We are Renata, Maria & Juan Carlos De Luna. In 2003, before we got married, Juan Carlos showed huge interest for the Show Dogs, but it was until 2006, alongside Maria, that we started to work really hard to try to get the best Poms. As many "newbies" we paid a high price to get inside the Show Dog World, acquiring several Poms that weren't reflecting what we were paying and sadly were not the quality we were looking for.
In 2007, during the World Dog Show held in Mexico City, we fell in love with two Poms owned by our beloved friend Luisa Leon from Peru: Ch. Starfire's Casanova & Ch. Starfire's Mamasita. We already know about the fame and reputation of Starfire's Poms, but until that day we only knew their dogs in pictures.
The day after this show ended we decided to contact Starfire's Poms, aware of the few chances that a couple of newbies had to be trusted with one of their Poms. From that moment on our life turned 180 degrees. Against all odds, Tony & Fabian entrusted us with Starfire's Just The Beginning "Schumi" (Maria's most beloved Pom).
In few months a great friendship grew between us and Tony & Fabian. Both of them became our mentors, teaching us every single thing we know about this breed and the Show Dog World. Without Tony's and Fabian's patience, love and trust, this story wouldn't exist.
By the end of the 2008 APC National Specialty Tony & Fabian had a huge surprise for us: Ch. Starfire's Odiame Mas "Enzo". In only 3 months Enzo became the winningest dog (all breed) in Mexico history in the 6 to 9 month category, winning 18 times Best Puppy in Show. Also, Enzo achieved twice what perhaps is one of the most difficult achievements in the Show Dog World; winning back to back All Breed Best in Shows from the classes at only 7 months of age. Thanks to Tony, Fabian & Enzo what once was only a dream had became a reality.
Unfortunately Enzo became one more victim of the cancer that's destroying our breed, Alopecia X, better known as BSD (Black Skin Disease). A huge career for a great dog had to end too soon. With a broken hard we only found consolation in our friends and mentors, whom, fortunately, were ALWAYS sincere with us. From that moment we decided to become part of Tony's and Fabian's efforts towards eradicating this cancer from our breed.
This efforts have started to reflect in some our Poms: Ch. Starfire's Lazarito and Ch. Starfire's Bling Bling "Pancho" are the living example that with sacrifice, common sense and sincerity we can eradicate little by little this disease from our breed. Lazarito became # 1 Pom in Mexico in 2010 and Pancho followed his steps in 2011, becoming # 1 Pom with limited showing.
The road is still long and we can't think that BSD has been eradicated from our blood lines. Only the achievements we have reached and the broken hearts we have suffered will help us to continue to breed Poms that will always stand in the crowd, but mostly, that they are healthy, free of BSD Poms.