Fifteen years ago I fell in love with my first Labrador when I first looked into Hunny’s eyes.  Every day she shared her life with me, I learned something new about Labradors, and I loved her more.  Ten short years later, Hunny left me, but her legacy remained – her daughter, Sugar, and a profound love for this wonderful breed. 

When the time came to look for a new Labrador to share our lives, I found Bailey.  Through Bailey, I learned new things.  Among the things I learned, was that unconditional love can heal all, and make one stronger. I also learned about the world of dog shows. Bailey wasn’t the greatest show dog in the world –Eeyore we call her-- but she sure was willing to please!  However, I knew someday she would be a great mom, and that she has been, having blessed us with our precious Jezebel. 

After about a year of showing Bailey, Sandy Herzon of Chambray Labradors, whose conformation classes I steadily attended with Bailey, offered me the opportunity to get another show puppy.  My answer to puppies is always “Yes!”  My husband, Lewis’ is always “We don’t need any more!”  However, I quickly convinced him by telling him that this puppy would come from the most fantastic girl I’d ever seen, a dog named Chancey (CH Chambrays Chisholm’s Chancey).

After the puppies were born, Sandy said to me, “She had three girls -- a dark one, a light one, and one in between with lots of curly hair.  We call her “Wrinkles”.  I met the puppies when they were four weeks old.  By that time, “Wrinkles” had graduated to “Wiggles” because she always had places to go and people to meet. 

When the puppies were seven weeks old, we were invited to be there for the litter evaluation.  I remember arriving at Martha Chisholm and Chancey’s house.  Martha is Chancey’s owner and Sandy’s co-breeder on the litter.   I sat down amidst the puppies and I suddenly looked into the most expressive and beautiful little Lab face I’d ever seen.  “Who is that?” I asked.  “That’s Wiggles”, Martha said.  My heart had been captured, and I prayed she would be my girl.

After having evaluated the puppies, Sandy asked, “Which one do you like?”  “They’re all wonderful puppies”, I said.  I would be happy with any of them, but after Bailey, I’d like a lively one.”  After considering all the puppies and their personalities, and where each one would eventually be living, it was decided that “Wiggles” would go to me.  The rest is history.  “Wiggles” is now Maddie – my love, and my princess.  We have bonded deeply and shared so much, and every moment that we share makes us closer. 

Maddie’s show career wasn’t one that took the world by storm in no time.  We had ups and we had downs.  However, I always felt that if she was the champion of my heart, then she could be the champion of anything.  On July 3^{rd, 2004}, at the Greater Venice Florida Dog Club show, Maddie became a Champion in everyone else’s eyes.  She didn’t do so quickly, but she sure did it splendidly.  Not only did she finish her championship with a 4-point major, but she also took Best of Breed and her second Sporting Group 2. Wiggles a/k/a Maddie is now AM & INT CH Chambrays Mad About Madeline.  On her first weekend showing as a new champion at the Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Club show, Maddie dazzled us all by taking back to back Best of Breeds and making us stay to the last moment to watch her compete for Best in Show after taking a Sporting Group 1!

I have many to thank for their love and support.  First and foremost, my husband, Lewis for agreeing to let me have Maddie and for putting up with the dog show craze; Sandy and Johanna Herzon, and Martha Chisholm (momma Martha) for entrusting this incredible girl to me; Pino Renzulli, Maddie’s handler, for never giving up on Maddie and always showing her lovingly and beautifully; and so many other friends and family for wiping my tears, sharing my joys and thinking the world of my girl.  Finally, thank you Chancey for giving me my beautiful girl, one who has so much of you, and who will continue to make you proud.

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