Origins

Kirby & Project Wonder Coton

In 2003, there was Kirby. He was just a little fluffy dog.

Kirby was faster than I ever imagined a little fluffy dog could ever be.

Kirby was stronger that I ever imagined a little fluffy dog could ever be.

Kirby was tougher, more charismatic, more fearless, and cooler than I ever imagined a little fluffy dog could ever be. Over 16 years, he smashed every stereotype and broke every barrier that there ever was about what little dogs are supposed to be. There wasn’t a thing that he wasn’t good at. But it wasn’t because he was Kirby. He was Kirby.
But he was a Coton de Tuléar. He was a dog. He proved that dogs of every shape and size deserve every opportunity to thrive and strive.

 His friends and fans affectionately called him Kirby D. Wonder Coton. 

Because of Kirby, there were more. 

Because of Kirby, there was Holly.

Holly was a slight and speedy, just-a-pet dog. Her pink, pigment-lacking skin, gave her a signature look, as well as made her a target for allergies, abrasions, and autoimmune disease- ultimately stumping the best veterinary specialists in the country, and cutting her life painfully short. She was unassuming, and a perfect sidekick to create my first pair of Cotons. It was chaos, but it was my chaos. 

 Because of Kirby, there was Fat Dog.

Fat Dog was delivered to our home after she was dropped off to be euthanized for her host of physical & mental struggles. A ten pound dog, for Behavioural Euthanasia.
Fat Dog had no favourite toys, no favourite snacks, no leash experience, and no response to her name, but did have a lot of unfavourites, and a medical and behavioral record two inches thick. She was the epitome of a dog unsuitable for the home she had been purchased by- a place where her stimulation & training needs had not been met, where she had survived, but never thrived.
This combined with the unstable genes that she’d been dealt, escalated her to a worst-case-scenario. She was silly to look at, and a plethora of study material. Fat Dog even became an original source dog to help UC Davis identify a intervertebral disc disease risk factor gene, and subsequently, the test which is now readily available for all breeders and fanciers.
Against all odds, Fat Dog squeaked out ten bonus years as the dog that turned my Cotons into a collection.  They weren’t perfect years, but they were safe years.
I wouldn’t have traded her for the world, nor would I have wished her on anyone. 

Because of Kirby, there is Peekaboo.

One day, after a long day of work, I accidentally brought home a little dog with no eyes. We named her Peekaboo the Blind Puppy, affectionately PB the BP. Since I was waiting for my next sport prospect, my intention was to keep Peekaboo safe until the right family was found for her.  That tiny blind dog immediately launched herself from ‘the dog I didn’t think I wanted’, to ‘the dog that I didn’t know I needed’. Earning title after title, and naysaying human perceptions of disability, Peekaboo is unapologetically herself.  She is a Coton de Tuléar. She wears her ambassador badge boldly, leading every adventure, including: trialing amongst able-bodied dogs, campaigning charity fundraisers and seminars, and pushing everyone around her to be their very best. 

Each pack member has brought personality and fulfillment in their perfect imperfections. More importantly, each individual taught me something new about what makes a great dog, and what makes a great breed; and what makes a well-bred dog, and how damaging poor breeding practices can be. 

I learned how easily human shortcomings and greed can fail a dog and its quality of life- and that from conception and earlier, every human action and interaction has a influence to steer the future of an individual dog and the future of an entire breed. I learned that what a dog is today is the cumulation of all the choices made in his life and before his life.  

I learned about a breed that isn’t perfect for everyone, but is perfect to me. The Coton de Tuléar: a breed versatile beyond my wildest dreams. It is a breed with unique personality that makes them a connected teammate, and a breed with unique body-type and exceptional body awareness, designed for speed and precision. It is a breed with the highest factor of livability, combined with drive and confidence for every adventure.
It is a breed that I love and care deeply about, and a breed that deserves better.
It is a breed that, when ‘done right’ will fill every purpose, and every heart.

But someone needs to do it right.

I learned that pure breeds need support from people if they are going to maintain their integrity, strength, and success. I learned that it is the responsibility of breeders, exhibitors, owners, and ambassadors to do everything within their power to ensure a stable quality of life for dogs now and in the future.  

Because of Kirby, there is Mo, Peekaboo, Fig, Feta, and every dog that ever was, or ever will be a part of our pack and program.

Because of Kirby, there is Project Wonder Coton