I've had dogs my whole life. My Dad raised and trained bird dogs, English Setters. He was the real dog lover in the family. My Mom did not grow up with dogs. She always joked that Dad asked her to marry him while they were in college so he could move to the housing for married couples ... so he could get a dog. She soon came around to enjoying, then liking, and finally loving the dogs.
We had many different breeds, including English setters, collies, boxers, rat terriers, poodles, a beagle, and a chihuahua.
I loved going to dog shows as I grew up, watching conformation and obedience. But I always thought exhibiting was for the "professionals". I would go home and train my dogs to do the things I saw at the obedience trials. At one point, my Dad told me to NEVER train another dog to jump. I had a boxer that he could not contain. She jumped the six foot fence without touching it so even a fence charger did not help!!
One of the first childhood dogs I can remember was a little black and white dog named Scooter. a "squirrel dog". We got her when I was probably 5 or 6 years old from a farmer who had a couple of dogs chasing his young calves. He gave us Scooter and also our first Boxer, Pug. When I was 7 or 8 years old, someone began poisoning dogs. Scooter, Pug, a neighbor's Boxer, and some other dogs were poisoned. Even though I only had Scooter a few short years, she was my very best friend during those years. I told her all my secrets. She silently listened, and never betrayed my trust!!
When I was in my early 30's, a childhood friend had a Rat Terrier, RooRoo. There was something about RooRoo that made me realize that Scooter must have been a Rat Terrier also. Then and there I decided I would get a Rat Terrier as soon as I could find one like I wanted, a black and white like Scooter.
I found that Rat Terrier on November 1, 1990. I named her Muffin. She was undoubtedly the most cherished of all my pets. We moved to Houston together in 1993, just the two of us ready to conquer the world. Many people commented on the bond we had together. I lost my beloved Muffin on Friday, May 13, 2005. I know she is waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge.
After losing Muffin, I was devastated. My house was unbearably quiet. I thought about getting another Rat Terrier, but felt that I would be betraying Muffin. I then decided if I got ANY other breed, that would be betraying Muffin and her breed. So, I went in search of a little Rat Terrier I could name Mini Muffin. In my heart I felt she should be Mini Muffin because there will never be another Muffin. So, as "Mini" she needed to be somewhat smaller than Muffin. I found Mini in a little town outside of Houston.
It was shortly after I purchased Mini that I attended my very first UKC conformation show. I found the UKC show to be much more relaxed and fun for the "less than professional" handler. Losing Muffin hurt so much that I wanted to have a different relationship with Mini than I had with Muffin. I wanted Mini and I to get out and do things together. Since Muffin did not like dogs, nor did she think she should have to associate with them, we didn't do much "DOG" stuff. And I wanted multiple rat terriers ..... I was hooked!!! Time to start increasing the family and to find a new homeplace for us.
At only eight months of age, Mini was diagnosed with a Grade II and a Grade III luxated patella. She was in training for agility .. and LOVED it. But, due to her many genetic issues, she had to retire and become the princess.
I set out to find a puppy from a show home, from parents with health clearance. One of the first females I found was Ember, K2's Wildfire at COHills, a beautiful High Red Chocolate Rat Terrier in Colorado. She had excelled in conformation as well as agility. I fell in love with her. The plans were to breed her in the spring/summer of 2006. Even though that seemed a long time off, I wanted on the list for a puppy. Finally, I was able to connect with Amanda Hill. I told her what I was looking for (quite a long wish list) in a Rat Terrier. She put me on the list. I was so thrilled. Amanda was keeping a female so there needed to be at least two show quality females in the litter. Ember didn't let us down. She produced two gorgeous females and I got one, the one that had everything I put on my wish list. I picked Amber up September 4, 2006. She has firmly planted herself in my heart.
In 2007, I started looking for a new home for us that would have a yard large enough to set up an agility practice field, room for obedience training, and a room for the dogs and their "stuff". In May of 2008, I found the perfect home in Katy, Texas. It has plenty of room for agility training, an obedience training room, "girl's" room, "girl's" bathroom, and even a bathing station with a deep siink in the garage (not that the girls like that!!!).
Katy is a smaller town on the west side of Houston, Texas. One tradition says the city was named after the nickname of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, "The KT". I had been trying to come up with a kennel name. Since Katy was where I hoped to start my kennel, I decided the kennel name should be KTRat Ranch.
Since I would be moving to a home with a large lot and lots of room for ratties to roam, I decided it was time to get another. I planned to contact a few breeders to let them know I would be looking for a new girl soon. The first one I contacted, Barbie Trammel of Bur-Way Stars Rat Terriers, said she had an upcoming litter with one of her original females that I admired, Bama, and Who, the son of my very favorite Bur-Way boy, Cruise. I had always said I wanted a Cruise baby or grandbaby. I was so excited to be on the list for one of these babies. Four baby girls were born September 20, 2008. Two of the girlies were on hold and a dear friend of mine was in love with the third. I went to meet the babies when they were seven weeks old. Wouldn't you know it, the fourth girlie came straight up to me as if to say "I belong to you". I picked Bree up November 30, 2008. She is such a sweet girlie. Her personality reminds me so much of Cruise. She keeps me smiling all the time.
I hope you enjoy a peek into our lives.
