26 May 2020
I know that many of us scorn aspects of Facebook and some refuse to participate. Myself? I find that it’s a great way to reach out to folks who are interested in what I’m doing but may not know me personally. I use Wagging Tales at Kensington as my more ‘intimate’ platform for sharing stories with Kensington peeps. It’s a closed page, designed for members only. And there’s the Kensington Tibetan Terriers page, where I post the comings and goings of my breeding program and everyone can stay informed. And then, there’s my personal page, where my friends from all aspects of my life are joined and can learn of my more personal daily ‘comings and goings’ – but never any politics!
There is a Tibetan Terrier group page on Facebook and for the last couple of months, we’ve been following The Misadventures of Annabel. Annabel is a gorgeous example of our breed and her daddy, Michael (GRCHG RinChen’s Blazing Black Icon) was the #1 Tibetan Terrier in the US in 2013.
I bred Annabel, because in 2013, Claire Coppola approached me and suggested the idea. Claire had seen my lovely sable Coppi (CH Kensington’s Copper Goddess) in the show ring and it was time for Claire to find a gorgeous female and ‘prove’ her #1 US TT GRCHG RinChen’s Blazing Black Icon, Michael. Claire wanted to know whether I’d consider using him as a stud dog, as he wasn’t yet ‘proven’ and it took me very little time to say, yes, as he’d already caught my eye in the show ring. And frankly, I was being approached by the woman who bred the #1 2013 US TT. Think about it. ;>)
So, I bred Michael with Coppi and they produced five puppies, three of whom were sable. Billie Jean was my pick, Whittaker was my mentor’s pick and Annabel was Claire’s pick. Ironically, we all got what we wanted and that NEVER happens, without some negotiation. That Michael x Coppi litter produced three AKC Champions, one Bronze Champion and made Coppi a Register Bitch of Merit in one litter. Annabel was released as a puppy at ten weeks to go and live with Claire in New Jersey, earn her AKC CH title and then, she was bred. In 2018, Annabel came back to me in Vermont and she re-joined her pack. We loved having her live with us and I bred her twice, myself. When it became time to retire her highness, I needed to find Annabel the most wonderful forever home that I could, so that Claire would feel good about the situation, too.
Enter Judi Fisher of Panton, VT. Judi came to visit us in Stowe with a friend of hers who was interested in a Kensington puppy and Judi wanted to ‘come along for the ride’. Ironically, she fell in love with Annabel and when all was said and done, Claire gave us her blessing & Annabel happily moved in with Judi.
Then, came Covid-19. And Judi’s blog on Facebook. Annabel has an international following of folks who begin their days with Judi’s latest post and the cast of characters is amusing, while the content has me laughing out loud and regularly. If you’re unfamiliar with Annabel’s trials and tribulations, you might like to watch the clip via the link below:
Judi’s made Annabel famous! Tonight, I will watch the clip on the big tv in the living room with Billie (Annabel’s sister and one of my Westminster competitors), Koko (Annabel’s cousin), Piccolo (Annabel’s niece) and Piper, Annabel’s half sister by a different mum – but the same daddy: GRCHG RinChen’s Blazing Black Icon. Kensington dogs love to watch television, especially Koko and Billie Jean. Well, Whittaker, too. And some of them sing, while others yodel.
I hope you enjoy the story. It’s a charmer.
Yours truly!
WB.