NOTE: This page was written by Justin's owner, Kathryn Barker, in Fall 1996.
If you've ever seen Justin, you would never forget him. He's the nine year old with the heart of a two year old. Not only is he a loving, loyal companion, but he excels in the family show ring - for he has "it". What is "it"? Show people know what I'm talking about. Just about any dog can go into a show ring, but have you seen one that stand out? one that catches your eye? The dog that asks the judge to Pick Me? The dog that gives 110% and keeps on giving. That's what "it" is all about. It is hard to find a dog with this quality.

Justy stands 19" at the shoulder and is a true square appearance, as the Breed Standard calls for. His best attributes are: clean, silver color, long neck and excellent movement. Whether viewing his correct front or rear gait or his reach and drive from the side, he glides across the ring very s-m-o-o-t-h. Justy has distinct markings. He has very well defined spectacles that mother nature gave him!

He is medium to light in color, taking after his mother "Lexy". When viewing his head, he has a "pretty" face, not "doggy" but a pleasing male head. He has clean legs and a correct, tight tailset.

To date, Justin has produced eight American Champions (11/96) and one Canadian Champion. His first litter out of Ch. Sylvan's Northwest Reflection produced a Canadian Ch. Another boy out of this litter needed singles to finish his American Ch. but was tragically killed. Justin's second litter out of Evenstar Stardust produced two Champions out of the four puppies. Justy's third litter, a beautiful linebreeding, out of Ch. Markwright's Ditty Dot Wudnshu, holds special meaning to me (Kathy). This breeding produced my bitch, Ch. Markwright's A*starz Grand Finale "Sadie". To date there are four Champions out of the six bitches in this litter! Another very nice linebreeding, four pups, was next, to Ch. Markwright's One More Tyme. This has produced one Ch to date and another that needs one major. Another litter out of Ch. Ashwood's Belated Valentine, produced three boy puppies that are too young as of this writing. They will take the show rings by storm in the spring of 1997 to prove what they have!

Since Justin's BIG WIN at KFCS in 10/96 (see below), he has had more ladies visit him. Ch. Perikees Jardin at A*starz [produced 8 kids, 4m & 4b 2/97], and [more to be updated later.]

Notable wins by Justin Pups:

Ch. Markwright's Final Fling - BOS in Sweeps, & Specialty BW at KCDV 1995

Ch. Markwright's Never Ending Story - BB over specials & Group 2 in 1995

Ch. Markwright's A*starz Grand Finale - WB for 5pts at Chicago Intl 1995 & BB over specials for 3pts in Ohio, finishing with three majors, all out of the puppy class + 12-18mos.

Justy has a lot to boast about during his show career. He finished his Championship before his first birthday with three majors. He had Best of Breeds over specials during this time. He went on to receive multiple Group placements during limited specialing. He was and is exclusively handled by me (Kathy Barker) which was a drawback for his success since he took a backseat when I went on to college & started a career and family. He was not campaigned to his full potential, although he had numerous, impressive wins throughout the years.

Recently, out of retirement, I decided to show him for the first time in Veterans class at the KFCD 10/5/96 Specialty. Not having been to a show for a year, he out shined his younger, top ranking rivals. We went to the specialty to "have fun" and enjoy ourselves --- and boy, did we!!! Justy was awarded Best In Specialty over the top kees in the country, some of them Best In Show and Best In Specialty winners. Justy did this all from the Veterans Class at nine years of age!!

We had many supporters at the show and it is a day that will never be forgotten. All this from a puppy my sister (Donna Stekli) bred and gave me nine years ago.... who would have thought....??!

UPDATE: Justin was euthanized 12/16/1998. He was with Toot and Bev during his final moments. They were both there when he was just born, so it was fitting that he be with them when it was time for him to go. He knew they were doing what he wished them to do. Justin's demise was incurable liver cancer. Justin's passing, of course, was taken very hard by Toot and to those close to Justin. He is greatly missed.

Thank you to those close to Justin. Your kind condolences let us know that Justin was not just another keeshond, but a very special one to the breed. Your friendship and thoughts during our loss will not be forgotten.

Thank You! to those judges, in the Breed and Group rings, who recognized Justy's qualities and put him up as their best example of a keeshond. You have added to the memories.

Thank you! to those who chose to breed to Justin. He has many fine kids, grandkids and great-grandkids... to carry on his exceptional traits. These include his clear, luminescent silver color, his superb length of neck, his very clean legs, his outstanding carriage and elegance and his love of the show ring. The wind in his coat, the aire of his staging.... Justy was a true exhibitionist.

But most of all, Justy was Tootie's buddy and companion.

Justin is missed terribly.

They will not go quietly....
The dogs who shared our lives
In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives
Old habits still make us think we hear barking at the door
Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor
Our feet still go round the place the food dish used to be
And sometimes coming home at night, we miss them terribly
And although time may bring new friends and a new food dish to fill
That one place in our hearts belongs to them and always will....
Linda Barnes

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