This has to be the very first
time I've ever put up an individual page for a puppy, but I feel that
Smudge is just so special that she warrants a spot with the rest of the
girls! Possibly I could be jumping the gun, but somehow, I just don't
think so.
I can remember seeing Smudge for
the very first time when she was tossed to me as her mother was on the
table being sectioned, as two puppies were wedged head-first in the
birth canal. She was the first puppy out, and within seconds of wiping
her off and getting her going, I remember thinking to myself how
striking that newborn puppy was, and what a lovely head she had, and how
her neck just went on forever. I was definitely reeling from all the
color, but even though nearly blinded by all those markings, somehow I
just felt that there was something very special about that particular
puppy. And it seems as though indeed there was. I named her Smudge
for the smudge of color on her upper left lip. To look at her as a
puppy, it looked as though she had a "fat lip" on her left side, or
perhaps she had spent a bit too much time in the coal bin! Oddly
enough, after she was well acquainted with her name, the "smudge" of
color had almost disappeared! But by that time, it was much too late
for a name change.
Smudge continued to take my
breath away on a daily basis, and she's still doing exactly that. I
can pretty confidently say that she's one of the nicest terriers I've
ever bred---if not the nicest. As narrow as they come, with her
mother's breathtaking movement, a great chest, and the head, bone,
balance and coat that both of her parents were kind enough to pass on to
her. So far the hunting instincts are right in line with typical Bear
kids---focused, keen and methodical. And with a fabulous nose to
boot! She can thank both of her parents for that precious gift! But
probably Smudge's strong suit is her attitude. She is undoubtedly the
most charismatic terrier I've ever been on the other end of the lead
from! And that includes Revlon. I never thought I'd ever see another
terrier with the showmanship that Revlon displayed, but Smudge has her
beat 8 ways from Sunday! That little bitch just makes you look at
her! I can honestly say I've never been in the ring with any
dog---terrier or otherwise---that shows their heart out like Smudge
does! Not that she needs me there with her; like her grandmother,
Smudge is quite capable of showing herself, thank you very much! She's
only been in the ring but twice---her debut at Sunny Hill in August of
2008 earned her a Best 4-6 Puppy win while her mother went Working
champion at the same show, and then at the 2008 JRTCA Nationals, at only
two weeks over 6 months of age, she managed to beat out the older, more
mature puppies to capture Puppy Champion honors; again, just a couple of
hours before her mother went on to win her second National Working
Terrier Championship! Like mother, like daughter! Nothing wrong with
keeping it in the family.
Smudge has been out in the field
only but twice, just to tag along and learn field manners. But I have
the same high hopes for her in the field as I do in the ring. She
looks like she has what it takes to walk in her daddy's footsteps.
With a little help from her mom! I haven't been this excited about a
puppy in a long time!
