1990's
We got a new puppy from a breeder in Washington State and named her Katie. She was ‘finishable; but not really a stand-out show dog. However, she loved obedience work and really excelled in her classes. She was a lot different than Kismet and I found myself comparing her unfavorably at times, but came to love her very much as time went on.
Next we acquired a two year old bitch, Donna and had the two girls who got along beautifully. Then Katie went into kidney failure and we lost her at the age of four.
In December of 1993, we were preparing to move back to Alaska from Seattle when I heard Sherrie Harper had two litters of puppies. Although we had our wonderful Donna, I made the ‘mistake’ of going to see the puppies. Latte’s litter was four weeks old and Sherrie and Jan were hand-feeding them because the mother died when they were born. Sherrie said the pick female was taken and she was trying to decide between the two largest bitches, which was the best. I was immediately attracted to the smallest female who looked like a little square box. I asked Sherrie if she would consider parting with her at such an early age since she wasn’t nursing anyway. Sherrie agreed with the stipulation that she be shown. I readily agreed even though I hadn’t been in the show ring in over 20 years and off Latte went to Alaska.
As coincidence would have it, the pick female was also Alaska-bound through these beautiful litter sisters, a wonderful friendship was made with her owners, Joe & TaLisha Desjarlais. Although she never won over her litter sister, Harley, she finished with three majors right after her sister finished. She was an absolute delight to show and I got hooked again - big time.
Sadly, we lost her four days before her third birthday from cancer. I still cry when I think about her because she was so special and with us for such a short time.
All graphics are property of Kismet Chows Do not download for any use without permisson.
