Who Is Kirby?

Sir Kirby Kingston Martin of Mississippi.  That’s his CKC registered fancy name for a brand new breed of dog in the making but that’s another story waiting to be written. We just call him Kirby or Kirby bear or rug rat or pretty boy or, well, you get the idea. 

I began my search for a new puppy and immediately decided what criteria this puppy had to meet. First, it had to be a dorkie which of course is in abundance in Mississippi right? Ha! Second, it had to be a male. For whatever reason I have always preferred female cats and male dogs. If there is any logic to that please enlighten me. And third, it had to have the black and tan markings of a yorkie, just so darn cute! 

So I began my search where else but on the internet. I discovered there were only a few dorkie breeders across the country. This new breed was a rare breed indeed, at least according to the selling prices. Even if I could afford one there would also be the additional cost of flying the poor creature to Mississippi.

Just as I concluded this was not meant to be I discovered Pampered Pets in Senatobia, Mississippi, just a two hour drive from here. Excited I called the number listed and spoke with the breeder, Donnell. She was great. They actually had a litter on the way and promised to keep me updated. I liked the fact she only bred two litters a year and nurtured the puppies in her home since the parents were family pets.  Not to mention she was more interested in finding good homes than making a lot of money so I could actually afford to purchase one. 

January 9, 2009. Just another ordinary day but for the fact my little Kirby (a whopping 3 ounces) was born. Three little boys and a girl. One male was chocolate brown but two had the black and tan markings.   Can you feel my excitement building?  When they were three weeks old a friend and I decided to take a drive to visit. 

Two adorable little boys to choose from.  We spent a few hours talking to Donnell and playing with the pups.  The first one (later named Reese by his adoptive mom) was such a pretty boy with long hair.  He was a bundle of energy, just wouldn’t be still for a second.  The other little guy was smaller and had shorter hair.  He was playful but also loved to snuggle.  Those dark brown eyes looked into mine and my heart adopted him that very day.  With a magic marker he was marked as mine.  Only three weeks until I could take him home! 

During those three weeks of waiting I did what every normal pet parent to be does.  I went shopping… a fluffy dog bed, a dog’s teddy bear, actually two, dog dishes, collar, leash, dog food, treats, a book on puppies, the usual stuff.  Since I couldn’t call him “Dog” (actually I could have but how original is that?) I started a list of names adding and then marking off until I was down to two names I really liked that were daughter approved.  Kirby or Kingston. 

Adoption Day!  Donnell wanted me to be sure I wanted the same pup so I took off  from work on Friday because a lady from Georgia was picking up her puppy on Saturday.   My daughter Tara and I drove to Senatobia that morning.  Tara really liked the other boy (fluffiest was the word she used) but the little snuggly one pulled at my heartstrings.  Guess my choice had been made three weeks earlier!  I adopted Kirby and we took him to his forever home. 

Now about that fancy name I mentioned in the beginning.  The “Dorkie” is a new hybrid breed being established by the CKC which meant we had to register our puppy.  When a dog is registered or certified he has a long special name so after a little thinking that’s the name we came up with.  I think it actually suits him.  So on paper Kirby is a very important little guy!  To us he’s just Kirby!