yes, she will be mine in about a week. Long story. The breeder I've been committed to since February...her girl is over a month late and still not in heat and ready to be inseminated. So, I was looking at late September or later, at best, for getting a pup and blowing the whole summer. I cut her a deal (top end breeders don't appreciate you messing with someone else when solid with them) that she agreed I could stay on her list but look around with her permission. 

I contacted a breeder in Virginia who has a litter due any moment now. As I expected, she is fully reserved. Top breeders are always fully reserved many months before the breeding takes place, as I was with my breeder. But, she told me she had a friend who through very unusual circumstances (a serious family emergency from a buyer who had already purchased the dog) that had to back out of this purchase and stay on a list for next year. So, a little chocolate female ready to go home is available. This is a very top end line...so much so that the breeder has taken two (not one but two) pups from this litter for herself to compete and show. All done the right way...mom and dad from strong champion lines (champions themselves) and fully cleared by x-ray and DNA and the pups born and raised inside the home (very important for proper socialization).  There's more to the story but that's enough.

My little chocolate girl...she will be called Cala....