WHAT IS A BREEDER

WHAT IS A BREEDER ??

A Breeder (with a capital B) is one who thirsts for knowledge and

never really knows it all, one who wrestles with decisions

of conscience, convenience, and commitment.

A Breeder is one who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time, friendships,

fancy furniture, and deep pile carpeting! She gives up the dreams of a long, luxurious

cruise in favor of turning that all important Show into this year's "vacation."

The Breeder goes without sleep (but never without coffee)!

In hours spent planning a breeding or watching anxiously over the birth

process, and afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle or cry.

The Breeder skips dinner parties because that litter is due or the babies

have to be fed at eight. She disregards birth fluids and puts mouth

to mouth to save a gasping newborn, literally blowing life into

a tiny, helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams.

A Breeders lap is a marvelous place where generations of proud

and noble Champions once snoozed.

A Breeders hands are strong and firm and often soiled, but ever so gentle

and sensitive to the thrusts of a puppy's wet nose.

A Breeders back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping, bendingand sitting

in the birthing box, but are strong enough to enable the breeder to Show the next

choice pup to a Championship.

A Breeders shoulders are stooped and often heaped with abuse

from competitors, but they are wide enough to support the weight

of a thousand defeats and frustrations.

Breeder's arms are always able to wield a mop, support an

armful of puppies, or lend a helping hand to a newcomer.

A Breeders ears are wondrous things, sometimes red (from being talked about) or

strangely shaped (from being pressed against a phone receiver), often

deaf to criticism, yet always fine-tuned to the whimper of a sick puppy.

A Breeders eyes are blurred from pedigree research and sometimes blind

to her own dog's faults, but they are ever so keen to the competitions faults and

are always searching for the perfect specimen.

A Breeders brain is foggy on faces, but it can recall pedigrees faster than

an IBM computer. It's so full of knowledge that sometimes it blows a fuse:

It catalogues thousands of good boning, fine ears, and perfect heads... and buries in

the soul the failures and the ones that didn't turn out.

The Breeders heart is often broken, but it beats strongly

with hope everlasting... and it is always in the right place!

Oh, yes, there are breeders, and then, there are BREEDERS!!

Peggy Adamson

This is our world

A world filled with unconditional love, loyalty and total devotion

A world filled with our Maltese

A world dedicated to the breed

It's Just A Dog From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

by Richard Biby, Contributing Editor Broken Arrow, Oklahoma