Pippa

(Sevenwoods Epiphany)

Pippa is pictured above at six months of age.  But take a look below -- she has grown up into an exceptionally glamorous prima dona and is the Cavalier I chose to accompany me on the jacket of my first book (THE CITY IN THE LAKE, out in July 2008).  Unfortunately, after a good deal of uncertainty, Pippa's bite just barely settled into an underbite -- just a shade off level (level is acceptable, although not desirable).  I have therefore chosen not to show her in the breed ring.

Here she is in May 2008.  Note that the gazebo has also gained in glamour, thanks to my pink climbing polyantha rose.

Pippa has OFA "Fair" hips and has cleared her two-year-old CERF and heart checks.  She is exceptionally lively and spirited, but she has matured into a responsive dog whom I can trust on walks in the woods, too.

Once Pippa settled down (sort of) I started training her for Rally and for regular obedience.  In March, April, and May of 2008 -- in eight days of showing -- she flew through her Rally Novice and Rally Advanced titles and picked up her first Qualifying score in Rally Excellent.  She also has one Qualifying score towards her Companion Dog title in regular obedience, but unfortunately has been VERY CREATIVE in NQ'ing in the novice ring.  She clearly needs a little practice around other dogs in an actual class before we try again, but whoa, is she just SUPER CUTE, even when she's coming up with some strange new idea about how to do an exercise!  Hopefully she will complete her CD and her Rally Excellent titles in the fall of 2008.