My Boys

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Gito – we will miss you

Gito aka Chango, aka Changito, officially known as Bev’s Murcia Milagro
12/10/2013 – 9/12/2024

Our Gito earned his wings a few days ago, though he was an angel on earth too. He was such a wonderful and perfect boy. Gito was a rescued Spanish Podenco from Beverley Farmer in Spain. She posted a video in April 2014 and I saw Gito (fka Rio) and just knew he was meant to be part of our family. I contacted Bev and she informed me that he was slated to be adopted elsewhere. She called me in late May as his adoption fell through and I jumped at the chance. His NY aunties helped: Bonnie getting him from the airport, Deb fostering him, and Diane housing me. I flew home with him on my lap and the remainder of his life he traveled by car, visiting 48 states. He loved traveling, happily hopping on the bed at every hotel and building his pillow fort. He went to dog shows and Aunt Robin would watch him while I showed his brothers. He went to coursing and barked at anyone who got too close to the car but happily walked around and made friends with everyone. He was loved by everyone who met him. He was a playful and loving companion to all the dogs in our pack. We joked he thought he was a Pharaoh Hound, but in his heart he was. Even our vet clinic identified him as such. He was a fierce backyard hunter, easily dispatching of squirrels, mice, voles, and rabbits. The neighbors’ cats avoided our yard after many near misses.
We tried coursing and agility, but those weren’t his things. He wanted to be with his pack of dogs and hunting live critters.
A few times he got loose at lure coursing trials, but he wouldn’t dare go on the field – plastic was boring – so he’d walk around and visit all the people, waiting for me to return. Except the fateful day he chased a jack rabbit that was bigger than him — oh what joy he had! A few years ago he took himself to the park to hunt rabbits, after a worker left our gate open. Matt found him carefully walking on the sidewalk! He was quite smart and relished stealing candy from the kitchen counter, his favs were jelly beans and peanut butter m&ms.
His favorite spot was curled up or being held by me. When I judged coursing, I’d walk the coursing field with him and he’d find holes that needed to be filled in. He loved to eat and patiently waited his turn, usually bouncing into place and sitting politely. He taught all our puppies proper dog behavior and would play with them endlessly. Cuddling, soft beds, pjs in the winter, chasing squirrels, going anywhere in the car, leisurely walks in the park — he had the most amazing life. His favorite thing in the world was to go outside. We spent the last few days basking in the sun, soaking up all the love.

He was adored by so many people but especially his Grandma Cyndi and Auntie Kayla. Thank you for loving him as much as we do.
I’m so glad it was meant to be and we shared this life. We love him so and will miss him terribly.

A kiss for luck

Cayper and me, at the start of lure coursing for the 50th Grand National – Colorado Lure Coursing Association’s premiere event. It’s the longest running lure coursing event in North America. A challenging one at that! The Best in Event run features a 1400-yard course, with a required 3 runs prior to that on that day. It’s grueling, and exciting.

I always kiss him for luck and tell him to be safe and come back to me. I adore him beyond words. He’s wearing his signature purple slip lead made by Hamilton Hounds. Thank you Megan for capturing me and my sweet boy. It means more to me than you know.

Form and function

Cuest with me in the show ring at the 2024 Pharaoh Hound Club of America National Specialty in Auburn, WA. I drove all night, 19 hours straight, to get to this event. The National is the most important event for any breed club. All 3 Pharaohs got to lure course and show. Others in our breed competed in rally and obedience, and the annual triathlon. We had a great time and it was wonderful seeing all the talented and lovely red hounds. The annual awards banquet is a favorite of mine and this year Cayper came home with his Register of Merit – an award the club gives to stud dogs based on the accomplishments of their get. Cayper is my second ROM, Cayman, his sire, was my first. An added bonus is seeing the dogs I’ve bred, and those that are related to dogs that have passed away, but hold a special place in my heart. My favorite part of these events is spending time with great people who adore their red dogs. We stayed at a lovely AirBNB with a fully fenced yard – it was perfect for the dogs and much easier than a hotel.

Pure Joy – lure coursing!

The joy on Cuest’s face when he’s running – there is nothing like it in this world. NOTHING. I’ve been lucky to have multiple Pharaoh Hounds that have dominated on the coursing field – from being ranked #1, earning a spot atop a perpetual trophy, winning Best in Field, and running with skill and enthusiasm. I would drive to the ends of this country to ensure they get to do what they love. This baby, only 14 months old, earned his AKC Field Championship today in New Mexico. So proud of him carrying on his father, Cayman’s, footprints.

Doing what we love

The boys and I ventured to California for lure coursing and 2 shows. Cayper and Calyber loved lure coursing, as always, with Cayper winning first place in the veterans stake of the PHCA Western Specialty. Calyber had a great fun too! Then, at the supported entry at the dog show on Sunday, Cayper won best of breed! This marked his 6th time winning Best of Breed in a supported entry! Just love this sweet boy, his easy going temperament, and his zest for coursing and enjoyment in showing. He’s now only 2 points away from his Grand Champion Silver (show title) AND his LCX3 (lure coursing title.) Both those titles are on my vision board for 2024 and I look forward to meeting those goals. Cuest rakced up a few more points in the show ring – he isn’t old enough to compete in coursing just yet. Gito had fun seeing his friends, and Calyber took a spin around the show ring both days looking great!

April 2, 2024
Countries, Family, Friends, My Boys, Thoughts, Travel, Vision Board

We travel …

not to escape life, so that life does not escape us. I am reminded, constantly, about what little time we actually have. It’s why I rarely watch TV, or sit on the couch, or scroll aimlessly on social media. When I’m not working, I’m usually at dog events or traveling somewhere on my bucket list. And, when I have down time, I read, I play with my boys, and spend time with my friends. It’s so important for me to invest my time wisely as we only get so much of it.

Just GO!

With my change in job, and losing Cayman in September, I haven’t felt much like doing dog events, or traveling (probably since I travel nearly every week for work.) I knew Cuest was fast approaching 6 months of age, and that’s the magic age where he can compete at a dog show for points. I also have a goal of finishing Disco, my co-owned boy from the Cayper x Bernie litter who lives in So Cal. So, I selected a dog show in Tucson with the dual purpose of seeing my parents whom I haven’t seen in a bit. We rented an AirBNB that allowed our 4 boys, and had a great pool and comfy sofa. Cuest had a fun time at his first show, but really shined that second show – going Best of Breed over 4 specials for his first major win (that’s points towards his championship.) He got fitted for two new show leads (because why not) and took a spin around the group ring for fun and practice. He looked like he knew what he was doing and we had such a fun time. Thank you to my Dad for taking Cuest back in for Best of Breed and kicking all the specials’ butts! We had fun in the warm Arizona sun and it renewed my Just Go spirit.

Cayman – the end of an era

Multi-Group Winning & Placing, Veteran BIS, Multi-BIF, Norwegian CH, AKC GCHB DC Mia Bakhu Risky Business of Hallam, RN, MC, LCX3, LCM2, V-FCh, CGC, CA, HIC, GRC, VCX, ROM
How do I commemorate a dog that gave me the world? 13 years, 3 months, and 1 day – it doesn’t seem like long enough and we just weren’t ready to lose him. My mind still hasn’t come to terms that he’s gone.   I’m grateful for the time we had and all our adventures, snuggles, and endless love between that dash.
The Caymanator, K-man, Cay-monster, Caymie, our handsome boy. He lived life on his terms and we were lucky enough to be his people.
I didn’t plan on getting Cayman, he was gifted to me by Robert Newman and Pam Haig.   And if you know them, you don’t say no…although I tried. From the moment I met him, I knew he was special. I flew him home from Knoxville, and Matt was instantly smitten (he didn’t want another PH!) Their bond was palpable: he was Matt’s favorite and Caymie adored him beyond measure. He spent many hours willing watching golf with Matt.
For about 9 months, Cayman could do a perfect show stack but offered no other behaviors. Then daycare showed him a treat he deemed worthy, and he demonstrated his many tricks. He was so smart. He attended daycare until he was almost 3, despite being intact. He played so nicely with all the dogs, and loved the water slide.
He could open drawers and doors, which meant puppyhood was filled with chewed socks, the left heel of all my black sandals, and my mother in law’s Danskos. He slept on the bed, nestled in his spot, from the time I brought him home. I thought he was opening the kennel on his own, only to find out Matt was taking him out so he could sleep on the bed.
He was a consummate counter surfer that rivaled my Weims – even managing to nab our neighbors foot long meatball sub when the painter accidentally left our gate open. He loved to short sheet beds and toss couch pillows on the floor.
Together, we traveled to 49 states and 6 countries… showing and coursing along the way. He never met a stranger. He had so many wonderful doggie friends, including Karma the Vizsla and Blueberry the Ibizan whom he traveled with often. He loved everyone, especially kids. He comforted people and children as a therapy dog and brought so much joy.
Caymie was destined to be a show dog, earning his first of many group placements at 6 months of age after going BOB over specials. He had a phenomenal show career, with his first year as a special with Trent Wilkinson and his second year with Brian Livingston.   He won veteran dog at many specialities, most recently in April of this year. He was handled by many of my friends over the years, recently Lynn Miller piloted him to BOB, and his last time in the ring was with Heather Bakko.
My favorite win was Robert handling him to veteran dog and the Final Cut in 2018 at the national in Kentucky, reprising their role from the 2011 national where Robert handled Cayman to his championship – he loved his grandpa and always gave him the biggest smile.   He won stud dog countless times at the specialties, and veteran dog/best veteran.   He barely had any gray hair.   My proudest moment was his veteran Best in Show, although the one time he deigned to take an obstacle in agility at a national was a close second. Showing has never been my thing, yet Cayman made it fun and he’d drag you to the ring, eager to strut his stuff. Every time I piloted him in the veteran ring, I’d tear up – he loved the applause and his admirers, but he loved that spin around the ring evermore.
The coursing field is where Cayman shined! He was a natural and completely insane for the plastic bunny. He set many coursing records and remains the only Pharaoh to be #1 AKC & ASFA in the same year. He held ASFA #1 for 3 years in a row, only to be bested by his son. He retired as #14 on the ASFA Lifetime Top 20. He loved to chase that bag, and his zeal for coursing meant he didn’t want to let go of the bunny once he caught it! I often had to bite his tail to get him to release it.

The one time I stupidly stood in his way of his prey, he broke my leg. I proudly bear the line burn scars from his enthusiasm. Always up for a car ride, Caymie enjoyed tagging along with his “brothers” for their coursing adventures as he got older, and he’s still bark at the bag. We let him chase the slow bunny, and he’d rip that bag to shreds.
At one national, at Lake Matthews in California, I entered him in the triathlon which meant we got to grace the Beginner Novice obedience ring. Never mind that it was outside – he nailed it, until the off leash heel… which he promptly bolted over the ring gate, down the hill, and into the lake to chase the ducks. While he could complete the exercises, it was on his terms! Which meant if it wasn’t fun, he was out.
On one of our many adventures, Cayman and I hitchhiked in Sweden to get a rental car. We drove all around the countryside, into Stockholm, and then toured some museums. I’m sure he’s the star of many tourist’s photos.
Cayman’s accomplishments and shenanigans aside, he loved Matt best. He’d cry for Matt to take him on walks every single day at 11am, and Matt would oblige.
I’ll miss his tap dance for walks, foot stomp for cookies, and head butts into my chest for snuggles. Cayman groans were unbeatable. And I swear I can still hear them.
He went out on his own terms, snuggled with Matt. I cannot believe my best boy is gone. He was my first group placing, first group winner, first LCX, first top ranked in conformation, and first number one coursing dog. His legacy lives on in his 17 kids and 36 (and counting!) grandkids. I’m lucky to share my home with 2 sons and 1 grandson. Rest well handsome. Love you forever and thank you for one amazing ride.

One Impossible Goodbye

KABA
Multi-BIF DC Naha Atomic Blond Revival, RN, MC, NAJ, AXP, NFP, CA, CGC, TKA, LCM2, V-FCH, HIC, VCX
12/13/2006 – 6/16/2021
I’m impossibly sad that my love has left this world. I am forever grateful that he chose to stay so long and that I had the honor of being his Momma. Thank you to Carmen, Kaba’s breeder, for taking a chance on a girly girl in stiletto boots. Thank you to Rebecca for pointing me in Carmen’s direction and being so welcoming into the world of Pharaoh Hounds. I’ve met countless friends throughout the dog world because of Kaba.
Thank you to Caly for helping Kaba and loving him.
Thank you to Grandma for always watching him while we traveled. He sure loved you a lot even though he sulked while I was gone.
Thank you to Jill Clark for dropping everything to capture Kaba’s last sunset. I cherish these pictures.
Instead of sharing how he died, this post is about how he lived. From the day I brought him home in February 2007, Kaba was my heart. He filled a void we had after the loss of Chili. He was super smart and took over the household — managing the Weims and cats. He helped show countless Weims & Weim-wannabes the ropes of our home while we fostered them. He slept about 4 hours a night that first year — so I used that time to teach him tricks and train for dog shows.
Dog shows were not Kaba’s thing but he would do anything for some treats.
He picked up his first 2 majors at 6 months old in Dallas, TX — handled by my Dad. We traveled to a lot of shows across the country, but struggled to get more points. By 2009 he only needed 1 point to finish. At the 2009 Pharaoh Hound National in Eugene, OR he finally got that last point handled by Don Delmore. I stupidly tried to show him as a veteran at a specialty. He faked a limp and I asked to be excused, only to have him hop around quite happily outside the ring. Message received – no more shows.
Lure coursing was absolutely Kaba’s thing! I saw Kaba chase the lure for the first time in Falcon, CO at the Zoiboyz Ranch — the sheer joy on his face hooked me for life. He was ridiculous going to the line for a number of years – barking, lunging, pulling, and usually dragging me down and getting away from me to go shred the bags. He usually barked the entire course, bringing joy to all who watched him. 2008-2009 we traveled the country going to lure coursing and dog shows, attending the 2009 “Bogswell” ASFA II where he earned his ASFA field championship and a grueling 9 trials in 6 days in Columbia KY where he earned his AKC field championship.   He loved to fake out the lure operator and slow down so the lure would slow, then he’d easily catch the lure, which was the whole object of the game to him. For years I had a giant summer sausage so I could catch him at the end. Eventually we moved to smaller treats and even blueberry muffins — those were his fav. He had a long coursing career and while he earned enough points for his Veteran LCM, he did not have enough placements. He helped certify over 40 dogs, mostly Ridgebacks, simply because he loved running so much. In 2018 Kaba retired himself from coursing. I’d let him run a 10-20 yard fun run whenever he wanted but he usually only wanted to go with me wherever I was going.
We tried rally, obedience, dock diving, and scent work — not really our thing. Being loose in an outdoor obedience ring, at 7 months old, panicked every onlooker who came to see the idiot that thought trying this with a Pharaoh was a good idea… his recall was epic, thankfully! But we found our shared sport in agility.
Agility — our biggest accomplishment as a team. He loved spending time with me and worked for his soup and treats at the end. We played “run fast and jump jump” for 8 years picking up many titles and ribbons. However, it took us 4 years before we earned our first title and found our rhythm. I never gave up as he truly enjoyed the time with me, and I with him. As we’d wait in line for our turn to run, I’d sing “Don’t stop believin” to him. He’d get all excited and bump his nose into my cheek. Probably because my singing is terrible. When we entered the ring, I’d kiss him on the head and ask him to stay with me, then remove his harness so we could go. There was no start line stay — that wasn’t the game to him — we’d leave the start line together and we’d finish together. Kaba was invited to the Agility Championship in Orlando 3 times as one of the Top Pharaohs in the country.   We went once — Kaba did not like to fly so it was a challenge getting there — but he did well and did everything I asked.   Our team retired in 2018 at the spot where we earned our first title. I treasured every single run.
Kaba was more than all the titles earned, he was my cherished, constant companion. He slept under the covers with me every night, head on my stomach. When I worked at home, he slept on the office sofa closest to me. When I’d come home from a trip, he’d greet me with the biggest smile ever — and only smiled for me. He would even say “Momma” when he saw me if I’d been gone for many days. He was my shadow.
In his last years, Kaba went on many road trips and was Cayper’s best buddy. Kaba’s last road trip was to pickup our latest addition, Calyber, and he had such a fun time visiting our GA family’s home. Although he was naughty and ate the bird food from the pantry, as well as attempted to escape the confines of the yard by wading in the lake… he entertained us all. Thank you to Sandy and Jerry for welcoming him.
These last 14 months of being homebound due to the pandemic have been a gift because I’ve spent so much time with Kaba.
We had so many adventures together across 48 states and 2 countries, most by car. I have so many fabulous pictures to remember him by, but it’s these last pictures truly show our love for one another.   I can’t imagine my life without him.
In closing, I feel these song lyrics are fitting for Kaba’s 14.5 years on this planet:
   I, I did it all
   I, I did it all
   I owned every second that this world could give
   I saw so many places
   The things that I did
   Yeah, with every moment spent
   I swear I lived
Until we meet again, KK I am forever in your debt for all you gave to me.