Dedication

This website, and it's chronicling of our lives as purebred dog fanciers is dedicated to an incredible mentor and friend who always had the desire to teach and pass along his vast knowledge, remarkably even in the face of the often-present resentment that comes with success in the dog world.  With multiple Top Winners and countless BIS's on Collies, Shelties, Poms, Beagles, Kees, Cavaliers, and others - Fred Baxstrome of Maracaibo Kennels was simply born to breed and show good dogs. His incredible dogsense, encouragement, and sage advice continues to assist us on a daily basis.  We can only offer our most sincere public thanks to the man who shone a bright light on our path, who took a keen personal interest in us for no apparent reasons other than his omnipotent love and understanding of the dog fancy, and maybe because he saw a glimmer of potential in two kids with white dogs and a handful of dreams.  We hope he finds some pride and pleasure in having contributed significantly to our present accomplishments, and hopefully many more that that the future still holds in store.


"Over Coffee"

I've whelped a few

Shown a few

Finished a few

Made history with a few

Buried a few

and loved a few ...

Thank you Fred

Blair & Judi



 Compared to "WHAT"???

One of the most important lessons Fred ever taught us was this ...

"You think you've got a good dog? --- Compared to WHAT?"

Do you have the best dog on the block, at the local dog show, at the National Specialty Show, or in the Whole Wide World?  Chances are if you travel around, you'll put your dog's quality into perspective REAL FAST.  Not to mention your own ability to groom and show it!  This one piece of knowledge, learned well, will always keep you from getting too smug.  Remember ... "Travel is fatal to Predjudice."  And this of course serves the purpose of keeping us all aiming higher and trying harder.

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Now, with some 25 year experience under our belts we have one additional thing to add to Fred's "You think you've got a good dog?" pearl of wisdom ...

It is ... "According to who?"

Do you have a great dog according to ...your next door neighbour; your competition; the top International all breed judge; your fellow local kennel club member who's produced 200 Champions in his breed; your vet; or the breeder-judge who never bred a good one herself ????

Think about it and remember ... the "bar" was made to be raised!