchase placement sponsorships for the shows. You will be recognized ringside, in the premium (if received prior to April 1, 2019) and on the club website. Your generous support of the Specialty helps to make it truly special. Sponsorships can be found here: https://ckcscatlanta.org/2019-summer-specialty-trophy-store
The host hotel for our 2019 specialty will be The Drury Inn Hotel, located at 6520 S Lee Street, Morrow, GA 30260.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
My Journey Into The World of Cavalier King Charles Dogs & My First Ever Time In the Ring
By LaVada Vaillancourt-McCosh
If you’d known me over the years you would have never thought that I would fall so in love with a dog; much less that I would ever have stepped foot into a ring to show a dog! Seriously, it was never on my radar, ever!! Well, here I am…….and the story begins.
During Christmas week, about five years ago, John and I spent Christmas in Asheville, N.C. While out shopping in the Biltmore Village, a lady was walking her female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I’d never seen one before but found myself overtaken with wanting to talk to this stranger and love on her dog. Yes, I stopped her, and said…..what is this breed and can I pet her? Lord, I’ve now had this request more times than I can count as we’ve been out walking with our Cavaliers.
Well, I couldn’t get that experience off my mind. We found ourselves looking them up on line throughout the year; asking questions and researching this beautiful breed. Well, the next December Hallmark came out with a new movie called Unleashing Mr. Darcy and it was full of gorgeous Cavaliers. So, I looked at John and said, “This has to be a sign and when these holidays are done, I’m on the hunt for a breeder.” His comment was, “Well, I wish you would so you’ll stop talking about it constantly.” He was right, I had the bug, bad. Truth be told, so did he!
I researched and interviewed a few breeders. I felt like an expected mother waiting for puppies to be born; then following their growth; then waiting for the breeder to finally say, come on out and see what you think. Who were those breeders? Carol & Hollis Land in Thomson, GA. I loved the picture on their website and felt the environment was a very loving and caring one for puppies to be born and raised in living in the country.
What fun we had playing with their dogs and puppies; they’ve been so good to guide and teach us about the breed. When Hollis warned me that Carol cries every time she let’s a puppy go home with the new owner, I knew we’d found the right breeders! She’s so caring and loving to the babies as they develop. You can tell their heart and soul is in this journey they are on. So, I thank them both for being there for us as I’ve stepped into this new arena.
My first baby is Brinkley, our pet, now 2 ½ years old. So precious and special. I decided he needed a brother so here I go again back to Carol and Hollis. At age 16 weeks, we met our 2nd Cavalier, Huntley. I was ready to begin to dabble a little in maybe showing so we attended a show, watching all day, each day and asking many questions and listening to those around us.
My expectation while attending and showing Huntley for the first time was for Huntley and I to get familiar with the ring and see if we both felt comfortable and could have fun showing him. Well, as many of you know, on Saturday, he won a 4th place ribbon and Sunday, won a 3rd place ribbon. Yes, I was beside myself in tears of joy for this precious little soul that I’m lucky enough to call mine. So, the journey has begun and Huntley and I look forward to more opportunities in the ring together.
CREATE THE CLUB YOU DESIRE
NATURAL REMEDIES
Is anxiety making your dog antsy? This healthy and flavorful fare will help your furry companion chill.
Many years ago, I dealt with a dog in a rescue situation. He was so stressed that he started pulling his hair out with his teeth, and he was covered with sores. Luckily, he got the help and love he needed, and found a home where he could unpack all his “baggage”. One of the things that assisted him on the road to physical and mental recovery was a selection of power foods that helped manage the impact of stress on his body and supported his immune system so he could regain his strength and eventually his confidence. Some foods act as stimulants while others act have a calming influence. It’s really amazing, but by simply choosing certain foods and adding them to your dog’s diet, you can help alleviate any stress and anxiety.
Here are the top eleven stress-fighting foods.
1. Blueberries
A whole foods diet that includes fresh blueberries can be a great way to provide your dog with mini-powerhouses of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which help protect him from the effects of stress. Wild blueberries have even more valuable polyphenols than cultivated blueberries do. Simply add a few to food before serving, or mix them with some goat milk yogurt.
2. Kale
Leafy greens like kale, as well as spinach and Swiss chard, are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, b6, C and k, along with calcium, manganese, copper, potassium and iron. Kale is a great source of fiber, and is loaded with antioxidants, phytonutrients, and carotenoids. The beta carotene and lutein in kale help protect against oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and even cancer. Isothiocyanates made from the glucosinolates in kale play an important role in these preventive, stress-protective qualities.
3. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are one of the world’s healthiest foods. They are packed with antioxidants and are a terrific source of vitamin E. Sweet potatoes also contain many other important nutrients, including vitamins A, B6 and C, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, copper, thiamine and iron. They are rich in beta carotene, which may be a significant factor in reducing the risk of certain cancers.
They offer complex carbohydrates to help regulate blood sugar levels and even insulin resistance. The potassium in sweet potatoes helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, which is good news for maintaining healthy heart function and reducing anxiety. sweet potatoes are also a good source of dietary fiber, helping to support a healthy gastrointestinal system.
4. Beef
Did you know that beef is a natural antidepressant? The B vitamins it contains can regulate stress levels. beef is very rich in folic acid, and also contains pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, which is great for anxiety. This vitamin enables the production of anti-stress hormones in the adrenal gland that controls the release of cortisol. And increased presence of pantothenic acid reduces blood cortisol and dulls the body’s response to stress. Beef liver is a great source of pantothenic acid.
5. Turkey
If your dog seems overly anxious in the evening hours, you may want to consider adding turkey to his diet. It’s a good source of L-tryptophan, an amino acid often associated with the regulation of sleep. Tryptophan also produces what researchers call “feel good chemicals”; it is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps both humans and dogs feel cool, calm and collected.
6. Oily fish
We have all heard about the “fight or flight” response. Research has demonstrated that consuming Omega-3 fatty acids can help suppress the production of adrenaline that leads people and dogs to “fight or flight”. Too much adrenaline can cause anxiety and even aggression. That adrenaline rush can be slowed down simply by eating whole foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in wild salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna. Fatty fish have something else in common. They all contain vitamins A and D, which help battle stress. Salmon is extra special because it also contains L-tryptophan.
7. Hemp seed oil
Hemp is a superfood that eases joint pain and inflammation, supports cardiovascular health, conditions the skin and coat, and acts as a digestive aid. Overall, it is a terrific way to support your dog’s immune system and alleviate stress.
Hemp seed oil has been recognized as the most balanced vegetable oil in the marketplace. Not only does it contain Omega-3, it also contains Omega-6 and 9. Its fatty acid profile is closer to fish oil than any other vegetable oil. It is also a valuable source of gluten-free protein, contains vitamin C and E and chlorophyll, and has an excellent amino acid profile.
Unlike soy and other legumes, hemp seed oil does not contain trypsin inhibitors and oligosaccharides, the gas-producing substances found in many legumes, and it is never genetically modified.
8. Whole oats/whole brown rice
Fiber-rich complex carbohydrates slow down the rate of digestion and enhance the absorption of tryptophan, which in turn is used to manufacture serotonin. Keeping serotonin production nice and steady helps prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. Serotonin is known as nature’s very own antidepressant. The Mayo Clinic and other universities have conducted studies using complex carbohydrates in place of medications containing serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Whole oats are a great choice for dogs because they don’t overwhelm the blood with sugars, causing a surge in insulin. Whole brown rice is another great choice.
9. Quinoa
Quinoa is considered a pseudo-grain because it is technically not a member of the Poaceae botanical family. Even so, most people consider it a true cereal grain simply because of its nutritional value, preparation and use are very similar. Quinoa contains stress-reducing B vitamins, calcium, iron, fiber, potassium, and zinc, and because it contains eight essential amino acids, it is considered a whole protein.
10. Almonds
Almonds contain vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. Magnesium supports healthy nervous system function and the production of “happy” chemicals in the brain, helping the body become more resilient during bouts of stress because nerves and muscles are more relaxed. Instead of peanut butter, try some almond butter when stuffing a kong!
11. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan as well as glutamate, which is required in the synthesis of GAGA, an anti-stress neurochemical. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of vitamin E, which protects tissue cells from free radicals, and they also contain selenium, an antioxidant that helps support the immune system. A deficiency in selenium has been linked to increased anxiety, depression and fatigue.
BY Suzi Beber
Suzi Beber has been successfully creating special needs diets for companion animals for two decades. She founded the University of Guelph’s Smiling Blue Skies® Cancer Fund and Smiling Blue Skies® Fund for Innovative Research. She is the proud recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and was honored with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, for her work in cancer, from the University of Guelph/Ontario Veterinary College. The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund is also the recipient of the “Pets + Us” Community Outreach Champion Award.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
QUINOA FRUIT SALAD - for dogs or humans
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE QUINOA:
- 1 cup quinoa (I used Red Quinoa)
- 2 cups water
- Pinch of salt
FOR THE HONEY LIME DRESSING:
- Juice of 1 large lime
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
FOR THE FRUIT:
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups chopped mango
- Extra chopped mint, for garnish-optional
- or any fruit combination you desire
DIRECTIONS:
- Using a strainer, rinse the quinoa under cold water. Add quinoa, water, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let quinoa cool to room temperature.
- To make the Honey Lime Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the lime juice, honey, and mint together until combined.
- In a large bowl, combine quinoa, blueberries, strawberries, and mango. Pour honey lime dressing over the fruit salad and mix until well combined. Garnish with additional mint, if desired. Serve at room temperature for your dog or chilled for your humans.
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THE CAVALIER CHRONICLE
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL CLUB OF GREATER ATLANTA
Mark Fitchpatrick, editor