Mutiple Group Winning, Top 20 Contender, Am/Can CH. Juris Material Witness 'Kirby'

Everyone has a dog who is special to them, for one reason or another. Kirby aka Bouffy is special to our whole family. When he was only days old we called him 'Circus Boy' because he used to do laps around the whelping box by rolling himself over and over. From then on he was in our hearts and no one believed in him more then my parents and I. He started off his show career slow, he was not like his brothers who finished from the puppy classes, he was not coordinated and almost a clown at times. We gave him time to grow up, mature and to become more serious or so we hoped. When he turned 2 1/2 he was ready and finished quickly, his last two wins were both under Breeder Judges Bill Shelton and Beverly Capstick.

Kirby is a once in a lifetime dog for me. He is kind, funny and understanding. He is playful and loves to be a 'showdog' all you have to do is ask him. In 2004-2005 our family, after much begging for me decided to try to put Kirby in the Top 20. At times we didn't think it was possible as Kirby and I competed against handlers and breeders twice my age and with twice my experience. Kirby never let me down. He was dependable and never faultered, rain, heat, cold and wind never bothered him. I was determined that we would be in the top 20, and he just went along with it just because I wanted him to. There were many car rides that he listened to me sing, talk on the phone or that we held intellectual conversations. It didn't matter to him were we went as long as he got to go. He never wanted to be left out. In the end we made it in to the Top 20 by the skin of our teeth.

Now he has retired to the guardian of the yard, were he is sure that everything is in order according to him. He will be six in February and still sleeps with his mother in the same bed. Everyday we try to explain to him there are plenty of other beds for him, but he chooses to annoy his mother.

I want Kirby to be remembered as the goofy boy dog that proved to so many people that you really can compete at the top without advertising and with a young unknown handler. He is everything to me and I cherish every memory I have with him in and out of the ring. There will never be another Bouffy!!