Multi-Group Winning & Placing, Veteran BIS, Multi-BIF, Norwegian CH, AKC GCHB DC Mia Bakhu Risky Business of Hallam, RN, MC, LCX3, LCM2, V-FCh, CGC, CA, HIC, GRC, VCX, ROM
How do I commemorate a dog that gave me the world? 13 years, 3 months, and 1 day – it doesn’t seem like long enough and we just weren’t ready to lose him. My mind still hasn’t come to terms that he’s gone. I’m grateful for the time we had and all our adventures, snuggles, and endless love between that dash.
The Caymanator, K-man, Cay-monster, Caymie, our handsome boy. He lived life on his terms and we were lucky enough to be his people.
I didn’t plan on getting Cayman, he was gifted to me by Robert Newman and Pam Haig. And if you know them, you don’t say no…although I tried. From the moment I met him, I knew he was special. I flew him home from Knoxville, and Matt was instantly smitten (he didn’t want another PH!) Their bond was palpable: he was Matt’s favorite and Caymie adored him beyond measure. He spent many hours willing watching golf with Matt.
For about 9 months, Cayman could do a perfect show stack but offered no other behaviors. Then daycare showed him a treat he deemed worthy, and he demonstrated his many tricks. He was so smart. He attended daycare until he was almost 3, despite being intact. He played so nicely with all the dogs, and loved the water slide.
He could open drawers and doors, which meant puppyhood was filled with chewed socks, the left heel of all my black sandals, and my mother in law’s Danskos. He slept on the bed, nestled in his spot, from the time I brought him home. I thought he was opening the kennel on his own, only to find out Matt was taking him out so he could sleep on the bed.
He was a consummate counter surfer that rivaled my Weims – even managing to nab our neighbors foot long meatball sub when the painter accidentally left our gate open. He loved to short sheet beds and toss couch pillows on the floor.
Together, we traveled to 49 states and 6 countries… showing and coursing along the way. He never met a stranger. He had so many wonderful doggie friends, including Karma the Vizsla and Blueberry the Ibizan whom he traveled with often. He loved everyone, especially kids. He comforted people and children as a therapy dog and brought so much joy.
Caymie was destined to be a show dog, earning his first of many group placements at 6 months of age after going BOB over specials. He had a phenomenal show career, with his first year as a special with Trent Wilkinson and his second year with Brian Livingston. He won veteran dog at many specialities, most recently in April of this year. He was handled by many of my friends over the years, recently Lynn Miller piloted him to BOB, and his last time in the ring was with Heather Bakko.
My favorite win was Robert handling him to veteran dog and the Final Cut in 2018 at the national in Kentucky, reprising their role from the 2011 national where Robert handled Cayman to his championship – he loved his grandpa and always gave him the biggest smile. He won stud dog countless times at the specialties, and veteran dog/best veteran. He barely had any gray hair. My proudest moment was his veteran Best in Show, although the one time he deigned to take an obstacle in agility at a national was a close second. Showing has never been my thing, yet Cayman made it fun and he’d drag you to the ring, eager to strut his stuff. Every time I piloted him in the veteran ring, I’d tear up – he loved the applause and his admirers, but he loved that spin around the ring evermore.
The coursing field is where Cayman shined! He was a natural and completely insane for the plastic bunny. He set many coursing records and remains the only Pharaoh to be #1 AKC & ASFA in the same year. He held ASFA #1 for 3 years in a row, only to be bested by his son. He retired as #14 on the ASFA Lifetime Top 20. He loved to chase that bag, and his zeal for coursing meant he didn’t want to let go of the bunny once he caught it! I often had to bite his tail to get him to release it.
The one time I stupidly stood in his way of his prey, he broke my leg. I proudly bear the line burn scars from his enthusiasm. Always up for a car ride, Caymie enjoyed tagging along with his “brothers” for their coursing adventures as he got older, and he’s still bark at the bag. We let him chase the slow bunny, and he’d rip that bag to shreds.
At one national, at Lake Matthews in California, I entered him in the triathlon which meant we got to grace the Beginner Novice obedience ring. Never mind that it was outside – he nailed it, until the off leash heel… which he promptly bolted over the ring gate, down the hill, and into the lake to chase the ducks. While he could complete the exercises, it was on his terms! Which meant if it wasn’t fun, he was out.
On one of our many adventures, Cayman and I hitchhiked in Sweden to get a rental car. We drove all around the countryside, into Stockholm, and then toured some museums. I’m sure he’s the star of many tourist’s photos.
Cayman’s accomplishments and shenanigans aside, he loved Matt best. He’d cry for Matt to take him on walks every single day at 11am, and Matt would oblige.
I’ll miss his tap dance for walks, foot stomp for cookies, and head butts into my chest for snuggles. Cayman groans were unbeatable. And I swear I can still hear them.
He went out on his own terms, snuggled with Matt. I cannot believe my best boy is gone. He was my first group placing, first group winner, first LCX, first top ranked in conformation, and first number one coursing dog. His legacy lives on in his 17 kids and 36 (and counting!) grandkids. I’m lucky to share my home with 2 sons and 1 grandson. Rest well handsome. Love you forever and thank you for one amazing ride.
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