BU Feature Boxer - "Dream"

by Tony Pierson

The 1999 ABC was my first ABC. I had been looking forward to competing at the ABC for a long time. First, I must tell you that I have been in boxers for only six years. Many of my friends have attended past shows, but I wanted to wait and go with my very best dogs. This year I went with my two year old male champion, "Bosley," out of my "B" litter, and two seven month old puppies from my "D" litter.

The results of this show have so much exceeded my expectations. "Dock," the flashy brindle male (Ein-Von’s Dock Of The Bay), won BEST PUPPY IN 6-9 CLASS. Dock was defeated by the 9-12 best puppy that went on to win Grand Futurity.

"Dream," the plain fawn girl, took 3rd in her class. At this point my winnings would have been enough for me.

The regular show started off with Dock’s class being first, so I didn’t have to wait too long to see how well he was going to do. He defeated 25 6-9 brindle males to take first place! My excitement was building more and more. The anticipation of the Winners Dog class was developing butterflies in my stomach - I get so nervous and stressed when it comes to this point. Dock did not do anything in WD, but I was thrilled just to have him competing there.

Ein-Von’s Dreams Come True could not have been a better name for aka, "Dream," because what she accomplished was truly a dream come true for me. Dream started out in most judges’/breeders’ eyes with the handicap of being plain, but something had told me to keep this plain girl. Dream’s class had started on Wednesday, with the bitches finishing on Thursday. I was completely overwhelmed when Dream took her class. The drama and excitement started to escalate Wednesday night. By Winners Bitch on Thursday afternoon, I was very nervous. But Ms. Dream showed like a "dream," and strutted into the winners’ circle, over 200 some bitches, at the tender age of only 7 months and 3 weeks old! Then, on Friday, she went on to Best of Winners.

The memories from this show will last me for a lifetime. I just wish my wife,Vickie, and my daughter, Kimberlie, could have been there. Thanks for all the wonderful congratulations and support I received from all of you.

I just got home a couple of hours ago. This is my fifth year at ABC, and I don't think I've ever seen better or more consistent judging than this past week. In the past it's usually been ....nice ....nice .....how did THAT one sneak in there???......nice.....etc., but I must say that Dr. Truesdale, Alberto Berrios, and David Abraham all did a great job all around. I think the most exciting moment was during the winners Bitch class, when David Abraham instructed, for the last time, for all to move around the ring. I was chanting to myself, "pick the puppy, pick the puppy," and when he did give her the nod, I got GOOSEBUMPS!!! She is exquisite, and, in case no one mentioned it before, absolutely PLAIN! Many comments were made to the affect that it was about time that a plain boxer was given it's due, and that maybe judges will start putting more of them up.