1991

2002

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 11:59 PM

Thanks so very much to all of you for thinking of Kirby and myself during a most 
difficult time.

It would take an eternity to mention all of my fond memories of Kirby, but I will take 
a moment to share a few....

When his dam "Becky" began to whelp, I remember thinking 
"Oh, please let there be a little red dog in there for me"...out came the first puppy - 
a bitch, then the second - yet another bitch, the third - SAME - this continued through 
the fifth puppy - all bitches, a breeders dream, right??  Unless you're me, looking for 
that 'special' puppy dog.....I got my chance - Kirby was the sixth and final puppy born 
that night - at the very moment that Kirby Puckett (our hometown hero) hit a grand 
slam during the World Series (which the Minnesota Twins were a part of).

Certainly I will never forget the ASC wins, as well as those of his kids.  I'll always 
remember receiving a phone call from the Minnesota Twins asking Kirby to be their 
honorary guest at "Dog Day at the Dome" during a Twins Game on the 4th of July 
several years ago.  They made him sit in Kirby Puckett's chair, which I might add is 
far more comfortable than any other seat in the Metrodome. He also had to 
"run the bases" - it was a blast.  Ironically Animal Planet just replayed their coverage 
of this event last Sunday, the day before Kirby died - spooky.

I have two very special memories from when I went to Brazil in 1994 to bring Kirby home.  
Three, actually, if you count the ceremony that their very large kennel club held, wherein 
they honor their top ten dogs from the previous year.  The entire event was produced in 
Portuguese, their native language, until they came to their #1 dog - Kirby - they played 
"We Are The Champions" in English - very touching!

The day before Kirby and I were to return home to the States, Flavio wanted to give him 
one more trim....we chatted, laughed and reminisced in the grooming room as Flavio performed 
"his magic".....half of it, anyway....he completely trimmed to perfection Kirby's headpiece 
on the show-side.  He stepped back and looked long and hard at Kirby, I thought to admire 
his grooming efforts.  With that he burst into tears, gave me a big hug, and said that he 
couldn't finish.....he said to me "as long as I know my work isn't done, I know I'll see him 
again".....Kirby came home with one half of his face trimmed to perfection and the other half 
slightly fuzzy - I didn't care, because I knew that was a moment I would never forget....

The next day was eventful as well....Flavio drove us to the airport for a tearful "good-bye" - 
not farewell, but "good-bye".  As I boarded the plane he waved, blew a kiss and then was 
gone....Shortly after I boarded, one of the flight attendants came to my seat and told me 
that Kirby would not be traveling with me on the same flight...she said that they would 
send him on a different flight the next day.....you can imagine how panic stricken I was....
evidently they had already closed the cargo/baggage doors, and were unwilling to open 
them again. Although I was somewhat embarrassed, I threw quite a fit....and the pilot 
himself came to see me to see what was the matter.  I explained to him that if they 
couldn't get Kirby on the airplane, then I would have to get off and fly with him the next 
day.  He assured me that he would take care of it.  I was still unsure that he would get 
Kirby onboard....and then about five minutes later, the pilot himself showed up at the 
entrance to the airplane with Kirby in his Vari-Kennel!  I was shocked to say the least.....
he had me strap Kirby in a First Class seat, and asked me to take a seat next to him 
so that he would be comfortable for the long flight home....the funny thing is, about 20 
minutes into the flight the head flight attendant kicked me out of First Class and made 
me take my seat back in coach!!  I told her that the pilot had asked me to sit there, and 
she said that she was aware of that, but since I hadn't paid for a First Class seat, I 
would have to travel in coach.  So go figure....he got all the breaks!


Rest in peace, Kirby....we miss you !!!!   
(I bet it's noisy in Heaven cuz it's plenty quiet here!)

Patty Allen
Minnesota