A Dream Came True Once Again…
Even now, it is difficult to put into words everything I felt at the World Dog Show in Bologna, Italy.
At one of the most prestigious dog events in the world, with a total entry of 178 Rhodesian Ridgebacks from all over the world, my homebred male, Jr. CIB, CIB Empyrean Alodial Hunter Kali, affectionately known as Hunter, achieved an incredible result at just 3 years of age, winning the Open Class (1st out of 19 dogs), Top 5 out of 87RR males, under respected judge Warner Cespedes Arias (Costa Rica).
Those who walk the path of breeding know how much work, faith, perseverance, joy, disappointment, learning, and hope stand behind an achievement like this. That is why, for me, this success means so much more than simply winning a class ont he WDS.
Two years ago, one of my homebred females, Uzuri, Hunter’s sister, stood among the world’s best, won her class, and earned the title of Junior World Winner. At the time, I believed that feeling could never be repeated.
And yet, here I was again, experiencing the same overwhelming emotions as Hunter stood among the very best on the World Dog Show stage and left the ring as a class winner.
As a breeder, it is difficult to receive a greater gift than this.My heart is filled with pride, but even more with gratitude.
Gratitude for Hunter. Gratitude for all my dogs, through whom I continue to learn every single day.
Gratitude for the people who have stood by me throughout this journey, believed in me, helped me, supported me, taught me, or simply shared in my happiness.
Because a moment like this is never just about the result.
It is about the journey.
The years.
The dream that once existed only in our imagination and, one day, becomes reality.
Thank you Hunter.
Thank you for allowing me to experience this feeling once again.
