May 31st, 1998 - November 29th, 2007
Where does a girl begin? I know that I don’t have to tell you all how much ‘K.O.’ meant to me, how much I loved and cherished him, those of you who saw us together could see how he held my heart so close to him, and words could never do my feelings justice anyway. I don’t need to tell you the way my heart was ripped from my chest when I had to let him go, I don’t need to tell you all how I will miss him every second of everyday until I see him again, or how no one will ever take his place. We have all been there, we have all lost the one that was very special to us and still ache for them everyday.
‘K.O.’ was a natural born show dog, anyone who was set up within a 20 mile radius could attest to how much he loved the show ring when I got that show collar out and he let out his BOOMING woos letting us know that HE WAS READY!!! I couldn’t tell you how many breed wins he had, or how many group wins he had, or even how many specialties he won. I couldn’t tell you what he ended each year ranked in the top 20 when he was specialed, I know there were two BIS wins because I have these beautiful shadow boxes in my living room to remind me everyday.
What I can tell you is that the first time he entered the ring and Roseann gave him Grand Sweeps, then promptly took us aside to gently mentor us in that Roseann way, a lasting friendship was formed. ‘K.O.’ and I thank you Roseann, he would have been nothing with out you. I can just hear you on the phone to Bonnie, “This girl had no idea what she was doing or what kind of dog she has, the dog was gorgeous and luckily she didn’t screw him up too bad!” I can tell you that the first time I met Cindy Kinnas, she told me “‘K.O.’ showed you today because it is SO obvious you have no idea what the h*ll you are doing”, even though I thought it was a LITTLE abrupt at the time, another lasting friendship was formed. At the Minnesota national, I think ‘K.O.’ received an AOM, I can’t say for sure, but I can tell you that another very dear friendship was formed, even though I thought Elien and Armando were crazy people outside the ring having a meltdown about my dog. I’m glad Armando learned English, I thought he was a drug lord for the longest time! In Sacramento when ‘K.O.’ won the regional, ok even I couldn’t forget that one, I don’t remember how many dogs he beat, or even if he did anything at the national. But I remember we bought a celebration cake for him, MR Picky would only lick the cream cheese frosting off the top so we took it out for all the other dogs to share, my very dear friend Mike Chilinski helped himself to a piece thinking he was eating really bad pate. I can tell you that when Jerry and Sandy MusyJ picked me up from the airport in Las Vegas I was a little worried I had been abducted by terrorists LOL, Sandy with her accent and I really don’t think Jerry had a valid drivers license. I can tell you when ‘K.O.’ met someone he REALLY liked he let everyone around know it, if any of you heard him greet Terry, Morty or Liv you would have thought they were loosing an arm. All the road trips with orange stained fingers from eating Doritos to stay awake, yelling at Brock because no we don’t have time to stop and wash the truck AGAIN and yes we really do have to take six dogs, these times and countless others, I could go on forever, have given me such wonderful memories and friendships that I could never live without.
I can also tell you that when ‘K.O.’ became ill at the national these friendships that he created are the only thing that got me through. It was a blessing in disguise that he became ill when he did, no where else could I have felt the love, support and understanding that I received. I’m so thankful to all of you, Karen and Liv, for sharing your personal stories with me letting me know that I was making the right decision, Alisa and Armando for talking me out of meltdown with your proactive outlooks, Keisha for taking the drivers seat when meltdown finally came, Kieran for showing up in my crazy life just when I needed you the most, Brock thank you for trusting me when I needed you to the most, to all the rest of you for your love, hugs, tears, emails, flowers and calls, I love you all so very much.
True to malamute form ‘K.O.’ did things his way, through and through. He never would have been content sitting home enjoying his senior years while the young dogs went to the shows without him. He chose to participate right up to the very end. When he left us he was ranked somewhere in the Top 20, true to Andrea form I couldn’t tell you where, but he remained the never ending show dog, placing in his class at the national the day before he finally let his illness show. Yes ‘K.O.’ was an outstanding malamute, he was an outstanding producer, but first and foremost he was my very best friend and companion. He was not only the foundation of my kennel, but my foundation in life for so long, I received such strength from him. My dear sweet ‘K.O.’ I pray everyday that I can live my life the way you lived yours, always giving it everything that you had, always enjoying life to the fullest, only getting really grumpy when someone else is moving in on your favorite toy or human, and always only eating what REALLY tastes good.
It was a pleasure to have been loved and shown by you my friend, I love you to the sun and back.
-- Andrea