If you have a Cedarwood Cotons family member with a USACTC pedigree, Please read this!!

To all my very much treasured and well-respected Coton de Tulear families, past and present who have USACTC Pedigrees for your Cedarwood Cotons family members:

The Coton de Tulear is in danger of being taking over by the AKC thanks to the USACTC- the organization with which I had been a Code of Ethics until their recently announced decision to take the breed into the American Kennel Club thereby joining the ranks of the puppymills-

I am sure many of you are already aware of the terrible threat posed to our breed by the actions of the USACTC from my previous E-mails, my various postings on Facebook, and as you know if you have been following my blog at:  http://cedarwoodcotonsdetulear.blogspot.com/       

The danger is very serious and the possible consequences for the health and well-being of the breed over time will be profound.

In response to this imminent threat, I have requested that all my own Cotons, past and present, have their data removed from the USACTC Stud Book and records.  I urge you to do same!!

The process is a simple one:

For anyone who wishes not to have their Coton included in the stud book to AKC, they will need to notify Ruth Weidrick, the current USACTC president in writing (by e-mail) that they wish not to have their dog included in the transfer to AKC.  Ruth will need your name, address, email address, phone number,  name of dog, registration number.

Contact Ruth Weidrick at:
windcrestcottagekyusa@yahoo.com

I don't know the cut off of when USACTC will actually turn the registry over to AKC, so anyone that wishes to have their Cotons removed from the USACTC data base should do this ASAP!!!

As you know, I have been a Code of Ethics Breeder with the American Coton Club for several years now.  This is the club and registry that will now be the only legitimate registry for the American Rare Breed Coton de Tulear.  You can access more information on our work to Preserve the Rare Breed Coton de Tulear at two sites:

http://americancoton.blogspot.com/

http://www.americancotonclub.com/index.htm

Please feel free to share this information.

If you would like me to assist you in getting a new pedigree from the American Coton Club, please let me know!


Sincerely and with hugs to all,

Aisha Cameron of Cedarwood Cotons
Walden, VT  USA
802-533-2458

CedarwoodCotons@wildblue.net

On the Web at:  www.starcottage.com
Photo Site at: http://picasaweb.google.com/CedarwoodCotons
On Facebook as: Cedarwood Cotons Coton de Tulear Puppies
BLOG: http://cedarwoodcotonsdetulear.blogspot.com/

Proud to be an American Coton Club Code of Ethics Breeder Working to preserve the Health and Well-being of the Rare Breed Coton de Tulear
Proud NOT to be AKC!

FOR INFORMATION ON WHY YOU SHOULD BUY only FROM A CODE OF ETHICS BREEDER and our Code of Ethics go to:

http://www.americancotonclub.com/index.htm

Is Your Dog Turning Your Green Lawn to Brown?

	April 30, 2011 Is Your Dog Turning Your Green Lawn to Brown? It's that time of year again, when it seems every evening and weekend are filled with the nearby hum of lawn mowers. Countless bags of weed-and-feed are being spread on homeowner's yards, in hopes of achieving the perfect, green lawn. But if you have a dog, all your efforts may seem for naught as brown patches appear across your perfectly manicured turf. Why does dog urine and feces have this sour effect on grass? Is female dog urine more damaging than male dog urine? Let's try to get to the bottom of this bothersome problem and dispel some old wives' tales at the same time. What Causes the Brown Spots? In areas on the lawn where dogs deposit urine or feces, a brown, burn spot may occur. The reason for the lawn burning was believed to be due to the urine pH level or the ammonia in the urine but recent studies prove otherwise. The concentration of the urine combined with high levels of nitrogen are the actual culprits of lawn damage. Urine concentration is directly related to the dog's fluid intake. If a dog is fed a dry food diet with only moderate water consumption, the urine produced by that dog will be more concentrated than that of a dog that consumes more water or moisture overall. Other factors such as size and metabolism will cause variations in the volume and concentration of urine that's produced by an individual dog. Excess nitrogen is removed from the dog's body via the kidneys and is found in the dog's urine. Fertilizers applied to the lawn to aid in the growth and health of the grass also contain nitrogen which is an essential component of healthy soil. But, when homeowners spread a lawn fertilizer, the combination of high levels of nitrogen in the dog's urine combine with the nitrogen in the fertilizer to create a burn spot due to the overdose of nitrogen in that spot. So, even by trying to help the lawn with fertilizer, you may be creating the opposite effect. The burning effect of dog waste is not limited to urine but as a solid waste, feces is either picked up regularly by the owner, or breaks down gradually over time, reducing the overdose effect to the grass. Female dogs and puppies of both genders squat low when they urinate, depositing a large volume of urine in one spot. Male dogs, even if neutered, tend to lift their leg to urinate, spraying urine over a wider area. This may be why it seems that female dog urine is more damaging to the lawn than male urine. What can be done? Reduce the concentration of the urine on the lawn to minimize damage to your grass. This can be achieved by flushing the area with the garden hose after your dog urinates. Rinsing the area within 8 hours will help to reduce the concentration of urine in one spot. Increase your dog's water intake to dilute urine concentration. Moisten dry food with water prior to feeding or add canned food, which naturally contains more moisture than dry kibble. Feed only a high quality dog food that uses highly digestible protein. If the protein in the pet food is derived from muscle or organ meat, the body uses more of the protein and less protein waste and nitrogen end up in the dog's urine and feces. Consult with your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet. If your dog has issues with liver or kidney function, a diet change may not be in his or her best interest. Train your dog to eliminate in one area of your property, away from the delicate lawn. Products like the Bramton Outright Pee Post can help your dog to confine his or her eliminations to one area. You can also collect your dog's urine and feces and deposit some in the area where you prefer your dog to "go." Take your dog outside on a leash only during the training period to ensure success. Grow more durable species of grass like Festuca species variety Kentucky 31 (fescue), Lolium perrene (perennial ryegrass), or clover. Or, opt for a dog-friendly ground cover like pea gravel or mulch. Add a supplement to your dog's diet to help neutralize urine pH and nitrogen. These supplements are available in tablet, liquid, chewable and biscuit form. As these supplements may modify your dog's urine pH level, it's important to consult with your veterinarian before administering. In many cases, if the burned spots on the lawn are addressed early, they will grow back. If the areas are large or the damage has been there for a while, it may be necessary to dig up the dead grass and soil and reseed after flushing the spot with water. There can be a world where green lawns and dogs live happily together. Understanding why your dog's urine can damage your grass and how you can resolve the situation is your first line of defense.   Does your lawn have brown spots because of your dog's urine? Tell us what has helped you to regain a healthy lawn. We love to hear your stories. Tell us all about it at our blog, PetFoodDirect/blog, or Facebook.com/PetFoodDirect. We'd love to hear from YOU!!! Did you know…you could SAVE up to 25% on your pet’s favorite brand of food when you sign up for Auto Ship? That’s the amazing savings of an exciting new benefit exclusively for our Auto Ship shoppers. Here’s how it works: Go to our Auto Ship Bonus Brands page to find your brand. (We currently have 14 brands and are adding more each week.) Here, you will see the “bonus savings” for each brand – either 5% or 10% -- add that to the 15% you get on EVERY Auto Ship order -- and you have your TOTAL SAVINGS for that brand. Want to know more? Check out Auto Ship today!

Advocates for the Coton de Tulear Speak out on the Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein's TV show 'A Clo..."

[http://advocatesforthecotondetulear.blogspot.com/2011/04/close-up-look-at-animal-welfare-issues.html?spref=bl]
Advocates for the Coton de Tulear: A Close Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues: "Here it is! Robyn from 'ACT', Advocates for the Coton de Tulear, appears as a featured guest on Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein's TV show 'A Clo..."

The Latest Photos of Caleigh X Pirate Puppies born April 1, 2011Here are the latest photos of Caleigh's puppies. They're 3 weeks old now and so adorable. Two are still available and they'll all be ready to go to their new homes in early June. I hope you enjoy the photos! Aisha of Cedarwood Cotons

Coton de Tulear Chatter: How to register you Coton to show in Canada

Coton de Tulear Chatter: How to register you Coton to show in Canada

USACTC Cotons will join the AKC! A travesty!

When puppmillers hear the USACTC Coton is now AKC, more Cotons will become prisoners in cages with no access to the light of day, unable to interact w/other Cotons or w/humans- like cattle, raised for profit w/out regard for health or well-being. Is this the price USACTC will pay to get to Westminster? In order to have more access to shows? My God

>>> Editorial & Alert - Take Action Today <<<
                                        Please Cross Post


AKC Finds New Source to Produce Puppy "Papers" Revenue
By:  Jenny Stephens, North Penn Puppy Mill Watch

Gullible: adjective: naive and easily deceived or tricked

Would you buy a Rolex watch from a sidewalk vendor for $25.00 and actually believe that you're purchasing the identical watch that sells for thousands of dollars at "reputable" fine jewelry stores? 

When it comes to dogs, gullible consumers actually believe that "papers" lend credence to the health and quality of the dog.  Sadly, most buyers are purchasing a false sense of security.

In reality, the source of a puppy largely determines whether or not the "papers" accompanying the canine are suitable for framing or better used for housebreaking and the AKC's own website inasmuch says so.

"There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC papers" guarantee the quality of a dog. This is not the case.

AKC is a registry body.

A registration certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born on a known date.

It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog.

Quality in the sense of "show quality" is determined by many factors including the dog's health, physical condition, ability to move and appearance. Breeders breeding show stock are trying to produce animals that closely resemble the description of perfection described in the breed standard.

Many people breed their dogs with no concern for the qualitative demands of the breed standard. When this occurs repeatedly over several generations, the animals, while still purebred, can be of extremely low quality."

http://www.akc.org/reg/about.cfm

The American Kennel Club derives millions of dollars each year from the sale of "papers" and so, too, do several other quasi-registries including the ACA and APRI.  Unless the dog being purchased comes from a long line of  champions and the buyer has a desire to show or breed, the majority of puppy "paper" purchases are largely a waste of money on a meaningless piece of processed tree pulp.

For years advocates have maintained that if "reputable" breeders REALLY cared about the health and welfare of their respective breeds they would stand up to the AKC's attempt to push "papers" and say: ENOUGH.  Essentially, they would publicly acknowledge that the sale of "papers" is a racket used for one purpose and one purpose only: to produce revenue.

Were this to happen, "reputable" breeders could corner the market on purebreds and essentially help put large scale commercial breeding kennels, along with pet shops, out of business.  Too bad they don't.

So intent is the AKC to make money from commercial breeding that they have, historically and to this day, opposed, refuted and/or contested practically every measure created that would bolster state and federal regulations intended to improve the health and welfare conditions for breeder dogs in large scale kennels... aka: puppy mills.

As we all know, it's impossible to "unring" a bell.  Such is the case with the Coton de Tulear.  Currently classified as a rare breed, this small fluffy white dog stands to be exploited by the AKC if, at the behest of certain breeders, the behemoth registry "recognizes" the Coton.

The primary Coton de Tulear club in the United States, the ACC, is nauseated by the thought of AKC recognition.  Why?  Because they know that once this happens the floodgates will open and commercial breeding kennels across the country will be producing the Coton in staggering numbers.  Pet shops will carry Cotons.  Mini-Cotons will appear as will Coton-Poos, Shih-Cotons and just about any other conceivable variety of mixed mating.  The Coton will appear on Craig's List.  The only thing worse than the AKC recognizing the Coton would be Disney films producing a flick featuring the breed!

As an advocate for dogs trapped in puppy mills and for canines sitting in shelters and rescues awaiting future homes, I struggled with this issue.

Doing nothing will neither protect the Coton de Tulear or prevent future breeding of these dogs.

That said, I'd rather help expose the AKC for its endeavors to exploit a small little white dog for the purpose of producing revenue and to possibly help shelters and rescues from being inundated with the breed once those who have purchased a readily available Coton decide "this isn't the dog for me" and dumps them... a tragic scene played over and over again with too many of the "recognized" breeds.

The ACC has been in contact with the AKC.  According to club president, Hailey Parker, the AKC has dodged their questions, ignored their concerns, removed their contact information from the AKC website and intends to move toward selecting an AKC Parent Club in mid April - the first step toward acquiring "recognition."

Seems like strange behavior for a registry who purports to have the best interest of dogs at heart but would appear to be typical for a club known to produce revenue at the expense of the health and welfare of dogs trapped in mills.

To help voice your opinion that AKC should NOT recognize the Coton and possibly prevent the exploitation of yet ANOTHER breed, please sign the ACC petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/95/Protect-the-rare-breed-Coton-de-Tulear/

At a minimum, you will send the AKC a strong message:  advocates are sick and tired of cleaning up the mess that occurs when the club "recognizes" a breed.  Let them know that you're on to their scam of selling meaningless papers to uninformed consumers and that to exploit yet ANOTHER breed for the purpose of lining their pockets is simply despicable.

To read the full history of what has happened to the Coton de Tulear, visit the ACC homepage:

http://www.americancotonclub.com/

Thank you.

PLEASE CROSS POST!!!

Give Hope to the Mill Dogs
BOYCOTT STORES THAT SELL PUPPIES
North Penn Puppy Mill Watch
Visit Us Online: nppmwatch.com

Travelling Cotons- a Cedarwood Cotons on the Go: A Berengaria Daughter Meets the Easter Bunny!

What would Easter be without an Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones?  So, that's what we did this morning.  Check it out!   http://www.starboogie.com   http://www.flickr.com/photos/starboogiegallery/5603816441/

[http://advocatesforthecotondetulear.blogspot.com/2011/04/north-penn-puppy-mill-watch.html?spref=bl]
Advocates for the Coton de Tulear: North Penn Puppy Mill Watch: "ACTION ALERT! Stop AKC From Exploiting Yet ANOTHER Breed: Protect the Coton de Tulear! http://nppmwatch.com/"

http://advocatesforthecotondetulear.blogspot.com

Please help preserve the breed!

AKC Finds New Source to Produce Puppy "Papers" Revenue

http://nppmwatch.com/]
04-05-11 -- AKC Finds New Source to Produce Puppy "Papers" RevenueBy:  Jenny Stephens, North Penn Puppy Mill Watch

Gullible: adjective: naive and easily deceived or tricked 

Would you buy a Rolex watch from a sidewalk vendor for $25.00 and actually believe that you're purchasing the identical watch that sells for thousands of dollars at "reputable" fine jewelry stores? 

When it comes to dogs, gullible consumers actually believe that "papers" lend credence to the health and quality of the dog.  Sadly, most buyers are purchasing a false sense of security.

In reality, the source of a puppy largely determines whether or not the "papers" accompanying the canine are suitable for framing or better used for housebreaking and the AKC's own website inasmuch says so.

"There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC papers" guarantee the quality of a dog. This is not the case.

AKC is a registry body. 

A registration certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born on a known date. 

It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog. 

Quality in the sense of "show quality" is determined by many factors including the dog's health, physical condition, ability to move and appearance. Breeders breeding show stock are trying to produce animals that closely resemble the description of perfection described in the breed standard. 

Many people breed their dogs with no concern for the qualitative demands of the breed standard. When this occurs repeatedly over several generations, the animals, while still purebred, can be of extremely low quality."

The American Kennel Club derives millions of dollars each year from the sale of "papers" and so, too, do several other quasi-registries including the ACA and APRI.  Unless the dog being purchased comes from a long line of  champions and the buyer has a desire to show or breed, the majority of puppy "paper" purchases are largely a waste of money on a meaningless piece of processed tree pulp.

For years advocates have maintained that if "reputable" breeders REALLY cared about the health and welfare of their respective breeds they would stand up to the AKC's attempt to push "papers" and say: ENOUGH.  Essentially, they would publicly acknowledge that the sale of "papers" is a racket used for one purpose and one purpose only: to produce revenue.

Were this to happen, "reputable" breeders could corner the market on purebreds and essentially help put large scale commercial breeding kennels, along with pet shops, out of business.  Too bad they don't.

So intent is the AKC to make money from commercial breeding that they have, historically and to this day, opposed, refuted and/or contested practically every measure created that would bolster state and federal regulations intended to improve the health and welfare conditions for breeder dogs in large scale kennels... aka: puppy mills.

As we all know, it's impossible to "unring" a bell.  Such is the case with the Coton de Tulear.  Currently classified as a rare breed, this small fluffy white dog stands to be exploited by the AKC if, at the behest of certain breeders, the behemoth registry "recognizes" the Coton.

The primary Coton de Tulear club in the United States, the ACC, is nauseated by the thought of AKC recognition.  Why?  Because they know that once this happens the floodgates will open and commercial breeding kennels across the country will be producing the Coton in staggering numbers.  Pet shops will carry Cotons.  Mini-Cotons will appear as will Coton-Poos, Shih-Cotons and just about any other conceivable variety of mixed mating.  The Coton will appear on Craig's List.  The only thing worse than the AKC recognizing the Coton would be Disney films producing a flick featuring the breed!

As an advocate for dogs trapped in puppy mills and for canines sitting in shelters and rescues awaiting future homes, I struggled with this issue.

Doing nothing will neither protect the Coton de Tulear or prevent future breeding of these dogs.  

That said, I'd rather help expose the AKC for its endeavors to exploit a small little white dog for the purpose of producing revenue and to possibly help shelters and rescues from being inundated with the breed once those who have purchased a readily available Coton decide "this isn't the dog for me" and dumps them... a tragic scene played over and over again with too many of the "recognized" breeds.

The ACC has been in contact with the AKC.  According to club president, Hailey Parker, the AKC has dodged their questions, ignored their concerns, removed their contact information from the AKC website and intends to move toward selecting an AKC Parent Club in mid April - the first step toward acquiring "recognition."

Seems like strange behavior for a registry who purports to have the best interest of dogs at heart but would appear to be typical for a club known to produce revenue at the expense of the health and welfare of dogs trapped in mills.

To help voice your opinion that AKC should NOT recognize the Coton and possibly prevent the exploitation of yet ANOTHER breed, please sign the ACC petition: click HERE

At a minimum, you will send the AKC a strong message:  advocates are sick and tired of cleaning up the mess that occurs when the club "recognizes" a breed.  Let them know that you're on to their scam of selling meaningless papers to uninformed consumers and that to exploit yet ANOTHER breed for the purpose of lining their pockets is simply despicable.

To read the full history of what has happened to the Coton de Tulear, visit the ACC homepage:  Click HERE

Please Cross Post!