It all started when an owner of a new Golden Retriever kennel & two young handlers got their very first dogs; Lucy Lu and Oakley. They knew nothing at all about the breeding, and showing of dogs; and they were inexperienced & innocent. Their first show was at the Ann Arbor Kennel Club. Bringing a field golden and a show golden into the 6 to 12 month ring. They didn't even know what a "down & back" was much less a "stack". So excited, and so thrilled that they had finally made it to their first dog show. They had never worked with their dogs (Show training) and so the dogs had no clue as to what the handlers wanted them to do. 

     The owner and the handlers finished a long & embarrassing show with two dogs that where confused and frustrated. Two handlers that were trying to figure out what they had done wrong. And a kennel owner that was trying her hardest to tell herself "it is only one show, We have more shows coming up." The handlers & owner's souls where saved by Legend Lakes Goldens. They took the handlers aside, told them what the patterns where, showed them how to hold the lead. Showed them "acceptable" showing attire. They let them barrow their leads, and for a young junior handler their dog. The great full owner & handlers thanked them over and over again.

    A few training sessions & losses later, that same junior handler won Best Junior Handler. Those dogs, where no longer confused but understood what the girls wanted & expected of them. Confident and proud of her kennel the owner invested in more dogs and gave the girls a burning desire to be the best of the best, and be the best they could; The owner gave the girls faith in what they where doing.

    At first the Kennel only had a few dogs (2-3) then the owner purchased a female dog "Jada" from a small town breeder. Not even six months later; the girls and the owner where heart broken. The dog they had bought had a grade 3 heart murmur. The owner and the girls had become attached to the dog and had given the dear friend love and compassion. Back to the breeder they went; she gave them another dog for the same price and told them that this was a better breeding and she had stated that " This dog had better lines and that the mother and the father where champions in AKC. They trusted the breeder yet again. They never thought to actually look at the dog's pedigree. Hip dysplasia at not even 5 months old The dog was expected to be unable to walk before it was three. The owner and the young handlers again heart broken due to lies and broken promises. How could they recover from that?

     They did their homework and they learned. They "evolved" from newbies to true dog breeders. They did this to insure themselves, The owner did this to insure her daughters & handlers hearts. She did her homework, figured out what she wanted in her breeding lines. She figured out how to go about getting what she wanted. She saved herself from anymore pain. They found a very good looking breeder; Chien D'Or. An AKC breeder that had on hand the dogs pedigrees, She had a nice set up when the owner & the handlers went. She was sitting in front of an X-pen which held about 7 puppies in it. They had an extra "Carry-on" the handlers nephew. He helped them figure out which puppy they would be taking home that day. The nephew was sitting in the grass and the handlers took out each puppy individually and examined them all. One little female puppy however slipped from one of the handlers grip and ran to the small infant. The tiny puppy's tail wagged uncontrollably; The puppy had picked them.

    Ever since then the junior handler has won multiple ribbons and has had more knowledge given and handed down to her than anyone could have ever expected. Starting from a novice junior moving her way up through the classes; Becoming Number #1 Novice senior; Moving to Number #2 Open senior. Her hope and dreams had paid off. She could go to school and brag about something that was exciting. Something that she had worked for. She had truly started from nothing, Working her way up a hard and splinter infested ladder. Since then she had championed over 5 dogs, and has won many Best Novice Puppy in Shows (BPIS). Anything she had hoped for she had exceeded. She was finally a success story; And not just any success story, this story she had made herself. Sometimes becoming cocky and overconfident The young junior handler studied and crammed to figure out a true sport. One that constantly took Good Sportsmanship, Concentration, Patience & some down to earth TLC (Tender Loving Care). 

    That same junior still learns to this day. She takes every piece of advice to heart. Always trying to perfect herself, and her handling skills she has bloomed into one of the most courageous and brave handlers of UKC. Even the random observer can see that whenever she steps into the ring, she has a smile on her face; and a lead in her hand. She now stewards for judges and always has something to do over the weekend. Whether it be just hanging out with her friends or taking a Best in Show. The owner and the other handler have also become great success stories too. Millstones Golden started from ashes, and grew into something so beautiful.

We, I love whenever I step into a junior ring, and I love to clap whenever a dog I think deserves to win goes around the ring. I don't base my decisions off what I hear or what people do. I look at the dog; not the handler... Not the judge... & Not to what others say. Although when I get word that someone talks about us behind our backs, it's sad. It makes me want to win all the more, I do not regret when I win over another dog. I will not look down on myself for Succeeding in what I love. I will not be put down by other people's words. After all "sticks and stones may break my bones; But words can never hurt me." I do not want poeple to say sorry & I know that people will still talk behind our backs. All I want to tell you is don't give in; Don't be one of them. I know & You know you're better than that. Don't start gossip; & When in doubt, remember how much you would like it if someone talked about you behind your back. I will give a newbie advice when I have time, I will not just turn my head and laugh. I will tell someone when they did something wrong and I will tell them the correct way to do it. I will help someone out when they are in their hour of need. I am a junior Handler. I am proud of it.

Written By: Krysta Wung,

#2 Open Senior UKC;

Co-Owner of Millstones Golden

 
" Judge me & I'll prove you wrong.

Say I'm not worth it & Watch where I end up.

            Shove me away & I'll come back.  "

So go ahead; Talk about me behind my back...

Just ask yourself, Do you feel any better now?