How Al and I Met. 

It was the 2nd weekend in March 2001.  I had no intention of getting a dog the day I met Al, but I had been thinking about owning an Italian Greyhound for over 2 years, and had tried unsuccessfully to get one through an IG rescue organization.  The day I met Al; my girlfriend and I had gone to the Seattle Kennel Club show at the Seattle Exhibition Center to show Bill Monohon what a wonderful dog her IG "Grace" was turning into.  Grace is an IG my girlfriend Heather had acquired from Bill in July 2000 (as a rescue). 

While we were showing off Grace I happened to mention  to Bill that I had been thinking that I would want a puppy in a few months,   He said that he had a couple of dogs with him that I could look at , and pointed down to a crate at our feet.  Inside were two IG's.  I said, "Oh, I couldn't possibly think about having a dog now!!.  I'll have to wait until , blah, blah blah,...!  Then I looked into the crate and these two little dark eyes peered out at me and then the pup got all excited and started jumping in the crate.   Bill said " I better get him out of there?!" and opened the door and out rushed "Buddy" (the name Bill called him then).  Lots of running around at our feet and then Bill had Buddy in his arms and I could see him.  I was awestruck!! 

Bill said:  " Why don't you take him for a walk around the arena.  There's a quiet area behind the crating area and you can see what you think.?" 

"UHhhhhh??  OK!?!?!!

Off we went, and Al pranced along beside me looking up at me with his big dark eyes every 4 or 5 feet.  He really paid attention and was very handsome and he seemed VERY happy!!  By the time we had covered about 30 feet, I had decided that I wanted him and only him.  People who know me also know that I am not an impulsive person.   Heather was amazed that I could act so impulsively, and so was I.  I knew that this was the dog for me. 

We walked for about 200 feet in total, and arrived back at the crating area;  I pulled out my checkbook and $700 later, Al was mine.   The breeder kept him for the rest of the day so he could say goodbye to his little Buddy, and Heather and I entertained ourselves by watching the agility competition.  That was my first exposure to Agility, and that day I knew that Al and I would give it a try.  It was a good day.