CHAO SING AND HER KIND:
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Introduction In townhouse apartment quite close to Lake Onondaga, northwest of the city of Syracuse, New York there lives a black Cocker Spaniel, her dachsie male friend, her momma (that's Reba) and her momma's friend, Andi. (She once had a beagle-brother, but he has lived somewhere else for long enough that we aren't sure where he is, or if he is ok. We hope so, because we miss him!) This is her story, and the story of her kind. She was born fourth in an AKC registered litter of eight healthy pups in Jackson Corners, Columbia County, New York on 15 September 1993. Her future family came to choose her when she was only 5 weeks old and returned two weeks later to claim her as dooga-daughter! In the meantime, names was considered and the one that was right for her: "Chao Sing" was selected. In the Mandarin Chinese that had held her new momma's heart since girlhood, she would be named: "Chao Sing." It means "morning-star" -- at birth she she was all black, save for the white blaze at her throat and the tiny, perfectly centered white chin-beard, which has expanded to a fully white muzzle as she has aged. She's not much of a talker, though she does hum or growl from time to time. When outside she'll sometimes see fit to call back to the neighborhood dogs with her song-like bark, but not usually. So I, the human she picked to be her "momma," will be telling about our lives. I'm Reba, a librarian, though now I work in what they call "the Information Technology field" and having lived with 4 dogs in the last 9-plus years, I've had lots of reasons to do research on the species which has historically been so loyaly to humans. I've formulated some strong opinions about American Cocker Spaniels, and about showing, breeding, health related issues and the treatment of canines in general in this country. I am interested in the history of the breed, common ailments, proper testing to detect potential problems and the phenomenon where by this once extremely popular breed has been declining in popularity for the past many. 
The following are links to WWW sites specifically about American Cocker Spaniels: The Breed Standard of the American Cocker SpanielWhat dogs of this breed ideally look like.
A nice description draped in a bit of humor. Not a rescue group, but facilitators of placement for needy Cockers, this is the kind of service we wish didn't have to exist but are so glad that it does! If you are able to take in a dog which may have special needs but will probably provide you with years of devotion look here. Once Chao Sing is finished with this life (I already know where she will rest, just off a forest path, among the Trillium), I will probably get active as a foster home for Cockers through this site. Some interesting sites related to dogs generally that Chao Sing thinks you should see are:
Registration of litters, conformation and other shows, breed standards & etc. This organization is expert in the sport of dogs. "The All-Breed Hassle-Free Kennel Club" founded in 1991 this Club will register the off spring of two pure-breed dogs of differing breeds. As a human of similar description -- and who has thought alot about how "race" or "breed" evolves, I appreciate this somewhat controversial method. Several universities and research facilities have teamed up to do the work of mapping the chromosomes of canines. This labor of love is put together by one married couple and whoever else volunteers to do abit of writing. Great stuff on training, grooming, getting a dog, and other really practical matters. Alternative, complementary and holistic veterinary medicine brought to the web by two vets from Monmouth County, New Jersy. Includes FAQ. Primarily intended for Vets but there are lots of medically related things for the lay person as well at this site. This site has one of those round-robin things that makes it really hard to get back here, so if you plan to, bookmark my site! The Speed of Transformation is Uncanny: A Short Story This site is the work of Rebekah Tanner, she is entirely responsible for its content and any opinions expressed herein. Email: foxgull@foxgull.com URL: http://foxgull.com/canines/acs.html Latest Revision: 21 December 2004. Back to The Foxfiles Index THE FOXFILES © 1996-2004, Rebekah Tanner |
