A PROMISE KENNELS

You can't buy loyalty, they say
I bought it though, the other day;
You can't buy friendship, tried and true,
Well just the same, I bought that too.
I made my bid, and on the spot
Bought love and faith and a whole lot
Of happiness, so all in all
The purchase price was pretty small.
I bought a single trusting heart,
That gave devotion from the start.
If you think these things are not for sale,
Buy a brown-eyed pup
With a waggly tail! ----Author Unknown

I read the above poem at Veterinarian Dr Cadmus' office in Oakdale, CA, where we take the dogs for their OFA clearances. I liked it so much, I thought I would include it here on our website! (Our vet in Sanger, Kathleen Kenyon is great too -she's an animal fertility specialist! And before it crosses your mind, NO, we haven't needed a specialist in that area - but it's good to know she's just down the street if we do!)

This is Pete, Our first Show Golden, at his first Golden Retriever Specialty in Santa Clara in 1999 at 13 months old. Well, I suppose we should say Pete is the first Show Golden we bought that was actually good enough for the show ring! Sometimes, no matter how well you plan, things just don't go quite right. Pete's registered name is: UCICB Int'l, Nat'l Ch Stylish Dreams Of Promise CGC, TD. You can find his pedigree by clicking this link: http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=109297 Pete's dad is "Casper" who was the number 3 Golden in the USA in 1997 (CH Lovejoy's Catchme If U Cancan SDHF, OS. Pete's Mom is Chuckanut's Sierra In A Sunset. A picture below shows Pete at the show meeting his Grandma and Great Grandma.

Here's Pete at the same specialty, being shown by Ron. This was Ron's first time in the show ring, too! Pete has an excellent topline and smooth movement. Good angulation and a strong, well-muscled rear and a dense double coat. Pete has a correct scissor bite, good ear carriage and a WONDERFUL temperament and personality! He stands 24 inches at the shoulder and weighs 81 pounds - ALL MUSCLE!

Pete is in the upper left of this picture. His Great Grandma is on the upper right. The bottom picture is Pete, meeting his Grandma.They were both at our first Golden Specialty. It was so nice of Ken Matthews to introduce himself and give us Golden newbies a few pointers!

This is Pete at his first IABCA show, in Santa Rosa, Jan 2004 at the mature age of 6. In all 3 shows he won FIRST in his class and BEST OF BREED. Our daughter Heather is showing him for us - and she did a great job for being new to dog handling! She's no stranger to a show ring though. She bred and showed champion LaManch Dairy Goats while in 4H.

Here's Pete winning his National Championship (CAC) at the IABCA show in Newport Beach, CA in April, 2004. In spite of being in the midst of blowing (losing) his coat for the Summer, Pete won FIRST in his class in 2 out of 3 shows, Won BEST OF BREED VETERAN in 2 out of 3 shows, and won TWO GROUP FIRSTs in the Veteran's class. Ron did a great job of handling Pete - and the other 2 Goldens (Angel and her dad, Ragoon), plus our Springer Keeli. At the 3rd show all 3 Goldens won their classes and had to go into the BEST OF BREED together! We had to enlist the help of another show participant to give us a hand. Unfortunately, Judy fell in the ring (dumb MS!) and really messed up the flow of everyone. What a day!

This is Pete during his Therapy Dog evaluation with a Therapy Dog International evaluator. Stu Galka. Pete passed with flying colors! We knew he would, because he is Judy's Assistance (service) dog. If you want to know more information on Therapy Dogs, click on this link: http://www.tdi-dog.org/ For more information on Assistance/Service Dogs, go to: http://www.iaadp.org/ Ron and Pete were just certified together as a team. This is great, because once they have gone to area hospitals and put in enough hours, Ron will be able to become a Therapy Dog Evaluator for TDI.

Our Golden Angel (UCICB Int'l CH Sandar Angel Dust). Angel is a beautiful young female, she has a wonderful, healthy, double coat, excellent front and rear angulation with a wonderful stride and topline. Correct dark pigmentation on nose/muzzle and around, soft, expressive eyes. One of the judges remarked that Angel was the most feminine golden bitch she has ever seen!

This is Ragoon. (UCICB Int'l CH Sandar Ragoon). "Goonie", as we affectionately call him, was here at Promise Kennels to be trained, conditioned and shown in the conformation ring. He is 4 years old, and is the dad of our Angel, pictured above. Shown here winning his International Champion Title in Newport Beach, CA in April 2004. Well put together, excellent topline and powerful front and rear assembly. Well-muscled throughout with a ground-eating stride. Lighter, slightly coarser European double coat. Excellent dark pigmentation. Friendly and expressive eyes with a real zest for life seen as he floats around the show ring.

Here's a picture of Ragoon in the ring at the Coyote Hills KC show in Vallejo, 2004. Ron is handling him.

This is our new "BEAMER". He is Cirtines Promise's Two Share, shown here winning his VERY FIRST CLASS, the 6-9 month class where he snagged the FIRST PLACE ribbon to beging his show career. Ventura CA, Jan. 2005.

This is Skittles, not quite dry after her bath (but still with a smile!). Once I finish blow drying her, she will be a bit more fluffy, too. (I was under time constraints, and had to hurry to get to work). Skittles is 2 years old, with all her clearances and has the same wonderful coat as Angel. A very sweet natured little girl, she will begin her show career in 2005, and a litter with Pete is planned. Judy is really hoping for a special pup for the show ring and to train as another assistance /service dog for someone in need.

Here's a head shot of Skittles and her smile. The California Sun is shining on her, causing the top of her head to appear quite light, however it is just an optical illusion! She is a deeper gold than Angel or Ragoon. See her pedigree by clicking HERE. We want to improve the health issues that Goldens are being seen with in large numbers. That is why we are investigating some with European bloodlines. We have been very happy with the clearances we have gotten back on Skittles and Angel. We will have to see if they produce offspring worthy of the showring. Always good to get peer reviews and judges opinions!

Skittles, on the move (and after she got dry!). She has a correct scissor bite, excellent topline, good tail carriage and ear set, dark black pigment on her nose and around EXTREMELY expresive eyes! Excellent front and rear angulation and well developed chest. An excellent mover, and always that sunny smile! A rich golden, double layered, easy to care for coat.

We had to put this cute guy in here - Who can resist an adorable puppy??? This is one of Pete's puppies from a litter last year for another breeder. Puppies ARE cute, but PLEASE, THINK about the commitment and responsibility of owning a dog. They don't stay this size forever. And, it's OKAY to THINK ABOUT ADOPTION! REMEMBER and SUPPORT RESCUE!

We live on 6 acres with our dogs and a vineyard. We are raisin farmers too! SUNMAID RAISINS! So PLEASE, eat more raisins--they are God's Jelly Beans!