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.
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.
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 🙂
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
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 🙂
The wider Kazuri family had another amazing weekend – first of all, the Walla Walla/Richard cluster was in the most gorgeous setting beside a canal and in a beautiful park. I heard this is the final year that this cluster will be held there – I am so glad I went and got to experience it before it looks different in 2026.
Okay – we finished FOUR – yes 4 champions this weekend! We had entered enough to build majors and hoped to finish maybe 1 or 2, but finishing 4 was unbelievable.
Potato “Vada” (Kazuri N JoyfulNoise Sunshine On A Cloudy Day) bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns, owned by Kayla Bonnin & Sarah Sweetman went BOS over specials for her final point under judge Ms Debra Thornton – new champion!
Whimsy (JoyfulNoise N Kazuri Just Glitter In The Wind) bred by Dolly Stearns & Sarah Sweetman, owned by Dolly Stearns & Ruthie Tesky went WB for her final major under judge Mrs Marilyn Van Vleit – new champion!
Walker (Kazuri’s It’s A Cake Walk) bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, won WD/BOW under judge Ms Debra Thornton and Mr Raymond E Yurick for his final 2 majors – new champion!
Elphaba (Kazuri’s No Trouble Defying Gravity) bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, won WB/BOS over 2 specials under judge Mr Raymond E Yurick for her final major – new champion!
Reese (Bellamie’s Everything Goes With Pink at Kazuri) won her first points – a major by going WB from the 6-9 month class under judge Ms Debra Thornton
Murphy (GCHS Kazuri’s Everything’s Gonna Be Alright) won BOV each day, and he also won Hound Group 1 twice under judges Ms Debra Thornton and Dr. Eric Liebes!! Murphy is bred by Sarah Sweetman, Mike & Karen Kurtzner, and owned by Sarah Smith-Falkner, Sarah Sweetman and Ruth Sampson
And Nick won BOV every day under judges Ms Debra Thornton, Mrs Marilyn Van Vleit, Mr Raymond E Yurick and Dr. Eric Liebes. We went on to win a Hound Group 2 under Mr. Dale A Meyer. We also won a OH Hound Group 1 under respected breeder judge Mrs Lesley E Hiltz, and onto OHBIS under judge Mrs. Linda Hurlebaus. Nick is bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike & Karen Kurtzner
Last but not least, Olivia Newton John, bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, competed one day in 4-6 puppy and won Best Puppy In Show under judge Mr John Mayhall!! That is her 5th BPUP in 7 times walking in the ring!!
Sorry for that novel – but also not sorry
Murphy – Hound Group 1Nick – Oh BISNick – OH Group 1Nick – OH group3Potato (Vada)WalkerReeseElphabaWhimsyPotato & Kayla and Whim & DollyWalkerOlivia Newton John – 5 months
Look at these cute little nuggets! I mean is there anything on earth cuter than a beagle puppy? I think not.
They are curious and confident and love exploring our yard. This week I found a super cute little mossy patch and took their photos there – I had about 1 second before they dashed off, so apologies that some are a little blurry 🙂
The beagle pups are 6 weeks and have had their first parvo vaccine. It was time to let them meet the older dogs in a supervised play. We have a couple of visiting dogs since we have a show this weekend, and it was fun to see how obsessed they all were with the babies. They were so gentle and let the babies crawl over them and bite them. I am so thankful for such wonderful temperaments on my pack.
Callie and Nick’s pups are CONFIDENT. They now want to play outdoors every day and are trying to climb stairs and all kinds of things that feel way too early. They are super smart and follow me around – they are curious and playful – I cant deny that I am not smitten. It is so hard for me to leave on weekends to attend dog shows.
I love them so much. How could I not when they are a combination of Nick and Callie? I think if I could keep them all I would.
Enjoy their photos from this afternoon – they were not thrilled to have to stay in one place :).
Bpup was offered on Friday and Saturday of the Timberland Dog show in Chehalis this weekend.
Much to my absolute delight, Olivia won the hound group and a huge Best Puppy In Show with many puppies competing! WOW!
As a breeder and owner, it is such an honor for her to be recognized by so many judges and in such lovely puppy competition. Thank you to judges Mr Michael Savage and Mr Bill Fletcher for choosing Olivia as your “Best puppy”
