In the summer of the next year, 1974, I was 26 years old and pregnant with my first, last and only child. I came to visit my parents in CA and called Bob and Linda Freeny, introduced myself, and asked if I could drop by their house and meet Mike. They were then, and still are, two of the most gracious and kind people I have ever met in dogs. They invited me over, and Mike and I sat on the couch and became acquainted. That was, truly, one of the thrills of my life while involved in this sport. I met, up close and personal, Double GV Mike!! That was way cool! Sadly, I never met Boss up close and personal, but, I did meet Double GV Scoop (in Oregon, I think) and WOW!! What a male he was!! BTW, I joined the PC in 1976 and have been a continual member ever since. The longest relationship in my life, after motherhood, of course! :-) My first National was around then, too, in Louisville. 1975, maybe? Think GV was Caesar v Carahaus and GVx, the fantabulous Langenau's Tango! Now those were movers!! I believe that Ernie Loeb judged intersex. Not a dry eye in the house when the Parade of Greats went in under a blue light while "My Old Kentucky Home" was played over the speakers. I was hooked!! Paula, 309 days and counting Home of BIS, BISS, Multi-Group Winning, AKC JAM/AOE, Intern'l & Am CH, Silver Grand Champion Asgard Harley Davidson, HT, PT, CGC, TC, HIC, OFA CHIC #64047 (Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, & Thyroid),.1st male GSD Grand Champion. 2010 #1 GSD in California, Lifetime #1 GSD in Michigan, 2010 #1 GSD male in USA (AKC GCH Stats), 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Invitee. 2010-2011-Lifetime AKC Eukanuba invitee. ---------- Original Message ---------- From: "Carolyn Martello" <marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: My first National Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 21:02:12 -0800 ......................By the way.........in 1973 at my very first National .......one of my biggest thrills was to meet Yoncalla's Mike and spend a few minutes with him. What an awesome German Shepherd Dog!!! Like Boss.........his photos never did him justice.....not even the same..... as the dog in 'person' Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.Marhaven.com ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================