CJ Kilkenny was born more than 15 years ago, on a cold winter morning in a huge, drafty building at a dog show in Puyallup, Washington. We were waiting for our turn in the Novice obedience ring and the entry ahead of us was the smallest dog I had ever seen doing formal obedience work. He had his eyes riveted on his handler and he was giving one hundred percent of his mind and body to please her. He was working his little heart out.

Of course it was a little Yorkshire Terrier with his coat cut into an all-business, working-dog look. My love affair with the breed began that moment.