Lovely Thalia

When Kim LaBeach approached me about getting a puppy from me she was very clear about her desires for an excellent quality puppy.  It was obvious that she would love the puppy and provide a wonderful home for her.  As Kim waited for a puppy she learned more about showing, attended several dog shows, and started asking about possibly getting a puppy with show potential.  I agreed to place Thalia with her and we watched her develop into a lovely, lovely girl.  Kim did an excellent job learning to groom and was able to keep her coat very well until she returned her to me at eight months of age to start her show career.  Frankly, when she arrived I was amazed at pretty she was and a little sad that I no longer owned her myself.  But that feeling was short lived as I was proud that Kim would provide her with a loving home and she would probably be the foundation for as Kim puts it, "her very, very small breeding program".

Thalia arrived on a Tuesday and had her first show weekend that weekend.  Her fine qualities were quickly recognized.  She took her first point and Best of Opposite Sex, under Breeder Judge Vicky Abbott and another point and BOS under Judge Dr. Robert Smith.  By ten months and in only limited showing she had nine points and one of her major wins, shown here with Judge Jon R Cole taking Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex. 

 

After that we waited to show her at the 2005 AMA National Maltese Specialty.  Thalia made Kim and I very proud by taking Third Place in 12-15 Month Class in Sweepstakes under Judge LaDonna Mosley and Third Place in Bred-By Exhibitor Class in Conformation Competition.  (The dog who won the Bred-By Class, Ch Ta-Jon's California Raisette, was simply stunning.  She was bred by Tammy Simon and she went on to take Winner's Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex.  We are especially proud of her because she is our Dude's sister) - congratulations to Tammy and John Simon for producing such beautiful dogs!