About Me

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#33CCCC" TEXT="#080000" background="0716a563.gif"> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mystique Brussels Griffon"><B>Home Page</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="about_me.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Me"><B>My Stor</B></A><B>y</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="our_brussel_griffons.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Brussel Griffons"><B>My</B></A><A HREF="our_brussel_griffons.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Brussel Griffons"><B> Brussel Griffons</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="show_wins.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mystique Brussels Griffon"><B>Show Wins</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="available_puppies.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Available Puppies"><B>Available Puppies</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="available_adults.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Available Adults"><B>Available Adults</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="contracthealth_guarantee_and.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contract/Health Guarantee And Tips"><B>Contract/</B></A><A HREF="contracthealth_guarantee_and.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contract/Health Guarantee And Tips"><B>Health Guarantee</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="contracthealth_guarantee_and.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contract/Health Guarantee And Tips"><B>& Tips</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="testimonials.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Testimonials"><B>Testimonials</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="our_favorite_links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Favorite Links Info"><B>Our Favorite Links</B></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#006666" TEXT="#080000" background="06180803.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="066f3170.gif" border=0 width="499" height="23" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><U> <img src="HTMLobj-116/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="588" height="25">  </U></B></div> <div> <B><U>My Story</U></B></div> <bR> <div>    <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Mystique Brussels Griffon</FONT> </div> <div> The collage on the home page is made up of pictures of Brussels Griffon I've owned over the years. Except for the less hairy one in the center...that's me. I've had pet dogs all my life but never bred one until I started showing in the early 70's. I truly love all dogs, some breeds more than others, and now can't imagine my life without Brussels Griffon in it. After years of watching the dog shows on TV, and practically going cross-eyed trying to see the Brussels Griffon close up, I decided to give showing a try. I had to put the desire for a Brussels Griffon on hold for awhile since I couldn't find anyone within driving distance that had AKC, show quality, Brussels Griffon. </div> <bR> <div> I decided to join the local kennel club where I hoped to gain the knowledge needed to show a dog. There I met a lady with an adult Gordon Setter for sale that I was told was show quality. We'd had hunting dogs for several years and I knew this breed was one I would like. After a little time for bonding, Toni and I were off to conformation classes and the shows. It wasn't long before I fell in love with Shih Tzu then met a breeder who became a mentor and also taught me how to groom dogs. During this time I decided to breed Toni since she wasn't very fond of the show ring. That litter of eleven, that a dear friend and I had to bottle feed since Toni had eclampsia, was my first and last litter of large breed puppies! I handled and finished several Shih Tzu, had a couple of litters and was also showing other breeds while working toward getting a handlers license. I loved every minute of it but had to stop showing and breeding due to family and health problems. </div> <div> I've owned numerous toy breeds over the years and have always been fascinated by Brussels Griffon and their funny little faces. Sometimes I wouldn't see a Brussels Griffon for months. I tried to never miss the Brussels Griffon judging and always tried to 'go over' the dog afterward. This is the best way to understand what the AKC standard for Brussels Griffon is describing. There is a lot more to being show quality than 'my Brussels Griffon looks just like the pictures'. There are many reasons I knew this was the breed for me. They have fewer health problems than most toy breeds, are very intelligent, have a loving outgoing temperament, are playful and entertaining and aren't just a foo-foo lap dog. They have a zest for life that's contagious and they enjoy their every waking moment!! </div> <bR> <div> The search began....I emailed and called as many Brussels Griffon show breeders as I could locate but of the few that would even talk with me no one was willing to sell one of their Brussels Griffon to someone living in Missouri...a major puppy mill state. But, I didn't give up. I kept searching until I found a breeder that was retiring and I purchased several of her AKC Brussels Griffon. They weren't the top show quality I wanted but they were nice looking pet quality, healthy and had good temperaments. My goal was always to get back into showing but even with very selective breeding there was no way that was going to happen with the quality of dogs I had. I started the search again...phone calls, emails, cornering them at dog shows, nothing worked. </div> <div> Then one day I saw an ad in a newspaper advertising AKC Brussels Griffon, show potential and champion bloodlines. He wasn't very knowledgeable about Brussels Griffon in general and hadn't researched other bloodlines but he knew his lines, loved his dogs and really enjoyed going to dog shows. His health was failing so he was selling some of his show dogs. We talked on the phone for quite awhile and then he invited me to his home where I met his dogs and we talked for hours. I told him that I truly loved the Brussels Griffon breed and was searching for good show bloodlines to start a new show and breeding program. That day he sold me two AKC Champion Brussels Griffon and a young female that got me started in the right direction. Needless to say, I left for home floating on a cloud. A couple of months later I purchased two young females from him but they didn't turn out to be the quality I wanted to breed so were placed in pet homes. He died several months later. I felt truly blessed to purchase two more Brussels Griffon from his partner. </div> <bR> <div> Since that time I've added several more top show bloodlines to my breeding program. I'm very proud of the quality of Brussels Griffon I'm breeding and showing. Each breeding is done to produce the best quality possible in both appearance and health. Sadly, I'm still shunned by some of the Brussels Griffon show breeders because of where I live and because I have a website and advertise dogs for sale online. If you read my health guarantee/purchase contract you'll find that pet quality dogs are sold on a spay/neuter agreement where the papers are withheld until I receive a veterinarians statement as proof of the surgery. If possible the surgery is done prior to leaving. I do this not only to protect my bloodlines and the Mystique Brussels Griffon name from ending up with commercial breeders, puppy mills, pet stores, etc. But to also protect this wonderful little breed of dog from being bred to stupidity and poor health like has been done to so many other breeds by the breeders who only care about the almighty dollar. </div> <bR> <div> Every person who contacts me about a puppy is thoroughly questioned about: lifestyle, family members, other animals, expectations for the dog, knowledge of Brussels Griffon, etc. I spend several hours talking with any prospective client before agreeing to place a dog with them. I have and will continue to refuse or cancel a sale if I don't feel it will be good for the dog. I have a responsibility to find the best home possible for each and every dog I own. I wouldn't even consider selling one of my precious Brussels Griffon by a 'click here to purchase' tab. I won't sell a dog by the picture alone. I won't sell a dog to anyone who is gone 9 hours or more a day. I won't sell a dog as a surprise gift...unless the receiver has contacted me about Brussels Griffon themselves. No, I won't let you get one of my dogs during Christmas holiday time. I'll be very happy to take pictures of the dog with a Christmas theme background for them to unwrap. The dog can arrive a few days later after things have calmed down and you have time to bond and train him/her without all the holiday confusion. I'm very proud to say that Mystique Brussels Griffon clients take their dogs to work with them, work at home, are stay at home mom's and are retired. Griffs need companionship to thrive. </div> <div> They do not do well when left alone for hours on end. </div> <div> They're velcro dogs and can be rather naughty if they get upset with you. </div> <bR> <div> I am totally in love with the Brussels Griffon and as long as health allows I'll always have at least one pair of Griffs. Did I tell you that they do better with a playmate and of course what better choice than another Brussels Griffon!! If your middle aged dog is slowing down get a puppy, that will get him moving! </div> <div> I will continue to do rescue work as long as the body and mind is willing. Sadly, I'm unable to drive very far to dog auctions now. Working with PAWS in Fayette is very rewarding and the members of our group are hard working dog lovers for sure! </div> <bR> <div> Well, I can't say that rheumatoid and osteoarthritis was part of my life plan but my wonderful friends and neighbors, my church family, my puppy clients that have become an extended family and my Brussels Griffon keep me going. They can always make me laugh. Thank you: Pat, Ryan, Pam, Linda, Millie, Travis, Carol, Jackie and so many others for your help and moral support. I love you all!!! </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>