Rush is my first home bred champion. Her father is Jordan and her mother is Breezer. There were 10 live puppies in her litter, which was my first. It was a trial by fire for sure! She is also my first raw fed dog, having been switched at the age of four months. She was born on February 14, 1998 while Sue Tapp showed Jordan at the Westminster Kennel Club.

While Rush enjoys the conformation ring, she does not enjoy any other part of dog sports. Her gentle, quiet and soft personality was unlike any of my other dogs, and ultimately I did not have enough experience to persevere in the performance arenas. I came to the realization that I would be doing so for myself and not for her. I wasn’t comfortable with that. She remains the consummate pet, joining me for walks in the woods, swims in the pond. She longs for nothing more than companionship.

In 2005, the IWSCA specialty was being hosted by the local east coast contingency of which I am associated. Rush was a little over 7, so I decided I would venture into the conformation ring once again with my veteran. It was my first specialty without Jordan, and I was feeling his loss keenly. Who would have guessed that my little girl, the one that preferred the couch to competition, would step up and give me a day to remember! She won the Veteran Bitch class, made several cuts in the Best Of Breed competition. Toward the end of the afternoon, I realized that the judge had only two bitches in the ring, and Rush was one! I guessed I’d better start working and stop daydreaming! She was awarded the Ch. Castlehill’s Air Jordan O’Landacre UD WC challenge trophy for Best of Opposite Sex, her father’s trophy! It was truly a defining moment, and one that I will always cherish, for I had figured my "Once In A Lifetime" was over. It was Rush who proved me wrong.

Rush had one litter with Ch. Castlehill’s Fynders Keepers CD ("Jack"). She thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and has continued to hone her skills by bringing up several pups. It is her greatest joy in life!