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Shiner. What can I say about the best thing that ever happened to me in the worst time in my life? Shiner was my first dog that I had as an adult. I got him because my husband has to go to the Alaskan Wilderness most of the summer as a helicopter pilot, and I wanted a guardian/friend to go hiking with and keep me safe at night. He also helped me get through the illness of my mother. My favorite memory of them is Mom petting Shiner, and saying "Grandma loves you", and then laughing as he held his paw up to shake (my dad taught him that). Shiner has been every inch the Adventure he was named for, and has been the most good natured, hilarious dog I have ever owned in my life. His eyes still twinkled at age 12 every bit as much as they did as a mischevious little puppy, and he made us laugh constantly at the tricks he plays. He narrowly missed being in the Top 10 Breed in 1993 (he was #11), then made it all the way to the Top 5 in 1994, and took a big Best of Breed at the Columbus, Ohio Cluster that same year. Although he set the standard for Tailwaggers in the Showring, he was even happier (if that's possible) with his new career, that of accompanying "Dad" to the homesite every day, while they worked on our new house. He helped save "Dad" from bears and moose and loved to take him on adventures on the trails near our house..
Shiner has sired five champions to date Michael a Group Winner, Chena, Rajah, Tanya and Sonia. His daughter Tara, is a multiple champion/group placer producer. His youngest daughter, Sonia, took Best of Breed at the Hungarian style Match during the Kuvasz Club of America's Specialty Weekend with esteemed Hungarian Breeder, Josef Juhasz presiding, and is a Canadian/International/States Best in Show winner. Sonia's sister, Tanya, won Best of Winners and a 5 point major at the 1998 KCA National Specialty itself, from the Bred-by class, the first time (and one of only two times) the Bred-by class has been put up at a KCA National Specialty, and the only time the Bred-by Bitch has gone Best of Winners!
Shiner has given us a legacy of twinkling black eyes, beautiful faces, and outgoing, happy dogs. He is gone, but will never be forgotten or replaced.
