Category Archives: puppy

akc, beagle, puppy, woodinville

Portland – the first show weekend for 2026.

Following my last post about kindness, I wanted to say what a great weekend it was at the dog show. I often say “Community over Competition” and this weekend was no exception. Thank you to Malia, Dolly, Sami and Kayla for helping whenever it was needed ringside or even in the ring this weekend.

On Thursday before I got there, Kayla and miss Potato (Vada) CH Kazuri N Joyful Noise Sunshine on a Cloudy Day, bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and co-owned by Sarah & Kayla Bonnin went BOV under judge Mr Jon R Cole and a lovely OHGroup 3 under judge Mrs Laura Reeves.

Our first show day was Friday, under judge Dr Daniel W Dowling, my 6 month old Skylar (Youngsong Chasing Dreams at Outwest bred and co-owned by Lisa Young and Jenni Neift, and co-owned by myself) went WB/BOV over 4 specials for a 5 point major in 13s. This was her first time in the ring, as BPUP wasn’t available while she was eligible. I was so proud of her. Miss Bella was RWB to her. In 15s, Nashville (Kazuri N JoyfulNoise Appearing At the Opry bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns, owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike & Karen Kurtnzer and Lisa Young) won RWD to a competitive 4 point major.

Saturday, under judge Mr John P Wade, in his second weekend in the ring, Leo, (Kazuri N Wonderlust Trouble At the Top bred by Sarah Sweetman & Malia Throop, owned by Jaycee Barrett) went WD/BOS for a 5 point major going over several specials.

In 13s Bella (Kazuri N JoyfulNoise Little Miss Sunshine bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns, owned by Sarah Sweetman) won WB. Bella is the littermate of Nashville. 13 inch RWB went to Alice (Wonderlust N Kazuri Curiosity Leads To Trouble bred by Sarah Sweetman & Malia Throop, owned by Malia) from the BBE puppy class – she is the littermate sister of Leo.

On Sunday, under judge Mr Jamie Hubbard, in 15s Leo went WD again for another CH point. RWD went to Bro (Kazuri N Wonderlust Trouble’s A Brewin @ Cloudpoint bred by Sarah Sweetman & Malia Throop, co-owned by Amie McLaughlin & Garrison Sharp) from the BBE puppy class – he is the littermate brother of Leo & Alice. Bella won 13s WB again, with Skylar RWB. Savannah (GCHB Kazuri’s Gonna Be Peachy CGC TKN FDC DCAT bred by Sarah Sweetman and co-owned with Malia Throop) went Select and OHBOV for a 5 GCH points.

Last but not least, 5 month old puppy Cardi B (Kazuri’s A Little Sweet A Little Spicy bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman) played in the BPUP ring. She won Hound Group 2 on Saturday under judge Theresa M Lyons, and on Sunday (thanks to Kayla and Dolly getting her to the ring on time) she won Hound Group 1 under judge Mr John Mayhall.

It would a travesty to not mention that my wonderful friend Dolly Stearns and her husband John were the “hosts with the most” for the weekend and provided a wonderful space to hang out in their new RV, helped with dog care and meals. Amazing! I am so thankful to my travel partner extraordinaire, Malia, who took every stressful moment with care and kindness – I was so thankful for her steady “it’ll be okay “ attitude.

I would also like to say I loved getting to see my beloved friends Mike and Karen Kurtzner, who were visiting the West Coast from their home in TN. While my car troubles didn’t allow for much one on one chatting time during the day, I was grateful to wrap my arms around them, and share the ring with them. I loved seeing their beautiful dogs Lolli and Denver and cheer them on. Lolli and Denver’s littermate Blanche is the dam of my little girl Skylar. Denver is the sire of Bella and Nashville. Lolli and Denver are also ½ siblings (same sire) as my beloved Callie and Murphy. Not to mention their breeders Lisa and Jenni are great friends – So, cheering for them is so easy as it feels like family – because it is!

It was also so fun to hang out a little bit with Kayla, Sami, Carrie, Serena, Jonah and Hannah and Ashley. I love this beagle community and cheering everyone on! Every kennel represented had their day or even days in the ribbons and I couldn’t be more proud of this community – it shows the quality is deep in this area for the winning to be spread around and the judges having a hard decision to make. I always enjoy showing when there are more people to show with.

akc, beagle, puppy, woodinville

The Kindness Of Strangers…

The kindness of strangers.

This weekend Malia and I drove to Portland to show our beagles there.

My Cadillac, affectionately known as Ken, decided that it didn’t want to start one morning – it was 5:30am and all was dark except one truck that had its lights on.

I sheepishly approached the driver and asked if they had a jumper cable. He called his work mates over and they all pointed their “griffin fluid management”trucks at my Ken to give us light, and after trying to jumpstart it for an hour in the freezing cold, one guy Mac told us he would be happy to drive us from the hotel to the show site so we could get our 8am ring time. We made it. (That post coming next)

While he didn’t have to do it – Mac kindly offered, taking Malia and I 10 miles in the opposite direction of his job site that day. He even came by the next day to check on us.

Later that day, I needed to meet AAA back at the hotel, and David Bert kindly lent me his truck so I didn’t have to catch an uber.

The world is crazy right now, but there are good people everywhere, doing little acts of kindness to fellow humans.

My weekend was overwhelming – 3 AAA call outs to start what I thought was a dead battery, which meant i neever knew if we were going to make it to the showsite on time and I arrived feeling scrambled and disheveled. For those ringside who didn’t know I am sure I just looked like a crazy woman

On Sunday, it culminated in me leaving the engine running in the car park while I ran in and showed my dogs (praying my car wouldn’t be stolen), and then packed it, and drove it home to Seattle, as I was advised not to switch the engine off as the starter was going and it was only a matter of time before it didn’t start again….its now safely at the mechanic where they will hopefully change the starter this week 🙏

Thank you also to unsung heroes Dolly and John Stearns and Malia Throop for helping through the chaos, meals and helping with my dogs. Thank you to Kayla Bonnin for coming to the hotel and picking up my baby puppy Cardi B so she could show in baby puppy. And for the hugs when the overwhelm was just too much and my tears wouldn’t stop flowing.

I won’t forget this weekend for a while.

akc, cavalier king charles, ckcs, puppy, woodinville

Piper and Ruby’s pups are doing awesome

Piper and Ruby’s cavalier puppies are growing so well – both moms are calm and settled, and take very good care of their charges. I have to smile that both girls made a little version of themselves despite the fact that I bred them both to dogs that were different colors to them 🙂

I hope you enjoy these updated photos of them

akc, cavalier king charles, puppy, woodinville

Ruby welcomes two beautiful ruby cavalier puppies

Ruby went into labor on the day we expected – New Years Eve. Her signs were not obvious – she didn’t want to leave my side (or knee) and kept licking her lips. I put her in a crate beside me with a camera on her that I could discreetly watch from my bed 2 feet away.

Around 11:30pm, with no digging or grunting, she let out one big noise – I knew a baby had surprised her. And I was right. A big beautiful baby girl with little white markings. She was a lovely 5.9oz

She went to work caring for her daughter.

About an hour and a half later, she snorted and there was a wet sound – a tiny little angel Blenheim boy arrived – he never took a breath – he was barely bigger than my thumb and 1.8oz. I was so sad but I also know that there is usually a reason why they don’t make it, so I was thankful to lose him then and not in a week or month.

An hour after that again, Ruby started to push again, and another beautiful ruby girl arrived. 5.1oz of precious-ness.

Ruby has settled into motherhood quickly and loves her two girls so very much. The girls are healthy and strong and are already nursing.

akc, beagle, cavalier king charles, puppy, woodinville

2025 is a wrap – WOW!

Every year I am amazed at the things I achieved in my breeding program and 2025 is no exception. I will say, it’s not just me – it takes a village and I am grateful for the people who have put their trust in me and my breeding program as we partner and work towards bettering the breed for these incredible dogs.

This is how our year went 🙂

NICK – MBIS MBISS GCHP Kazuri’s All I Want For Christmas CGCU ATT FDC BCAT – Nick came to live with me (Sarah) late 2024. There are not many shows in the early part of the year, and so I focused on bonding with him. We started in March and since then have obtained countess OH group placements, OH BIS and OHRBIS. We finished the 2024-25 NOHS year in #2 position, and the 2025-26 spot we are in 1st place for now. He ended the year as the #7 15 inch beagle. Nick and I garnered 45 BOVs, 1 RBIS and 4 Hound Group 1s, 2 Hound group 3’s and 3 Hound group 4’s. We needed 315 points for his GCH Double Platinum, and now need around 70 points to complete that goal. What a year! He is bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner

Murphy – BIS BISS GCHS Kazuri’s Everything’s Gonna Be Alright has mostly been shown by Randy Benns and they have become quite a team together. This year they finished in the #2 13 inch beagle spot and have achieved 57 BOV, 1 BIS, 6 Hound group 1s, 20 Hound Group placements. Murphy has just turned 3, so I think the best is coming yet. He was bred by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner and is owned by Sarah Smith-Falkner, Sarah Sweetman and Ruth Sampson.

Savannah – GCHB Kazuri’s Gonna Be Peachy – Vannah Voo finished the NOHS year in the #4 spot qualifying her to compete in the prestigious Orlando NOHS spot. I am so proud of Malia and Vannah and the hard work they put in week after week. They also ended the year in the top 20 for 13 inch beagles! Savannah was bred by Sarah Sweetman and is owned by Malia Throop & Sarah Sweetman

Lucy – GCHB Wilderness You Can’t Take My Sass finished her Bronze GCH with limited showing this year. We are very proud of this sassy little miss who also garnered some lovely OH Group placements in her limited showing. She was bred by Diane Cazier & Cheyenne Wohlschlegel and is owned by Malia Throop & Sarah Sweetman

And now for the New Champion list – make yourself a cup of tea – it’s long 🙂

DeeJay (13 inch) – CH Kazuri’s Do You Get DeJa Vu – DeeJay finished under breeder judge Oleg Voloshin for her 4th major – including a Group 3 from the Bred By classes. She was bred and is owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner

Vada (or Potato) (13 inch) – CH Kazuri N Joyful Noise Sunshine On A Cloudy Day – Vada won several Bpup Hound groups before making her debut as a 7 month old at the INBC beagle specialty. Unfortunately, I had entered her as a 15 inch, and she was clearly a 13 so no points that day, Howver, she did win 15 inch Bred By and then Best Bred by in show that day under judge Dana Cline. Since then, she garnered her CH title in 13s quickly including several Group placements and BOV wins over specials. She was bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and is owned by Kayla Bonnin & Sarah Sweetman. She is littermate to Lyric and Beacon below

Lyric (13 inch) – CH Joyful Noise N Kazuri Sound Of Sunshine- Lyric quickly finished her CH title as a 7 month old at the INBC beagle specialty winning BOS to her brother over specials. She garnered her CH title in 13s in a couple of weekends including a lovely 5 point major by getting a group 2 as a 6 month old! She was bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and is owned by Dolly Stearns & Ruthie Tesky. She is littermate to Potato and Beacon below

Beacan (13 inch) CH Kazuri N Joyful Noise Sunshine Of Your Love – Beacon got his AKC CH title on his 8 month birthday. His most notable win was BOV was from the Bred By Puppy class at the INBC beagle specialty, beating his dad Murphy. He was bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns. He is littermate to Lyric and Potato

Mac (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Lettuce Turnip The Beef – Mac finished his CH title with some wonderful WD wins. Mac was bred by Sarah Sweetman and is owned by Chelsea T

Mac’s littermate sister Pickles (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Gonna Be A Big Dill won WB the same day allowing both a 5 point major and finishing their titles together. It was a very fun day! Pickles is bred by Sarah Sweetman and owned by Sarah Smith-Falkner and Sarah Sweetman

Gypsy (15 inch) CH JoyfulNoise N Kazuri Just Lace and Paper Flowers – Gypsy finished her CH title with 4 majors. Gyp is bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and owned by Sarah Sweetman Gypsy’s littermates also finished – Ozzy and Whimsy

Whimsy (15 inch) CH JoyfulNoise N Kazuri Just Glitter In The Wind – Whim finished from the BBE class and is bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and owned by Dolly Stearns & Ruthie Tesky. Her littermates also finished – Ozzy and Gypsy

Ozzy (15 inch) CH Kazuri N JoyfulNoise Just Over The Rainbow – is 4 singles away from his GCH also after 2 weekends as a special. Ozzy is bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and owned by Tesla Sabatier, Dolly Stearns & Sarah Sweetman

Reese (15 inch) CH Belamie’s Everything Goes With Pink at Kazuri – Reese arrived to us in WA in October 2025, and became a new champion in Nov 2025 and 3 weekends in the ring. She is the daughter of Kazuri’s homebred CH Shelby, sister of Callie and Murphy. Bred by Pat Plana & Harmoni Plana and owned by Sarah Sweetman. She also finished her CH the same weekend as her littermate sister Bliss, that Pat kept for herself – so fun.

Malibu (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Blue Skies Over Malibu – Blu-berry was shown sporadically and finished in just a few weekends. He was bred by Sarah Sweetman and owned by Malia Throop & Sarah Sweetman

Basil (15 inch) CH JoyfulNoise It Takes A Lot More Than Fancy Flying – bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns, owned by Dolly Stearns & Ruthie Tesky. Finished in style by John Stearns

Chase (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Chasing The Dream. Finished with 3 majors. He was bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner

Elphaba (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s No Trouble Defying Gravity – finished with e Best Puppy in Show at the CWBC beagle specialty and 3 majors. Bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman

Walker (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s It’s A Cake Walk. Walker finished with 3 majors. Bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman and now retired and loved by Chelsea T

Honorable mention for miss Olvia Newton John who competed in BPUP (4-6 class) 7 times and walked away with 7 Hound Group wins, and 5 Best In Shows against some lovely puppy competition. 🙂 She will debut in the regular classes in 2026. She was also “borrowed” for puppy cuddles by photography Tyler Crady who did a photoshoot of her.

What a year. Bring on 2026!! <3

akc, cavalier king charles, puppy

Piper the cavalier welcomes a beautiful baby boy

I was so thrilled that after 2 years of not having any cavalier puppies, we had 2 mommies-to-be. Piper was due on the 30th Dec, but of course with cavaliers, we expect them to give birth around day 60 which was the 27th.

Christmas Eve, we noticed a strange discharge color. I called my vet and asked if we could do an evaluation. She agreed and we jumped in the car, so thankful especially considering the evening.

Piper was taken back for an immediate C-section. To our great disappointment, we had lost 4 out of the 5 puppies. The one remaining puppy was 3oz – tiny with no hair on his legs, muzzle or tail. All signs that he was premature.

Miss Piper came through surgery just fine and was quickly in love with her baby. This baby will need a lot of support if he is going to make it.

Pray for us <3

akc, beagle, puppy, woodinville

Orlando – Royal Canin The AKC National Championship

They say that the AKC National Championship in Orlando, is one everyone should go to at least one time in your career in dogs.

In 2025, Nick and I qualified for NOHS and so I decided to go. We had earned our spot and I wanted to experience it – and luckily for me, Dolly and Malia decided to join me.

What a well organized show. Multiple agility rings, a full size ramp and pool for Dock Diving, 39 rings for confirmation, vendors galore and grooming grooming grooming. And yet it felt like we had space to move, and watch and enjoy. It didn’t feel as overwhelming as it could have with 5500 dogs and over 10,000 people.

Showing was amazing – while Nick and I didn’t place in the ribbons, he showed his heart out. We laughed and hugged breeders we hardly get to see because we live on other coasts. We celebrated and cheered for Thaddeus and Cameron in Jrs, and our friends showing other breeds like Amie in Buhunds, Shelley in dachshunds, Barth and Heather in Pharaohs, Emily in Cernecos.

Dolly, Malia and I enjoyed nightly walks with the dogs looking at Christmas lights and eating on the patio (thankful for warm winter weather)

I don’t know if I will ever make the trip down again or not, but I am so so glad I went.

akc, beagle, puppy, woodinville

Nick and Callie’s beagle puppies are 8 weeks old

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I always feel like 8 weeks sneaks up on me. I am surprised at how quickly they grow and learn and then it’s time to kiss them one last time and send them off to their new homes.

The first of the puppies will be leaving late next week and so I am cherishing each and every day with them.

They are bold, curious, sweet, and smart – just as they should be.

We are putting in a new run so we have a second space over the winter months – the babies enjoyed playing in there today so naturally I took my camera along 🙂

akc, beagle, puppy, woodinville

Skylar – Welcome to Kazuri

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My friends Lisa (Youngsong Beagles) and Jenni (OutWest Beagles) had a litter that I had my eye on. I told them if there was an “extra” girl, to let me know as the dam Blanche, is a 1/2 sister to my Callie and Murphy.

Blanche was bred to an old famous 13 inch dog PD – BIS BISS Kowtown’s High Speed Chase – the son of Ben (BIS BISS Kahootz Chase Manhatten). Her pedigree ties in to mine so well, and I will be forever grateful for their generosity in sharing one of their precious girls with me.

This week, Miss “Dorothy” arrived in Seattle – she stepped off the plane and into our hearts

So introducing “Youngsong Chasing Dreams at OutWest” – her call name will be Skylar

akc, beagle, puppy, woodinville

Callie and Nick’s Beagle puppies are 7 week old cuties

Callie has done such a wonderful job raising her babies – she is now grateful that the rest of the pack is teaching them “no bite” and how to play with the big boys 🙂

The puppies are learning how to be patient while waiting for their meals, and have started crate training with time in their crates and being calm when they are let out. they have picked up on the “patience” cue so quickly – they are smart little ones.

I am so smitten with them – final decisions will start to be made in the next week or so – I dont even know how I will do it 🙂

Saffron

Anise

Ghost

Jalapenio

Cayenne