Kelly Howard

Babe

When my nana passed a way several years ago, I inherited her Pap-mix named Babe. I adored and cared for Babe for about 7 years. She passed away between Christmas and New Years 2000, falling asleep one final time in my tear-stained arms. I prayed that I wouldn't have to make the decision as to when her last breath would be, but God made it clear that it was time and so while it broke my heart, I know it was the right thing to do. He gave me the courage and support I needed. Also, my vet was awesome through this all...even blowing off a lunch appointment to wait for me to get to his office. I'm sure you appreciate what a huge gift it was to me for him to do so.

During my 7 years of living with Babe, I fought the "can't have just one" urge because Babe really didn't share well. My nana always had at least two dogs and it wasn't until Babe was living alone with me that she began to thrive. Because of her need to be an only child and the increased work (!!) associated with her advanced age, I didn't adopt another dog. I did, however, keep learning about the breed and getting to know Pap-people for my current enjoyment and education and future opportunities. (When Babe passed away, she was about 22.) Immediately after that difficult but sunny day in December, I began to aggressively search for a new baby. I also began praying for a dog that would be the right fit...one who needed me and who would work into my family just right (my parents and sister and I all have dogs and they are included in family things). I received a call from a gal (Kathy) in Minden, Nevada who had decided the dog she owned and was working with (then Marcus, now Markie) was better a pet dog than a show dog because he was slightly larger than breed standard. (He's about 11" tall.) As it turned out, she heard from another breeder/handler that I was looking for a pet. She knew a local gal (Darlene) who had befriended me in my search and was going to visit her the next day. She wanted to know if I'd like a visit. I JUMPED at the chance! Wow.

Markie

My parents and their little girl ("Ginger") came over to meet my potential new baby and I got the house ready just in case she agreed to the adoption. (I have a cedar chest in front of a big picture window in my front room and so I took off all my photographs and covered it with a pad and put the ottoman in front of it as a step stool so my new baby could rule his/her kingdom outside the window. ha ha) Markie and Ginger were fast friends! Imagine my delight when Kathy agreed to the adoption. As Kathy and I took care of the business end of the situation, Markie promptly came up and marked my leg. I guess he was showing Ginger who I belonged to! (That's momma's boy!) Not only was this a perfect fit, I had recently changed jobs (just one month earlier) and my employer gave me a Christmas bonus in the amount that equaled my end of the transaction. What a blessing...I hadn't exactly been able to budget for that expense...especially with the change in jobs. I'm sure you understand how that goes. God certainly is good!

Max

I have long wanted two dogs so they would have each other as company when I'm at work and just to add to the fun at home. This September, I figured I had worked with Markie enough and he had sufficiently grown out of his puppy stage (turned one year old in April 2001) to add to our family. I checked out the adoption web page and fell in love with Max. However, since I figured he'd be easy to adopt out, I thought I'd ask for the one which I felt would be harder to adopt out and but might fit in well enough with my family. I just figured that with what I learned with Babe, I might be what the other dog needed. Well, it worked out that Susi suggested Max for my family. I sure didn't argue! I met her at a show in Carson City, Nevada. Oh, I love going to dog shows and seeing tons of little Paps! They are the sweetest dogs ever! (Ginger being a close second). Anyway, I think Max new we were family right from the start. He was a very good boy on the 3 hour drive home. (I live in Antelope, California which is near Sacramento.) He was up in my lap as soon as he had the opportunity. He's a darling boy.

We three live happily in Northern California near family and friends!

Max & Markie - playing and surveying their "kingdom"

This is me and a friend at Heavenly Valley. The lake is Lake Tahoe. I'm the one with the short red hair. :-)

This is Ginger, she is my parents' dog.

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