SUNBURST PEKINGESE, reg.
Always having a love for dogs, I often read about the different breeds, but was totally hooked on the Pekingese. Their history was so fascinating and I continued to read more about the breed. My late husband traveled during the week and that left me the time to get more and more engrossed after our children were in for the night.
I called my vets to see if there was anyone in the area that bred Pekingese, and that's where the story starts. They told me there was an AKC judge who lived a few minutes away and gave me her phone number. That judge was Jean Carroll, for those of you who've been in the breed for a few years. Off to every match we went, so she could show me as many Pekes as possible. At that time, Ruthe Painter had the fabulous match in Pittsburgh that was on a par with the PCA Rotating Specialties. This match enabled breeders from far away areas to meet each other and was a wonderful place to be exposed to the Pekes out there.
I eventually got my foundation bitch from Jean. Her name was Su-Con Rosetta, a Laparata Dragon daughter that will always have a special place in my heart. She lived to be 20 years old and thought of herself, even at that age, as matriarch of the kennel. It was Rosie that produced Su-Con Drulette of Sunburst when bred to Ch Changkim Dallas. It was "Dru" that, after arranging with Ed Jenner and Luc Boileau and with all of their kindness, I was able to breed to the beautiful Ch St. Aubrey Bees Wing of Elsdon and produced Ch Sunburst Bees Whizz who quickly became my foundation.
I was later able to acquire from Irene and Harry Pearson, of Changkim Pekingese, two wonderful girls, English and American Ch Changkim Moon River and her young daughter, Changkim Beach Candy, therefore completing my breeding structure. Having the Laparata and Changkim breeding in one line was everything I had dreamed of. I am so fortunate everyone was so helpful and willing to share their experience with me.
The next few years, my husband passed away and with six children, I was not able to pursue my dream.
Children all being raised and having wonderful lives now, I am very happy to say that I am a grandmother of 15. It's not hard to get to that number, I guess, when you start with six children!
I ran into a few bumps here and there, but I am so thankful that through it all, Caren and Ken Springer were right by my side through those times and with their help, I was able to continue my line through the wonderful breeding program that saved the Changkim and Dragon lines.
In the past year, I met a wonderful man and am now happily married. Through his support, I have begun showing and breeding with a wonderful litter out of one of Ken and Caren's beautiful males out of an English import, Pascan bred by Mrs. Risby. I am thrilled to be involved once again in one of my biggest passions and hope to continue into the future.
Hoping to increase the stud force at Sunburst, we purchased a beautiful male with a solidly assembled pedigree from Diane Renihan of Kuanyin Pekingese. He is in the process of seeking his title at the moment and will bring out the Laparata side of the girls here. I want to thank everyone that has helped in my rebuilding process. Nancy Stadler for playing Nanny when it was necessary, and of course the Springers for all their help.
