ACHIEVEMENT: BULLET, First Bred By Champion !!

Congratulations are in high order for Julie and Bullet and his handler, Joyce Coccia.  Last Thursday, June 21, 2012 at the Maine Chicadee Classic Dog Shows in Cumberland Maine Bullet finished his AKC Bench Title!!! Pending AKC approval, Bullet is now:

CH J & A's High Caliber Harris Special JH
Sire: J &  A's Apple Jack of Acton JH
Dam:  KJ Requet's Bouncin' Crysta

Finishing his championship with style and in competetion with 5 other male dogs, Judge Nancy Leibes awarded Bullet a 3 point major,  his second major won in 5 months under the professional handling of Joyce Coccia.  Although Bullet's owner (Julie Harris) was not ringside to see her boy in his his shining glory, his moment in time - I was so fortunate to actually be in the ring handling Hemi and watched as the judge pointed to Bullet as Winners Dog !!!  It is a moment I will never forget and will be proud of forever.  Julie (and her late husband Jim) NEVER ever doubted that Bullet would become a show champion one day.  John and I are grateful for the mutual belief they shared regarding this boy, and the perseverance and commitment that was necessary to finish him.  It's been quite a journey and many true friends have been a part of it offering much assistance, support, and love along the way through grooming tips, handling advice and words of encouragement.  Three years ago, at the same show location Bullet won his very first show point in Maine.  How awesome for him to win his final points as a 3 point major in the same place.  We had all hoped before Bullet and Treasures' pups went to their new home that he would finish - and that's exactly what happened.  Now Bullet is back at home, happily loving life with Julie, Sassy, and Thistle. Speaking of Thistle - she wowed her judge on Sunday with a 4 point major !!!  Thistle had won her first 6 single points by the age of 7 months old.  Now at 13 months she has 1 of 2 of her required major  wins.  (Pippin won 1st Place Open Bitch and Reserve Winners Bitch on both Thursday and on Sunday.  With a 5 point major behind her thanks to Dawn Hill, Pip just needs her second major and points to finish her championship, we are very close!  Hemi won 4 single points by the age of 7 months. We should also mention my True puppy, who also has 4 single points.) 

There's so much I could say but truly, I'm at a loss for words.  I will never forget this moment in time and I will never take Bullet's accomplishment (or that of any of our dogs) for granted.  I will however reflect on J&A's Brittanys 'life verse' which is:  Matthew 6:19-21  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Or as Joel Olsteen recently said: "God puts dreams in our heart that are bigger than we can accomplish on our own so that we learn to rely on His favor." 

Take care and God bless!  John, Ann, and All Things Brittany