With the 2024 show year closing, there were so many fond memories and bittersweet ones. While we are celebrating our honors this year, I must give credit to Mary B Usery and Jessica M Kalupa for the incredible contributions in just a few short years.

Mary Beth’s eye for a dog was exceptional, deep dedication to building strong families of dogs was hard to match, and Rolodex of remedies for all challenges was most effective. We all miss you sorely, and I hope April Rose, Ruby, and I have made you proud.

Results from the AKC National Championship under Judge David R. Miller:

MBISS MOHBIS GCHS Suma’s Moonlight Broomride “Kiki” – Best of Breed piloted by Devon Kipp Levy. BBY: Mary Beth Usery and myself.

MBISS MOHBIS GCHG Musicbox Got Your Six at Roman Reign “Target” – Award of Merit – piloted by Ruby Kaufax. BBY: Jerry Davis and Donna Moore Jones.

Adamant Roman Reign Two Scoops Vanilla Bean Magick ”Pattern” – Winners Beep and Award of Merit at 9 months old – piloted by Lexie Rogers-Munson BBY: Jennifer Joseph, Katherine La Rue, Alison Greenwall Gray, Jay Josephs, John Knox, and myself.

Sometimes we wait until the right time to pull something out of our back pocket. Orlando seems like the right time.

Adamant Roman Reign Two Scoops Vanilla Bean Magick ”Pattern” went BEST OF BREED out of the 9-12 month class over 6 specials. Thank you to Judge David Fitzpatrick for finding our sweet little lowchen, and thank you Devon Kipp Levy and Lexie Rogers-Munson for piloting her at her very first show.

Pattern is owned by Katherine Benjamin, Jennifer Josephs, and myself. She is cobred by Jennifer Joseph, Katherine La Rue, Alison Greenwall Gray, and myself. Thank you, Jody Davidson in getting her ready!

While the annual migration to Orlando has started, our dogs on the West Coast have been celebrating the holidays with purple and gold at the Candy Cane Cluster!

New CH* Adamant Roman Reign Cruel to be Kind “Hamlet” has only been shown for 3 weekends and just a hair from his Grand Champion at a sweet 9 months old. He is owned, loved, and bred by Alison Greenwall Gray. Cobred with Jennifer Joseph, Katherine La Rue, and myself. Hamlet went Best of Breed for two shows, one day out of the classes.

Adamant Roman Reign Eat Chips And Die Happy “Fozzie” went Best of Breed for one show with an entry of 12 (5 specials) from the 6-9 month puppy class.

GCH Adamant Roman Reign Domo Affogato Mr. Gelato “Gato” went Best of Breed one of the shows too.

Adamant Leigh Jealous of Roman Reign “Jelly”brought home major.

Many thanks to all the Lowchen exhibitors for finishing off the year with a blast! Many thanks to Jennifer, Kathy, and Alison for representing us well!

This past weekend was certainly one packed with new core memories and new connections. As an owner handler in a rare breed, regular group recognition seemed out of reach. When it did happen for me under Jimmy Moses, I called Jerry Davis immediately with so much excitement he thought there was an emergency. It was a moment I won’t forget.

On Sunday, I got to share the moment when two other owner exhibitors had the thrill of their first regular group placements under Judge Eugene Blake. I’m so happy for Cynthia Loveall with Lhasa Apso Hylanshotru Riverview Sparks A Fly In and Mitsuki Katarina Geronsin with Standard Poodle GCH Byrequest the Spirit of Light. I hope these special wins become core memories for them too.

Sunday also seemed to be rare breed appreciation day! In the Owner Handled Best in Show ring, was a Sussex Spaniel owned by another JENNI! Judge Eugene Blake honored the Sussex with OH Best in Show, and the Lowchen with OH Reserve Best in Show. I quickly learned that Jenni Toebben’s Sussex was bred by Dee Duffy, and sharing a beloved connection with Dee was just the icing on the cake of an incredible weekend.

Miss Kiki’s final results from Council Bluffs was:

Group 4 – Judge Jimmy Moses

OH Group 4 – Judge Nancy Bodine

Group 2 – Judge Eugene Blake

OH Group 1 – Judge Jimmy Moses

OH Reserve Best in Show – Judge Eugene Blake

MBISS MOHBIS GCHS Suma’s Moonlight Broomride “Kiki” is a Suma and Roman Reign collaboration. She has been piloted by an amazing group of handlers: Bill McFadden, Taffe McFadden, Devon Kipp Levy,Julia Gildernick, Alison Greenwall Gray, Amy Spaeth, April Rose, Ruby, and myself. Thanks to everyone who stepped in to take her lead.

And representing Lowchen at the Great American Dog Show, Dani Zoeller and Gnocchi were honored with:

OH Group 3 – Judge Donna Ernst

OH Group 1 – Judge Mary Dukes

OH Group 3 – Judge Nancy Talbot

Gnocchi is Lucali’s Delicious Italian Dish Made For ZoeZoo. She is a Lucali and Roman Reign collaboration.

I’m so proud of our Lowchen crew, and I’m so grateful for the judges who found our beloved Lions!

GCH Adamant Roman Reign Domo Affogato Mr. Gelato “Gato” went OH Group 1 under Judge Dr. Andrea Brandford and OH Group 1 under Judge David Peat at the Southern Oregon Kennel Club. Gato was also awarded an OH Group 4 under Judge Desmond Murphy and OH Group 3 under Gabriel Valdez at Wine Country Kennel Club.

Adamant Roman Reign Cruel to the be Kind “Hamlet” went Best of Winners 3X at the Southern Oregon Kennel Club and Best of Winners 2X at Wine Country Kennel Club. Hamlet is just 1 point shy of finishing. Hamlet is owned by Alison Greenwall Gray.

*NEW CHAMPION* Adamant Mischief You’re Breaking my Heart “Cici” finished by picking up points at the Southern Oregon Kennel Club and then some majors and a Best of Breed at Wine Country Kennel Club at the tender age of 6 months old. Then Cici put the cherry on top with an OH Group 3 under Judge Fabian Arienti. *Pending AKC approval.

Mischief Roman Reign No More GD Snowballs picked up a major under Judge Randy Garren at Ozark Empire.

MBISS MBISOH Multiple Group Winning GCHS Suma’s Moonlight Broom Ride “Kiki”and Devon Kipp Levy went Best of Breed everyday at the Ozark Empire. Picture from Coulee KC. Team Kiki also includes Bill McFadden, Taffe McFadden, April Rose, Ruby, and myself.