My beginnings with Pomeranians was very non-descript. My Mom raised Poms, so
when I got married I got a Pom and raised a couple litters. I never showed my Poms,
doubt that they were show quality, but they sure were great companions for me. While
having the Poms, we had a pair of Chihuahuas. The Chihuahua ruled the roost! We also
had a Weimer/springer mixed called Duke. He killed a snake to protect my daughter
Debby when she was two. God Bless Duke! I fell in love with the cutest black cocker
puppy and that started my love for the Cocker Spaniel. Chelsea was the sweetest little
lady, never asked for much, just wanted to be with you. Chelsea traveled to many a
horse show with me and everyone knew her and looked for her at the shows. In the
late 1980's I bought my first Boston Terrier. I owned several Bostons, one at a time
and the Boston hold a special place in my heart. I did train one for obedience work and
put a CD title on her. I realized that I loved the Boston Terrier but they just did not
quite fullfil my need for a very intelligent and unusual breed. My very first AKC show
Champion was a very handsome English Pointer. He was an orange and white male and
his name was "CODY". I bought him as a 10 week old puppy from Labadie Kennels and
I named him LABADIE'S MY CHIP OF OLYMPUS. I finished his AKC title very
quickly before he was a year old. I then started his obedience work. He was so willing
and we soon acquired his AKC CD title. We then finished him in Canda and then on to
UKC. Cody was the first Pointer Champion for UKC. Cody also was the star in a video
that was made by a 4-H student for distribution to many libraries, Humane Societies,
rescue groups. Cody was a wonderful dog, devoted friend and partner, went on many
vacations with us, probably the best behaved dog in the house and when he passed
over the Rainbow bridge in 1999, his body rest in the woods that we roamed together,
his soul is free and I am a better person for sharing my life with him. My memories to
AKC/UKC/CAN CH. Labadie's My Chip Of Olympus, AKC/UKC/CAN CD, CGC I fell in
love with the Shiba and started out with one, then a pair, then another and another and
another and so on until I have surrounded myself with 15+ shiba at all times. I have
finished most my Shiba to their AKC titles and UKC Championships. In UKC I have a
record of the most Shiba Champions as well as I own all the Grand Champion Shiba in
UKC. My Shiba have acquired the only Best in MultiBreed Show in the history of the
breed. The Shiba fullfill my child part of me. They are like having a little fairy spirit
around you at all times. They are strong willed, secure, loving on their terms and non-
commital to anyone. My first Shiba Champion was a black and tan that I called Gen
Gen. Gen is still alive today, living out her life as she sees fit. She is 10 years old and she
is an AKC Champion and a UKC Grand Champion and the dam to many of my
Champion Shiba. Her name is AKC CH/UKC GRCH. SHIBAS NEST LIMITED
EDITION. 32 UKC Champions later my latest Shiba Champion is AKC/UKC/INT/BISS
CH. KOTOHANA GO CHIKUZEN SHIGEMATSUSOW. and her daughter, AKC/UKC
CH. CLASSY'S OH NO, I GIGGLE TOO, BIS. I began looking for a large breed of dog as
a watchdog so I would know when someone coming off the road would be trying to pet
and see the Shiba. I ended up with a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog.
COTTONWOOD'S KING CREOLE, aka "BUCK" went on to become an UKC Champion
in 1996, receiving numerous group placements and was a group winner in ARBA, a
rarebreed club. We used Buck and sired a LCLD litter in 1998. From this litter I kept a
male puppy that was aptly named COTTONWOOD'S SON OF A BUCK. His son
"Banner" went on to become a UKC Champion at 7 months of age and a Grand
Champion at 17 months of age. Banner was # 1 Catahoula in 1998 and won the Best of
Breed for the final competition to become the Best of Breed #1 Catahoula for 1998.
Banner went on to become the #2 Catahoula in 1999 and again won the Best of Breed
Top Ten competition and became the Best of the Breed for 1999. Both Buck and
Banner are living out their lives here at Classy Kennel. I also showed the Miniature
Pinschers from 1989 to 1998. Again having many Champions in AKC. UKC and Canada.
The Min Pins are the King of Toys. They have no concept of their size and are as cocky
and testy as any big dog. They satisfy my couch potato need for a lap dog. My Min Pins
are all old now and living out their lives in comfort here at Classy Kennel. I also showed
and own Whippets. The Whippet is one of the greatest breeds to live with. They are
quiet, loving, always devoted and waiting for the romp outdoors. I owned 4 Whippets
and acheived numerous titles with them. My first Whippet is AKC CH/UKC CH.
CLASSY'S CLAIM TO WINTER FAME. "Willy" finished his AKC title taking 4 majors
and beating specials each time, acquired 2 group placements and he was the first
Whippet Champion in the history of UKC. Willy is 11 years old now and he is the large
couch potato of my life. My 8 year old Whippet UKC CH. MERRIMAC IN THE NICK
OF TIME is a reserve Best in MultiBreed Show winner. She is my traveling companion
and still is showing UKC on occasion. Then we end with the Kai. I love all my dogs and
have enjoyed showing all the numerous breeds, but I truly have found my peace and
happiness with the Kai. I have that couch potato, tag along buddy, devoted companion,
protector, intelligent and loving qualities that I had searched for in numerous breeds.
In the history of the Kai, my kennel has been told by letter by an officer of the
Japanese Preservation Society that my Kai is better than their Kai and better then
foundation stock. Out of the 41 Kai Champions, I own, bred and showed 30 of them and
I can proudly say that out of the 24 Grand Champions in the breed, I own, showed, or
bred 17 of them. I have consistently bred quality Kai, bred the only all red/brindle
litters in the history of the breed in the US, produced the first all champion litter in the
breed, bred the rare red/brindle and finished him to his Grand Championship, and
produced the first 'purple ribbon' litters in the Kai. My dedication to the Kai will be for
the rest of my life. AND THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT!!!!! Marian

Photo by Marissa