Hi, I've been lurking on this list for several weeks as I was interested in the breed and wanted to know more about it. Two weeks ago I was very fortunate to find a darling tri-color male that was exactly what I had in mind. His name is Allegria Gambler's Reward, "Keno" to friends and family. I have been active in the dog sports world for 30 years, beginning with a mini poodle in obedience and scent hurdle competition. With "Rufus" I got hooked on dog sports. Then came several years of Dobies, earning obedience titles and training and titling a male to a Schutzhund III, back in the 70's when no one knew how to train a Dobermin in this sport. Then on to Boxers for nearly 20 years, breeding, training and exhibiting in conformation, obedience and Schutzhund. I have loved the CKCS for years but haven't been in a position to bring one into my "family." A few months ago, tragedy struck and I lost my 7 yr. old Ch male "Archie" that I bred and raised and loved beyond words. He who had all the health tests; he who was raised on a raw foods diet; he who was the picture of health full of the joy of life, died of liposarcoma, an uncommon form of cancer found in dogs, so I was told by the surgeon who called me at home to tell me the mass that was suddenly poking out his side was inoperable. I couldn't even conceive of getting another male boxer. Archie was too special. Then I thought here is my chance to get a Cavalier. So I began looking - and the first litter I looked at had exactly what I was looking for and now "Keno" is helping to fill that hole in my heart. I have been an avocate and practitioner of "natural rearing" methods and have fed various forms of home prepared cooked and raw diets for 15 years. I have questioned the value of frequent vaccinations back when it was heresy to do so and have never believed in the value of Parvo vaccinations. I'm still not convinced that they really do prevent Parvo. My personal experience is that they do not. "Keno" has the heart and nerves of a future Schutzhund dog, but the face of an angel. I adore him. He is energetic, playful, loves toys, resiliant, loving, maddening, curious, and gets into all the small places my previous 3 month old boxer puppies could not. So far he has shown no fear of anything - loud noises, passing cars, barking dogs, etc. He loves everyone and wants anyone he meets to pick him up and love him. He is a trip! Although I've been training and showing dogs for 30 years, I'm still basically a pet owner at heart and can rant and rave about my new puppy with the best of the new puppy owners. Interestingly enough, my boxer friends are only somewhat interested - they think I've lost my mind, I mean Cavs are so fragile! How could I go from a big, sturdy boxer to a tiny fluffy toy? It's that face! And the personality! And the soft fuzzy feel to them when they're in your arms. You know what I mean. Susan Jackson Ch Reward's Ropin' the Wind (Windy, 10 yrs young Boxer) Allegria Gambler's Reward (Keno, Cavalier puppy) Sylmar, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
