here is a story i might thought would be interesting.Originally Posted by CA Jack
Ch TK vs GR CH Firecracker m 58 lbs This was a huge show down. Firecracker had won 8 shows vs a variety of good and bad dogs. (like many other dogs that had won that many) He was the leading candiate for dog of the year going into the show and had the highest known stud fee in the breeds history, $2500. He was clearly well promoted by his owners. The show with TK was made possible by the efforts of TK's owner. He overcame the hard reality of making a deal to go into Firecracker. This show filled with drama all the way. Their were two thoughts on Firecracker. Was he the next great thing. A dog that would take the place in history with the likes of Tornado, Mayday, or Barracuda. yet others said he was overhyped, had ducked some of the best dogs out there and their owners had made him into a modern day legend. When the show was finally hooked it was like WoW they are really going to do it. Do it they did.....
Firecracker The spot was an aggreed on neutral place for all. This way no one had the advantage. Rumours were flying that the show would not go on. That TK was way under the weight and that Fires owners would have another demand that would pluck the last bit of patience from the owners of TK. Some how some way this show was meant to be. Well it did go on. Both dogs came in right on the weight. However Fire looked much bigger. His conditioner, T, is a master at working a dog down to the lowest possible weight without taking away a dogs strength or mouth. His primary means is sprints with drag weights. This gets a dog strong and cuts the body fat. He also requires a 10 week keep. Most people don't know that a dog in an 8 week keep will not shed the internal fat, this makes any dog carry about 2 to 3 percent extra fat. When the owner of TK saw Fire he almost paid the forfeit and went home. TK is about a 53 to 54 and looks it. Fire in most peoples hands would come in at 62 to 65. So this looked like a mismatch. But TK had traveled the ways and decided it was time to the show start. So finally the big show down was on. Fire came out driving hard for the first 30 min. TK being on defense trying to keep this bigger dog out.He worked the face and just tried to stay out of trouble. TK was a real smart dog and knew how to keep out of trouble and then once he figured a dog out he would go on offense. Fire seemed to be a one dimensional dog and kept driving for the chest. TK kept him out. At about the 30 min mark Fire started to slow down athe bit and went on the offense for a few minutes, then back on defense. The tide started to turn at the 45 min mark. Fire, even though in great shape, was starting to slow down and the relentless face job TK was doing was really put a hurt on him. At the hour mark it was almost all TK. This pattern continued. At the hour and half mark Fire could not win. TK was putting it on him. He kept trying but as the min passed he was getting in worse shape. The owners of Fire were hoping that TK would lose interest and quit on top. This had happened in one match they saw with Gamblers Ch Monkey. She was 4 x winner going for her 5th. She was way ahead and then just quit. All done. With TK there was no quit on top. At the 2;13 min mark they asked for scratch to continue with Fire. After the show TK was fine. He emptyed out well and ate. However he later started to fall apart. At the vet his temp dropped and gums turned black. On Thanksgiving day he died. This was a huge loss for his owner. He had done what noone had thought possible.
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