It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Shades Wind Beneath My Wyng ("Wyng"). Wyng was owned and loved by LeaAnn and Allan in Perrysburg, OH. She will be dearly missed by them and by all the Shades of Excellence family.
A special tribute page has been set up to honor Wyng.
CA CH Shades Blue Skies Astralabe had an outstanding weekend at the AKC dog shows in Raleigh the weekend of March 20-23. Astra took Winners Bitch on March 20 for two points, then took Best of Winners on March 23 for a 3-point major! Astra now needs only one more major to earn her AKC Champion title!
Litter Update - All puppies from the Magnum-Astra litter have found their forever homes! Thanks to everyone who now owns one of these beautiful puppies!
January 22, 2008
Individual picture libraries for the Magnum-Astra litter are now available! You can access the picture libraries through our Litterbox page. We will be updating library pictures as they become available from the puppies' new owners.
Shades Stolen Kisses V Magnum ("Kiss") is still available. If you are interested in providing a "forever home" for Kiss, please fill out our puppy questionnaire!
Individual pictures of the puppies appear in the Litterbox!
Magnum-Astra litter - born 11/18/2007
October 11, 2007
Astra wins her Canadian title!
Shades Blue Skies Astralabe (Astra) competed in the Wine Country Kennel Club shows in Welland, Ontario over the weekend of October 6, 2007. Astra took Best of Winners/Best of Opposite Sex on Friday, Best Bred by Exhibitor/Best of Opposite Sex on Saturday, and Winners Bitch/Best of Opposite Sex on Sunday. Astralabe now proudly holds her Canadian Kennel Club as well as her United Kennel Club Championship title!
Canadian Champion Shades Blue Skies Astralabe
Astra wins her UKC title
June 11, 2007
Shades of Excellence steals the show!
Shades Blue Skies Astralabe and Shades Lightning Strikes Twice"stole the show" last weekend at the Asheville Kennel Club shows in Fletcher, NC! "Astra" took Winners Bitch honors for both Saturday and Sunday shows. "Sinjin" did not show Saturday and almost did not show Sunday due to an eye problem. After some tender lovin' care from his owner and breeder, Sinjin went on to take Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed on Sunday!
Special Kudos to Avery Hester for her handling of Sinjin! Avery is a junior handler who took on the "big kids" and pulled off the win on Sunday!
These two beautiful Danes are the great-grandchildren of Champion Magic's Shades of Grey, who passed on just prior to the show. This weekend was a fitting tribute to Shades and the quality of Danes she produced.
Show results for Saturday, June 9 and Sunday June 10 can be viewed by clicking the links below:
It is with great sadness that we
announce the passing of Champion Magic's Shades of Grey.
Shades was the foundation of our kennel - without her, "Shades of Excellence" would not be what we are today. Over the course of her life Shades has touched many hearts - we affectionately called her "Baby Roo" because of the way she would fuss when she wanted her way. Shades was attached at the hip to Cynthia, her human "Mom", and would always perk up whenever "Mom" came into the room.
Shades leaves behind one son, numerous grandchildren and countless great-grandchildren along with her human family. We give special thanks to Linda Altomare of Magic Manor Danes for bringing Shades into our lives, for the countless days of joy Shades has brought us. We are blessed in the knowledge that a part of Shades will always live on through her many Dane children, and that she will continue to be with us all the days of our lives!
February 12, 2007
Cynthia paid a recent visit to Kenyon's at Dog Creek in beautiful Fresno, California. While there she got to see Magnum's kids, plus she took in some cart riding courtesy of Devon!
You can view pictures of Cynthia's trip in the gallery we have for Magnum & Anij's kids!
January 4, 2007
UPDATE: Jona has found his forever home! Thanks to everyone who inquired about Jona!
December 8, 2006
Shades Blues Skies Astralabe ("Astra") took Best of Winners at the Greater Hickory Kennel Club show in Winston-Salem on December 8! Astra earned 2 points towards her AKC title.
September 25, 2006
Shades Blues Skies Astralabe ("Astra") had an outstanding weekend at the UKC Shows in Hickory, NC the weekend of Sept. 22-24! Out of 4 shows, Astra took Best of Breed all 4 shows, and Best In Group 3 out of 4 shows! Her outstanding performance allowed her to win her UKC Championship title!
New pictures are now a available of several Shades of Excellence Great Danes! We have new pictures for:
Thanks to all the wonderful owners for sending pictures to keep us up to date on these beautiful dane babies!!
August 16, 2006
Shades Kashmere Kitten ("Kashmere") has found her new home! "Kitten-Pie" (as she is affectionately known) is now the proud owner of Scott & Mason in North Carolina.
