On the evening of Friday, October 13 th, we let our precious Jewel escape from the pain she was enduring each day to run with her friends at the rainbow bridge. She was diagnosed on September 20, 2006, with widespread cancer involving her mouth, her lungs, her spleen and her bones. The doctors offered no hope for any treatment, only medication to keep her comfortable with the severe pain that was involved. She lost ground very quickly, and we decided it was best to give her the release she needed because we were selfishly holding on to her.

Jewel was exactly as her name impluies, a “jewel.” She was our first champion. She was guilded to all her points by Rick Justice. She earned her Championship on June 18, 1998, in Asheville, North Carolina, under J. Charles Trotter.

She won a five-point major at the competitive cluster in Louisville, Kentucky (and was also Reserve that same weekend), and she won a four – point major at the Georgia Boxer Club specialty that same year. In May 2006, she and Rick went into the ring again for the American Boxer Club Specialty class, Veterans 10 years and older, where she won 4 th place.

She was also Larry’s obedience partner, and took him the closest yet to a Utility title. While she loved to train with him, she did not enjoy the utility competition, so we decided to retire her so she could enjoy her primary job as matriarch of the family. Jewel and Larry competed in obedience at several of the American Boxer Club Specialty shows, where she completed her CDX title with first place. They were also members of the “Fawn Team” at the team obedience classes for two years. Last year, she won first place from the Veterans Class. Jewel qualified and was ranked nationally in both the Delaney System and First and Foremost which are obedience systems for awarding the top-winning dogs from different AKC groups and breeds.

She was also Emily Ailshi’s (our granddaughter) partner in local talent shows. They had the honor of winning third place behind a professional team that took both first and second places at our local Bark in the Park festivities when Emily was only 8 years old. There were 27 competitors and Emily was the youngest. She was so nervous, but because she knew she could count on Jewel, she stepped into that big arena with confidence. They were quite a team.

Jewel was also the best lap dog ever, and she and I enjoyed many happy hours rocking in the recliner and watching television. She always waited for me to invite her up, and she could climb into my lap so gracefully and didn’t touch me with a foot. Jewel also held the title, “Fastest Mouth in the South,” by virtue of her trademark kissing. She gave me good morning kisses each day.

Jewel has one litter of puppies, and one of those pups became our second champion, “Ch. Lar-San’s Diamond in the Rough, CD, RN” aka Cole. Cole is now ready to start his Open career to add another title to the back of his name. Another one of this litter, Lar-San’s Diamonds ‘n Pearls, RN aka Annie, was our oldest granddaughter’s Junior Handling dog. Annie is also starting her obedience career, and has one leg toward her Companion Dog title (CD).

We were very fortunate that she shared our lives for 10 and one-half years. If only it could have been longer, because we miss her every day. From her high-pitched bark that she used to welcome us when we arrived home, to our cuddling time in the recliner and my good morning kisses, it is just not the same in the Stogner household without our Jewel Baby.

Run and bark to your heart’s content, sweet girl.

Click here to see Jewels awards page.