July 24, 1998....Today I laid a great dog to sleep.  Misty came into my life 15 years ago, the great-granddaughter of my first Eskimo, Laika, granddaughter of Woof, daughter of Johnny.  Her great-granddaughter, Meggie, does her best to make my life miserable (if entertaining) now.  It hardly seems possible that once she too harrassed her elders, peed on the floor and was obnoxious - but then, I don't think Misty had ever been anything but the perfect lady, polite, smiling and willing (of course, there were a few infamous moments during her obedience career.............)

What makes a great dog?   Misty did remarkably well in those areas we tend to use to measure "greatness" - a UKC grand champion, SKC champion, UKC/AKC and SKC CD, UKC and AKC CDX, TT, OFA, CERF... and she produced a number of remarkable children, grandchildren, and many more great-grandchildren who have excelled in conformation and obedience competitions.  She was always loving and easy, never aggressive with her family or other dogs.  She was healthy, with good eyes and structure until just before her death, still racing up hills with a smile on her face and fur blowing in the wind.   Most importantly though, Misty was a great dog because she was such a good ambassador of the breed.  She and Woof, her grandfather, established the reputation of Thunderpas American Eskimos as having great temperaments: at home, shows, parks, parades, nursing homes, hotels, under stress, with or without family present.  I can only be grateful to have shared so much of my life with her.