The First Time I Met A Curly - Stories
Dennis Akins [email protected]
I have not yet gotten a curly, but about two years ago I saw my first and have been researching and considering ever since. I also started duck hunting about the same time and killed my first duck, and when my buddy's golden refused to go get my duck I had to go get it myself. I waded through the mud and muck fetched up my bird and waded back. Then I decided that I needed my own retriever, but I didn't want a lab, or a golden like every body else then I remembered the curly. Last year I was fortunate enough to hunt with a lady who has a curly and although only two birds fell that day the hunt was great and I have been searching for a curly pup ever since
I have not yet gotten a curly, but about two years ago I saw my first and have been researching and considering ever since. I also started duck hunting about the same time and killed my first duck, and when my buddy's golden refused to go get my duck I had to go get it myself. I waded through the mud and muck fetched up my bird and waded back. Then I decided that I needed my own retriever, but I didn't want a lab, or a golden like every body else then I remembered the curly. Last year I was fortunate enough to hunt with a lady who has a curly and although only two birds fell that day the hunt was great and I have been searching for a curly pup ever since
Vicy Brown, [email protected]
Sept 1991, Ch Karakul Trademark, Eugene OR, a the four day dog show cluster at the fairgrounds, standing outside the ring amidst the hubbub of a bunch of nutso rotties. But he was very cool and calm, reminding me of the saying "if you can head while around you are losing theirs..." A good ambassador of the breed in the northwest, where, at that time, you didn't see many. I don't recall any curlies in 1972-77 at the shows in Ohio I went to but maybe I just wasn't looking for them.
Sept 1991, Ch Karakul Trademark, Eugene OR, a the four day dog show cluster at the fairgrounds, standing outside the ring amidst the hubbub of a bunch of nutso rotties. But he was very cool and calm, reminding me of the saying "if you can head while around you are losing theirs..." A good ambassador of the breed in the northwest, where, at that time, you didn't see many. I don't recall any curlies in 1972-77 at the shows in Ohio I went to but maybe I just wasn't looking for them.
Tracy Cook,
Well, here goes, this is not as touching and heartwarming as some but its how it all started here for me... Early last spring at the state fair grounds show I was showing a large yellow blockheaded labrador, as I waited nervously at ringside for the labradors turn to go in I had the opportunity to watch the curlies, there were only a couple there but they made an impression. My attention was called too, by the people I used to call friends, they wanted to point out all the good dogs and tell me how horrible they were, If only I knew!! Well next thing I knew those curlies were gone and it was time to go into the ring to be defeated again!! Well, as luck would have it (and usually does) the curlies were in Monroe the next day, It was a nasty spring day, freezing rain and all, and there they were already done showing for the day, Susan Wolf and Mary and Gary Meek were there again, with Zeus boy and Tempest, there may have been others but Tempest does tend to catch ones eye, I was talking to another friend with wiems and said I gotta go check out those dogs, She claims she knew then it was the end for me, Zeus and Tempest were amazing to me, and after the chessie we had the temperament seemed perfect, they are retrievers so my husband would be good with that, and they are great with the kids, I knew instantly I was in love, So I called around and around and around until I found Doris, She asked if I was open to an older dog and I said sure, and arrangements were made, We met at the specialty last memorial day weekend and Betsy joined our family, It has been bliss ever since and we are so very addicted to curly its not even funny!!! I am now off to peel this puppy off my foot and OUCH, hope I have toes left, SAILOR loves feet! see ya soon Tracy
p.s. don't get me wrong about the labs. I love mine, both of them, but they are just not curly if you know what I mean.
Well, here goes, this is not as touching and heartwarming as some but its how it all started here for me... Early last spring at the state fair grounds show I was showing a large yellow blockheaded labrador, as I waited nervously at ringside for the labradors turn to go in I had the opportunity to watch the curlies, there were only a couple there but they made an impression. My attention was called too, by the people I used to call friends, they wanted to point out all the good dogs and tell me how horrible they were, If only I knew!! Well next thing I knew those curlies were gone and it was time to go into the ring to be defeated again!! Well, as luck would have it (and usually does) the curlies were in Monroe the next day, It was a nasty spring day, freezing rain and all, and there they were already done showing for the day, Susan Wolf and Mary and Gary Meek were there again, with Zeus boy and Tempest, there may have been others but Tempest does tend to catch ones eye, I was talking to another friend with wiems and said I gotta go check out those dogs, She claims she knew then it was the end for me, Zeus and Tempest were amazing to me, and after the chessie we had the temperament seemed perfect, they are retrievers so my husband would be good with that, and they are great with the kids, I knew instantly I was in love, So I called around and around and around until I found Doris, She asked if I was open to an older dog and I said sure, and arrangements were made, We met at the specialty last memorial day weekend and Betsy joined our family, It has been bliss ever since and we are so very addicted to curly its not even funny!!! I am now off to peel this puppy off my foot and OUCH, hope I have toes left, SAILOR loves feet! see ya soon Tracy
p.s. don't get me wrong about the labs. I love mine, both of them, but they are just not curly if you know what I mean.
Paula Crosby Das [email protected]
Actually, Jim just got tired of being the only testosterone producer in the house, and decided to get a dog. I was hoping to wait until my last standard poodle was a fond memory, but that was not to be. We bought Dog World, and several other magazines and decided on the Sporting Group. From there I read about Clumbers (the couch potato angle was my kinda dog), Irish water spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs (too much grooming), Weinerreiners (nah...) GSP's (NO), labs (too common, too hard to find a good one), Flat Coated retrievers looked like mutts (so, OKAY, I didn't know anything about dogs), Irish setters were too dumb, Gordons had too much hair, and were stupid... I ruled out chessies since "sedge" was actually DIRT, and no one would say that... Then we ran across the address for the breed club and Sheila Callahan Young sent us an information packet which contained three phone numbers and addresses for Florida owners / breeders. We went to Barnes and Noble and found a picture of a curly which was worse than useless since you couldn't really tell what the dog looked like...
So, we called Yvonne Dormany in Tampa first. She didn't have anything for sale, and we chatted about temperament, intelligence, ability to get along with children, trainability, availability. Yvonne answered a lot of our questions and told us to call Ann Shinkle. Ann gave us the number of Richard Mallard, here in Jacksonville, and we called him. He wasn't home and I talked to his teenage daughter (who has since married y'all and had a baby...) She said that the worst part about the dog was the shedding. That the two that they had were really smart, pretty, but the dust bunnies were pretty bad. She gave us the number for John and Jeannine Mello.
We called the Mellos, and they offered to meet us at the Ocala Dog Shows. Ocala is three hours from us one way... and we went. It was October, we made ring time and saw Gina and Yvonne go in with some little curlies and Jim was doing the "nah, too small", then Titan went into the ring with John, and Jim was suddenly interested. After John took breed (of course - just ASK him), we got the opportunity to join he and his family and meet all of his curlies. At that time he had Titan, Ricky, Zep, and Sam. Sam was 18 months old. So was Addie.
Addie spent an hour crawling and poking and being small all over those dogs. Never once did a dog complain, or move away, or dump Addie over. They were perfect with her. Gentle, and long suffering. John said that he didn't have anything for sale, but that he had one dog to place, but he wasn't sure how the dog would get along with small children -as she rolled over him and took away his biscuits. Sam came up to the x-pen for pats.. and when we let him out of the x-pen he leaned up against Jim, and that was it. He was ours and we were his... We promptly discovered all the paraphernalia that dog shows have to offer... Now, ask me about the first night we had him and I tried to stuff a 70 pound dog into a crate that he didn't want to go in...
Actually, Jim just got tired of being the only testosterone producer in the house, and decided to get a dog. I was hoping to wait until my last standard poodle was a fond memory, but that was not to be. We bought Dog World, and several other magazines and decided on the Sporting Group. From there I read about Clumbers (the couch potato angle was my kinda dog), Irish water spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs (too much grooming), Weinerreiners (nah...) GSP's (NO), labs (too common, too hard to find a good one), Flat Coated retrievers looked like mutts (so, OKAY, I didn't know anything about dogs), Irish setters were too dumb, Gordons had too much hair, and were stupid... I ruled out chessies since "sedge" was actually DIRT, and no one would say that... Then we ran across the address for the breed club and Sheila Callahan Young sent us an information packet which contained three phone numbers and addresses for Florida owners / breeders. We went to Barnes and Noble and found a picture of a curly which was worse than useless since you couldn't really tell what the dog looked like...
So, we called Yvonne Dormany in Tampa first. She didn't have anything for sale, and we chatted about temperament, intelligence, ability to get along with children, trainability, availability. Yvonne answered a lot of our questions and told us to call Ann Shinkle. Ann gave us the number of Richard Mallard, here in Jacksonville, and we called him. He wasn't home and I talked to his teenage daughter (who has since married y'all and had a baby...) She said that the worst part about the dog was the shedding. That the two that they had were really smart, pretty, but the dust bunnies were pretty bad. She gave us the number for John and Jeannine Mello.
We called the Mellos, and they offered to meet us at the Ocala Dog Shows. Ocala is three hours from us one way... and we went. It was October, we made ring time and saw Gina and Yvonne go in with some little curlies and Jim was doing the "nah, too small", then Titan went into the ring with John, and Jim was suddenly interested. After John took breed (of course - just ASK him), we got the opportunity to join he and his family and meet all of his curlies. At that time he had Titan, Ricky, Zep, and Sam. Sam was 18 months old. So was Addie.
Addie spent an hour crawling and poking and being small all over those dogs. Never once did a dog complain, or move away, or dump Addie over. They were perfect with her. Gentle, and long suffering. John said that he didn't have anything for sale, but that he had one dog to place, but he wasn't sure how the dog would get along with small children -as she rolled over him and took away his biscuits. Sam came up to the x-pen for pats.. and when we let him out of the x-pen he leaned up against Jim, and that was it. He was ours and we were his... We promptly discovered all the paraphernalia that dog shows have to offer... Now, ask me about the first night we had him and I tried to stuff a 70 pound dog into a crate that he didn't want to go in...
Iva Darnall [email protected]
I was my Mom's first curly. Funny, at first, she didn't know what kinda dog I was... but I'll give her a little credit (being small town and all) she didn't know what Ty, the Akita, was either... :-) (she's come a long way since the early days).
Anyway, she joined our obedience club... she had a dwarf Husky *who needed lots of work*... actually it was Mom that needed the work - Niki is pretty sharp at obedience, used to be a real tank in agility too!! hehe Mom's the one who needed behavior modification!! Niki's not doing it much any more cause his hips hurt, and now he's not just her dog... he's my brother. (oops, I got off track somewhere).
Anyway, something was wrong with my old Person (can't remember what it was now), and there was talk about all the different places that I could go... (ha, little did they know, I wasn't going anywhere, give up this humidity? they're Nutz)...
I think there were many moments of insanity in between... but somehow, I ended up going with my old Person to visit my Mom... and neato, we brought all my toys and Stuff! And I got to strut around with my toys at Niki's house... er, I got to stay at Niki's house... no, I got to stay at my house... yes, Niki lived there too! Mom says I was too easy... adopting me only added five minutes to her day... took that long to set down an extra food bowl...
FOOD BOWL!!!! WHAT LUCK... :-) I came with instructions :-) --- *he gets four cups... feed twice a day...*, so Mom gives me four cups of kibble for breakfast... AND four cups of kibble for supper... *more, I want more!* Heaven, I was in Heaven... I gained 15 pounds in 3 weeks! Food, food, food (but dammit, somebody told her..!) And I got a diet... :-(.
All in all, life has been good, Mom got me... then she got educated on multi-dog households... then she got puppy fever and got Deacon... then she got puppy fever and got Singer.... then she got puppy fever and got RESOLVE (which fades every time she sees new puppy pictures)...
But she still has me, And she is Blessed! And I am HUNTER, The Dragonslayer!! Protector of all Ladies Fair!! (Gaia, are you listening?)
I was my Mom's first curly. Funny, at first, she didn't know what kinda dog I was... but I'll give her a little credit (being small town and all) she didn't know what Ty, the Akita, was either... :-) (she's come a long way since the early days).
Anyway, she joined our obedience club... she had a dwarf Husky *who needed lots of work*... actually it was Mom that needed the work - Niki is pretty sharp at obedience, used to be a real tank in agility too!! hehe Mom's the one who needed behavior modification!! Niki's not doing it much any more cause his hips hurt, and now he's not just her dog... he's my brother. (oops, I got off track somewhere).
Anyway, something was wrong with my old Person (can't remember what it was now), and there was talk about all the different places that I could go... (ha, little did they know, I wasn't going anywhere, give up this humidity? they're Nutz)...
I think there were many moments of insanity in between... but somehow, I ended up going with my old Person to visit my Mom... and neato, we brought all my toys and Stuff! And I got to strut around with my toys at Niki's house... er, I got to stay at Niki's house... no, I got to stay at my house... yes, Niki lived there too! Mom says I was too easy... adopting me only added five minutes to her day... took that long to set down an extra food bowl...
FOOD BOWL!!!! WHAT LUCK... :-) I came with instructions :-) --- *he gets four cups... feed twice a day...*, so Mom gives me four cups of kibble for breakfast... AND four cups of kibble for supper... *more, I want more!* Heaven, I was in Heaven... I gained 15 pounds in 3 weeks! Food, food, food (but dammit, somebody told her..!) And I got a diet... :-(.
All in all, life has been good, Mom got me... then she got educated on multi-dog households... then she got puppy fever and got Deacon... then she got puppy fever and got Singer.... then she got puppy fever and got RESOLVE (which fades every time she sees new puppy pictures)...
But she still has me, And she is Blessed! And I am HUNTER, The Dragonslayer!! Protector of all Ladies Fair!! (Gaia, are you listening?)
Stephanine Doerr [email protected] In Dec 1980 l moved up to Ventura County and started working at a pet store. One of my coworkers had Whippets, and l had always wanted a show dog, so l got one that had been returned to her in early 81. l had to learn how to show him so l found a handling class and enrolled us in that. The person that ran the handling class was none other than Barry Cowsert who had 3 Curlies. They were Rufus, Digger and Jay, all Karakul dogs. We would get to "practice" with Barry's dogs and got to know the breed a little. My husband decided the Whippet wasn't "manly" enough so we looked to Curlies. We got to meet Sheila Anderson at some shows in the Summer of 81 and saw our first liver. Her name was "Brown Dog" or "Gamble", Sheila used both names. We were going to get a pup from Brown Dog but then heard thru the grapevine about one needing a home and got her instead. Had Curly shipped in from Illinois in Nov of 81. She was a mess and hard to deal with but it didn't sour us on the breed. We currently share our home with 6 Curlies.
Steph and P.C., Charger, Hannah, Gemini, Kenzie and Rexie
Steph and P.C., Charger, Hannah, Gemini, Kenzie and Rexie
Mario Dolfen [email protected]
It was the 1962 credit squeeze here in Australia, and I recall mum and dad had rented out their place and we moved in with mum's grandparents. One day my uncle showed up with a liver curly. Rags (as the curly was known) I recall as about twelve years old. He had well worn and shiny pads on elbows and anywhere else his body touched the ground when he lay down. His skull was not as flat and triangulated as the standard here seeks these days, but he had lovely short ears that lay close to his head and set in that sharp manner a curly does when attentive. His eyes were a good match for coat, light but not that awful yellow. His coat was tight, but you kown I can't recall how much cover he had. I can only still see his head and upper body, although I do remember he carried his tail well. Rags came from a couple who had divorced. Neither of them wanted to keep Rags, I guess there were too many memories for them, but I won't go into that one; it's a topic that we would all go on about for ages.
I enjoyed Rags for two years. He was the mate I'd run to when I got balled out for some misdemeanor or other. He was great company and I can still see him in my mind's eye. We moved out from the house and the next time we visited Rags was no longer there. "He's on an uncle's farm" I was told. Frequent requests to visit the farm never resulted in meeting Rags again, and in time the need to see him diminished, but never the memory. It was many years later that my father advised me Rags had indeed gone to the farm, but only for a short time. He'd crossed the rainbow bridge shortly after with the assistance of a .22. I regret to this day that I had not been with him when he breathed his last; at the same time at least I remember him as he was; a wonderful dog with all the usual curly temperament and attitudes, who understood my every boyhood emotion. IMHO every kid should have a Curly!
I've tried in vain to find out Rags lines, but to no avail. There were no papers and my uncle cannot remember the name of the people he got him from. Needless to say, when Chris married and wanted a dog back in 1992 it had to be a Curly. Our first we named Rags. Black this time, but every bit as laid back a Curly as the original.
Thanks for the opportunity to relive these wonderful memories
It was the 1962 credit squeeze here in Australia, and I recall mum and dad had rented out their place and we moved in with mum's grandparents. One day my uncle showed up with a liver curly. Rags (as the curly was known) I recall as about twelve years old. He had well worn and shiny pads on elbows and anywhere else his body touched the ground when he lay down. His skull was not as flat and triangulated as the standard here seeks these days, but he had lovely short ears that lay close to his head and set in that sharp manner a curly does when attentive. His eyes were a good match for coat, light but not that awful yellow. His coat was tight, but you kown I can't recall how much cover he had. I can only still see his head and upper body, although I do remember he carried his tail well. Rags came from a couple who had divorced. Neither of them wanted to keep Rags, I guess there were too many memories for them, but I won't go into that one; it's a topic that we would all go on about for ages.
I enjoyed Rags for two years. He was the mate I'd run to when I got balled out for some misdemeanor or other. He was great company and I can still see him in my mind's eye. We moved out from the house and the next time we visited Rags was no longer there. "He's on an uncle's farm" I was told. Frequent requests to visit the farm never resulted in meeting Rags again, and in time the need to see him diminished, but never the memory. It was many years later that my father advised me Rags had indeed gone to the farm, but only for a short time. He'd crossed the rainbow bridge shortly after with the assistance of a .22. I regret to this day that I had not been with him when he breathed his last; at the same time at least I remember him as he was; a wonderful dog with all the usual curly temperament and attitudes, who understood my every boyhood emotion. IMHO every kid should have a Curly!
I've tried in vain to find out Rags lines, but to no avail. There were no papers and my uncle cannot remember the name of the people he got him from. Needless to say, when Chris married and wanted a dog back in 1992 it had to be a Curly. Our first we named Rags. Black this time, but every bit as laid back a Curly as the original.
Thanks for the opportunity to relive these wonderful memories
Sonia Evans [email protected]
My first Curly siting was Ch. Huntley's Prince Charles (aka Calaban) at that time owned by Beth Roop-Ross. Breeder - Doris Pugh. We had owned a little mixed-breed for over a year and had yet figured how to house-break the little rascal. So it was decided to either find a class to train this dog or it was a goner; after all, a year is a long time.
The very first night of class Beth brought Calaban out of house for a demonstration. It was love at first site for me. I leaned over to Don and told him I was gonna have me one of those dogs. Beth approached me after class telling me she over-heard what I had said and did I really mean it as she knew of someone with a 3-year-old Curly looking for a really good home. Of course I meant it! She put us in contact with Sheila Callahan-Young and within 2 weeks Willie (aka Ch. Cape Ann My Bud Willmiester, CD) came to live with us on a co-ownership. Even though we had never even been to a dog show, we told Sheila we would try our very best to put a championship title on him. This was something we wanted to do and not necessarily a requirement. We also promised to never breed him and that as soon as we got the Championship we would have him neutered. Not only did Willie get his Championship, but also his Companion Dog!. Willie is the most perfect dog. Very low-key and an extremely faithful companion to my husband; his fishing buddy; his shadow. Shortly after his titles and just before Don's birthday, I called Sheila and asked that since Willie had his titles and was do to be neutered the following week, would she be willing to sign off on his registration so that Willie could be Don's dog 100% as a birthday present. Willie meant the world to Don and I knew this would mean so much to him even though he never voiced how he felt. Sheila was quite willing to do this and sent Don a very touching birthday card giving him 100% ownership. (We are forever grateful!)
Willie is the Master of this house.... the only Curly with full access to all of the house. Each room has a special place which he has claimed, leaving his imprint of Curly hair. He knows the house schedule better than us humans. He doesn't hesitate to bring us the food bowl when eating-time is 5 minutes late. He pokes the sleeping when we ignore the morning alarm. He never begs for tidbits of food, but makes himself very available just in case we happen to feel generous. Although he no longer shows, he watches us pack and still jumps into the truck trying to blend amongst the crates and food... a woeful look upon his face......Don't forget me guys! I wanna go too!!!!
Several years down the road and a house full of Curlies.... such a unique breed ... love at first sight.
My first Curly siting was Ch. Huntley's Prince Charles (aka Calaban) at that time owned by Beth Roop-Ross. Breeder - Doris Pugh. We had owned a little mixed-breed for over a year and had yet figured how to house-break the little rascal. So it was decided to either find a class to train this dog or it was a goner; after all, a year is a long time.
The very first night of class Beth brought Calaban out of house for a demonstration. It was love at first site for me. I leaned over to Don and told him I was gonna have me one of those dogs. Beth approached me after class telling me she over-heard what I had said and did I really mean it as she knew of someone with a 3-year-old Curly looking for a really good home. Of course I meant it! She put us in contact with Sheila Callahan-Young and within 2 weeks Willie (aka Ch. Cape Ann My Bud Willmiester, CD) came to live with us on a co-ownership. Even though we had never even been to a dog show, we told Sheila we would try our very best to put a championship title on him. This was something we wanted to do and not necessarily a requirement. We also promised to never breed him and that as soon as we got the Championship we would have him neutered. Not only did Willie get his Championship, but also his Companion Dog!. Willie is the most perfect dog. Very low-key and an extremely faithful companion to my husband; his fishing buddy; his shadow. Shortly after his titles and just before Don's birthday, I called Sheila and asked that since Willie had his titles and was do to be neutered the following week, would she be willing to sign off on his registration so that Willie could be Don's dog 100% as a birthday present. Willie meant the world to Don and I knew this would mean so much to him even though he never voiced how he felt. Sheila was quite willing to do this and sent Don a very touching birthday card giving him 100% ownership. (We are forever grateful!)
Willie is the Master of this house.... the only Curly with full access to all of the house. Each room has a special place which he has claimed, leaving his imprint of Curly hair. He knows the house schedule better than us humans. He doesn't hesitate to bring us the food bowl when eating-time is 5 minutes late. He pokes the sleeping when we ignore the morning alarm. He never begs for tidbits of food, but makes himself very available just in case we happen to feel generous. Although he no longer shows, he watches us pack and still jumps into the truck trying to blend amongst the crates and food... a woeful look upon his face......Don't forget me guys! I wanna go too!!!!
Several years down the road and a house full of Curlies.... such a unique breed ... love at first sight.
Dave and Melody Ferguson [email protected]
In June of 1997, our 11 year male yellow lab was diagnosed as having "canine Multiple Sclerosis" and given three months to live. Alex was one of those oversized labs (28 inches, 105 pounds) with a deep chest and a lean belly. He was very sweet and devoted to us, his half sister Brandy, Angel (the perversely named Bichon) and our two cats. He loved to sleep at the foot of our bed but the last six months he had been unable to negotiate the stairs.
We asked what we could do to extend his enjoyable time. The vet suggested using antioxidants, fish oil, and certain other nutritional supplements. Every morning, I would make a milk shake of raw hamburger and these ingredients and then feed it by hand to Alex. Then we would go for our morning walk. As the months went on, He became progressively weaker.
Throughout all of this, he never whined or complained. He spent his evenings resting his head on my foot or my lap (after lifting him onto the couch). In December, Alex began to lose his muscle strength in his chest and shoulders. It became clear that he was having difficulty breathing. On December 10 we took Alex to the vets to cross the rainbow bridge.
For a few months, there was a huge emptiness in our family. I started thinking about getting another dog, but did not want to attempt to replace dear Alex. His memory should remain unblurred by comparison to another yellow lab. Therefore, I started scouting the AKC website reading all the descriptions of the different breeds. I was focusing on outdoor dogs: malemutes, setters, and shepherds. Then, I read the description of the curly and was intrigued. We went to a local dog show and saw three curlies, but didn't get a chance to talk with the owners. Even more intrigued, I went back to the internet, found the curly site, and sent e-mails to several breeders inquiring about the possibility of visiting to see curlies up close and personal. Janean referred me to Jenny Kofron who coincidentally lived only a few miles away from us.
Jenny told us she was going to have a litter whelped soon and invited us to visit her. When we drove down her driveway, we were greeted by a beautiful black male curly, Ptarmigan Sun Devil (John) and a wonderful liver female, Widget. Jenny was very gracious and invited us in where we met Marcus and Boomer and Shady and Jenny's children Max and Grace. We spent time playing with the dogs and the children, while Jenny found out more about us. Neither of us hunt, but we have always enjoyed taking our dogs swimming, canoeing, and fishing. With our daughter married and with children of her own, we were "empty nesters". We told Jenny that we were interested in showing a dog as a new interest and as a way to meet new people. Apparently, we met Jenny's standards because by the end of the afternoon, we were on the list for a show quality male puppy.
Shady had her litter on April 21, 1998 and we came over to see the pups every week. There were two black males: fuscia boy and pink boy. I immediately fell in love with fuscia boy, but we wanted Jenny to guide us in selecting which male might have better prospects as a show dog. Luckily, she picked fuscia boy. When we named him Midnight Blue (Teddy) we unknowingly linked into names that had a great deal of meaning for other curly people.
Teddy has been such a wonderful addition to our family! He is sweet yet at times a rascal. He loves to swim, chase geese, swans, and minnows at a nearby lake. He seems to enjoy the dog shows yet remains quite mellow in the ring. We became so addicted to curlies because of Teddy that this year we added a playmate liver boy, Viking.
In June of 1997, our 11 year male yellow lab was diagnosed as having "canine Multiple Sclerosis" and given three months to live. Alex was one of those oversized labs (28 inches, 105 pounds) with a deep chest and a lean belly. He was very sweet and devoted to us, his half sister Brandy, Angel (the perversely named Bichon) and our two cats. He loved to sleep at the foot of our bed but the last six months he had been unable to negotiate the stairs.
We asked what we could do to extend his enjoyable time. The vet suggested using antioxidants, fish oil, and certain other nutritional supplements. Every morning, I would make a milk shake of raw hamburger and these ingredients and then feed it by hand to Alex. Then we would go for our morning walk. As the months went on, He became progressively weaker.
Throughout all of this, he never whined or complained. He spent his evenings resting his head on my foot or my lap (after lifting him onto the couch). In December, Alex began to lose his muscle strength in his chest and shoulders. It became clear that he was having difficulty breathing. On December 10 we took Alex to the vets to cross the rainbow bridge.
For a few months, there was a huge emptiness in our family. I started thinking about getting another dog, but did not want to attempt to replace dear Alex. His memory should remain unblurred by comparison to another yellow lab. Therefore, I started scouting the AKC website reading all the descriptions of the different breeds. I was focusing on outdoor dogs: malemutes, setters, and shepherds. Then, I read the description of the curly and was intrigued. We went to a local dog show and saw three curlies, but didn't get a chance to talk with the owners. Even more intrigued, I went back to the internet, found the curly site, and sent e-mails to several breeders inquiring about the possibility of visiting to see curlies up close and personal. Janean referred me to Jenny Kofron who coincidentally lived only a few miles away from us.
Jenny told us she was going to have a litter whelped soon and invited us to visit her. When we drove down her driveway, we were greeted by a beautiful black male curly, Ptarmigan Sun Devil (John) and a wonderful liver female, Widget. Jenny was very gracious and invited us in where we met Marcus and Boomer and Shady and Jenny's children Max and Grace. We spent time playing with the dogs and the children, while Jenny found out more about us. Neither of us hunt, but we have always enjoyed taking our dogs swimming, canoeing, and fishing. With our daughter married and with children of her own, we were "empty nesters". We told Jenny that we were interested in showing a dog as a new interest and as a way to meet new people. Apparently, we met Jenny's standards because by the end of the afternoon, we were on the list for a show quality male puppy.
Shady had her litter on April 21, 1998 and we came over to see the pups every week. There were two black males: fuscia boy and pink boy. I immediately fell in love with fuscia boy, but we wanted Jenny to guide us in selecting which male might have better prospects as a show dog. Luckily, she picked fuscia boy. When we named him Midnight Blue (Teddy) we unknowingly linked into names that had a great deal of meaning for other curly people.
Teddy has been such a wonderful addition to our family! He is sweet yet at times a rascal. He loves to swim, chase geese, swans, and minnows at a nearby lake. He seems to enjoy the dog shows yet remains quite mellow in the ring. We became so addicted to curlies because of Teddy that this year we added a playmate liver boy, Viking.
Kitty Gill [email protected] I don't remember exactly when I first learned about Curlies. I think shortly after I got my first purebred Lab a little over 13 years ago. I was reading Gun Dog Magazine quite regularly and I believe I read something about Janean and Curlies in there. I do remember the first Curly I saw in person, however. She was a liver I saw when I was showing in obedience and I believe she belonged to Elizabeth Bills. I started serious research on Curlies about 10 years ago, but didn't get my first one until 1997. I was waiting for a breeding that didn't happen and when the breeder gave me the bad news about not having any puppies, she also told me about a 2 year old Curly whose breeder wanted to re-home her. I thought about it and decided "Why not?"
When I brought Flo home from Gary & Mary Meek's house, she was so distraught I felt really terrible. She clearly wanted to get back in the truck, and just go "home". My other two adult dogs were less than pleased at having a newcomer in their midst. For two days, she didn't eat except what I hand-fed her (no spoiled dogs here!). Eventually things settled down and she settled in and became inextricably part of our lives and part of the "pack".
Just a couple of weeks ago I had occasion to remember that night I brought her home and she was so miserable. I had just pulled in the driveway from a show, and she couldn't wait to get out of the truck and bound up on the porch and be let in to greet her "friends"; Chelsea and Beau, the Labs. What a difference! And we can't imagine life without a Curly in it now.
When I brought Flo home from Gary & Mary Meek's house, she was so distraught I felt really terrible. She clearly wanted to get back in the truck, and just go "home". My other two adult dogs were less than pleased at having a newcomer in their midst. For two days, she didn't eat except what I hand-fed her (no spoiled dogs here!). Eventually things settled down and she settled in and became inextricably part of our lives and part of the "pack".
Just a couple of weeks ago I had occasion to remember that night I brought her home and she was so miserable. I had just pulled in the driveway from a show, and she couldn't wait to get out of the truck and bound up on the porch and be let in to greet her "friends"; Chelsea and Beau, the Labs. What a difference! And we can't imagine life without a Curly in it now.
Dale Gould [email protected]
To whomever, What do you want to know. The first time I physically say a curly or the first time I say a curly in picture or on TV??? The first time I saw a curly was during a conversation with my sister who was looking for a yellow lab. She had a dog magazine and was looking through it. She wanted my opinion on which breeder to contact. As I was looking through it I saw a liver color curly and thought that if it came in black I would like it more . . . so I got on the web and started researching. YES, they come in black and also found out that one would be in the Westminster show (liver color - yuck) so I watched . . . pictured black and went back on the web. And fell in love.
My first physical encounter with a curly was when Murphy came out of his crate at the airport and I completely forgot my love affair with goldens and started one with curlys. My Mom was with me so she could take care of him on the drive home. I had a problem getting her to LET GO. My only concern was that he came out of the crate straight . . where were the curls???? I'm not wondering any longer!!!! and every time he finds a puddle I get more!!!!! He is a delight, he has stopped the golfers on the course just by being out back and a puppy. He has the absolute ability to make me laugh . . anytime. What a great puppy and I think I might just be really really hooked. Curly of course.
To whomever, What do you want to know. The first time I physically say a curly or the first time I say a curly in picture or on TV??? The first time I saw a curly was during a conversation with my sister who was looking for a yellow lab. She had a dog magazine and was looking through it. She wanted my opinion on which breeder to contact. As I was looking through it I saw a liver color curly and thought that if it came in black I would like it more . . . so I got on the web and started researching. YES, they come in black and also found out that one would be in the Westminster show (liver color - yuck) so I watched . . . pictured black and went back on the web. And fell in love.
My first physical encounter with a curly was when Murphy came out of his crate at the airport and I completely forgot my love affair with goldens and started one with curlys. My Mom was with me so she could take care of him on the drive home. I had a problem getting her to LET GO. My only concern was that he came out of the crate straight . . where were the curls???? I'm not wondering any longer!!!! and every time he finds a puddle I get more!!!!! He is a delight, he has stopped the golfers on the course just by being out back and a puppy. He has the absolute ability to make me laugh . . anytime. What a great puppy and I think I might just be really really hooked. Curly of course.