An early article about Ch. Aristic Wee Pepper Pod has evolved into an early history of little Bonners, without which this prepotent stud would never have been discovered. Although his conformation was good, he failed to stand out among the many beautiful Aristic Studs, being a 5 pound size and slightly coarse, he was seldom used because he was also choosey and difficult to breed. Most of the females did not strike his fancy, so he was largely ignored in his home kennel and the most energetic Aristic males got the girls. Unfortunately, this trait was also passed to a few of his sons. In his younger days, Pepper Pod was a red sable, but lost most of the black with succeeding coats and became a solid red. As were most of the Aristics, he was out-crossed to all lines behind him and his get included almost every color from cream to chocolate to black and tan. Many of his best were discarded as impossible show colors of the time.

In opposition to Gladys Schoenberg’s methods, I became convinced that line breeding and inbreeding was the only way to go and proved it later with Pepper Pod’s Bonner get. His first sensational girl was Bonner’s Goldol Sunshine (11/31/55) out of a purchased Gold Toy brood. Although both dam and daughter died early, old Pepper Pod became the head of my list. Some time afterward, I was able to purchase Aristic Adorable Mitzie, (Aristic Wee Peppersweet and Aristic Mighty Cute) who set part of the foundation for the Bonner champions and top winners.

Although Mitzie was not closely related, she gave me the beautiful Bonner’s Cherri Pretti Pepper, who bred back to her sire produced Ch. Bonner’s Pretty pepper Darlin, sold to Sue Woodle and was BOW at the APC specialty in 1965 and was Best Of Breed in ‘66. Later bred to Bonner’s Wee Conquest of Rhythm, Pretty pepper whelped a boy and a girl. The boy, Ch. Bonners Prettytune Petite, owned by Dorothy Guild won many Best in Show awards, in the US (and even one in Canada to finish his title, handled by the late Susan Hillman) The girl was Bonner’s Prettytune Preshus, who was bred back to her grand-sire Pepper Pod and produced Ch. Bonner’s Stylepepper Preshus, He was a multiple Best In Show winner, going from the classes at his first show for this honor. Later Stylepepper had a younger full brother, Bonner’s Wepepper Preshus, who lived scarcely a year but will go down in history as the sire of Ch. Corn’s Duke Dragonfly (who we will feature in an upcoming article).

Aristic Wee Peppersweet another daughter of Pepper Pod was bred back to him and produced Ch. Bonner’s Peppersweet Red Pod (26/6/62) and sold to Edna Girardot. He was shown by Clara Alford to many Group and Best In Show wins, unfortunately, he was a poor stud and was withdrawn from shows in his prime.

Of the three Aristic girls, Mighty Cute, a Pepper Pod grand daughter was the only quantity producer. She matured to nine pounds, giving us a number of litters by Pepper Pod, most of the boys were sold for being somewhat large and coarse. The daughters were brood size and of excellent conformation, the girls being notoriously daintier than the boys and did their part to add to our line.

Since the ‘50’s there have been few studs here prepotent enough to line breed to. Pepper Pod was the first and proved that this is the only way if a breeder is lucky enough to have the ingredients. Stylepepper was the second of the same caliber in our kennel, but failed to live long enough to prove his entire potential although amassing some 30 champion get. Our subsequent studs have produced well, but now our current Ch. Bonner’s Kristin Starmist with Pepper Pod blood predominantly in his veins, is proving to be the third super prepotent boy for inbreeding possibilities.

During his last years, in the mid 60’s Pepper Pod was unable to stand because of arthritis, and his breeding days were over. His life had been long and rewarding and we are thankful for his concentrated bloodlines in the Bonner pedigrees, where he left his most valuable legacy.

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Am. Ch. Millamor's Moon Rock 

Submitted by Lisa Pauls, Candlebrite Pomeranians. Many thanks to Eleanor Miller and Sue Goddard for their help with this article

     One April day, in the spring of 1972, at the Texas home of Tim and Sue Goddard, was born a special little puppy. The result of a half brother/sister breeding on the top sire Am. Ch. Millamor's Fancy Gold Dancer. His dam was Millamor's Lullabye of Tim Sue, co-owned with long time friends, the Goddards. His sire, Am. Ch Jeribeth's Silver Sparkle lived in Texas, so Sue bred and whelped the single puppy. He was hand-raised by Sue, as his mother’s milk did not come in, even accompanying Sue to Bridge Club. No one could guess then what an impact he would have on the Pom world, even today.

This boy was to be Eleanor's and since Tim and Sue were in the midst of a move, Sue prepared the puppy to be shipped to the Millers. Eleanor has a terrible fear of flying her dogs, but Sue assured her that this was a strong pup and would be fine.... And fine he was, arriving in Ohio, where Ken and Eleanor lived at the time, safe and sound. A VERY anxious Eleanor opened the crate, picked him up and said, "Wow, he's a Rock" and from there came his name, "Moon Rock."

     Shortly after his arrival, Moon Rock was introduced to the lead, but to Eleanor's surprise no introductions were necessary. Eleanor was amazed as he strutted, head held high and proud, ready the show world, he had arrived! From the word go, Moon Rock was a natural showman; he seemed to think the ring was meant for him!

     In Eleanor's own words, "I owned him and I showed him myself at EVERY show. He was never given to a professional handler; he had to do it himself with me holding the lead. I know, his winning record would have been really great IF I had turned him over to a handler to take to many shows all over the country — but MY ONLY reason for breeding and having these Pom kids is for MY enjoyment. I LOVE them, I want to enjoy showing them and I want to be able to give them all of my best attention and LOVE. It just wouldn't be any enjoyment for me, if I didn't go into the ring and show them myself.

     I won a major on him at nine months, on the Florida circuit. At ten months, we went to New York, The American Pom Specialty. Isidore Schoenberg was the Judge. He was Aristic Poms, and Aristic poms were always highly admired by me.

     Moon Rock, as a ten month old pup, won a 5-point major and finished his Championship. Then I started to special him. I won 10 Group Firsts with him and many group placings. He LOVED to show, he felt he owned the show ring."

     As well as being a great showman, Moon Rock had many other wonderful attributes. He had strong, sound legs and was a wonderful mover. He also had a beautiful head and coat, and a great bite. He was an all around dynamite little package, and was also generous enough to have passed these wonderful traits to his children.

     Moon Rock sired 11 American Champions, most of them multiple Group and Best in Show winners. The legacy he left is still being felt today. He has been the foundation of many top kennels and we are still seeing the structure and soundness that Moon Rock has passed down through generations. His champions included:

• Am. Ch. Millamor's Rock Montrgram

• Am. Can.Ch.Millamor's Rock Medallion

• Am. Ch Browns Rock-A-Bye Baby Doll

• Am. Ch. Snowfire's Pecan Sandy

• Am. Ch. Jolly Wee Macho of Moon Rock

• Am. Ch. Mi-Los Chiquita of Snowfire

• Am. Ch. Millamor's Rock Music

• Am. Ch. Millamor's Rock Music

• Am. Ch. Millamor's Rock Dust

• Am. Ch. Daja Justa Rocksample

• Am. Ch. Dixieland Rock of Millamor

• Am. Ch. Dixieland’s Rock Charm

    Knowing what a wonderful dog Eleanor had in Moon Rock, a repeat breeding was attempted, but was unsuccessful.

     Moon Rock’s influence was strongly felt at Chriscendo, through his son, Am/Can.Ch. Millamor’s Rock Medallion. Moon Rock was always a favorite of Chris and John and they were lucky enough to be able to enjoy him as lived out his last years in comfort at Chriscendo. He will always hold a very special place in their hearts as well.

     He is fondly remembered and missed by all that knew him.

     One last note from Eleanor:

     "A cute little side line –I always felt that Moon Rock should have won a BIS at some time. Ringside raved and applauded for Moon Rock but a handler would always win. They would often give a silver plated coffee service for BIS trophy. One day, I said to Moon Rock (sure he could understand me!) I told him that he and I didn’t want any Silver-plated coffee service because they tarnish and turn black.... But that HE deserved a really great trophy. Instead, I would buy him a Pewter coffee and tea, sugar and creamer, and a huge tray to hold them . . . and I did! That pewter service is sitting on my dining room server today as I write. It always, ALWAYS brings me wonderful memories of my beloved Moon Rock. I LOVED him and just wish he could have lived forever and ever."

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Ch. Corn’s Duke Dragonfly

Written by Sue Goddard, Tim Sue Pomeranians

Many dogs come and go on the show scene. Some become champions. A few of these are called "specials" dogs. Ones who have that plus quality that makes them fit to compete with the stars of the dog show world. Finally there are a very select few that become Super Stars, setting records and widely admired by the fancy. Ch. Corn’s Duke Dragonfly wore the crown of super star from the first moment he entered the ring.

Duke was born as the result of a breeding planned by Darrel and Olga baker. His dam had been sold to the Ed Corn’s with the suggestion that she be taken to Dorothy Bonner’s line to breed to Bonner’s Wee Pepper Preshus, a full brother to Ch. Bonner’s Stylepepper Preshus. The Bakers then purchased Duke at six months of age when his quality was already abundantly obvious. He became a champion at nine months of age.

The facts and figures of his show career are 105 Bests of Breed, with 42 Group Firsts. A record hasn’t been kept of his group placements, but offhand I can only recall one time when he wasn’t placed. Duke was a Best In Show winner 18 times. He set a record for wins at the hotly contested Ft. Worth Pom Specialty, by taking the breed five years in a row! The first time he did this, he was in the puppy classes! In 1968 he was Best of Breed at the American Pomeranian Specialty in New York.

If ever there was an ambassador for good will in the dog game, Duke and his proud owner handlers, were it. Finally the fancy saw a dog who won solely because he deserved to win. He won without financial backing, without a pro handler and with very limited advertising. He won with none of the "back room" politics, we all hear about, but won repeatedly to the point of even though he was campaigned in a limited manner and area, he remained the Number One Pom in the U.S. for two years.

Perhaps of greater importance to the breeders of Poms was the fine legacy Duke left us in his off spring. Many former top winners fell short when it came to production. Again, Duke was a super star! Over 30 champion children attest to this fact. At this writing a complete list is not available and youngsters being shown and several still to be shown, will make the list substantially longer. Currently, three of his sons are Best in Show winners themselves, with many more being Group winners along with several exciting daughters who have added Groups in a breed where it is tough to win with a female. In the current list of Top Poms, Duke is the sire or grandsire of seven! These children and grandchildren assure us of years of Duke breeding to draw upon. A phenomenal stud dog, Duke stamped his get with quality. He repeatedly threw his enormous coat of proper texture, his soundness and his showmanship. So much did he stamp them that most were recognizable as "Duke related". In an ad in "Dog World" magazine stating "Duke bloodline". I feel it is a tremendous credit to a dog when an entire line is credited to that dog’s name. A name so common as Duke and yet all know the one of whom we are speaking.

Duke was sorely missed by Darrell and Olga, because he was a much loved and much spoiled pet. It was my privilege to keep him on several occasions when they were out of town briefly. Feeling he would be safer in an exercise pen, I tried that, but after the first indignant howl, decided that would not work, so he remained free to "boss" the household, which was his accustomed role. On dog show trips when Olga and I traveled together, I found you not only shared the bed with Olga, but usually had Duke’s tail in your face, as he was supposed to occupy the second pillow. None of this "foot of the bed" business for Duke.

One of Olga’s favorite stories involves my youngest daughter, who was five years old at the time. We had spent the day at the show waiting for Best In Show judging when an elderly gentleman approached Olga to say "M’am, this dog is mine now, that little girl traded me for a candy bar." What dog? Why Duke of course! Now it is hard to believe that was so long ago.

Another of Olga’s favorite stories, was a quote from me…"I am of the opinion that you could breed a billy goat to Duke and expect to get a tiny, short backed, soft, sweet faced, huge coated, tiny eared, sound beautiful little billy goat".

Duke’s long ago legacy still lives on in the pedigrees and in the hearts of those who knew him personally.

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Am. Ch. Great Elms Prince Charming

          — by Deborah Sullivan, Babydoll Pomeranians

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