Storey was in conformation handling class one day when in walks Teresa Gier, long-time beagle breeder, with a darned cute red and white beagle puppy. "I'm looking for a junior showmanship home for this puppy," she says. Storey replied, "Well my son is in juniors, and my husband loves beagles -- will we do?" The plot was set in motion when, a few minutes later, Mike and Robby sauntered through the door. "Hey, Robby," said Storey, "why don't you handle this beagle pup in class for Teresa." Robby obligingly took the leash. Mike, on the sidelines was smitten immediately and Copperose's Qlick Decision came home that afternoon.
The junior showmanship thing didn't work out quite as planned. Qlick arrived at Black Rock in late February 2000. The four day local May shows were rapidly approaching. Qlick barely eeked out his six month birthday the week before the shows. As plans were made and entries filled out Mike announced he would be showing Qlick.
As luck would have it the first day's judge was pretty Qlickly smitten too. Mike and Qlick walked out of the ring with ribbons for Winner's Dog and Best of Winner's and a three point major. The rest of the history is still in the making.
Teresa had a new litter of beagles in November 2001. Mike, Storey, and Robby all trooped out to "look" at the litter which contained an unusually colored tan and white bitch. Teresa had plans for the bitch however and she didn't wind up at the Black Rock Kennels. No, hell had more fury in store than the tan and white could have ever hoped to provide. Another beagle bitch was in the whelping box. She was a few days older than Teresa's litter and came from another kennel to whom Teresa had sent a dog at stud. This bitch was the "puppy back" payment.She was pretty darn cute but very much in charge of the world and people around her. Only four weeks old at that point, there was no way to take her home.
A month later Storey was judging at the Amarillo Kennel Club show in Texas. Teresa was there and had the litter traveling with her and the show string. The pup was still pretty darn cute -- and still very much in charge. Just what the world needs -- bossy beagle bitches.
Storey "suggested" to Mike he contact Teresa and have another look at the tri-colored bitch. Mike went to visit and the bitch came home with him. Now, what to name her?
Storey does all the dog naming because Mike wants to name every new dog "Killer." Storey wanted a "Q" name to go with "Qlick." The only thing that came to mind were the subatomic particles, quarks. But the bitch was far too cute to be called Quark. Fortunately, there are six types of quarks -- Up, Down, Top, Bottom, Strange, and "Charm."
Like many beagles, Charm is totally enamored with the sound of her melodious voice. She backtalks anyone who disciplines her with impunity. Her saving grace is her incredibly sweet nature. Charm has not yet blessed the show world with her presence, but she will. Heaven help us all when she starts to realize the applause is for her.
