[gemy]

Most of the regulars here know my story, it's come out in bits and pieces over my time here.

My breeder is also my trainer of my BRT;s, and I trained with her Yorkies and "my" breed for almost three years.

Over those years I got to see her Yorkie's personalities, and their abilities. I became fascinated, and always wanted an agility dog. As well my sister was asking for a small dog to love and to walk. I think the watershed moment for me, was one day at a show, we were sitting after our BBQ dinner, chatting and laughing, and one of her girls, just leapt up in my lap, for a snuggle.
Such a fearless brave wee thing. My heart was now officially stolen.
When you train with someone, once or twice a week, go to shows with them, you get to actually "see" their ethics and their commitment to their breed.

I knew Razz's mom, had seen her work. I did not look around for other breeders for my Yorkie. But I did come, with a list of questions, health concerns, and spoke now with my trainer who would shortly become my breeder of Razz.

And she was prepared, all health concerns addressed, all info on health problems within her lines. The temperament test results. Her health guarantee for me to review. The hardest part for me was after the discussion, she let me meet her pups. OH my God I had a choice between two!.

The decision was agonizing. We watched them play. She stacked them. She reviewed their test results. She put one by one in my own arms to examine. I put each pup down again. Watched some more play.

Went down on the floor, to watch some more. Then Razz man came up to me. Freely on his own, curled up in my lap, with his wee head on my lap.
I picked him up and cuddled him to my chest. There was an immediate heart response.

I waited some more. Watched the other pup, who did finally come to me. Sat on me, let me pet him. I cuddled him to me, and while of course every pup is cute, there was not the immediate heart response.

So now we had some tea, and a great Russian Cake. The pups were at our feet and playing around. And she said have you made up your mind?

We went over the temperament again. I sat on the floor for the last time. Examined each one, one more time. Used a toy with each. But the decision had been made in my heart. Razz was mine!

I love the fact that my breeder is also my trainer. She is my mentor. She is my friend.

I did not ask for references from her vet, or from other breeders. But my situation was pretty unique.