I would like to present the following dog as a nominee for the White German Shepherd Hall of Fame. Even though she was my dog, when you hear about her, certainly you'll agree she belongs in our White German Shepherd Hall of Fame.

Kentucky White Shayma, UD, TT-128, was born June 17, 1977. She died September 2, 1985. She had a beautiful snowwhite coat which I was often accused of "bleaching" by colored shepherd owners. She had a classic German Shepherd head that was always held high. Her nose was dark and her big intelligent dark eyes would glow "like black coals" when she was excited or animated which was most of the time.

Shayma entered her first obedience show (match) at age two. (She had her U.D. less than 2 years later with time out for a litter of puppies.) I was a novice and being my first show also, I was thrilled to walk away with a beautiful 3rd place trophy (3rd out of 43 dogs). She went on to gain her C.D. that summer, qualifying in four trials and winning the High Scoring German Shepherd in the Toledo all breed trial, (The third trial I goofed by lifting my chin when calling "come" on the recall exercise and was "N.Q." by the judge.) Shayma went on to compete in Open that same year and after clowning around her first two trials, gained her C.D.X. in three straight trials with a 2nd place, 1st place at a German Shepherd Specialty, and 4th place out of 30 plus dogs at an all breed obedience trial in Louisville, KY. She was shown many times in Open B, consistently qualifying with high scores, many 1st and 2nd places. She and I went into Utility without the benefit of a training club or trainer and errored our way through seven trials before claiming title to U.D. in three straight trails with a 2nd place and a 1st place with a High Combined in the Kentuckiana German Shepherd Specialty. To have come so far in less than two years (she was barely four) was remarkable I was told. Shayma continued to compete always qualifying, with many place winings. Her trophys fill many shelves. We were going to OTCH when she suffered a leg injury which put a stop to her jumping and further competition.

On July 27, 1980 at the age of three Shayma 1st time entered and passed the Temperament Test without "preliminary conditioning" and was awarded a TT Title by the American Temperament Test Society, Inc. The test consisted of 10 exercises with various requirements. Each exercise was scored 1-10 and a zero in any one exercise would mean the dog would fail the whole test. Not only did Shayma pass all, she scored very high in most of the exercises.

Shayma was asked for and made numerous public appearances and obedience demonstrations at parks, recreation centers, schools, malls, and churches. Many demonstrations were done for the 4-H, scouts, and general public. She loved the crowds and applause and would offer her paw to anyone in a friendly shake. She rehearsed several weeks to perform in a drill team for an Independence Day parade. She was a star in a play at my daughter's school, her performance was loved by all and "fans", both adults and children, flocked around afterward and clamored just to touch her.

Shayma always knew what I needed or what I wanted. People were constantly amazed that I talked to her and she responded instantly wheither it be "Shayma, bring my shoes," or "Shayma get both my leads, not just one", or "go to the car and stay", ever obedient. Every year she participated in our Easter Egg Hunt, making the kids squeal with laughter as she "found" the eggs no matter where they were hidden.

Once when my older brothers and sisters were frolicking in my father's pond, I was "thrown" out of the raft and she bit and pulled at me until I got my footing to climb out.

Another time when I was driving home from a Kennel Club meeting to which she always accompanied me and patiently waited in the car, I had had a couple of drinks past my tolerance, she, sensing something not right, climbed into the front seat and carefully watched me and the road and kept licking my cheek and whinning in my ear. This kept me alert and we made it home safely. The stories could go on and fill many pages.

Often she would return to the office with me when I had to work alone late in the evening and would carefully watch any visitor, ready to be friendly or protect and guard if the stranger appeared threatening. Her courage was proven when one night she drove off a would be thief and threatening intruder. After that I never went to the building after hours without her.

We worked with the Canine Police Corp. and learned about tracking and protection work. With participating in Schutzhund work with a local club, at age six she became proficient and a candidate for a Schutzhund I title. She worked in advanced tracking and TDX level and was certified in the spring of 1985 for her T.D. Shortly afterward the malignancy that eventually took her life was discovered. We finally found and entered a Tracking Trial. I lost her just days before the trial.

Her body lies on private property in the Kentucky woods she loved so much, marked by a monument that was dedicated to her memory by a friend who appreciated her accomplishments, and simply reads: SHAYMA My Friend, My Companion. There are no works to describe the beauty and wonder of this dog that touched every one who saw her, even the most avid, anti white German Shepherd person. Sincerely and thank you, Billie French