My search for the illusive Cavalier Dream Puppy continues. Here’s what is going on. There is a neurological condition that can only be diagnosed by MRI. A dog can have it and be asymptomatic. The only way they are going to get it out of the breed, is to slowly start breeding only clear to clear. So, I believe in supporting the breeders who are breeding clear to clear.

However. The MRI is very expensive. So not many breeders are doing it. Also… since it looks like this problem is a recessive gene (or genes) then you can still get SM (the condition) even if you had two parents who were clear.

Sooooooo.. there are only a small number MRI’d dogs. Of course, there is no list of dogs who are grade A dogs. And no one is admitting if they have a grade D dog. Thing about the devastation that finding out a dog you have spent thousands of dollars on, done all the shows and finished their championship and then find out …oops… they have SM and can’t be bred! Many breeders would rather simply not test and be ignorant.

So, I’m searching. All over the country. And I’m sick of it. I just want a puppy. I’ve been at this for months now. And I’m no closer. The puppy we thought we were going to get the breeder decided to keep. Other clear to clear dog matings are not happening right now. Then, the fact I am looking for a “show” dog on top of all this complicates things even further. My “priorities” for a pet are different then my priorities for a show dog.

In other news… I ran 3 miles today and did hills. And it didn’t kill me. My Garmin wasn’t charged and actually I think I did much better not knowing how freaking slow I was going. I simply got out there in the rain and did it. I liked running listening to Christmas music. I feel really good that I am not feeling abnormally sore after my run today either. I feel sore but not like I did when I first started. The pain factor is the biggest thing that measures my success. It’s sure as hell not speed.

Purse party was great fun. I had a wonderful time and I got five free purses out of the deal. I ended up with like 28 people here. So it was full and wonderful. I made too much food!

A really great cookie/dessert/brunch item that was so easy was this recipe:

Almond Pastery Bar Cookie

Two cans of crescent rolls
1 stick of Butter
Cup of slivered almonds
1 -2 cups of Powdered sugar mixed with water to a “drizzle” consistency

Cook almonds in butter on stovetop till soft and slightly brown. (5-8 mins). Unroll crescent rolls and press into a 13×9 pan cutting it to fit. Use the left overs in another small pan. (I used a pie plate) Pinch seams together to form the crust. Dump the butter and almonds all over the crust splitting it between the two pans. Leave a ½ inch around the edge. Put in a 375 oven on the bottom rack and bake for approx 16 mins till the crust is brown on the bottom. Take out and cool. Drizzle with powdered sugar mixture. They can be served warm or cold.

My parents are coming for Christmas. That should be nice. I am now going to go out and buy the new table I have wanted. I want a table that I can entertain with and where I can use my big beautiful lazy Susan.

Nothing much else exciting going on. Friday starts the slew of half days. We have some friends we have invited for Thanksgiving, but I won’t be too disappointed if they can’t make it. Now that my parents are coming on Christmas, I don’t feel the burning desire to have a big production at Thanksgiving entertaining others.

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