Welcome to DONRYN.  We chose this name

because this was to be a joint hobby.  Our namesDon and Kathryn La Rosa

together express that closeness.               We do everything together, and this

venture would be no exception.  We always go to shows together, I’m the

groomer, and handler, and Don’s the show planner, travel expert, driver, and

everything else.

           However, let’s back-up, this white excitement all started with a yorkie

named Nikki we purchased as a pet in 1985.               The “breeder” said he

might be good enough to show, so our curiosity as aspiring “good parents”

led us to investigate his potential. A ‘cocker friend’ gave us some information

on shows in the area and we were hot on the trail.  Going to shows and

observing what was in the ring soon became a quest for our first show dog.

(Nikki’s primo place on the couch was secure!)

           Our focus then was solely on Yorkshire Terriers.  We watched, spoke

to (and I’m sure bothered) many handlers and breeders such as Alfredo

Quinones                and Glynnette Cass               who were generous with their

time and advice.  Our pursuit finally brought us to Marcris.  Joyce Watkins,

known as a top Maltese breeder, was also achieving great success with

Yorkshire Terriers.  We were grateful she entrusted us with our first show

prospect, Marcris Royal Talk of Donryn, “Vikki.”               We of course went

through a steep learning curve with grooming, handling, and the “biz” of the

show, but we were determined to show our own dog.   We just didn’t see the

fun in sending her off with a handler.  So-o-o-o it took a little time.

We gotplenty of Reserves, and like true novices, we have the pictures to prove

it.               Nevertheless, we were having fun and she was a darling, so we all

went to our first National Specialty.  She surpassed our expectations and won

2^nd Place in the 9-12 Puppy Bitch Class in a very large entry.               At the

time, I remember being down on my knees so long,               my feet were

falling asleep.  We later caught a snap with a littermate owned by Marie and

Ivan Cardona.               We finished Vikki,               our first champion the

following year, and  Joyce achieved the YTCA Breeder of the Year a year

later.

           We did a lot with the dogs and Joyce and Harry.  We miraculously

managed to travel without the dogs one year.  Even though it was a bit too

cold, I was on winter break and we escaped to Paris.

           Being around Joyce it was hard to resist admiring those little white

dogs, she also had around the house.  In 1990, we finally gave in and got our

first Maltese.  I can remember her wonderful head carriage and how naturally

she stacked – and I knew she was the one, Marcris Lolly’s Gabriella.

            Of course, I was suddenly faced with a completely new grooming

adventure, and Joyce openly admitted her breeding was her claim to success

not her grooming. So I solicited as much advice as possible.  One afternoon

Mary Day (C and M Maltese) was visiting at Joyce’s and I was frustrated with

my lack of grooming technique.  I can still hear Mary saying, “If you can hear

the brush “sing” stop and pull it apart with your fingers.”  Being a singer and

choral conductor that quote always stuck with me.

           We were a bit anxious to show our new puppy.  I thought we were all

set, she was stacking out great, but then my focus was suddenly jarred at the

table by, “What’s all this?” the judge asked (meaning the tearstain.)  Well, I

was not prepared for this question.  I now thought my chances of winning

were clearly none!  I explained that everyone had advised me to grow it out,

and not to bleach it until she was ready to win.  Well, we all went around the

ring again and much to my surprise Gabriella was moved to the front, and we

got our first four points at 7 months, stained face and all!                 Gabriella

continued her winning streak as a puppy, so we decided to go to our first

AMA National Specialty, which was held in Seattle, Washington.  Her flashy

attitude earned her Best Junior in Sweeps.                Her puppy flash turned

into elegance that brought her Championship title                and her #5 Breed

Ranking.

            The International Show was held in Mexico City that year, and since

we were doing a lot of firsts, we couldn’t resist going.  She went Best of Breed

all four shows earning her Mexican and International Championships.  In

addition, she went Group 2               and Group 4,               and Montezuma did

not have his revenge!

           In spite of my naïveté, Gabriella had an incredible show career.  She

probably could have achieved even more with someone more experienced,

but we were very proud of our first Maltese that was completely owner

handled.  We had a wonderful time showing Gabriella and happily, she

stayed with us  just two week shy of her 18^th birthday.

           I was adamant in becoming a better handler and Joyce would

frequently let me “practice” on her dogs.

           After Gabriella’s wonderful career, there were some heartbreaks in

our lives so we decided to take some time to reflect.  It was extremely difficult

to be in two breeds, so our focus has shifted at present to Maltese only, but

we will always have a fond spot in our hearts for Yorkies.  In 2003, we got the

bug to start again with Maltese and Joyce shared with us two wonderful

bitches: Marcris Sweet Success               and Marcris Too Hot To Handle.

We have been so fortunate that Joyce has always shared the best she has had.

           We hope to continue the pursuit for healthy, sound, and pretty

Maltese that adhere to the breed standard and give assistance to newcomers

who will be the future guardians of our breed.

Club Memberships:

Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Club

The Maltese Club of Greater Miami