Hander: Jim Leeman, on left.
Breeder: Robert L. DeJonge.
And dog Judge these two men goes a long ways back.
My Mentor... Robert L.DeJonge
By: Bill McCollister Below you will find an email that was received from Barry VanDyke, from Bob DeJonge, of Tiny Mite Chihuahuas in Zeeland, Michigan. Bob had been a member of the Chihuahua Club of America for I think close to 50 years until he missed getting his dues in and was told he had to reapply... he chose not to. And I for one still don’t blame him. That same year he was nominated by his fellow members of the Chihuahua Club of Michigan as a Lifetime Member. Here is a photo from that day of Jim Lehman and Bob who between them both have well over 100 years in Chihuahuas. Many of you know Bob, a man of so much knowledge and incredibly infectious laugh. I thought his friends should know the struggles he’s going through and maybe take some time to drop him a card and keep him in your prayers. Bob is “Old School” and doesn’t use a computer. Thanks, Bill McCollister Here is his address: Robert DeJonge 6347 Adams St. Zeeland, MI 49464-9316
(An open letter to my dog friends, acquaintances and Chihuahua lovers from Bob DeJonge - Tiny Mite Chihuahuas.) Recently I had some drastic changes to my life. The first week of October I definitely was not feeling well. My lady friend, Ruth took me to the E.R. in Zeeland and it was discovered I had a serious infection disease (sepsis). I was in the I.C.U. for three days. On the fourth day I had an M.R.I. It showed two masses on my mid spine. After a biopsy it was found to be Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a blood type of cancer. As I am writing this today, I have completed my second treatment for the cancer. I was told by doctors this is a cancer that acts very favorably to the Rituxan. While in the eight day stay in the hospital there were a couple of days where I was unsure about my own life. If it was not for my lady friend Ruth, I knew I would have to go into a nursing home. Both of my kids live in St. Augustine, Florida. I have one granddaughter up near me. But the larger problem was what about care for my dogs and kennel. Should something happen to me, it would be very difficult to care for everything up here. It was there in the hospital, after much thought and prayer I decided to close the kennel and quit breeding Chihuahuas. But how would that come about? After arriving home I discussed the decision with my kids, Ruth and close friends. My friend Dawn and Barry helped out! After taking photos of the dogs and a bit of information about each, Dawn put the photos and information on the Internet. This was late Friday afternoon. Saturday morning there were people here to look at and buy my breeding stock. All of Saturday there was a enormous number of Chihuahua lovers, breeders and pet buyers. Sunday turned out to be the same. By Sunday evening, all but one fourteen year old short coat female was left. Monday morning a call came in, didn't Bob save one for me? Before evening, she was in her new pet home. I have lived a long time. I have seen and heard of other kennel dispersal's, but to my knowledge, none that I can recall, went as fast nor complete as what happened here. Some said it seemed to be a "God Thing". A question asked me was - now what are you going to do after the last dog was taken? I thought a few seconds and answered "follow the last to the car and come back, sit down and probably cry". It is the close of a lifelong activity. I had Chihuahuas since I was eighteen years old. Roughly sixty five years. I am glad to be called one of the "old time" breeders. Hopefully, this letter will clear up any roomers or partial truths that you might have or heard about, "Tiny Mite Chihuahuas". Thanks for listening! Respectfully: Bob DeJonge
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