At the age of 17 my family adopted an adult Weimaraner, my first dog and my first pure bred. Before that, I had mostly cats in my life and soon learned the difference a dog can make in ones life or a family’s life.

As a young adult I acquired a collie mix puppy that would end up being my constant companion until her death at the age of 8. She developed neurological problems and parting with her was one of the hardest things to do.

Years later, my husband [John] and I decided that in our combined family we should have a dog. John had always had a pure bred and since I had both, I could already see the difference and thought it was a good idea. We had many discussions of what breed and finally a day came when we both fell for a Pekingese that we named Sandy.

We became great fans of the Westminster shows or any show that was televised, also noticing that our Sandy really didn’t look like the Peke’s in the show ring. Since both of us worked, eventually we thought Sandy needed a day time companion and low and behold, there was Chin Chin, our first Chin. We bought books about both the breeds and as Chin Chin continued to grow and grow, it certainly seemed odd that he did not fit the description in the books. To this day, he has been a wonderful companion. Sandy went over the rainbow bridge at the age of 6 and Chin Chin was so sad, and so were we. We began to look on the web for a companion for him and found a Japanese Chin female that was born the day after Sandy had passed away. We thought this was truly meant to be and we purchased her to soon come via air plane.

Kai-Ling as she became to be known as, is our first show chin. She is now nearly 10 years old. She not only accomplished her championship but 4 of her 5 offspring were also finished. She brought us Carla Jo as a handler and then a wonderful friend. She brought us Bob and Sue Spencer as friends as well, and many others that we have met along the way.

I have been a member of the JCCA since 2001. I have been to at least 7 Specialty’s and have volunteered for numerous committees including ByLaws, Code of Ethics and Awards Chairman for the Massachusetts specialty.  I was nominated and elected to the Board, then filled a vacancy of Secretary of which I served for 3 years. 

I truly love this breed, they are a wonderful companion and just so full of love that all you can do is reciprocate. I cannot imagine a day without them to greet me. There is nothing like coming home to those woo woo’s that they are so famous for.

My hope is for the success of this club, not only for the members, but for those others that own and love Chin that we have touched. By being here as a group, we can be there for education and assistance to new owners as well as those that have had the breed for many years.

All I can say is “Lets go on with the Show”………

Sue Ann Pietros 

OK, before anyone starts to wonder: I'm not as old as a dirt as I tell people.  I started showing Dobermans in 1957 and so sometimes in dog show terms, I feel pretty old. I was 11 years old!  At that time, I clearly remember Sari Tietjen because she had big braids and showed her mother's toy dogs in the actual breed ring. That was a big deal, because I was only allowed to show my Dobe in Juniors! I did sometimes get sent in the breed ring with a dog that was supposed to be point fodder.  And yes, even then I might win something I wasn't supposed to! Hehehee...Can you figure I was always very competitive?

I saw my first Salukis back then and was determined to have one. My first Saluki came with my first job and apartment in 1969. Yes, I said apartment! Boy was that a mess! Well anyway here I am forty years later and I still have Salukis. I also have successfully bred Whippets and am one of the "founders" of Portuguese Water Dogs. I have had Top Ten, Top Producers, Best in Show, Best in Specialty, High in Trial, and Best in Field dogs in these breeds. I have also shown Borzoi and Italian Greyhounds.

But I'm sure you care more about my writing background that makes me suited to be editor of the Chin Spin. I graduated college with a BA in English. I worked for 13 years as a buyer for a department store in NY. I started writing for the public in the 1980s. During that time I was the AKC Gazette columnist for PWDs. After that stint, I was the AKC Gazette columnist for Salukis. All during the 1980s, I published my own breed magazine for PWDs called "The Navigator." By 1991, I started a Saluki magazine called "The Classic Saluki" which I closed down last year. I am presently in the middle of a series of articles on the American Saluki for the English Saluki Club magazine. I just have included two articles in the newest El Camino Champions book for Salukis. I love studying pedigrees and love doing historical research.

I really did my homework before getting my first Chin. I went to six National Specialties, studied pedigrees, and found a person who has been nice enough to share the breed with me. I enjoy the process of trying to breed very good dogs.  So I hope you all are as interested in sharing my search in researching "all things Chin."

Please be prepared to share a bio on some of your foundation dogs, top producers,and memorable winners. I will be doing profiles for the Chin Spin that I hope the club keeps in its archives.

Good luck to the club!