In December of 2002 I contacted a breeder of quality Havanese down in Florida and as luck would have it, she had a lovely sable/parti female with the name of "Ria" a 6 months old little sweetheart available. She agreed I could have her so I made arrangements to make the drive from Michigan to Florida in January just at the time there was a 3 day AKC show in Daytona Beach so Ria was entered in the show.

I drove down through ice and snow until I got to North Carolina... and made my way to Florida to pick up my new baby. We met and it was Love at first site. I spent the evening brushing her, bathing her, getting her all ready for her first show and drove the next morning to Daytona following my new breeder friend to the show.

Ria had never walked on a lead before... well that was really an amazing experience, because after a couple of practice turns on the floor outside of the ring we entered into the show ring with several other Havanese puppies and our lovely judge. All the puppies and their handlers including myself and Ria made our way scurrying around the ring with a lot of haphazard maneuvers... with young silly puppies not having had much practice in this environment.

When it was our turn to go around the ring on our own after standing Ria on the table and the judge having a good look at her... (she actually stood pretty still for such a new baby)... we proceeded to walk around and as we were heading around the last turn, the ring next to us with the Afgans, announced their winners dog and the ringside observers gave out their uprourious clapping, shouting approval and my little Ria came to a dead stand still from the shock. She was so perfectly stacked in her stance that the observers around our ring laughed, applauded and cheered too. I looked at our judge and she was smiling brightly at us and encouraged us to continue on.

Ria won the judges heart and her comments when she handed us the first place winner's ribbon was "Your little girl is going places with her bright little attitude and lovely self confidence." Well from that moment on, Ria in her show career won every class she entered into and went on to win her Grand Championship in 6 shows, winning BOB on her 1 year Birthday.

She has continued to delight me with her prima dona ballarina antics, pieroets and walking on her hind legs dancing for treats and kisses now for 6 years.

She graces my setee, every evening and the pillow next to mine every night. She has given me several beautiful puppies that I have lovingly been willing to share with new Havanese parents and their families. I will treasure her and her offspring for many years to come.

She indeed is the Delight in my day and the Apple of my eye.

I welcome any interested puppy parents who wish to contact me and learn more about my Puppies Galore and Gorgeous.

Cheers,

Amber