In hindsight my story has been short and slow; but in foresight it will be long and memorable, as every moment of NOW is to me a treasured gift.
It has been my life-long calling to be heartedly engaged in the world of dogs, a place my mother openly dreamed of in front of me as a small child. My mother was isolated from her dream through common culture and remote locale in rural Maine some 50 years ago, but the smoldering ash in her heart was later to break fire in my own. …And five years ago it was finally time for my first show dog.
In terms of the KBT community, I found myself largely on my own here in Alaska. We have a close-knit community of dog fanciers, and over time I have been fortunate to become part of the family. But as it is, Kerries are few and far between in Alaska.
So with no prior experience, I learned to groom from written instruction provided by my first Kerry’s breeder. Finally after a couple years I felt my grooming was perhaps good enough to present my bitch in the local dog show. Surely a comedy of errors, my friends and acquaintances watched with inevitable intrigue. 
Despite my poor grooming and unseasoned presentation, a kindly judge awarded my bitch a Group 3 on her 3rd showing. Later that fall I sent my bitch back to her breeder in the lower 48 where she finished her championship within a few weekends. And although I had anticipated feeling ecstatic over the accomplishment, it actually felt rather anticlimactic. 
So from there forward I was even more determined to groom and show my own…
Three years and a second Kerry later, I feel my grooming and presentation have become respectable. This has not been without trial & tribulation. I have traveled far to where the Kerry people are, and many have shared their insight, talent and skill. I am thankful; and to the credit of each who have given freely, I may seriously hold the record for the most improved.
But from here I am readying for the next step. I plan to join the ranks of the best Kerry breeders. I clearly understand that breeding is no place for charades, much less a place to draw out travesty. My mission and method will be known as a responsible breeder with foresight who produces an ever improving line of Kerries. All-Things-Kerry will be of equal importance: that being temperment & character, conformation & style, genetic health & heritability, as well as the particular placement of each kerry in that forever home. I will use my innate gift of objectivity and transparency; that is to objectively appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of each, and openly communicate this for the end gain of our breed. My vision is that together we culture cohesion within the KBT community.
And yet nothing trumps first hand experience. To that end, I have been reading everything that I can get my hands on and engaging those people I trust who have experience, albeit more often with other breeds. So that is where I start my query…
To me it is so exciting that through modern communication we are world neighbors. To those of you who are already seated in your success, thank you for sharing your passion and holding out your welcoming hand to the greater KBT community. It is to you I am openly asking for guidance. …Who will entrust their hard-earned experience on trust and a promise of authenticity?
