Poodle Variety - June-July 1998,

and Poodle Review - July-August 2000

Courtesy of Carol Kay In memory of Muffie from Carol, Teddy, Sonny and Danny A Tale of 3 Poos The flag in this picture was flown over the United States Capitol on April 15, 2005 at the request of the Honorable Mary L. Landrieu, United States Senator...for OTCH Muffie U-CD. It was presented to our family by...the "Family" of Jack and Anna Gray, Lake Charles, LA.

Everyone who competes in obedience trials should have that one dog that can carry him or her to the ultimate height of an obedience trial champion title and making even a green handler look good. Muffie was that dog for me. Muffie was handed to me over the backyard fence as she was headed for the garbage cans to finish up dying and be picked up with Monday's garbage. Her mother was already there and her father had ended up in the same place about two weeks before. We fought to keep starvation, neglect, ticks and fleas from taking their toll. After a six-week basic class and a four-week novice class, I was ready for a dog show-- I thought. But we had to deal with a premature heat cycle, tail docking, spaying, allergies, colitis, asthmatic shock, and heart failure. Now we were ready to show-- none of these minor details would stop us!

Anne Savory, an American Kennel Club representative, personally examined Muffie for her Indefinite Listing Privilege number, as a Miniature Poodle (another minor detail), and we were finally off to the dog shows.

Judge Joyce Morgan was patient with us and didn't bust us for my nervous handler error. Muffie didn't go down immediately on my first command for the long down, so I pushed her.

At any rate, Muffie handled her end of the deal like a pro. She earned her Companion Dog in three shows and tied for High in Trial in her fourth.

What is a run-off? Well, we lost the run-off to an Open B dog, due to another nervous handler error. (We were half-way through earning our OTCh. before I could finish a show without being sick from nerves -- Muffie never had this problem!) By April 1987, she had finished her CDX.

Four shows with placements and in December 1987, we had our Utility Dog title with placements. In May 1988, Muffie was the #10 Non-Sporting dog and the only one of the ten without an OTCh. title.

She started getting her OTCh. points in January 1988. On three different occasions, she picked up 22 points, and we were on our way -- or so we thought.

Muffie's health problems that started at birth flared up -- and with only seven points to finish! With time to rest and the excellent care of our veterinarian, Dan R. Kirby of San Antonio, TX we went at it again.

In April 1990, one month shy of here fifth birthday, Muffie finished her OTCH., proving that a good dog can overcome major health problems, pain and long hours of training with a green handler -- and still come out on top!

As with any good story, this one also has a happy ending. Muffie went to the four-day River City cluster for her final performance before her well-deserved "official retirement". She has done -- and did -- all I've ever asked of her -- and more. She had the heart of a lion and the soul of an angel.

CLICK HERE for a tribute to all dogs... especially the older ones.