We never dreamed we'd be able to have a dog...
Hi there! My name is Jo Trapp. Most of my life, I dreamed of being able to have a dog, but after several attempts by my parents to make this happen for me as I was growing up, I resigned to the fact that I would never be able to snuggle and share my life with one. My allergies to animals with hair made it a life threatening endeavor by triggering my asthma.
I grew up, Married and had 3 great kids. Not wanting to deprive them of the experience of a dog, we adopted a dog that was "dropped off" in our neighborhood. Her "house" was our screened porch. She had free reign of the porch and fenced back yard. My kids grew up playing with Maddie and she added so much to our family. I Couldn't play with her, just pat her on the head and then go back inside to wash my hands. That was the extent of my relationship with her. In my heart, I just wanted to bury my face in hers and give her lots of kisses... At 10 years old, sweet Maddie went over the Rainbow bridge. she left a big hole in our hearts. We had only one child left at home and at age 13, it made no sense to look for another dog because in a few short years, she would be gone and living on her own too. No one would be left to play with the dog who was destined to live in our back yard.
While watching the Westminster Dog Show, I saw what looked like an almost hairless dog and wondered if they might be ones I could tolerate in the house. I looked for and went to visit Chinese Cresteds, Xoloitzcuintlis and found I was still allergic to them. My daughter continued to research and found the American Hairless Terrier. I'd never heard of them and in 2001 they were pretty rare and just starting to seek recognition as a hairless Rat Terrier in the United Kennel Club. After searching, I found a family that had them and they agreed to let me come to do an allergy test at their house. After 3 hours of kissing, hugging, and letting them lick me all over my face, I started crying tears of joy! I couldn't believe that I might actually be able to have a dog in my house!
As fate would have it, they had just had their first litter of AHTs and in 8 weeks, we took our girl Libby home with us to live. For the first time in my life, I really knew what it's like to love, and be loved by man's best friend. This was the year 2001.
16 years later, we continue to enjoy these amazing dogs through breeding and showing.
I grew up, Married and had 3 great kids. Not wanting to deprive them of the experience of a dog, we adopted a dog that was "dropped off" in our neighborhood. Her "house" was our screened porch. She had free reign of the porch and fenced back yard. My kids grew up playing with Maddie and she added so much to our family. I Couldn't play with her, just pat her on the head and then go back inside to wash my hands. That was the extent of my relationship with her. In my heart, I just wanted to bury my face in hers and give her lots of kisses... At 10 years old, sweet Maddie went over the Rainbow bridge. she left a big hole in our hearts. We had only one child left at home and at age 13, it made no sense to look for another dog because in a few short years, she would be gone and living on her own too. No one would be left to play with the dog who was destined to live in our back yard.
While watching the Westminster Dog Show, I saw what looked like an almost hairless dog and wondered if they might be ones I could tolerate in the house. I looked for and went to visit Chinese Cresteds, Xoloitzcuintlis and found I was still allergic to them. My daughter continued to research and found the American Hairless Terrier. I'd never heard of them and in 2001 they were pretty rare and just starting to seek recognition as a hairless Rat Terrier in the United Kennel Club. After searching, I found a family that had them and they agreed to let me come to do an allergy test at their house. After 3 hours of kissing, hugging, and letting them lick me all over my face, I started crying tears of joy! I couldn't believe that I might actually be able to have a dog in my house!
As fate would have it, they had just had their first litter of AHTs and in 8 weeks, we took our girl Libby home with us to live. For the first time in my life, I really knew what it's like to love, and be loved by man's best friend. This was the year 2001.
16 years later, we continue to enjoy these amazing dogs through breeding and showing.