happened to change my mind? This is where Ed and Carol Fernandes of Toy Fox Terrier Jamboree enter the picture. Like many, I looked for a reputable breeder close to home but found none with puppies available. Ed and Carol had puppies due on my birthday and my decision was made to purchase. While waiting for Kekey to grow enough to come to her forever home, Ed and Carol stayed in touch with frequent pictures, words of encouragement and tips on getting prepared for the new puppy. As our relationship progressed, it became clear that they thought this puppy was special. Multiple times Ed let me know, it would not be a problem if I changed my mind or was unable to pick up the puppy. When it was time to pick up Kekey, Ed planted the seed that this puppy has excellent conformation show potential. I did not even know what this was, other than Westmin- ster Show broadcast on television. This was my catalyst to further investigating this possibility. Shortly, after bringing Kekey home, Susan McCoy of Westgate Toy Fox Ter- riers called indicating she had pup- pies available. After a few awkward moments, I explained I just brought home a puppy that the breeder was encouraging me to show. Sue gener- ously offered to look over the puppy and give her opinion on suitability
for showing. We made plans to meet at a future show. However, I was still unsure and lacked knowledge about conformation showing. In the meantime, through social media and the breeder, I had met Wendy Howard and arranged a puppy playdate. Wendy shared her experience being new to conformation while showing Ultra Quest Go for the Gold, call name Oliver. Still not knowing much about conformation show, I asked Wendy to mentor me. Wendy was honest about lacking experience and shared that Susan McCoy mentored her. Wendy has become a friend, a valuable sounding board and a great resource for sharing my experiences and concerns. So, I attended my first live confor- mation show with the plan to meet Susan McCoy and obtain an unbiased opinion on Kekey’s suitability for show. She took one look at Kekey informing me she is built well, self-stacks and is not afraid of the table. To be honest, I had read about these things in the show books but didn’t really understand what this meant. Sue patiently took me out to the show rings and explained the process. She helped me get a proper show lead and explained how to use it. Most importantly, Sue agreed to mentor Kekey and I, should I choose to show. Additionally, Sue introduced me to a professional handler, Allan Chambers.
Allan, also, noted what a nice bitch Kekey is and inquired if I was going to show her. Fast forward a couple of months, Susan and I meet at another show. Sue looked over how Kekey had grown and helped with techniques to walk her on the show lead. We talked some more about showing and Sue gave me the best advice I have received. She told me I will not know if I can/like to show unless I give it a try and you should try since you have a very nice show bitch. With that advice, she helped me fill out the paperwork for our first show—Feb- ruary 2018, Del Mar Kennel Club in San Diego. Ed and Carol were delighted that I had decided to enter Kekey in a show. The first show, unknown to me, happened to be a Toy Group Specialty show. This was quite the confidence builder, since there were only two of us in the Toy Fox Terrier breed—one dog and one bitch. Those of you who have shown for years may know what is coming but I did not. After a short spin around the ring and a quick stand on the table, we were being given this “huge” impressive ribbon that at the time was bigger than Kekey. I must be honest, until Allan explained I really did not understand exactly why we received this awesome ribbon. The next day of the show, I must have done something very wrong in the ring; the
48 • T op N otch T oys , J une 2018
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