Great toys for dogs

I am learning the names of each of my toys. This is my atom.

My Mom!

Her name is "Tootsie"--I don't have her fancy name yet. Of course, she's a champion, like my Dad and she has a particularly nice lozenge (a brown oval) on the top of her head. Cavaliers with this marking are supposedly considered royal and can go into any public building in England. I have one two, although it is not a perfect oval. I hope I can still go to London to visit the queen--or is that only for pussycats? Anyway, Tootsie was a terrific mom and there were four of us in the litter. I was the only guy.

Barkleigh's Big Day

Amazing how fast a puppy can grow and accomplish in 1 week. He's mastered spiral and straight stairs (up only), been to the beach, on the top step of the pool, and had a shampoo. He's frolicked for the video camera--which allows still frames to catch him in action.

All in all he's one busy pup!

Homecoming

Lord Barkleigh arrived home on Saturday--his 9 week birthday. Robin Madden and Zach were visiting so they accompanied us to breeder Carol Upthegrove's home in Ocala. Barkleigh played with his mom, Tootsie, and even had a few "last licks." He was completely calm on the ride home, but preferred Zach's lap and the backseat in general.
In the future, he will ride in his Sherpa bag. Sister Ashley came home home and we were amazed to discover that Barkleigh's ears are precisely the color of Ashley's hair--and their eyes match too I guess it must be genetic!

More illustrious ancestors

Here is the 4th Duke of Marlborough his dogs and family--in that order--painted
by Sir Joshua Reynolds.

My ancestors

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a most interesting history. My color is called Blenheim after Blenheim Palace, long-time the home of the Duke of Marlborough and also the Churchill family. Here's a painting done by John Singer Sargent in 1905. The Duchess of Marlborough here is the American heiress and famed beauty Consuelo Vanderbilt (1877-1964). She was Winston Churchill's cousin by marriage. Her father gave the Duke $2.5 million, which he sorely needed to make repairs on Blenheim Palace.
Of course, we are more interested in the dogs.

My Dad!

Here's a photo of my sire: CKCSC Ch Pascavale Pancho at Brookhaven

Barkleigh's Barker

Barkleigh's Barker

Tune in here for all the news about the Courter's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Lord Barkleigh of Pax and his adventures. All wisdom from other dog lovers and Cavalier specialists is welcome.

Passing the tests

My parents made me go through a lot of tests--which, of course, I passed perfectly. The main one was relaxing in Mom's arms on my back. Hey, I am perky, but I am also mellow. Here's my best chillin' pose.

Barkleigh at 7 weeks

Here I am the day I picked out my parents on September 2, 2006. The reason I look a bit damp is because another littermate got me dirty. My new parents washed me in the kitchen sink and I went outside to dry in the hot Florida sun. And then it began to rain! Too much excitement, so I took a nap.

Preparing for Puppy

Lord Barkleigh of Pax is coming home next Saturday. Off to the flea market to buy an extra crate--excuse me--puppy palace--for him. Found a good deal plus some bowls, treats, the "correct" food at Wal-Mart, and now must research why the breeder doesn't wish him to have the leptospirosis vaccine. Also joined the Cavaliertalk online club.