This month, we will take a closer look at a ROM producing
sire who has the distinction of being found within the pedigrees of a wide variety of top-notch breeding programs. Bred by
the late Sophie Mayes, May Morning Social Lion was a dark orange sable, born on July 11, 1971. He was a larger Pom that was
shown and pointed, though never finished due to his seven-pound stature. But, he has most certainly proved his worth in the
whelping box many times over. Timmy, as he was called, was the product of a pairing between Ch May Morning Bravo Bravo and
May Morning Alice. His pedigree was a combination of the Blair, Pomwin, Model’s, Pixietown, Thelcolynn, Aristic, Bonner,
and Great Elms bloodlines.
Timmy was owned and loved by the late Thelma Dunn, of the
famed Theldun kennel. Mrs. Dunn believed strongly in Timmy’s attributes as a sire and many of his most notable and influential
get were produced through breedings with her lovely females. Among his accomplishments as a producer are offspring who have
earned two ROM titles, one ROMS title, a HOF title winner, as well as ten champion sons and daughters.
Several of Timmy’s children went on to play a major
role in the success of many well-known breed programs whose influence is still alive and well in the breed today. For example,
he was the sire of Margaret McKee’s first show dog, a bitch named Ch Just A Trinket Dambeastie, as well as May Morning
Small Talk CD ROM, who went on to produce multiple Ch, CD, and CDX titled offspring for Margaret. Timmy also sired Ch Idlewyld
Gemstone CDX HOF, who has become one of the foundation sires for the Idlewyld line with generations of champions to his credit.
Three other of Timmy’s sons, May Morning Mark of Annon,
Theldun’s Diamond Solitaire, and Ch. Theldun’s Tim Dandee Of Edney ROM, also produced some outstanding progeny
that can be found behind a diversified list of great breed programs, both past and present. But, the most renowned of Timmy’s
sons was a dog named Ch Theldun’s Almond Fudge ROMS, who was the sire of thirty three champion offspring, including
Ch Janesa’s Trendsetter, Ch Southland’s Happy Birthday Bil, and the famous fudge dynasty of Poms produced by Beverly
Norris. Among them are very familiar names within the breed, like Ch. Bev-Nor’s Almond Fudge, Ch Bev-Nor’s Fudge
Delight, Ch Bev-Nor’s Fudge Ripple ROM, and BIS Ch Bev-Nor’s Toasted Fudge ROMS.
Timmy’s lineage continues with highly accomplished great
grandchildren such as Ch Bev-Nor’s Toastmaster ROM, Ch Southland Toasted Fudge ROM, BIS winner Ch Precious Petite Gabriel,
Ch Moe-Best Repeat Sinsation, and Ch Idlewyld Marquis Cut Diamond CD.
In this writer’s opinion, what makes Timmy such a particularly
interesting historical figure within the breed is the depth of his influence among such a diversity of breed programs, spread
throughout the United States, Canada, and beyond. For instance, he can be found behind Ch Millamor’s Makin Music eight
times, Ch Chriscendo Color My World nine times, Ch Debonne’s Vintage Fudge eleven times, and Ch Lynwright’s Houdini
thirty two times.
But, that list just barely scratches the surface of the plethora
of highly-respected kennels that Timmy has contributed to throughout the generations. The list continues with very familiar
names such as, Jan-Shar, Wee Heart, Doo-Shay, Jan-Le, Postscript, Annon, Reginapom, Starfire, Watt‘s, Silva Lade, Ruby‘s,
Appolloette, Rhea-Na‘s, Southland, Glen Iris, and Majestic, just to name a few.
It is a true testament to May Morning Social Lion ROM, that he has moved
beyond type preferences and geographical boundaries to leave his mark on so many kennels within the breed. And we most certainly
owe a debt of gratitude to Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Mayes for having the foresight to provide such an illustrious legacy for not
only Timmy, but for the breed as a whole.
