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Before there was Chimera, there was... Corky, a young brindle male Cardi that I adopted from the Indianapolis Humane Society when I went there looking for a dog after graduating from law school. Corky was a terrific dog -- smart, funny, adaptable and so willing to please -- all the traits that I have come to associate with Cardigans. When I lost him to cancer at about 12 years old I knew all I wanted was another Cardigan. I was so lucky to find "Reggie", Ch. Rollingwood's Beau Regarde, CD. He came to me as a pet but I was encouraged to show him and he was my first champion and obedience dog. His intelligence and great willingness to please, coupled with a lot of "show" attitude, enabled this very novice and inept (and still inept) breed ring handler to finish him herself and to get a CD in three straight shows. I lost Reggie at 15, and he is sorely missed. He was truly a gentleman. Shortly after I got Reggie came "Bs,"; (pronounced "Bees") Vestavia's Effervescence. She was meant to be Reggie's "pet" but also to be shown. Silly and sweet, she also HATED the show ring so retired after a few shows, was spayed and lived a long, happy life just being a pet. She left us not long after Reggie. While I was showing Reggie I saw a picture of Am./Can. Ch. Vestavia's Molly D. Mahoney, CD and fell in love with her for her elegance and femininity. I was astounded when, a few months later, I was given the opportunity to buy her. She was the real beginning of "Chimera." In the nineteen years since I first got involved in breeding/exhibiting I have bred ten litters -- one was a single puppy litter. There have been 12 champions with several others now on their way to finishing, 13 CDs and 1 CDX. I basically breed only when I am able to keep a puppy for myself. For the other puppies in the litter I want a life as someone's beloved companion -- if some of those end up being shown that's a bonus! At the present there are five Cardis at Chimera -- eleven year old red "Cerise," eight year old blue merle "Grits," Cerise's daughter "Tulla," and son "Caffrey", and four year old Pekoe, who is Tulla (and Sage's) daughter. The Chimera Cardis are all house/bed/recliner dogs. They go to the grocery store, shop in "Old Town" Alexandria, VA, and swim in the Potomac. They also do obedience. Though I haven't put an obedience title on a dog in about four years, I am back in the swing of it with Tulla and Caffrey. Maybe they'll add some more obedience titles in the coming years! Pam Allen 406 E. Alexandria Ave. Alexandria, VA 22301 (703) 836-1963 chimeracwc@erols.com Last Modified: 11/20/03 Contact the webmaster