Kip, a Rough Collie, was my first purebred dog. Kip and I had fun going through two levels of Obedience Training with the Tri-State KC in Joplin, Mo. 'Kim' (Demanta's Blythedale Dawn) later joined the family and had two beautiful litters of pet quality AKC puppies.

A few years later, after Kip and Kim had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Kay and I purchased a beautiful, chocolate brown Toy Poodle. 'Holly' was bred by a colleague of Dennis' who thought she had show potential. With their encouragement we entered her in a fun 'puppy match' and had our first 'coaching' session on what to expect in the conformation ring.

Holly got excited in her first outing, and promptly threw up on the judge examining her. He loved her anyway, and gave her a ribbon and a medal. Our first step into the world of conformation shows remained a pleasant memory with us that we never forgot and that eventually led us back into the world of purebred dogs and conformation shows.