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For David and Mark, the world of Pomeranian dog shows has been a passion spanning over two decades. Their journey began in 2000 when they welcomed their first Pomeranian, Diva, a stunning solid-black female from breeder Cynthia Wallen. With handler Sherry Lawall guiding her through the ranks, Diva quickly earned her championship title, sparking a lifelong enthusiasm for the sport.

Their love for Poms deepened as they acquired two more from Diane Finch, one of whom became a cherished house pet while the other joined their growing lineup of show dogs. Over the years, David and Mark’s roster evolved, with new additions entering the ring while retired champions enjoyed a life of comfort at home.

After a brief hiatus, the duo reignited their competitive spirit in January 2024 by welcoming Raven, another beautiful black Pom from Cynthia Wallen. Raven’s career soared, swiftly securing her championship under the expertise of handler Deb Wheeler. With excitement mounting, David and Mark expanded their team, acquiring Nikki and Garbo from Annie Coughlin, followed by a purchase from Tony Cabrera of Cricket—an enchanting little Pomeranian who debuted at Nationals with an impressive fourth-place finish in her class.

Cricket’s promising career has continued to flourish, amassing 12 points and three major wins, putting her on the brink of securing her championship title. (EDITOR’S NOTE: As of June 1st, Cricket has now finished her Championship quest, by winning BOB with her handler, Deb Wheeler). However, the true highlight of their comeback has been Nikki’s (Charm City’s Age Of Aquarius) extraordinary rise toward a Grand Championship.

Between April 24-27, 2025, Nikki had an outstanding showing across multiple events:

April 24, Mispillion Kennel Club: Best of Opposite Sex, earning a 4-point major under Judge John P. Wade.

April 25, Wilmington Kennel Club: Another Best of Opposite Sex victory, securing a second 4-point major under Judge Ken J. Murray.

April 26, Wilmington Kennel Club: A third 4-point major under Judge Kenneth E. Berg.

April 27, Penn Treaty Kennel Club: A fourth 4-point major under Judge Eva E. Berg.

With four majors in one weekend—a remarkable feat—Nikki now boasts 30 points and seven majors, putting her well on the path to a Grand Championship title. This thrilling success marks an exciting milestone for David, Mark, and their beloved Pomeranians.

As they continue to navigate the competitive world of dog shows, their unwavering dedication to the sport and their cherished Poms remains as strong as ever.  We greatly enjoy having both David and Mark in our club!

*BOTH HAVE PENDING ADOPTIONS* – Black & Tan Royalty. 4.5 Months Old. Under 4 lbs. Supreme Rulers of Hearts and Hearths

Once in a rare celestial blink, the cosmos drops something unusually lovely into our orbit. Jasmine and Reese arrived like a forgotten royal decree—tiny, velvet-footed emissaries from a kingdom we clearly weren’t fancy enough for. With all the attitude one would expect from little displaced royals, they answer to their names, yes—but “Your Majesty” seems to suit them just fine.

JASMINE (left photo)

Alias: The Stick Baroness of Central Virginia

Age: 4.5 months

Current Weight: 4 lbs

Coat: Black & Tan, with whispers of white mischief

Current Vibe: Bold, social, slightly bossy, heart-melting looks, snack-monitoring authority

This tiny empress loves adventure, but also knows how to melt into your lap and gaze at you like you personally hung the moon. She’s curious, playful, and occasionally caught barking at imaginary injustices—such as you daring to eat a snack without offering tribute. She is always first to grab the best stick, commandeer the best pillow, or initiate a sibling wrestling match with regal flair. She’s sweet and social, with a sprinkle of diva. 

Ideal Home: A household ready for daily joy, pawparazzi moments, and a puppy smart enough to learn your routines and outwit them.

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REESE (right photo)

Alias: The Velvet Ninja of Cozy Chaos

Age: 4.5 months

Weight: 3.6 lbs 

Coat: Black & Tan, with precision-placed markings

Current Vibe: Stealthy, clever, affectionate, slightly smaller but highly self-possessed

Reese is the stealth charmer. Smaller, quieter, but packing twice the mischief. With the face of a doll and the inner resolve of a chess grandmaster, she is as clever as she is captivating. Reese has a playful heart. She’s curious, affectionate, with just a trace of mischief to keep you laughing. When she looks at you with those gorgeous dark eyes like she’s planning a secret, you can only hope you’re in on it. And when she falls asleep on you—which she will—you’ll hold your breath just to keep the moment a little longer.

Ideal Home: A family with a sense of humor, a soft spot for mischievous puppies with an independent spirit, and a willingness to surrender at least half their bed.

The girls are both purebred Pomeranians with AKC papers, surrendered to us by an owner facing an unexpected and difficult life change.

In accordance with Virginia law, both puppies will be adopted with a non-negotiable spay contract, requiring that they be spayed between the ages of 6 and 12 months.

We know these little ones are generating a lot of excitement—and understandably so. They are exceptionally adorable pups. We truly appreciate the interest and support. As a very small, volunteer-run rescue, our focus must always remain on the wellbeing of the dogs in our care, so we are constantly busy.

If you are seriously interested in adopting, please complete our online application form. Here is the link to the form:

Adoption Application E-Form

Due to the high volume of inquiries and our limited team, we may not be able to respond to every message individually. Please know we are grateful for your kindness and understanding.

And as always, thank you for having a heart for rescue.

PCCV would like to highlight our very own star club member, Tonic, a spirited and handsome 5 year old Pomeranian bred and owned by Sonya Ratliff of Notorious Pomeranians. He has made remarkable strides in the dog show circuit over the past 3.5 years. As a cherished member of the Pomeranian Club of Central Virginia (PCCV), Sonya’s dedication to the breed is evident through Tonic’s impressive achievements.  Tonic has been a Top 20 dog since 2021, and for the past two years, he has been in the Top 10. The photo above is from the PCCV November 2024 Specialty Show in Virginia, where Team Tonic won the Best of Breed Owner Handled!

In 2023, Tonic captured attention at the National Dog Show by winning the Bred-By-Exhibitor Toy Group. This accolade not only showcased Tonic’s exceptional qualities but also highlighted Sonya’s commitment to excellence in breeding and presenting Pomeranians.

The following year, at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2024, Tonic continued to shine. A memorable moment from the event was captured by The New York Times, featuring a heartwarming photograph of Tonic giving a “high five” while on his grooming table, preparing to compete in the Pomeranian group. This candid shot encapsulated Tonic’s lively personality and the strong bond he shares with Sonya.

Sonya’s active involvement in the PCCV and her dedication to the Pomeranian breed have significantly contributed to our club’s vibrant community. Tonic’s achievements over the past two years stand as a testament to her passion and hard work. The PCCV takes immense pride in celebrating the accomplishments of its members, and Tonic’s journey serves as an inspiration to all.

As we look forward to future competitions, we eagerly anticipate more milestones from Tonic and Sonya, confident that their journey will continue to elevate the standards of excellence within the Pomeranian community. 

The links to all of the articles / videos are below for everyone to enjoy:

1. NBC Facebook Link to a reel showing Tonic at the National Dog Show in 2023, winning the Bred-By-Exhibitor Toy Group

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15oKq7HrTr

• Showsite Magazine – article by Andrew Brace – highlighting Tonic, the Pomeranian that won the Bred-By-Exhibitor Toy Group at the National Dog Show in 2023

Andrew Brace: 2023 ANC BBE Toy Group Judge – Showsight Magazine

• The Philadelphia Enquirer – Article about the 2023 National Dog Show, highlighting Tonic, the Pomeranian that won the Bred-By-Exhibitor Toy Group

The National Dog Show is once again Philly’s Best in Show.

• AKC Facebook post highlights – with Tonic featured in the carousel of photos – for the 2024 National Dog Show at Westminster  –  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12E1XJNCNUk/

• The New York Times article about Westminster – features a huge photo of Tonic giving a “high five” on his grooming table getting ready to show in the Pomeranian group — Westminster Dog Show 2025: Behind-the-Scenes Photos – The New York Times