Mallorie

Everyone has something that changes their life, for some it is a best friend, some it is a spouse, and for some it is a move but there is always something. That something for me was Mallorie. I had decided that I wanted a Field Spaniel while looking through a dog breed book. At the time, I had 2 cocker spaniels that I was training in obedience. I loved my cockers but wanted a breed that I could do everything with (show in confirmation, obedience, breed if she was good enough and so much more). I saw a picture of a Field Spaniel and knew that would be my choice. I looked for a long time after deciding a Field was just what I wanted. Kept doing research and kept saving money. Finally after many letters had been written, I received a letter back from a breeder saying that she had puppies coming in a couple of months and to let her know if I was interested. That was the beginning of this wonderful ride.

I can still remember how excited I was when I received that letter and how terribly nervous I was to make the phone call to tell the breeder that I was so interested I couldn't think about anything. You see, up until this time I was a very shy, reserved person and wouldn't dare to call anyone on the phone that I had never seen in person. My desire to get this puppy gave me the courage to pick up the phone and make the call that would change my life. I was so excited waiting to see when the puppies were born and a little scared- I wanted a female and hoped that there would be a puppy for me. Luckily the puppies were born and there were 4 girls. I anxiously waited to find out which puppy would be mine.

The moment I held Mallorie, there was an indescribable joy in me. She was the first Field Spaniel I touched and loved. There were so many firsts with her. She was my first confirmation dog and first Champion. She was my first agility dog and my first dog to earn a CDX. She was the foundation for my breeding program, a way she carried on and still touches so many lives.

Above all that she was my best friend. I said that she changed my life and she really did. I will never know what I would have done or were I would have been without her because that isn't important. She helped me overcome so many fears and challenges. We did so much together that I think sometimes she knew me better than I knew myself. Because of the joy she brought to me and my desire to finish her championship, we went so many places. At the age of 20, I drove to Rhode Island with her to attend my first FS national (a friend went half way with me but I made
the drive from Pennsylvania to RI by myself) I had never been so far but it was great. We made so many trips together to so many different places. I know that I would never done this if I was by myself. And all the friends and people we met during that time- that was priceless.

She really meant the world to me. Unfortunately, one thing about dogs is they never live nearly long enough. That was definitely true for my Mallorie.