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"Cash" and Joan Curtis |
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"Cash" and Joan Curtis |
As
boxer breeders and owners for many years, we have often seen the remarkable
bonding between owners and their dogs, a true testament as to why we love
the breed , and what these dogs give us in return each day. Such
is the story of “Cash”, Am. & Can. Ch. Talisman Arriba Silverado.
Cash was one of the three boys that we were “growing up” when our
friend, Joan Curtis (JoCur Boxers), was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.
Joan had undergone chemo and radiation and was feeling quite good,
however the doctors said there was nothing more that could be done.
She hadn’t been to dog shows in several years and in her soul searching
had decided that was one of the things she most loved and missed in her
life. She wanted to know if she could borrow a dog for a while, one
she could attend shows with and renew her old friendships. She checked
the boys out and fell in love with Cash--a wild and crazy 4 month old puppy.
We had our misgivings, but she assured us if he was too much, she’d let
us know. And off they went. Joan certainly had her hands full,
when she called, I often heard Cash barking and carrying on in the background,
but she couldn’t be deterred--she said he just wanted her attention--I
was wondering what kind of monster we had given her. Spring came,
she said Cash was ready for a couple of shows before ABC, so Joan, Cash
& motorhome arrived for the Cherry Blossom Circuit. He learned
the ropes quickly and received his first major with Ted on the lead.
Spring shows led into the summer shows and Joan had bad days and good days,
but she had a mission--she wanted to see Cash finish. She went to
shows in Canada, and Tami Mishler became Cash’s handler. Tami had
her hands full, Cash was an errant young dog, full of himself , and
acted up in the ring frequently. But, once back in Joan’s care, a complete
metamorphoses, he was a gentlemen. I think he knew Joan didn’t have
the strength to put up with his shenanigans. Another major came rather
quickly, as well as his Canadian championship, but Joan was getting weaker.
We had all planned to go to the Regional in Chicago, but Joan feared she
couldn’t make it alone--no problem, Bobbi Wagner became her co-pilot for
the trip. We had a wonderful time, Joan renewed many of her old friendships,
including Cheryl & Keith Robbins, Jack Ireland, Linda & Jerry Huffman
and, of course, Tami & her mother, Carol Nesbitt, along with many,
many more people. Joan came back to Virginia with us for the next
weekend of Specialties where Tami and Cash picked up another major.
Time was getting short, when Joan left to go home to New York from that
weekend, I don’t think any of us believed we’d ever see her again.
She was admitted to the hospital two days later, I talked to her frequently--nope
it wasn’t time yet, Cash had to finish, he needed one point.
She was released from the hospital, and wanted to know what shows could
she get him into. Tami had gone back to her home in Arizona, and
the last shows of the year were closing, the Cleveland Classic. We
entered Cash, Joan had every intention of going, but at the last
minute was just too weak. Carol Nesbitt drove up to Webster, New
York and picked up Cash, Michael Shepherd agreed to show him.
  Cash became a part of the Mishler household. He has his two teenage guys, Aaron and Ryan , to hang with and he snores on the bed as only a boxer can do. ...every
once in a while,
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Dr.
Ted Fickes - Arriba
Virginia
Shames - Talisman
6804
Ridgeway Dr.
Springfield,
VA 22150
(703)
569-0705
E-mail
to Arribatali@aol.com
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Arriba
Boxers, Talisman Boxers, Dr. Ted Fickes, and Virginia Shames
ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED