Life springs up

The Darcy Bussell rosebush my friend Tamela planted in Darcy's memory has some beautiful blooms and more buds waiting to open. The Darcy Fund is a lot like that rosebush. Planted in memory of our beautiful girl, it has brought forth blooms not only in the form of donations by other Cavalier fans, but also in the education of people who might have been unaware of MVD or who needed help in recognizing the disease process and going through treatment. We are ever grateful to the many kind people who have supported us and the Darcy Fund over the past four years. I know that one day we will all make a difference.

Small dogs, big training challenges

Darcy was awfully smart. You could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she watched everything going on around her, taking it in and storing it for future reference. In many ways, she was very easy to train, but because she was so low to the ground--the typical Cavalier stands only 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder--it was sometimes difficult to get and keep her attention, especially when she was walking on leash. Small dogs can have other training issues as well.

That's why we've invited Maryanne Dell, CPDT, to be one of the speakers at the 2010 Darcy FUNDay. Maryanne has small dogs herself, including a Tibetan Spaniel, one of the cousins of the Cavalier, and she has lots of great tips on getting the most out of training sessions with a diminutive dog of any breed or mix.

If you're interested in learning more about training your small dog, sign up now for our event. It takes place on Saturday, October 2, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Passionate Pet in Irvine, California. Early-bird registrations are $25 before September 17; $35 after that date or at the door. For more information, e-mail Kim Thornton.

Mark your calendar!

If you are in Southern California, please bring your Cavalier and the rest of your family to the fourth annual Darcy FUNDay. It takes place Saturday, October 2, at Passionate Pets, 18871 Teller Ave. in Irvine from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We have two great speakers lined up--veterinary cardiologist Sarah Miller and dog trainer/pet writer/therapy dog handler extraordinaire Maryanne Dell, plus a pet portrait photographer, a potluck lunch with all your Cavalier friends, contests, a raffle and a silent auction.

We'll post more information soon about how to sign up at the early bird rate of $25. Tell your friends!