I'm so sorry to report that Paws and I are going to the vet's this afternoon 11/14/08 for the last time.  It is time for her to go to another world, although her remains will stay here, where she's spent the better part of twelve years.

She started life at the Collins', Hadar Ha'Aretz, bred by Christie Collins and Jerry Collins, and whelped by Hadar Ha'Aretz Gimel Wafi, Abbey, who lived at the Collins' for 16 years.  She was bred to Sammy, Farsight Kennels, because he was Dylan's grandson through his dam, Farsight Abigail.

 When I brought Paws to Nancy and Bryan Martin, they asked me what I wanted them to do with her.  I said, "Win Best in Show at the Garden." They laughed and asked again, and received the same answer.  Finally I said that I wanted them to set the type in the breed. They understood, and did just that.  During her two years on the campaign trail, Paws won close to 100 group placements, among them 7 groups.

 Even in old age, Paws has an unmistakable presence about her.  She's sensible, accepting, responsive, delicate and strong, refined, not coarse, elegant on the move, and catches your eye like a piece of fine china.  Yet, she can be at home in most parts of the world, excluding the Arctic Circle, and the rainforests.

She's affectionate, not too demonstrative, but there's no mistake that she's glad to see you.

 Nancy would tell me sometimes that there was no chance for Paws to win a group placement under judges Werdermann and Thomas, for instance.  I asked her to show Paws anyway, so that the other judges, spectators and I, could revel at the sight of her beauty and perfection in the group ring.  Yes, there is room to make her even more perfect, but she made a wonderful contribution to Canaan Dog type and temperament.

 Paws is the second foundation bitch at Ha'Aretz.  Spatterdash Limor, "Baby" Limor, was the first, and Paws' pedigree goes back to her on both sides.  Limor died in April, 1987, and it is Paws' turn to go today.  They both live on in Paws' family and progeny.  She will be survived by her son, CH Mishacam, and daughter, CH Peeracam (CH Ha'Aretz Pa'amonit), and their many litters for the breed.  Paws' litter sister, CH Hadar Ha'Aretz Hannah, is the foundation bitch of the Davisons' D&J Ha'Aretz Kennels.  Their third litter sister lost touch early on. 

 Good-bye Paws!  We'll think of you everyday.  

The breeding produced three females:  Paws, Hannah, and Tammy, who vanished early on.  As always, the three Collins' children, oh, that was twelve years ago, and they're all working young adults now, named the puppies.  Paws was probably the third born in Abbey's litter, because Julie, the youngest, named her.  Her choice was Paws, over Minnie or Mickie Mouse, because the black marking over her loin was in the shape of a paw, and also looked like Mickie Mouse.  I kept the name Paws, and added "Happy," so her registered name became CH Hadar Ha'Aretz Happy Paws.  For Julie's Sweet Sixteen birthday present, Julie Collins became co-owner of Paws with me by agreement.   

Paws' litter sister, Hannah, went to the Davisons and became CH Hadar Ha'Aretz Hannah.  As foundation bitches, Paws and Hannah made major contributions to solidify breed type and temperament.  At Ha'Aretz, Paws became a second foundation bitch to Spatterdash Limor, who died in 1987.  Paws was born ten years later, just four months before full acceptance of Canaans by AKC, and the first, pointed CDCA national specialty at Lexington, Kentucky, with her dam, Ha'Aretz Gimel Wafi, Abbey.

Paws went with her dam, Abbey, to the first CDCA point show national specialty in Lexington, Kentucky, at the Kentucky Horse Park in August, 1997.  She was four months old at the time, and only got to watch.  Abbey was shown in Bred-by Exhibitor class.  Mrs. Anne Rogers Clark judged, and said, "I like your type!"  This was the 26th CCA/CDCA annual national specialty.  The first was at Spatterdash in May, 1972. 

 So, Paws grew up.  She finished her championship in three shows with three majors. CH Hannah, her litter sister, gave Paws her first point, and gave us, Donna Davison and me, our first lesson in judges' opinions. Paws' first four months at the Collins' prepared her for the sights and sounds of a dog show.  All three children, Jason, Matthew and Julie, had their friends running in and out, and there was plenty of noise and commotion. Paws was poised to meet every situation, except once at the International where the fly-ball competition was positioned next to the breed ring.  The noise was deafening, and Paws was distracted. 

 At her first confirmation class the instructor, Betty Edlund, told us that Paws would finish fast. In March 1998, at the Detroit Kennel Club Dog Show, Paws got her first five-point major from judge Mr. Jim Noe, and followed that the next day with a second one from Dr. Carmen Battaglia, who was the first to judge a Canaan dog at the Garden that year.  In April of 1998, a few weeks short of her first birthday, Paws finished under Judge Mr. George Heitzman, who yelled at us before awarding her third major.  Paws was fine, but I wasn't presenting her to her best advantage.   

In the year that followed, we received one group placement, and a "pull."  Don Booxbaum gave us Group III at Scott County, and Irene Bivin followed the next day with a pull.  At that show, Don Booxbaum told a student judge that he mentored, that Paws was the finest example of a Canaan dog. Not recognizing her fine quality, I immediately set out to critique her.  Mr. Booxbaum was right.

 It dawned on me that my lack of handling skill was holding Paws back from winning in Herding Group, and that it was time to look for a professional handler.  I approached Nancy and Bryan Martin at the show in Gary, Indiana, at their set-up, and asked them if they had room in their string for a Canaan dog, Paws.  They said yes, and Nancy showed Paws at the CDCA national in July, 1999, at Waukesha, Wisconsin. Paws wasn't at her best that day, and could do no better than Best of Opposite, but her son, Mishacam, was Best in Sweeps under Judge Mrs. Ray (Norma) Baley.  The specialty judge, Chris Walkowicz, later awarded Paws two Groups, and Mishacam, and his litter sister, Peeracam, each earned five-point majors that weekend on their way to their championship titles.  Chris Walkowicz included Canaans in her books that she co-authored with Bonnie Wilcox DVM, and Norma Baley conducted conformation classes for Dalmatians at which Canaans were included.  Both judged at the Great Lakes Canaan Dog Club's all-breed, rare breed shows held during the late '80's and '90's to promote the breed.   

Paws went to live with Nancy and Bryan in 1999, and became Nancy's dog.  I could only watch from a distance, and had to be satisfied with glimpses of her in the herding group, trailblazing Canaan Dog type.  It was thrilling to see her each time, so beautiful and poised, like a prima ballerina.