OUR BREED’S OBEDIENCE CHAMPION

Marilyn Krejci was born and raised in the Chicago area, and lived there until she and husband Steve moved to Orlando in 1970. They made their living as apartment owners and didn't get "into" dogs until the mid 70's, when the newest boxer to join the household needed some obedience training. Although they’d had boxers for many years, Little Bit was the first one they trained and showed. It didn't take long until they were hooked. They joined the Orlando Dog Training Club and quickly became very active in all it’s activities. Over the next 25 years Steve and Marilyn trained many top winning Boxers.

Whereas Steve's forte was the tracking fields, Marilyn excelled in the obedience ring. Her greatest achievement was with Tina. A.k.a. O.T.Ch. Marilyns Tinamarie of Bropat, UDX, TD, Tina made her mark in Boxerdom by achieving the first and only AKC Obedience Trial Championship earned by a Boxer. Later, she became the first one to earn AKC's newest obedience title, the Utility Dog Excellent. It was during Marilyn’s campaign for the O.T.Ch. that Steve passed away. Though there were many days when she felt she just couldn’t go on, she was always at shows, encouraging others to never give up. She too continued on, and acheived that dream seven months after Steve’s passing. Over the next few years, Marilyn continued to show Tina while she was training two new youngsters. One of these, Breaker, steadily showed more and more promise as the next O.T.Ch. for Marilyn. Breaker and Marilyn had that something special and he proved that by earning his Utility Degree before he was three years old. One month before his third birthday, having already earned a couple of legs towards his UDX degree, Breaker dropped dead at Marilyn's feet during training night. He had died of Cardiomyopathy. In addition to Breaker’s untimely death, Tina had developed a severe inner ear infection which compromised her balance. Tina battled this infection over the next year, but in the end, was left crippled by it and had to be put to sleep.

Marilyn always found time to encourage the beginners, novices, and those who just wanted to give up. She would forgo her own training time to help someone with a problem. At shows, she was always cheering and supporting her fellow competitors. When they succeeded at their attempts, she was there to congratulate and share in their joy. "Now, you’re going to continue on, right?" were her favorite words, and she wouldn’t take "no" for an answer.

Through all of this, Marilyn remained a very active member of the dog community. She was president of the Orlando Dog Training Club for many years before and up to her death. She was treasurer for the Tracking Club of Central Florida for several years, as well as for the Dog Obedience Clubs Of Florida. She was also a member of the Tampa Bay Boxer Club, and had just become a member of the American Boxer Club in 1998.

At ABC, 1997, we were parked next to the Olivers. One evening she came into the motorhome and said, "Claudine, you've got to come see this puppy next door. She reminds me so much of Tina." Well, that puppy was Julie, and she came home with us that year. With Julie, Marilyn’s spirits were renewed, and we all knew that Marilyn and Julie were going to be a force to be reckoned with someday.

Marilyn earned a CDX on Julie and was training her in Utility when she became ill. Marilyn’s resolve never failed, even when she went into the hospital. Although she was apprehensive, her reply would always be, "if it will help me get better!" Over the last four months, she fought a hard battle. Her improvement at times was nothing less than miraculous, and Marilyn always felt that it was the prayers and good thoughts of her many friends that had pulled her through. In the end, though, her body just gave up the struggle with her failing lungs.

Her loss has left a great void in the hearts of her friends, and in the obedience community, too. Her accomplishments in obedience will seldom, if ever, be matched: 9 UD's, 9 TD's, 3 CDX's, 1 CD, 2 VB's, 1UDX, 1 O.T.Ch., and this year she got her first conformation champion, another dream fulfilled. Marilyn’s spirit will live on in the hearts of her friends, her legacy the many seasoned competitors whom she had encouraged as novices. Her passion was her Boxers, and we pay a tribute to her whenever we, too, encourage someone to persevere. We will always miss Marilyn Krejci.

Claudine Raymo