It is so rare in life to have had a joyful experience to the degree as this has been for Bob
and me. At the risk of sounding silly, I shall admit that breeding a litter has been
something I have always wanted to do, since I care so deeply for dogs, and breeding a
litter remained the one thing with dogs I had never done. And with this litter by our own
“Mikhailya” (Ch. Majenkir My Ksar Mikhailovna) and Karen Staudt-Cartabona’s
wonderful young dog, “Regal” (Ch. Majenkir Regal by Design), it was especially
meaningful. We were not disappointed. Most of all, this was a planned litter from two
very special borzoi, with Karen Staudt-Cartabona, and so far, the three puppies have lived
up to the expectations we had for them. They are sweet, loving and beautiful. Long after
they are all gone, they will always live in our hearts and be remembered as they were,
perfect puppies.
The consensus among the breeders who came to visit the litter was that they were of even
quality and the embodiment of beautiful Majenkir type. It is also especially noteworthy
that their sire, “Regal”, has now successfully sired several litters during the past 18
months, producing puppies that are both Sweepstakes winners and major pointed. These
puppies are Futurity Nominated. And, we are very proud of our “Mikhailya”.
I know they have futures that will not include me, and that affects me with both
happiness and sadness at the same time. It is from there that the indefinable feeling of
“bittersweet” arises with which I have struggled. They will be tested by the expectations
of others, and their lives may be hard. But I hope they always remember that they were
very happy as little puppies at Blyss Kennels, that Mikhailya cared for them so well in
our home, in our very own bedroom, and they lived here with her for nearly four months.
There were days when we believed we would keep all three, but then wiser minds would
prevail. They are so dear and special to us. We shall never forget them. We hope to
always be there for them, should ever the need arise.
However, our reverie was destined to come to an end. On March 24th , almost at four
months of age, we brought Karen her two puppies from the litter. We made it an outing,
and brought along our puppy that we were keeping, and Mikhailya. When we arrived,
Mikhailya and her puppies were warmly welcomed by Karen. She was overcome by joy
at seeing them and Mikhailya again. She then warmly invited them to have a run in the
expansive field in the front of the large, field-stone house, the one with the dramatic
vistas, overlooking Swartswood Lake! It was mid afternoon when we arrived, and the
sky was clear blue. The lake in the distance reflected the sky, bright and blue, without
any clouds to darken it, to break its intensity, mirroring one another. It was a splendid
day to be outdoors, on an early spring day to watch a dam running with her pups. It was
a breath-taking sight to see Mikhailya and the puppies run together, throughout the field,
seeming never to tire, something they had not previously been able to do at our home.
Then, I knew that, yes, this was where the two puppies belonged. Majenkir was where
Mikhailya was from, and her sire, Majenkir My Way, “Michael”, and this was where the
puppies were welcomed. Majenkir was, after all, the ancestral home of our puppies. I
knew and better understood why I had to leave them behind.
Our deepest thanks go out to Karen Staudt-Cartabona for making this litter possible, and
for her generous spirit for all of the help she extended to us. Our thanks also goes out to
Roni and Jennifer Zucker who came to visit us and see the puppies numerouso times with
some “hands-on” help in areas where we were inept. Thank you all so much, New Jersey
Club members with advice, and those of you in BCOA, especially Barbara O’Neil who
answered my procedural questions regarding the Futurity Nomination.
We are in the process of organizing the many photographs we have taken of the puppies
on our website. If anyone has an interest in the photographs, or in the puppies in any way
whatsoever, please contact either ourselves, Bob or me, or Karen Staudt-Cartabona.