Zoey here,

I wanted to tell you about all about one of my favourite celebrations…..

Halloween!

I love it because we get to dress up in crazy costumes and there are tons of wonderful visitors to our house. I just love saying hi to everyone at the door. We get lots of smiles and compliments. I love making people smile.

Before we lived here we lived in a wonderful city. We had so many doggie friends there and we did so many doggie things. Just look at some of the fun we have had on Halloween.

Can you believe that I wasn’t even a year old in this picture? I’m going to be 5 in November!

One time we hosted our own Halloween party. Charlie disguised himself as Batman. Hes so handsome.

Our friend Crystal came as a cop but ended up drinking sooo much Pomtini she passed out!

Mylee dressed up like a lady bug. She was so little and red that no one could tell she really was a dog and not a bug!

Someone had the horrible idea that I should be a PINK bunny…..as if. Luckily I’m a good sport who just loves Halloween and played along. I didn’t even mind my furry feet and bunny tail.

We even got to go to a Halloween party at Petsmart.

I’m so glad my Mom has gotten much better at taking pictures.

This is me and my good friend Bella. Bella taught me how to sniff out all the best stuff. I spent so much time with Bella that if you asked me I would have told you that I was a beagle and not a cavalier.

I have no idea what to dress up as this year. Just please no more pink bunny.

I really miss my friends in London and our Halloween adventures. I think my Mom should investigate taking us to a Petsmart Halloween party, we haven’t been to one in forever!

What are you dressing up for Halloween this year as?

Websites are one of the most powerful communications tool in existence today. In seconds an individual can form opinions and make assumptions. A website is your brand, your reputation, and your image. They speak volumes about organizations, companies, and yes breeders.

Over the past several months I have struggled with putting together a website for my breeding program. What should go on it? What shouldn’t? How can I be the most transparent to potential owners of my dogs, without putting my dogs, their breeders or others at risk?

In a perfect world I would love to list all of my dogs information.

I would scan in their original health clearances for the world to see. I would proudly list their pedigrees displaying every dog behind them for 10 generations. I would list their inbreeding co-efficients. I would speak in depth regarding the health history of their parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

I am very proud of my dogs and what is hopefully in store for my breeding program. I have big plans and every intention of making powerful and meaningful contributions to this breed.

Unfortunately this isn’t an ideal world. Original health clearances can and have been stolen off websites in the past. In the wrong hands, dogs can easily be misrepresented. Imagine a backyard breeder or a puppy mill printing off heart clearances, mri reports, etc and claiming them as their own. With editing software it is very easy.

Today pedigrees are used to discriminate against certain dogs and lines. Rumour, hearsay and common thought trump longevity, healthy offspring and test results. I can’t control breeding decisions that were made in the past, I can only judge what is in front of me in the present. I do not want to take part in past breeding decisions being questioned, picked apart and discredited.

Thus my dilemma. What should go on a responsible breeder’s website?

As owners of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who will hopefully at some point experience being owned by a cavalier from a responsible breeder, what is important for you to see on a breeder’s website?

What information would help you determine a reputable and responsible breeder from a poor one?

I would love and greatly benefit from a meaningful discussion on this topic. I know other breeder friends are struggling with the same decisions. Any help and advice is welcomed.

The start of my brand: https://www.embeecavaliers.com

All of our giveaway folders and snoods are on the way. Canadian mail tends to be very slow. I hope everyone will receive them in the next few weeks! I can’t wait to see the pictures.

A little red dog is trying to tell me something… sweet dreams Miss Mylee, it is bedtime.