User:Sandots/Ch Toymaker's Take A Chance On Me

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Ch Toymaker's Take A Chance On Me (10/07/2003 - Present) a papillon dog was born at Toymaker's Kennel owned by Marianne Hansen and Lars Kalkerup in Haslev Denmark on October 7th, 2003. One of two males "Chance" as he came to be called was destined to travel to America and begin a show career under his new owner Theresa Richard of Kennesaw Georgia. He was to become the first Toymaker campaigned in America to achieve an AKC championship.

In December of 2003 Chance made his journey  to America aboard Lufthansa Airlines. He did not make the journey alone but traveled with a companion - a drop eared Papillon, Toymaker's Xercise Makes Master(aka Costa). Chance's owner Theresa had an avid interest in both versions of this little spaniel like dog and arranged to purchase Costa as well as Chance.

In the spring of 2004 Chance made his debut in the ring and quickly floundered. His European pedigree that boasted many champions also embodied a bloodline of papillon’s significantly larger than their American counterparts. In the ring Chance towered above the competition. The judges seemed confused by the friendly but unusual dog before them. Theresa soon discovered that although many beautiful Toymaker's had been brought to the US the majority had been used to improve breeding stock and were not always shown in the ring. The quest for a title continued over several months with an occasional ribbon without competition but not the needed "purple" to obtain an AKC title. Chance quickly became accustomed to dog show life and relished the attention he received in and out of the ring. On daily walks he rarely met a stranger and would freely fall into a baited show stack upon meeting anyone dressed in a business suit.

Everyone who met him quickly adored this little dog but none thought he would ever champion in the ring. His European looks and size were against him they said. As his owner, Theresa was convinced of the merits of her little dog and refused to give up. She continued to enter him in competition. On Nov. 28 of 2004 while exhibiting and losing again Theresa met professional handler Mary Lee Pryor. It was this encounter with Lee that would alter the course of Chances' career.

Lee quickly recognized the strong attributes of this dog, which included correct movement and type but something more was the spark a dog needs to win. She volunteered to show Chance the next day and garnished his first true blue ribbon win with competition. Lee spent the rest of the afternoon educating Theresa on better presentation in the ring. Chance seemed to adore Lee and the transformation of the little dog was apparent in just one day.

Strongly encouraged by the events of that weekend Theresa entered Chance in the brutal Florida circuit and hired Lee Pryor to show him. A two week tour of shows against some of the toughest competitors on the east coast, Lee took Chance in hand and successfully brought home blue ribbons for all but one show.

Upon returning home to Theresa in January of 2005, a different dog was on the end of the lead. Happy and alert as always, he now had a focus that had been absent before. Perhaps it was partly his burgeoning adulthood, or the hands on training of a professional, or both, this little dog now owned the ring and his attitude screamed "PICK ME" when he was in one.

In April of 2005 after a well needed rest, Chance returned to the ring handled this time by his owner. Under the now late Judge, Robert J. Moore, Chance earned his first purple ribbon giving him his first AKC championship points with Theresa on the other end of the lead.

Over the course of the next 3 months Chance would be shown by his owner with much success earning more points toward his championship title. He still towered above the competition but it no longer seemed to matter. When the judges saw this dog they saw what Theresa knew was there and what Lee Pryor had brought out.... a true SHOW DOG. The competition that once had considered him point fodder now dreaded to see him ring side. The little dog with the dancing attitude and wagging tail was now competition.

In June of 2005  Theresa took Chance to Paducah Kentucky during the middle of a drenching rainstorm. The soaked ground and the subsequent tow truck that had to be called to pull them from the mud never caused her great concern. It was on this weekend that Chance won his first huge show and earned a 5 pt major under Judge Betty Krause. Judge Krause would say later "He flirts".

Not to be out shown Lee Pryor took Chance to Florida the next weekend and under Judge Carolyn A Herbel picked up his second major. The only thing left for a title now was 4 single points.

With some anxiety that July Theresa entered Chance in the Biloxi Mississippi show circuit. A risky move, with a high entry count expected, this move would most likely break a string of wins. Theresa nervously entered the ring with Chance under the eye of Judge Eugene Blake and 19 other open class dogs. In and out of the ring were exhibitors she had hoped to avoid, exhibitors with much more experience who had defeated her many times. She looked down at Chance and he looked up at her and took control. He walked her proudly around the ring directly in front of the judge, lifted his head walking forward never looking back. Theresa was told later the judge never took his eyes off of Chance. The little dog had screamed once again "Pick Me" and the judge obliged. On July 28th, 2005, which happened to be Theresa’s 48th birthday, Toymaker's Take A Chance On Me, the little big dog from Denmark, became the first Papillon from Toymaker's Kennel to earn an AKC championship. A few short weeks later Hurricane Katrina would devastate the wonderful city which held such special memories for the Richard family.

On March 12th 2006 the following year Lee Pryor walked Chance into the ring for the final time in Hilton Head South Carolina. Their reunion after a year apart proving once again they would not be out shown. Chance loved his Lee and together the duo took the Best Of Breed  followed by a Toy Group placement. The dog that many said wouldn't continued to surprise them all.

Chance retired from the show ring after competing at the Westminster Kennel Club in the Winter of 2007 and lives with his owner in Kennesaw Ga. His progeny continue to carry on his legacy in the ring today.

Chances story is inlcuded in the soon to be released(2012) book "Oh For Dog's Sake - Living With Multiple Dog Disorder".