[Keven]

Hey ladies ... and gentlemen,

Sorry I'm just getting back to "life" but I've been unpacking, working and getting myself reorganized back in Texas.

First of all – I want to thank each of you for your prayers and positive wishes. The night before I left, I brought my Mom to this message board and read her the messages. It’s the first time she’s ever been to a “message board” and she was very touched. Thank you.

For those concerned that I’m a liar, cheat or con looking for a free ride, perhaps it would help if I introduced myself a little more. My name is Keven Hester, Helen Keven Hester actually. Yes, I’m female and my middle name is REALLY Keven. That’s why it’s spelled different. I know that’s no huge surprise to Natalie as she and I talked via phone the other day. I am a web designer and have a full time job moderating different communities online for a company out of MA. Not only do I appreciate and understand your concerns, I encounter them on a daily basis.

My little brother, Patrick, and I gave Mom her first Yorkie as our moving out of the house present – to reduce “empty nest”. Little did we know she would ever love anything like she did that little dog. Patrick got a Yorkie of his own soon after and when she got older, he asked Mom to take her as he was afraid due to her failing eyesight, she might fall and drown in his pool or one of his ponds around his gardens: in walked Raisin into her heart. Patrick died, of cancer, in January of 2007. Mom hasn’t laughed or smiled much since he passed. Raisin had to be put down some months ago as she got cancer at the age of 18 and it came back after surgical removal.

Mom … my parents will have been married 50 years this coming August. They are both in their early 70s; my Mom’s a retired RN and my Dad is still practicing law. They live in Lafayette, Louisiana. I have given Natalie their contact information and really don’t feel it’s right to offer particulars and details publically on a message board and I’m sure you understand. My Mom has survived breast cancer (20 years ago), colon cancer (12 years ago) and now has advanced breast cancer. WE are fighting but life can’t all be “the fight”. The smiles and warmth raise energy. A positive attitude can make such a difference.

Me, I never had a Yorkie of my own, but I never left Mom’s house that I didn’t find one hiding in my purse as I searched for my keys. I’m more the Labrador type and have had them for many, many years. Here’s my main boy, Tex … http://www.gatorpointstexasgentleman.com/ - you’ll meet of our girls on the site too and I’ll be adding my little Bull (http://www.gooddoginfo.com/gdc/asp/viewpedigree.asp?DogNo=84520) into the site when we introduce our Texas Star Retrievers.

I am active in the United Kennel Club’s Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) and I’m sure you can find some around their web site that can verify me as I serve as one of the volunteers moderators in their forums: http://www.huntingretrieverclub.org/ and designed their web site. All of our labs participate in HRC and now AKC hunt tests. All of them sleep “in bed” with every night. In fact, we get lots of ribbing for the level of “love” we give our dogs.

There are a few people that you are welcomed to contact to verify me, my love and respect of the dog:

Bill and Cleo Watson of Gator Point Kennels (I currently have three of their dogs)

Dale and Denise Johnson of D2 Kennels (Tex, Rebel and Star’s trainers)

Lindsay Robinson of Gypsy Oak Retrievers (Bull’s breeder and trainer – Bull is a field trial hopeful so required a different type of training than our other labs). Lindsay leaves next week for Norway for a month so “now” is the time if you’d like to verify me through him.

My primary vet is Dr. Chris Peek of the Davis Animal Clinic in North Richland Hills, TX. Chris is a Texas A&M vet who’s very talented all the way around and specializes with my sporting related issues. I also have vets in Louisiana and Tennessee for my dogs needs when they are with their trainers.

I came to your forum for some direction and my goodness, it ended up being more than I could have even dreamed! I know the value of forums … I’m only a newbie “here”. Honestly, the last thing I was looking for was a free ride from anyone. Just some direction from the experts – as I realized as a dog lover and frequent community participant – the value that comes from the forum of experts that exists in specialized communities.

I’m still counting my blessings and appreciate for Natalie’s kindness. Today Mom called me to ask if I’d heard anymore on Catrina. I just assured her that I’d expedited payment of her plane ticket.

I welcome verification, I truly do. My email is keven@aol.com if I can offer any additional specifics or clarifications. I want you to know this is real – it is honest and it couldn’t be more opened and from the heart.

Again, my sincerest thanks to all of you - and especially Natalie. Even those that doubt do so with an honest heart and concern for others. You are right: it happens - far too often - but rest assured, it's not happening here and now.

Kev