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Welcome to my site, which is under construction as you read this.
So what can I tell you about me? Well I live in the South of England and have always been animal mad. As a child I had a variety of animals - Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, fish, tortoises, stick insects - yes, stick insects - then later, a pony on loan.
I was never allowed to have a cat or dog (or a Python or Water Dragon for that matter, how mean is that!). My parents told me that when I had my own place, I could have as many pets as I liked - so guess what was on the top of my 'to buy' list when I got married? Forget the 3 piece suite; it was 2 cats and a dog for me.
2 kittens, Kiri and Sam, duly arrived, followed 6 months later by a sparking white Samoyed puppy called Ziggy. A year later a grey bundle of Keeshond fluff called Radar joined the family.
Sadly Ziggy and Radar didn't get on and I was forced to rehome Radar 5 years later. Strangely Ziggy missed his 'pal' and I was lucky enough to be given another Keeshond, Jan, by my friends Bill and Judy Crawford (Venway Stud). The boys got on like a house on fire, and remained good friends for the rest of their lives. I lost Ziggy 3 years ago aged 15, and Jan 18 months ago aged 16.
My dogs introduced me to the world of animal exhibition. Over the next few years I travelled the country, exhibiting my boys at all levels of competition.
About 12 years ago I found myself divorced and back in my home village. I took up guinea pig keeping again and it wasn't long before I bred my first litter of pets. I discovered there were classes at shows for pets, and had a go at showing them. A few Rex, a Buff and a Satin joined my shed, and that was it, I was bitten by the show bug.
In 2003 I met Jayne Davey and we struck up an instant friendship. A year later we registered a stud name together, Carnival Cavies.
We initially concentrated on Self Buff, Saffron, Chocolate, Satins, and Rex. These were joined later by some Sheltie and Coronets, and a stud of Chocolate Dutch. Eventually we moved away from the Selfs, and concentrated on the Longhairs, introducing Alpacas to the shed, and acquired a stud Tortoise and Whites. To date the Alpaca have been the most sucessful breed in our stud gaining several BIS.
Carnival Cavies have done very well over the last few years both with our purebred and pet cavies. Although we still have Carnival Cavies registered, Jayne and I now show under our own stud names.
From 1 January 2009 we show as Jayne@Carnival and Julie@Carnival.
I am a member of the Southern Cavy Club Executive Committee, Secretary of Fareham 2003 Cavy Club, Assistant Secretary of Worthing and Eastergate Cavy Club, and am one of the secretaries of the London Championship Show. Also a Committee member of Wessex Cavy Club and of Fourpoints Small Animal Club.
In 2009 I completed and passed the Nene Valley CC Judging Accrediation Course, and am a SCC Panel judge from January 2010.
I can be contacted on debbiesweet225@btinternet.com.
My main breeds are the cheeky Tort & White, Sheltie, Coronet, Alpaca, Peruvian, Black English Crested, Self Pink Eyed Cream and Self Lilac. Along with a few Dutch, Rex, several pets and a fair few pensioners!
I don't intend to give advice on how to keep cavies on this site; there are plenty of people far more knowledgeable that me who offer excellent advice over the internet. This site is intended as a showcase for my cavies and to keep you updated with their progress.
