***Click on the title, above, or the thumbnail photo, left, to open this album.*** Thumbnail Photo: Sue holding Sunflower
This album tells the story of the beginning of our kennel and is dedicated to the very special rat terriers that have contributed so much to our lives since 2000. This is Spring High's tenth anniversary - where has the time gone? See pictures that warm our hearts - photos of the little terriers we love and admire and, in four very special cases, miss dearly: Sunflower (RIP) 1999, Boo-Boo (RIP) 2000, Daisy (RIP) 2000, Ralph (RIP) 2001 and his sister Alice (RIP) 2004, Skye (RIP) 2002, Benny 2002, Molly 2003, Munchie 2003, Drum 2003, Raven 2003, Lark 2004, Fudge 2004, Surf City 2005, Jack 2005, Twist 2006, Sarge 2006, Oreo 2006.
Date(s): Updated June 1, 2020. Album by Bruce Strand. Photos by Bruce & Ralph. 1 - 98 of 98 Total. 12271 Visits.
1 Here's SPRING HIGH'S SUNFLOWER, the rat terrier that started it all for Bruce and me. Sunflower was born October 18, 1999. We got her as a puppy from BMW motorcycle friends in Ft. Lauderdale. She matured to 17 pounds. What prey drive she has!
Sunflower, now 10 years old, is spayed and is a beloved house pet and bed dog. "Your looking good Sue and so does Su..." "Happy Birthday Sunflower!!!" View Comments...
2 1. SUNFLOWER 1999
Date of Birth: Oct. 18, 1999 RIP July 2, 2015 Studio Portrait, 2002 Sire: Buddy (not registered) Dam: Daisy (registered but papers never sent in)
3 1. SUNFLOWER - 2010
Sunflower has "saddleback" markings, just as if she is wearing a little saddle. She has free reign on the property and is a determined hunter and truck guard dog.
4 2. BOONTON - 2000 (RIP)
Spring High's Boonton Date of Birth: Feb. 27, 2000 Date of Death: Jan. 27, 2014 Studio portrait, 2002 Sire: (Clifton's) Clinton Dam: (Clifton's) Amanda
Sue saw an ad for a rat terrier for sale, posted on the bulletin board of a pet supply store in Boynton Beach. We called on the ad and brought Sunflower with us to the condo to meet Boo, who was named that by his owners due to his timid nature, we were told. His paperwork revealed, he was registered UKCI from a breeder in Arkansas. He was unhappy living in a wire cage in the condo. Had to have him! We changed his name slightly to Boonton, a town in NJ where Sue's family is from, got him out of his cage, out of his condo life, gave him a rattie companion (Sunflower) and he became a different dog.
5 Spring High's Boonton Two Years Old Studio portrait, 2002
Boo-Boo matured to 13.5 inches tall and 13.5 pounds. We learned a lot about registering rat terriers through him. He ultimately became registered with UKCI, NRTA, UKC, AKC (FSS) and CKC.
6 Boo-Boo: Rat Terrier Supreme
Boo-Boo and Sunflower produced several litters, all black tris. We didn't know he carried blue/dilute until we bred him to a blue tri female in 2004 (Skye) and SURPRISE! there were blue tri puppies in that litter.
7 Boo-Boo and Sunflower Studio Portrait, 2002
8 Boo-Boo and Sunflower Studio Portrait, 2002
9 OUR FIRST LITTER Sunflower X Boo-Boo DOB: May 4, 2001
Here's Bruce at the vet's office with all eight puppies.
10 Daisy, a female puppy from our first litter. Bruce is holding her. There are a few photos I cherish, and this is one of them.
11 4. RALPH 2001 and ALICE 2004
One pup from our first litter had a fuzzy coat. Everyone who came to look at the puppies wanted him, but we had already decided to keep him and named him Ralph. Here is Ralph in Bruce's pocket.
12 Ralph matured into a long-haired rat terrier with tipped ears. He and Bruce were constant companions until Ralph's battle with cancer took his life in 2006.
13 Ralph cooled off right in the water bowl itself.
But Ralph wasn't the only long-haired rat terrier that the Sunflower X Boonton cross produced. In 2004, we had ALICE. We also had NICKY (now living in Loxahatchee, FL) and NOLA (now living in the Orlando, FL area).
14 Ralph (L) born in 2001 and Alice (R) born in 2004, both from short-coated parents.
15 They have a thick neck ruffle and fuzzy ears. Hair on back of hind legs is also long, and docked tails have a curley "lock" hanging down.
16 On their backs, you can see the long hairs on their bellies...they have the texture of kitties! Extremely fine & soft.
17 Alice has the painted-on smile like clown paint, with erect ears, whereas Ralph has tipped ears with wispy tendrils.
18 Sunflower (L), Alice (C) and Ralph (R).
19 Alice is upside down, on her back as the close-up was taken, what a mug shot!
20 Alice March 20, 2011
21 Alice On The Run! March 20, 2011
22 Alice March 20, 2011 RIP Oct. 20, 2018 Showing off her soft coat.
23 3. DAISY - 2000
Spring High's Miss Daisy DOB: July 6, 2000 Sire: Tequila Dam: Chlindrina
Daisy joined us early in 2002 as an adult. She was a gift from a fellow rat terrier owner, Lisa. Lisa owned Daisy's sister, Sienna. Daisy's registration papers go back to Barbara Castro, Homestead, FL. "I had a male Rattie from Barbara. Hi..." View Comments...
24 Spring High's Miss Daisy
Daisy gave us some very nice typey pups when bred to Boo-Boo and also to Benny. She has been spayed and placed in a pet home in south FL.
25 Daisy with her "RHYTHM" litter, three days old. Callie (Spring High's Calypso Rhythm) is on the far left. Sire: Spring High's Boonton Date of Photo: May 27, 2003
26 CALLIE - one week old May 31, 2003
27 Callie Oct. 8, 2009 On the lookout for squirrels.
28 Callie Oct. 8, 2009 Lots of things to see out under the oak trees.
29 Daisy's Offspring
Spring High's Jazzy Rhythm Jazz is Callie's littermate brother.
30 Jazz's Birthday in NJ
31 Sue at Coastal Fabrications, Bruce's welding shop. Left to right: Ralph, Sunflower, Boo-Boo and Daisy. "They all want Mom's attention...swee..." View Comments...
32 4. SKYE - 2002
Spring High's Blue Skies DOB: July 30, 2002 Sire: (RPK's) Hannibal Dam: Speckles Blankenship
Skye came to us from the Blankenship family in north Alabama. Bruce and Ralph drove to Alabama to pick her up.
33 SKYE - Summer, 2009
Skye and Benny were puppy playmates together, but she never was bred to him as he is blue also. Skye was bred to Boo-Boo, Drum and later, Surf City. We are considering a couple of 2009 Surf pups, they may be keepers.
34 PEANUT, Skye's 2004 Charcoal Pup CH Toucans SHK Georgia On My Mind Sire: Spring High's Boonton Dam: Spring High's Blue Skies
Peanut isn't exactly thrilled to pose with her medals. These were from the International All Breed Canine Association Shows in Orlando, FL. Peanut earned her International Championship by taking 4 top ratings of SG1 and also added a Group 2 win. She is now also a UKC Champion with 4 legs towards her Grand Champion title. Owner: Andrea W., Miami.
35 BREEZE, Skye's Lastborn Puppy From Her Last Litter Is Stayed Here
Spring High's Ocean Breeze Sire: GRCH Spring High's Surf City Date of Birth: Aug. 31, 2009 Date of photo: Oct. 19, 2009 Age: 7 weeks old Weight: 3 lbs 12 ounces
36 5. BENNY - 2002
Spring High's CJK Blue By You DOB: December 17, 2002 Sire: (Cox's) Sir Lancelot Dam: Sands' Amber Lace
Benny came to us from Carol and Jerry Bowers, CJ Kennels, in Florida.
37 BENNY We nick-named this handsome fellow, Benjamine T Ratbone. What a gorgeous head! He passed his masculine features on to his son, our own Surf City.
38 Benny's 2004 daughter
CH Spring High's Made You Blush Date of Birth: Dec. 4, 2004 Color: blue sable & white Sire: Spring High's CJK Blue By You (Benny) Dam: Sands' Pecos Blush
39 Benny's 2005 son, Surf City
GRCH Spring High's Surf City DOB: January 20, 2005 Sire: Spring High's CJK Blue By You (Benny) Dam: CH Spring High's RPK Sweet Treat (Molly)
Molly joined us in the spring of 2003 from Shelly Heist, Rat Pack Kennels in Alabama. She produced wonderful puppies with Boo-Boo, Benny, Fudge and Sarge. She was retired in 2009.
41 Double Chocolate...Molly & Drum
Drum is the sire of our CH Spring High's Forever Fudge (Fudge).
42 Molly looking for the next home cooked meal with her favorite ... steamed carrots. I tell Sue our dogs eat better than we do!
43 ~THE POTATOES LITTER, 2006~
This little group of chocolate, white and tan puppies was named with a potato theme in mind. Here they are, at four weeks old.
Left to right: Bliss (F), Spuds (M), Sweetie (F), Tater (M) and Curley (M).
Their sire is UKC CH Spring High's Forever Fudge (Fudge) and their dam is CH Spring High's RPK Sweet Treat (Molly).
44 Cindy & Rosie 2010
Rosie is "Sweetie" from the Potatoes Litter, all grown up. Rosie rules the roost in New Port Richie, FL with Cindy, Bob and Sam.
45 Molly - May 28, 2007
46 Molly's Lastborn Puppy From Her Last Litter Of One
UNO - female - singleton
Date of Birth: Feb. 19, 2009 Date of photo: March 19, 2008 Age: 4 weeks old Weight: 1 lb 3 ounces
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2009
47 UNO & MOLLY walking the horse trail March 30, 2009
48 UNO now MacC
Gail and Glen stopped by with MacC in January 2010. She won't take any guff and is a momma's girl.
49 Gail and MacC
You can't help but smile when you watch the antics of this pretty chocolate rat terrier pup. Gail and Glen live nearby in Gainesville, and we hope they visit often.
50 7. MUNCHIE - 2003
Spring High's MRT Minnie Pearl DOB: April 18, 2003 Sire: Maxwell's Full of Trouble Dam: Maxwell's Miss Molly
Munchie came to us from Patty Cromer, Maxwell's Rat Terriers in Alabama. Named for her color, she is pearl and white.
51 MUNCHIE
She was bred to Drum and also Benny and produced such handsome pups, that we had to keep one from the Drum litter - Fudge.
52 MUNCHIE
Lovely rat terrier profile! Munchie had very expressive eyes and strong erect ears.
53 ~The Cinco de Mayo Litter, 2005~
Look at the beautiful colors! From left to right: Fiesta is pearl and white, Margarita is blue and white, Tequila is pearl sable & white and Nacho is blue & white. Sire: Spring High's CJK Blue By You (Benny) Dam: Spring High's MRT Minnie Pearl (Munchie).
54 8. RAVEN - 2003
Spring High's WRT Belle Elegant DOB: Aug. 18, 2003 Sire: Weebits Cocoa Puffs Dam: Weebits Bella Blue
Raven came to us from Teresa Henderson Otto, Weebits Rat Terriers, in Ohio.
Raven @ 3 years old, Aug. 2006 She gives a raspberry to the cameraman!
55 Raven @ 3 years old, Aug. 2006 She weighs 14.5 lbs and stands 14 inches tall.
Raven produced wonderful puppies with Boo-Boo, Surf City, Jack and Sarge.
56 RAVEN'S LAST LITTER Sire: Sarge Date of Birth: Oct. 28, 2007 Age in photo: 4 weeks old
Left to right: Tab (blue sable male) Jet (black tri male) Roo (tan sable female) Cricket (blue sable female) Bambi (tan sable female) Danny (blue sable male)
57 Michell holds Tatyana, a 2005 Munchie X Benny "Cinco De Mayo" puppy, while her dad, Roy, holds Raven. Raven has been retired and is now living the good life in Palm Bay, FL with Roy and his wife, Susan. CongRATulations, Raven, for finding the perfect home!
58 9. DRUM - 2003
Spring High's HRT Drumbeat DOB: Nov. 24, 2003 Sire: GRCH St. Francis' Banjo On My Knee Dam: CH Hightower's Jasmine
Drum came to us from Janet and Corky Hightower, Hightower Rat Terriers, in Texas. He is a liver chocolate and white with tan points.
59 DRUM Drum is a small tyke of a rattie and matured to 8 lbs (toy variety). He was to be the hub of our breeding program for the under-10 lbs ratties but things didn't work out that way.
60 DRUM Drum was placed with another rat terrier breeder in Okeechobee, FL and has continued to sire gorgeous pups.
61 10. LARK - 2004
CH Spring High's WRT Skylark DOB: May 12, 2004 Sire: Weebits Striker Dam: RPK's Dream Dancer
Lark came to us from Teresa Henderson Otto, Weebits Rat Terriers, in Ohio.
Lark @ 9.5 weeks old, weighing 4 lbs 8 oz, on Monday, July 19, 2004. "Just precious!!" View Comments...
62 Lark on June 16, 2005 at 13 months old.
Lark was bred to Fudge, Jack and Surf. We kept her Fudge daughter, Twist.
Lark has been retired and spayed. She now lives with her family in Jacksonville Beach, FL. She enjoys daily walks on the beach and is spoiled silly.
63 Surf City and Lark - Oct. 20, 2007
Lark gazes at her dapper boyfriend. She definately has fallen for the tall, dark, handsome fellow!
64 SURF CITY and LARK
Lark's last litter was born Nov. 03, 2007
65 REBA Lark's Lastborn Puppy From Her Last Litter
Spring High's Lil Bit Country (Reba) chocolate sable & white
Date of photo: Dec. 25, 2007 Age: 7 weeks 3 days old Weight: 3 lbs 9 ounces MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007
66 11. FUDGE 2004
CH Spring High's Forever Fudge Date of Birth: October 11, 2004 Sire: Spring High's HRT Drumbeat (Drum) Dam: Spring High's MRT Minnie Pearl (Munchie)
Fudgie was a doll boy from day one. He is still a "momma's boy"
67 Fudge is showing nice maturity for a 9 month old.
68 FUDGE
What a handsome little guy!
69 12. SURF CITY
UKC GRCH Spring High's Surf City Date of Birth: Jan. 20, 2005 Date of Photo: March, 2005 Sire: Spring High's CJK Blue By You (Benny) Dam: CH Spring High's RPK Sweet Treat (Molly)
70 Surf City on July 5, 2005 at 5.5 months old. Have to measure this boy soon, as he may be growing into standard size (over 13 inches tall) like his dam, Molly.
71 SURF CITY
Lovely portrait of our homebred boy!
72 13. JACK - 2005
GRCH Windys Blackjack @ Spring High DOB: Feb. 23, 2005 Sire: Calico Run Kennel Erik's Echo Dam: Cal Val Classic Elegance
Jack came to us from Tracey Coyle, Roaring Wind Farm in Pennsylvania. His ears came up at 8.5 weeks old. Here he is at 9 weeks old. Right now, it looks like his little blaze will stay.
73 JACK
Look at the forechest and superb angulation on this pup.
Jack made the trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan in the summer of 2006 to attend the UKC dog show, The Premier. He was the little fish in the big pond and did not place.
Jack is now retired and lives with his new family in Naples, FL. We call him, "Saltwater Jack."
74 Jack's Offspring
Born April 19, 2006 Sire: Jack Dam: Alice
Kenneth & Patty Sue Kenneth, Cathy and pretty Patty Sue live in Georgia. This pup is from the Sandwiches Litter and was named Patty Melt when she was here.
75 Jack's Offspring
Sire: Jack Dam: Alice Born: April 19, 2006
Natalie and Dolly brought their boy "Zippy" here for a visit on Oct. 5, 2010. Zippy is a very distinguished black and white bi with saddleback markings. He weighs 17 lbs.
76 Zippy
Zippy was from the Sandwiches Litter when he was here with us, and we named him Hero.
77 Zippy
Zippy takes road trips with Natalie and Dolly in their motor home. We are told, he prefers to watch the Disney Channel to entertain himself.
78 Jack's Offspring
~The Broadway Hits Litter~ Born May 11, 2006
What a colorful litter! Each puppy is a different color. From left to right: Sarafina (pearl tri female) Oliver (light pearl tri male) Evita (blue tri female) Pal Joey (chocolate tri male) Mame (black & white female) Sire: UKC GRCH Windys Blackjack @ Spring High (Jack) Dam: Spring High's WRT Belle Elegant (Raven).
79 Jack's Offspring
~THE MEERKAT MANOR LITTER~ Born Sept. 28, 2006
Named after the TV show on Animal Planet. Left to right: Mitch (chocolate & white) Rose(chocolate & white) McMurphy (black, white & tan) Cruise (black & white) Daisy (chocolate & white) Sophie (tan sable & white)
Sire: UKC GRCH Windys Blackjack @ Spring High (Jack) Dam: UKC CH Spring High's WRT Skylark (Lark)
80 14. TWIST 2006
Spring High's Cinnamon Twist Date of Birth: Feb. 12, 2006 Sire: CH Spring High's Forever Fudge (Fudge) Dam: CH Spring High's WRT Skylark (Lark)
Twist..1 week old...Feb. 19th Weight: 14.7 oz
81 Twist...5 weeks old...March 19th Weight: 2 lbs 15 oz
82 Twist, seven weeks old.
Look at those flying ears! This is Spring High's Cinnamon Twist, and she is from the Jackson & Perkins roses litter. Twist is chocolate sable & white. Her nose is chocolate-colored.
83 Twist...8 weeks old...April 9th Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz
84 Twist's Littermate "Rusty"
Here's Rusty, all grown up. He lives with proud momma Linda and proud poppa Mark in Ocala, FL.
85 Handsome Rusty
This rattie boy doesn't look like his sire (Fudge) nor his dam (Lark) but he strongly resembles grandpa Drum, Fudge's sire.
86 Rusty
Rusty's family goes on vacation in the spring and so Rusty comes back to visit us for a couple of weeks each year. Oh how he pines!
87 15. SARGE - 2006
CH Spring High's Hill Street Blues DOB: May 26, 2006 Sire: Fig Whiskey Nick Dam: Devil Delites Shade of Opal
Sarge came to us from Gina Underschuetz, Vinegar Hill Kennels (now renamed Kennessee Valley Kennels) in Kentucky.
Three Months Old - Aug. 26, 2006
Sarge is white & blue fawn. Blue fawn is also known as blue sable.
88 SARGE - Aug. 26, 2006
We see a lot to like about this little guy, even at the tender age of 13 weeks old. Something has caught his attention in the distance.
Sarge is now retired and lives with George and Jan on their pygmy goat farm, right here in Lake City.
89 Molly & Sarge - May 18, 2007
Sarge tries to steal a kiss on the park bench.
90 16. OREO
CH Spring High's Color Me Smart Color: white, black DOB: Nov. 11, 2006 Sire: GRCH Windys Blackjack @ Spring High (Jack) Dam: Spring High's WRT Belle Elegant (Raven)
91 Spring High's Just 2B With You - Partner July 28, 2008, 2 days old Sire: Spring High's Gone Country - Clint, a Surf X Lark son Dam: CH Spring High's Color Me Smart - Oreo
Partner is a pup from Oreo's 2008 ABBREVIATIONS litter.
92 PARTNER
August 21, 2008 @ 26 days old 2 lbs 5 ounces
93 PARTNER
July 21, 2009 This beautiful boy is colored SEAL and not black. Seal is a very dark tan sable that looks black from a distance, until seen in the bright light or next to a black dog. Seal is a rare color. "I found you pretty boy!" View Comments...
94 PARTNER CAME BACK TO US - 2017
Spring High's Just 2B With You aka Partner Date of Birth: July 26, 2008 Sire: Spring High's Gone Country (Clint) Dam: Spring High's Color Me Smart (Oreo) Registered UKC #P580-683D
Partner was outside observing Lucinda's photo session on Nov. 15th, so we included him here. He was rescued by us from the Lake City Animal Shelter in August 2017. A good samaritan had called for the shelter to come pick him up after seeing him running loose in her neighborhood for several days. His owner is no where to be found. Thankfully, the shelter checked him for a microchip and his chip came back to Spring High. He is now overcoming several issues that senior citizen stray and abused dogs suffer from, and is on the long road to recovery. He won't be leaving here again. "Looks like a sweet boy!" "Wonderful for him to be back at Spri..." View Comments...
95 Blackjack and Reese's Pieces Feb. 12, 2009
These two hefty brothers sure don't look anything alike. We expect these butterballs will gorge themselves silly! Their weight gain has been incredible in just one day.
96 JACK & REESE
March 25, 2009 Spring High's Blackjack Spring High's Reese's Pieces Oreo's 2009 litter, The RHYME TIME brothers. Sire: CH Spring High's Forever Fudge (Fudge) Dam: CH Spring High's Color Me Smart (Oreo)
Just love our Rattie Bella and we kept the name you gave her seemed to match her. - Kevin L Raymo, Mon, 15 Jan 2024 5:36PM
GREAT TO SEE ALL THE NICE PUPS AFTER THE Jazzy Rhythm LITTER, WE ADOPTED JAZZ FROM THAT LITTER AND HE HAS TURNED OUT TO BE SUCH A WONDERFUL DOG,, CONGRATULATIONS AND MUCH SUCCESS,,, - ROBERTO BRAVO, Thu, 10 Nov 2011 6:21PM
Enjoyed perusing your anniversary album and seeing the pictures of my spectacular fur-nephew, Zippy! Jack and Alice should be proud--Zippy is a great little guy loved by all! - Carol Fischer | www.nmarn.org, Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:06PM
Great to see you last week. Love seeing our Zippy on your website. As you know, we've adored all the terriers we've had in our lives but none have touched us like this one. He has the biggest personality, is a great athlete, and loves everybody. Thank you, thank you for our handsome, healthy furboy! - Natalie Fischer, Sun, 10 Oct 2010 5:04PM
Can't explain the joy we have had from Darla(Darlington) and Duke. Darla of course is my little girl and Duke tends to gravitate towards Maria. Congrats on 10 years. Hope to see you in NC sometime, you are always welcome at our home. - Dale Neer, Fri, 9 Jul 2010 3:43PM
Oh how special to find this page!! We congratulate you on your 10 years!! Thank you again for our dear Munchie (our Maggie). She is such a special part of our family and we love her dearly. She is spoiled rotten and continues to be my shadow (which is fine with me!!!) Blessings to you both!! - Kathryn and Perry Tison, Mon, 22 Feb 2010 4:44AM
These pictures and story are precious. Their offspring "Nola" continues to make us laugh. She's precious and we love her...Best dog EVER! Thank you for her! - Kate and Amy, Thu, 14 Jan 2010 8:02AM
Congrats on 10 yrs w/ these wonderful dogs!! Your two founders are precious :) - Meta | http://www.wmratz.com, Mon, 4 Jan 2010 6:16AM
