A Tribute To Sunshine

Sunshine entered the ring for the first time on his birthday, January 14, 2005 and showed like a Burst of Sunshine.  He received a Group 2 and BPIG from Judge Terry Carter, a BPIG from Judge William Taylor and finished off the weekend by receiving a Group 3 and BPIG from Judge Jackie Browning.  This finished his Championship at the age of 6 months 3 days of age.  This is a record that can be equaled but never be surpassed!

He was out as a Special for the first time on February 4^th and received a Group 4 and BPIG from Judge Heather Langfield. 

He next entered the ring on February 11 in New York City! at the prestigious Progressive Toy Specialty and went BOW and BPIB.  He returned in the evening and competed against a selection of top toys from all over the world and received the huge honor of a Puppy Group 2 under Judge William Taylor.  Judge Taylor  remembered Sunshine and commented on how well he was maturing. The next day he entered the first day of the Empire Miniature Pinscher Club Specialty and went WD for his first American major.  He entered the second day of the Empire Specialty and went WD again for his second major!!!   

Prior to turning 7 months of age, Sunshine had finished his Canadian Championship in an actual record time, had 4 BPIG’s, and  4 Group placements.  He also had both American majors and an outstanding American Specialty Puppy Group 2.

It was obvious he was getting bored so he was brought out only once more on March 4^th to be shown to miniature pinscher breeder Judge George McMurray.  He was awarded a Group 2 and BPIG.  Mr. McMurray said that he considered him for a Group 1 but Sunshine “didn’t want it bad enough” and was out shown by the Group winner that day.

Sunshine did not enter the ring again until June 17^th and received a Group 3 and BPIG from Judge Terry Carter.  The next day he received a Group 3 and BPIG from Judge Elaine Boutwell.  Sunshine was showing again – the burst was back <G>!!!

Sunshine next entered the highly competitive Sarnia show on the July 1^st weekend and received a Group 3 and BPIG from well respected American Judge Richard Beauchamp.  He went on to take the huge Best Puppy in Show under Judge Ed Wild!!!  The next day he received a Group 3 and BPIG under Judge Edna Gonzales.

Sunshine next flew off to Dallas where he was awarded his third American major  on  July 9, 2005.

As I  knew Sunshine had a tendency to get bored I began to show him very selectively.  He next entered the ring as an adult on July 18, 18, and 20 at the Valley Kennel Club Show.  He received back to back Group 1’s under Judges Guy Jeavons and Roberto del Puerto.  The next day he received a Group 2 under Judge Peter Luyten.

Sunshine next appeared in Calgary for Canada’s largest outdoor dog show and the Canadian National Specialty. It was on the long weekend in August.  He was only shown twice and warmed up on the first day at the Toy Specialty.  He went BISS under American Judge Joe Walton in an entry of 122 of Canada’s top toys.  The next day he literally bursts into the ring again to win the Canadian National Specialty for back to back BISS wins!  Sunshine sets another record weekend for a minpin.

On August 7^th Sunshine next went to Michigan in an effort to get the last 4 points of his American Championship.  We brought Yogi out of retirement (at 4 years of age) to make points for Sunshine.  Sunshine got his butt beat by Yogi the first two days, who, much to our surprise went Best of Breed x2, picking up two majors and the last 5 points needed to finish his American Championship.  We handed Yogi off the next day and Sunshine took the breed.  Unfortunately, I was not the only one concerned that Yogi would win again.  Several minpins went home and there were only two points left for Sunshine <G>.

Sunshine was shown on August 14^th and received a Group 4 from Judge Mr. F. Quilles.

On Labour Day weekend, Sunshine received a Group 4 by Judge Phylis Pancel and a Group 3 by Judge Fred Dewsbury.  Little did we know that this would be the last time that Sunshine would “show” in Canada.

Surprisingly, Sunshine saved his last weekend of brilliance for the Americans.  He went back to Michigan to collect those last two points for his American Championship on September 16, 17, 18^th.  He went BOW the first day and finishes his American Championship at his fourth only American Show!  The next day he took the Breed and his third major over top ranked multi BISS Am Ch Wannabee’s Biker Boy from the classes.  The next day he takes the Breed again over specials as a move up.  As far as we are concerned, another record setting weekend for Sunshine!!!!!!

We had entered Sunshine once more only as we were preparing for the Lower Mainland Show and wanted to preserve Sunshine’s enthusiasm. 

Sunshine was shown one time to respected American Judge Dorothy Hutchinson on October 16^th.  We had brought Junior (CH Patapin Proud Survivor) out for the first time that weekend also on his 6 months birthday.  Dorothy Hutchinson gave Junior his third Best of Breed and BPIG.  A little black, hard backed puppy with tons of hackney beats an American Canadian National Specialty winning red mature male!!   Alas, Sunshine rides home in defeat.

The writing was on the wall for the Lower Mainland Show but we went anyway to see our friends and show off Junior’s brother Flash (Patapin Proud Showing Machine).  Sunshine lost the breed all four days (as he deserved to) and didn’t even receive a look until the last day.  Another record setting weekend for Sunshine <VBG>

We are not worried as Am Can multi BPISS Yogi Bear shut down at the end of his first year out, after going #4 Minpin in Canada.  He sat out a whole year and came back in 2004 to go #1 Minpin in Canada!  Quality dogs only get better and better! 

Sunshine wants everyone to know that his sister BIS Multi-BPISS Patapin Belle Roselyne went Best in Show and he’ll get his also when he returns.

In summary, as this a tribute only a proud mother could read all the way through, in less than 6 months actual showing, (all owner handled) Sunshine has received:

1 BPIS show
7 BPIG’s
2 Group 1’s
5 Group 2’s
5 Group 3’s
3 Group 4’s
Canadian National Specialty winner
Toy Specialty winner - entry 122 dogs and
His American Championship in only 4 shows, going over American Specials.

The only other tribute I have taken the time to do was for his mother, multi Group Placing Ch Patapin Gem Man’s Lucky Stripe.

Sunshine is everything a dog from a breeder whose uncompromising motto is “Quality begets Quality” should expect. He has set records that have yet to be equaled and wants to hear from anyone who can do it! December 2005

Sunshine has just been invited to the 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach California. Patapin has been invited every year since they opened the competition to top ranked dogs from other countries - our fourth invitation!"

Sunshine and Cash have found a wonderful home together. May 2007