AKC/Eukanuba National Championship: Cheryl Coe, An Inspiration

In early 2008, dog show participant and advocate Cheryl Coe found herself in dire straits; that year, Coe was forced to undergo a strenuous 14-hour surgery to remove a large benign brain tumor. Later that year, Coe was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and fought the cancer through chemotherapy treatments.

As an avid dog show participant, Coe began to wonder if and when she would ever return to the show ring. Overcoming the odds, she eventually accomplished that goal, finally becoming strong enough to return in June of 2010.

With the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Show set to air next month, Petside took the opportunity to talk to Coe about her participation in dog shows, her long road back to the show ring and how her animals helped her get through one of the most trying times of her life.

Petside: What first inspired your love of showing dogs?

Cheryl Coe: I have owned dogs my entire life (various breeds), but after purchasing my first Dalmatian I have had no other.  I first started showing my dogs when I was encouraged to show my Dalmatian. Truthfully, I got hooked to the sport after my first win.

Petside: What about the show ring do you like best / did you miss most while you were recovering from cancer and brain surgery?

Coe: I really missed competing and, whether winning or losing, the satisfaction I get in knowing that my dogs and I have done our best.

Petside: How did your dogs positively affect your recovery from cancer and return to the show ring?

Coe: Actually, the recovery from the 14-hour brain surgery took much longer than from the cancer surgery and chemotherapy.  However, my dogs and the desire to show them gave me a goal. Even when I was unable to show the dogs myself, I asked friends to show them for me. This goal of showing my dogs again kept me focused on my recovery and in turn my eventual return to the ring.

Petside: What did it mean to finally have the opportunity to get back in the ring?

Coe: In the beginning of 2010, I finally felt strong enough to try my hand in the show ring.  In June 2010, CherMar Dancing with the Stars ("Star") won her first point (in the Bred By Exhibitor class). I was thrilled! There were no further wins for four months, but I stayed focused on my goal. Then in October, Star won back to back Best of Breeds over four specials to earn her two majors. It was one of the most, if not THE most exciting weekend of my life! It proved I really was competitive again, and I had a part of my life that had been missing back.

Petside: What is it about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship that separates it from other dog shows you've competed in?

Coe: This is the second AKC/Eukanuba show I have competed in; the first in 2005 with Star's Dam, CH Star Run CherMar ATLS Red Clover ("Clover"). What separates it from other shows I have competed in is the fact that 1.) entry is by invitation only and 2.) all the dogs are AKC Champions of Record. Therefore, the top dogs from all around the country are in attendance. Truly, the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is very thrilling!

Tune in to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship when it airs on ABC on Saturday, February 4, 2012!