Ruger wins Best of Breed at the Lakeland Winter-Haven Kennel Club Show .
" WHEN IT GETS DOWN TO IT , HE ' s JUST A BIG PUP WHO WANTS TO run and play ... and maybe show off a little ."
“ He loves being in the ring ,” says Suzanne . “ He comes alive and when you watch him go around the ring with his handler , it ’ s like he ’ s floating on air . We can ’ t let him see us when he ’ s in the ring because , if he does , it ’ s like , ‘ Mom and Dad !’”
Meanwhile , what does Grand Champion Ruger enjoy most when he ’ s not in the ring ? Long walks , a lot of dock diving , tennis ball retrieving , and a good workout and soak in the cool-off tub at Latitude Margaritaville ’ s Barkaritaville dog park . The Bradys say that they are looking forward to taking Ruger to Barkaritaville Pet Spa when he retires from his show career and no longer has his own personal groomer .
Even with all of the fuss , Ruger doesn ’ t put on airs . “ He loves everybody ,” says Suzanne . She adds that their Latitude Margaritaville neighbors love him right back , and always stop to say hello to him . We took him to downtown Savannah to a street fair . A little boy with Down syndrome came up to Ruger and he let him put his arms around him and love on him . His next career may be a therapy dog .”
When it gets down to it , he ’ s just a big pup who wants to run and play … and maybe show off a little . Some call him Rockstar and Rockin ’ Ruger but when it gets right down to it , to James and Suzanne , Grand Champion Stoneridge Shot Through the Heart is just their boy Ruger .