In the meantime Sioux, Susan, and Joel loaded me into a crate and attempted to get me out of a benched show. No easy feat when dealing with “guards” that are told no dogs can leave the building under any circumstance — well, certainly not without a Vet’s release. Once again, Dr.Deubler came to my rescue. All this time, Michael is unaware of the gravity of my situation, as he was still in the ring showing “Triumph.” I get to the Veterinary Hospital and as they say in the movies, “I saw my life flash in front of my eyes.”

My care was entrusted to an extremely concerned and capable staff of doctors, which is why their call to Roger about my status was considered to be very grave indeed. They were essentially preparing him for the worst, giving me only a 10% chance of surviving the night and basically asking him to consider euthanasia. Roger, without hesitation, advised them to use any resources at their disposal to help pull me through, despite their advice that any chance of a future show career would never materialize. Apparently the condition had invaded my lungs and according to the doctors, if I did survive, it was unlikely I would ever have the lung capacity or stamina that a rigorous show career would require.

Tryst's finishing win at one year, one week. (Feb 1992) AHALI Specialty, judge Mickey Koss. The presenters are Ambassadors to Afghanistan.

Needless to say, I did survive the night, but I knew I had a long road ahead of me. With each subsequent day, I got a bit stronger, however, even I knew at that point, it was going to be a long recovery time.

Once I got home I was in the hands of “Nurse Donna” (Donna Burke, Grandeur’s longtime manager and a licensed veterinary technician). We spent hours daily in a sauna to help clear my lungs and I still had a regiment of oral medications that continued around the clock. If I never have to take another pill again, it would be too soon! All that resulted in my reluctance to mouth exams throughout my entire career. Bet you never noticed that, did you? Now you know why Michael ALWAYS showed my bite, not to hide anything, just to make me at ease. By the way, I have full dentition!

I needed 2 months of slow but steady conditioning to recover fully. I came back out to finish on the Westminster Weekend of 1992. I was Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex over 10 bitch Specials at the AHALI Specialty under Mickey Koss. From that point on I kept up a continuous regime of activity to maintain good physical condition. Even at almost 10 years of age, when this is being written, I am out every day as a companion for whoever is currently being conditioned with roadwork.

In the fall of 1992 I went to “Camp Bruce.” Many a Grandeur Afghan Hound spent time with Camp Leader, Pam Bruce. Pam was part of the “family,” having put the finishing touches (and Canadian Championships) on many of my relatives.

Tryst with Pam Bruce during her 48-hour Canadian Championship. (April 1993)

While at “Camp,” I was having fun and growing coat. In April of 1993 Pam took me out to the big Sighthound Weekend in Western Canada. I was shown at three shows over a 30-hour period, and won almost everything there was to win! Best in Specialty at the Sighthound Show, both Bests of Breed at the All-Breed Shows, and a Hound Group First, all from the classes!

During this time “Triumph” had broken the Hound Record and it was decided to let me “test the waters.” I came back to the States the day after my victorious trip to Western Canada. I went to my first All Breed Show that weekend. This all happened the first week in April of 1993. Well, I won the Group on the first Best of Breed of my first weekend out! My next 10 breeds resulted in 9 group placements, 6 of them firsts.