Introduction by June J. Fox
Illustrations by JBF Illustrations

FOXHUNT EISENHOWER CD, SE
Owner: Carol Perkins

I'm very proud of Ike's accomplishments because they certainly don't come easy for him! He's a dog with great enthusiasm but a short attention span and very little self-control. He likes to please, but it's so hard for him. He means well and I love him for that. He's now working on an agility title and, with a little luck; he'll be in next year's lineup of Cracker Jack Award winners.

CH SUFREDON JEZABELLE AT TTESWOOD, JE
Owners: Darci Lea Brown, Lori Capron Ferguson, Kathleen DuFour

Jezabelle is an English import Smooth Fox Terrier bitch, brought here after Lori Ferguson saw her at Crufts several years back. She has lived in the Clark-DuFour home for most of her time in the United States. Jezabelle earned her American Championship with the assistance of Liz Tobin, who recognized her as a bitch with unique qualities.

Jezabelle has produced a litter of 6 puppies in her short stay here. From that litter came CH Wexford's Prom Queen, JE.

Jezabelle has an extremely intense personality making her earthdog trials a pleasure to attend. She is an intense hunter and, if she gets the chance, is an efficient killer of small furry creatures. Jezabelle definitely can do what this breed was bred to do.

She will be working on her Senior Earthdog Title this summer.

CH WEXFORD'S PROM QUEEN, JE
Owner: Kathleen M. DuFour

Winnie is our first homebred Smooth Fox Terrier. A true bouncing bundle of puppy enthusiasm, even now, as she turns 3 years old.

Winnie started her show career by winning the New England Terrier Club match at the age of 3 months. Her first show produced a Best Of Breed and her second show resulted in a major. She finished with three majors to her credit and a specialty sweepstakes win beyond that.

Winnie's next challenge was earthdog trials; however, my cheerleader just couldn't put it together at the trials. At home she'd run through the tunnels and work with a window-shattering bark. When she got to the trials we couldn't even qualify in Intro. This went on all summer. It was one lonnnng summer for all of us.

Then one day when Winnie and one of the other bitches were coming through the barn they were told they could hunt. This was the time of year when rodents start to show up. After a while I took the other bitch in and left Winnie behind until I had the other bitch crated. When I came back, I couldn't find Winnie. Now, old barns have a way of collecting a lot of "stuff." Because of that, I couldn't see or hear Winnie right off the bat. When I finally located her I tried to entice her to come back out the way she went in, but, she wouldn't come.

After much debating, I decided I had to start digging her out of her den of "stuff", without letting anything collapse on her. Just as I started to do this Winnie started barking and continued until I could finally see her. Then she headed straight for the hole in the floor as she had been trained for earthdog trials: when you see the rat, you bark. She evidently had the rat in her sights and she barked for the entire 10 minutes that it took me to uncover her.

Eventually, in time, that rat was dispatched. And Winnie, while she didn't actually kill the rat, walked around with it in her mouth just "pleased as punch" with her kill. Winnie then proceeded to earn her Junior Earthdog Title in two consecutive trials.

Winnie has since retired to be the loving pet to two wonderful children. She is missed, but she's living the good life now.

U-CH EVEWIRE PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE, ME, CG, CGC
Owner: Karen L. Watts

Pattie came to me from Eve Ballich. I had asked Eve to select a pup that I would be able to compete with in several disciplines. (I wasn’t asking for much!) Thanks to Eve’s wisdom – Pattie became part of our family. Pattie and I have tried our hand in many types of events.

She was a “natural” in earthdog events earning titles in both AKC & AWTA events. She was the second terrier in our state to earn her Master Earthdog title. Pattie also loves competing in lure coursing and terrier racing events held by local clubs in our area. She has also done well in the breed ring. Due to a lack of competition in our area, I also registered her with the UKC (United Kennel Club) as another venue for competition. There, she finished her Champion title easily with several breed wins and a Group 2.

Pattie and I are currently “in training” to earn her Companion Dog title in obedience. If I can squeeze in the training time, I’d also like to do agility with her.

Pattie is a terrific little bitch that seems to be able to handle anything that I “throw” her into. Pattie’s son & daughter have also earned Versatility Awards, keeping it “all in the family.” None of this would have been possible for me without the help of Eve Ballich, a great breeder, mentor, and friend. Thanks Eve! Also, thank you AFTC for offering these awards.

U-CH BRYAR-ROSE HEAVENS TO BETSIE, JE
Owners: Karen and Bill Watts

Betsie is the daughter of my Evewire bitch, Pattie. She is a lot like her mother in that she has “natural” hunting instincts, and seems willing to try anything. This bitch is fearless - (which sometimes gets her into trouble!) She earned her Junior Earthdog title when she was just over 6 months old.

Betsie is also competing in the breed ring in both AKC and UKC. She earned her UKC Champion title in just a few shows with Group 3 & Group 4 wins. She loves terrier races and has worked some in agility and obedience. We have recently started working with ”clicker training” and are having a lot of fun with it! (We are working on trying to get her to focus on me instead of anything and everything else.) The clicker training is helping with this. I am planning to work on Betsie’s SE title next with hopes of starting her in tracking in the spring.

It has been a real “kick” working with my Wires in the different disciplines. They are a joy (and a challenge) to work with. Now, we’ll start working towards that Cracker Jack Award!

CH HALCAR BELLE STARR JE, CGC
Owner: Jean Hale

CH Halcar Belle Starr JE, CGC, is my special girl. She was a singleton puppy which, in itself, makes her a very special Wire. Starr was on the move from the minute she was born. She was a true test to her mom, CH Halcar Annabelle CGC. She was also the first of her Sire's (CH Foxfarm Black Bart) progeny to finish. Starr finished her Championship at a year of age, her JE at two and her CGC at three. I am hoping to have time to sharpen her obedience skills some time in the next year.

I have to be honest and say it didn't take any training for her JE. She was a born hunter. All I needed to do was give her some direction and she received her JE at her first two trials.

Starr also had a litter in February 2002, four girls and one boy, by CH Brookhaven To Boldly Go. And, two of her kids are in show homes.
I am proud to carry on the tradition that my mom, Carol Wainwright, started with the Cracker Jack Awards.

VCD2 FOXWELL'S RED ROCKET RANDALL, CDX, MX, MXJ, SE, TD, U-CD, CGC/TDI, OAC, NJC, NGC
Owner: Dena Lebo Funk VMD

Randall and I are very pleased to be recognized for our achievements during this past year with the Cracker Jack Award, honoring the memory of Carol Wainwright's CH Halcar Cracker Jack CDX, CG. Though I did not adopt Randall with the intent to perform, our desire to do everything together has lead us to explore a variety of sports in the past eight years. Randall, always keen to run our fields in search of wild “victims” with our Master Earthdog, Josie, was not introduced to tunnels until last year when I believed he was confident enough to work alone and be successful. He was ready! Our close relationship and all of our prior teamwork training seemingly enabled this once shy and easily stressed creature to blossom with the confidence needed to earn the Junior and Senior titles with relative ease. Anyone who has had the experience of taking a shrieking, whining, writhing Fox Terrier to the starting line of an earthdog test has known the feeling of pure joy felt at the moment the dog is finally free and racing to the tunnel entrance. It is what I remember and treasure most about Randall's earthdog work.

CH SILVERGLEN BLACKOUT, UD, WC, TT
Owners: Liz Battista, Jim Moore

Rascal has once again proven what a rare and special girl she is, by just recently completing her Utility Dog title (September, 2002).

I'm fairly certain that there have been less than 10 Smooth Fox Terriers who have ever added the "UD" to their name. Rascal managed to earn 3 legs in a total of 9 attempts -- a pretty outstanding pass rate for a class that is often referred to as "futility" rather than "utility."

To put the icing on the cake, Raz completed her title with placements on every leg, including her "insurance" leg -- she brought home a 4th, a 3rd, and two 2nd placements. Better yet, Rascal is only 5 years old, and we plan to continue on towards the "Utility Dog Excellent" title.

CH ALJAMAR COOL 'N CALCULATING JE, NA, TDI, CGC, HC
Owners: Judy Warling, Marilyn Laschinski

What can I say about working with Susie to earn her titles? I have to say that Susie is one of the world's laziest Wire Fox Terriers that I have ever owned. She will do things at her own pace and you cannot hurry her. She finished her Novice Agility title with a perfect run but 5 seconds over time. She likes to run the courses, but, in slow motion.

The only thing she really likes is to be a mother. She will foster anything that is a baby. To date, she has fostered: 1 Australian Terrier, 8 Miniature Schnauzers, 2 Bearded Collies and 2 kittens. And, when her sister has a litter of pups Susie will go into the whelping crate and try to nurse those pups when Gabby is not in there.

Once, when we were out hunting, the dogs found a mother possum and dispatched it. We found 13 kits in her pouch. Susie pulled them out and curled around them. She would not let the other dogs near them and tried to encourage them to nurse on her. Susie may not show off much in the competition rings, but she should get "Mother Of The Year Award" along with her Cracker Jack Award!

CEDARBRIAR EAGLE FLIES, NA, JE, CD, CDX, UD, U-CD, U-CDX
Owner: Bonnie E. Lovell

Dolly, at age 10-1/2, has not slowed down. We earned our Junior Earthdog (JE) title in the fall of 2001. This has qualified us for the Cracker Jack Award. She does keep me young with all her enthusiasm!

CH HALCAR MAD ABOUT YOU NA, JE CGC
Owner: Samantha Ziegenmeyer

When I first started looking at puppies, I looked at a number of breeds. But, I kept coming back to the wire. Once in my home, I often wondered why I chose him. It is in part due to an elegant look that can, at times, look like a clown. It is in part also due to a serious, even intense, worker who can really show you how to kick back and have fun. The most important part is that my wire has become a loyal companion who gives to the relationship much more than he takes. My thanks to his breeder, Carol Wainwright, who put together the total package.

Smooth Fox Terriers

CH FOXHUNT AINTREE, CD, ME, TD
Owner: Carol Perkins

Diana is both my first Tracking Dog and my first Applause Award winner. She is also the dam of a specialty Winners Bitch. Earthdog Trials are her favorite thing and everything else she did just because I asked her. Her most exceptional quality is her temperament. She is the most well behaved dog in my house! She gets along with everyone, doesn't chew, almost never barks and mostly does what I ask her to. She is 10 years old now and retired from competition, but is still the "'queen" of the household. I thank her for all she's taught me over the years.

CH FOXHUNT MONTGOMERY, AX, AXJ, CD, JE
Owner: Carol Perkins

Don't tell the rest of my dogs, but Monty is my special boy. It's amazing to me that he has accomplished what he has. He's a spooky, fearful dog, but he's really quite handsome and has gained more confidence as he's achieved more. He's a real testimonial to what training and competing can do for a dog. We still have to avoid the big, hairy, scary dogs when we make our way to the agility ring. But when he comes out of that ring after having a great run his confidence is sky high and he's not afraid of anyone.

We've had such fun over the last few years and we really are best buddies. He's eight years old now, but we're giving tracking a try. Hopefully we'll have enough time to get that last title. Whatever happens, he's still the best "snuggler" in the house!

VCD2 FOXWELL'S RED ROCKET RANDALL, CDX, MX, MXJ, SE, TD, U-CD, CGC/TDI, OAC, NJC, NGC
Owner: Dena Lebo Funk VMD

Randall and I are proud to be recognized for our obedience, agility, earthdog and tracking achievements. As a teammate and the best friend I've ever had, there are no words to effectively express what Randall means to me. But, I can talk about our work together. I want to have as many experiences with Randall as I can. So, it seems we have ended up doing just about every sport that we can together. We seem to thrive on cross training because it is particularly challenging and requires tremendous patience, planning, thought and care.

We maximize our time together and strengthen our relationship by doing most all of our learning alone. Since we work alone and I've never trained any dog before, I rely almost exclusively on Randall for feedback on my teaching. This forces me to always put him first. That is probably why he believes my entire world revolves around him!

By putting our focus on enjoying each other and having fun, we don't suffer disappointment and are very patient about reaching goals. We trained for three years before entering a tracking test and I relish every minute spent getting that TD, more than the TD itself.

Randall and I still have a few more goals ahead. We are now showing in Utility level Obedience, continuing Agility showing and plan to work on Master Earthdog and TDX Tracking skills. Our desire remains to work and train together as long as we both continue to enjoy it.

CH Dalraida’s Rune of Heyglin, JE, CD, AX, AXJ, CGC
Owners: Norman and Erin W. Orr

Rooney is a marvelous girl! Like many a Wire, her focus can stray while doing performance activities, but she demonstrates her trainability in her many great performances in agility. Almost all of her agility legs have been placement legs. Most are first place legs. She is the first Breed Champion Wire to earn EITHER of the Excellent Agility titles. And, she has BOTH the AX and AXJ!

Rooney has a fine temperament, displaying tolerance for doing performance activities without stress. In other words, she is a good sport! She most enjoys being out and about at events, meeting the crowd and scarfing freebie treats.

She has recently had the opportunity to "mother" a very young rescue and proved herself fully up to the job! She now has a devoted "daughter" that is allowed to pester her only to a certain extent. She lives in a five-dog household, including three Wire bitches, a Sealy bitch and a Mini Schnauzer dog. All get along very well and eagerly anticipate training sessions, while generally spending time indoors roaming freely throughout the house. One of two with "bed" privileges, Rooney does enjoy that status and spends her nights cuddled with her humans and under the covers.