Toshi, a Japanese name for “talented” ( 俊 ) as I had high hopes my first real show dog. She had a very strong show pedigree and both parents had good genes with no defects. Although I was still in the Army, I imagined myself a budding breeder of magnificent Akitas when I was no longer a soldier. So Toshi was as much an investment in my future as she was a wonderful dog. Sadly, the Army had other plans for me and though Toshi did well in her shows with a novice handler (me) it was obvious by the third or fourth “2nd place” finishing that something had to change; either I had to get better at showing, or she needed a better owner.
Despite what I wanted to do, Toshi went to a show home with a stud of great lines. I knew they would throw some good puppies but…Toshi was as much a pet as she was a show dog. She loved going to shows and strutting around the ring but she was just as happy to sit on the sofa. She did eat a weight bench once when I had neglected her too long but in the end, I rationalized her good genetics were wasted sitting around the house waiting for me to come home. I was told she went on to finish in the show ring but that didn’t stop me from missing her.
