Merry Christmas!

It’s that time again! Wow this year has sped by. It’s been an incredibly busy year with lots of highs and lows. The year began with a trip to Westminster. We didn’t win anything but had a great time visiting with friends and my friend Joan’s family. Her son & daughter in law very graciously put us up for our trip.

I’ve feel like I’ve traveled the entire United States, I’ve traveled so much this year but it has really been basically up and down the east coast! All the travel paid off with my “special” boy Ch. Benayr Worldwide Webster receiving his invitation to not only the Eukanuba in California but to Westmister.

Webster wasn’t my only success this year. Akiba has 3 new champions. My great friends Michael & Regina finished their first Aussie Ch. Akiba’s All That Jazz…”Roxie” or as we affectionately call her “box of rocks” (laugh). Regina & Michael have had a lot of success with their Norfolks and this is their first Australian Terrier. Roxies’ sister Dolly; followed by finishing her championship in November. Ch. Akiba’s Honky Tonk Angel. Not to be outdone their half brother Jerry Lee finished his championship; Ch. Akiba’s Bad Boy Boogie.

That’s 3 champions in one year for Mom Ch. Akiba’s Cosmic Blues. Jerry Lee will be starting a new adventure and new show career later this month when he travels to Wales.

The really BIG even was in February when my 14 year old Ch. Bearsteps Outback Annie of Akiba, ROM-X, CGC won Best Veteran In Show at Charleston Kennel Club. It was one of my most thrilling wins! She did this exactly 12 years after finishing her Championship with a best of breed win and group placement. We were hoping to pull off this win the day before and it would have even been under the same judge!

I also co/own; thanks to Joanie and Sandy my first Tibetan Spaniel champion. Ch. Aftons Promises To Keep…”Socks”. These are delightful little dogs and very reminiscent of the Pekes when I was a kid.

The lows in this dog game were my import boy Paavo who had a testicular hernia & surgery in July and is now sterile and a promising young girl who has bad knees. For every small step forward it sometimes seems like a big step backwards! At least Paavos’ legacy will continue with Jerry Lee and his daughter Akiba’s Arctic Blues (who is 6 points from her championship).

On the work front; I’ve survived the purchase of Richtex by Hanson Building Materials. This time last year I didn’t know if I would have a job but all looks secure with them consolidating everything in Columbia. I’ve been feeling pretty well with only a little arthritis…guess that’s what happens when you hit the big 50 (laugh). Several financial set backs this year with my van throwing fits but gosh it has 160,000 miles. I love it so I keep fixing it. I’m sure that running up and down the east coast didn’t help (grin).

Of course I can’t fail to mention the great mouse invasion of 2003. It began with a few indications that I had some house guests. Then it became really obvious. (yuck!) Well you have to expect this when you live out in the country; right? Anyway over 30 little bodies later I think they’ve moved on! Apparently a couple of pregnant ladies had moved in! Of course with dogs I couldn’t put out poison and I hate those traps so I have been using these heavy duty sticky things (laugh). You’d think with all these Terriers mice would not be a problem! But since they were falling down on their job; it created a demand for a new full time resident…Suki the Cat! Hopefully when she is grown she will help keep these critters from moving in again.

Right before Thanksgiving Mom took ill which prompted a hospital stay but Charlotte says she seems to be holding her own. I was prepared to make an emergency visit to Oklahoma but as it worked out I hope to go home over the holidays. Rochelle began a new job and Jim retired a while back. Everyone else is doing well (although perhaps a little stressed!).

I almost forgot to mention my surprise package! Ch. Akiba’s Cosmic Blues and Ch. Akiba’s Ragtime Cowboy presented me with one lovely little girl in October. Not only did I think I had separated Pearl in time but I didn’t even know she was pregnant! With one pup she didn’t show. I went to the kennel building on a Saturday morning in October and there perfectly dry & cleaned up was this screaming puppy! Her sire & dam happily romping around as if saying “see what we did” (laugh). Her name will be Akiba’s Secret Affair and my dear friend Cat Angus has consented to co/own her with me. It seemed only fitting since Cat picked her sire Joey out and at one time co/owned him.

Next year will begin with another trip to Westminster. Keep your fingers crossed for “the Web master” We worked so hard to get his invitation this year I’m not sure I can do this again. I’m ready to take some time off. I have to mention that all this success could not have been accomplished without some great friends! Especially Joanie and her daughter Sandy; who have participated in some of my crazy plans for trips for shows. Without them it would have been impossible. Joanie and her trailer have provided me with a cheap motel and traveling together really cut expenses. Gypsy (Am, Can Ch Benayr Love Potion) has been bred to Webster and will be due in January. I’m looking forward to this litter since both Webster & Gypsy were part of my plan to breed in a little different direction. Susan and her Benayr dogs have really been successful and I’m hoping to duplicate some of her efforts (grin).

I hope each and every one of you has a great holiday season and most especially that you have a happy and healthy 2004. Please keep in touch!

Janet

Canine Christmas Page

Home

Last Years Christmas Page