Katherine Nevius,
Minstrel Boxers

Reading a recent post on the Boxer Mailing List from a Norwegian breeder whose bitches demonstrate a frightening predilection to consume quality footwear as after dinner treats brought back a memory for me -- one that has to do with the individual traits each boxer babe carries from puppyhood into maturity (if you can call what they eventually achieve "maturity" :-).

Five years ago this month, my search for a foundation bitch appeared to have been satisfied. The choice of litters made, one of a pair of little reverse brindles now called Ch. Scarborough Witchy Woman and Ch. Scarborough Take It To The Limit was scheduled to make her way to me in March. I'd never met either of them, but had seen them on video since the time they were but a few days old.

One had a collar, an elegant square body and stood like a pro on the grooming table during the obligatory stacking exercise all tiny show hopefuls must endure. The other one did no similarly creditable impression of a future champion; she squirmed and backed away from the bait and generally made a fuss about the whole process. "Whew!" I remember thinking, "I'm glad we're talking about the GOOD one for me." That good one was Witchy Woman, and she's not the one who flew to National Airport in Washington, DC a month later. <G> But that's not the point of the story.

The one who did is now called Hedy. Once they were pretty sure which bitch would be mine, the breeders sent a final video. On it there's a stirring scene in which the soon-to-be Hedy pummels her littermates, one by one, as they attempt simply to cross her path in the living room.

Seeing a pugilist at so young an age, I should have known what was coming. ;-) But even that's not the point. This is:

Every young pup needs relaxation after she goes a few rounds with her siblings. What did Hedy do for enjoyment when not on call in the ring? Clear evidence was right there on the film. Reclined comfortably against a wall, little Scarborough Take It To The Limit indulged yet another of her charming habits. Zooming in for a close-up, the camera focused on the powerful HedyMaw as it gouged and tore at something black and shapeless. Not until the zoom was complete did I recognize the item as a shoe. "My God, what are these people THINKING?!!?" I exclaimed internally. "Not only does the puppy chew on footwear (an unattractive habit in most polite circles), but apparently they applaud the decision!" I mean, here they were filming what in my house is considered exceptionally illicit activity by resident canine. That appeared to lend a certain imprimatur to the process. I was perplexed.

When I talked to the breeders about this later, they thought the explanation was a fine one: "It was an old shoe." Hmmm...

To this day I go on their assumption that Hedy understands the difference between old and new. Given the choice of a soggy, stained Nike or a box containing still-tissue-wrapped leather purchased in the $100 range, she'll take the box every time. What can I tell ya? The girl has taste. (And it's definitely something I'm trying to eliminate in my breeding program. :-)

Katherine Nevius
Minstrel Boxers
Boxrkate@dc.infi.net
http://www.minstrelboxers.com