I Only Eat In The Closet

Toffee

Following our first visit to Betty’s kennel, we knew what we wanted—a show dog. Jake returned early from a vacation in Florida so that he could do pharmacy work to buy the dog.

When we went to get Toffee, Betty encouraged us to decide on a “kennel” name. This would be the prefix used on the registration of the dogs that we owned and/or bred. It was an important decision. I wanted something that had an aura of sophistication but also merriment. Jake suggested RuffMeTuff and the name was adopted. It became more than we ever envisioned. It is a source of pride and a reminder of accomplishments. Many, the majority of which are good friends, are pleased to be associated with that label and it often makes people smile.

Toffee came into our lives. Bosco was not impressed and basically ignored Toffee. She, however, was a charmer and Bosco played with her when his people were not watching. Soon it became too much trouble to keep up his charade.

Toffee was a show dog but she was also a bum! She loved to escape from any enclosure. Digging out was especially titillating. One day Jake discovered that Toffee had started an escape gully so distant from the backyard fence that it would take her months to reach her goal of digging out. He was wrong. Actually, this was merely a diversion. Her primary route was on the other side of the yard, almost adjacent to the fence.

One dark and stormy night (really) she climbed on a wood pile and jumped over the fence. She was pregnant, black in color and difficult to see in the dark. She was apprehended only because she was so heavy with pups that she made loud noises as she crashed through the underbrush.

Toffee was our first show dog. Her official name was Sandoone RuffMeTuff Toffee. First, we entered puppy matches, which are contests designed for dogs and their handlers to get experience. There is no credit earned towards a championship. When you begin to show a dog, it is fun, inexpensive and a learning experience. After these matches, I decided to enter Toffee in a “real” show. Jake was at home studying. Part way through the competition, I got a feeling that the judge was closely observing my dog. She was placed first. Being first in line is a nice place to be. As soon as I could, I found a phone and called Jake to tell him about the first win. We would travel to dog shows in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Once a spectator asked who we were. The response was that no one knew but that we kept winning. Once while I showed Toffee, friends outside the ring attempted to demonstrate what I was doing wrong. Not following their nonverbal instructions, I continued to make mistakes. Toffee won in spite of this. Perhaps the judge was looking for the best dog rather than faulting a poor handler.

Toffee was our first champion. When the judge placed her first, a loud scream emanated from the audience. The judge asked, “Did you bring the whole family?” I replied, “No, just the breeder.”

One day Toffee spent a weekend with a friend. When she returned home, she stopped eating. She acted listless. We took her to the veterinary clinic where X-rays were taken. Nothing was detected. Still, she would not eat. Everyone was convinced that she was dying. Our veterinarian, Dr. Chapin, agreed. He did exploratory surgery. A pink pearl eraser was removed from her intestine. It did not show on the film because the density was similar to the dog’s intestine. Toffee had found the eraser at our friends home and brought it home.

Toffee was the first dog in our kennel to have puppies. When a puppy arrives, the owner is in awe as if this is the first puppy ever born. Birth is often described as a miracle and this experience seems like just that.

We sold the last pup of this first litter to a lady named Iris. Her father, for whom she had cared, had recently died. This was to be Iris’ new companion. She and her brother came to see the young dog. I explained that this was the first time I had raised a litter. It must have been obvious that I was distressed. The following day Iris called to tell me she was very pleased with her new friend and to assure me that all was well. This was the beginning of a long and lasting friendship with Iris.