AKC Maltese puppies for sale AKC Champion Maltese

Storybook Maltese

We lost our beloved Hawkeye on October 5, 2022 due to kidney failure. We had him for nearly 13 years. He was the most loyal, loving, sweet companion anyone could ask for. We had no idea when we got him that a little 5 pound dog could have such a big heart!

We got Hawkeye when he was 8 months old. He had been returned to the breeder when his previous owner was transferred and unable to take him with him. We immediately fell in love with his sweet little face. He was originally named Happy but we changed his name to Hawkeye.


It soon became apparent that Hawkeye had been left alone for long periods of time as he had severe separation anxiety and would get physically sick if we were out of sight for even 5 minutes. Over many months of building trust with him, being patient, gently socializing him, and working with our vet he was able to go a few hours without being sick if needed while we went out for errands, etc. Because we are retired, Hawkeye never needed to be alone for long.  And even though he was much better about separation anxiety he would always come looking for us if we left the room. He’d peek his head around the door to see where we were and then go back to where he had been before. He just needed to check on us.


Because of his loving personality Hawkeye became trained as a therapy dog. He passed all tests with flying colors. Hawkeye and I spent hours at a nursing home. Everyone who ever met Hawkeye loved him. We couldn’t go 10 feet down a hallway without either a staff member or a resident wanting to see Hawkeye. He was just a love magnet. After a few years I could tell his therapy work was beginning to wear on him so we retired from therapy work.


By then we had small grandchildren who adored Hawkeye. The kids were taught from the earliest moments that Hawkeye was fragile and they needed to be very gentle with him. Hawkeye loved the kids and always went to them.  For example, when the babies were newborn and visiting us we had the bassinet in the living room close to an ottoman. I turned around one day to find that Hawkeye had jumped onto the ottoman, then into the bassinet and was laying down at the end “keeping watch” over the baby. He did this many times….always on his own. We have many pictures of Hawkeye with the grandkids as they grew over the years. They loved him and he loved them.  Hawkeye continued to bless everyone around him with his love and companionship until the very end.


I like to think that we gave Hawkeye his best life. But in all honesty he gave us sooooo much more. He was our constant companion and gave us and everyone he knew his total unconditional love. We will always be grateful for the lessons he taught us about love, total trust, and patience. We think of him daily. He brought us endless joy. Hawkeye left an indelible imprint on us and he will forever be in our hearts and souls. It was such a privilege to have him as part of our lives for as long as we did.


Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge sweet Hawkeye. We will always love you!


The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.

It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.

Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are
made whole and strong again,

just as we remember them in our dreams of
days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.


This page is a long time coming, and is dedicated to the many beloved pets lost by those of us who have loved them so deeply.  Grief upon the loss of a pet is a very personal and individual process. For some of us, grieving for a pet who has died may be an even more difficult process than grieving for a human loved one. One reason is that the support network of understanding and caring people may be smaller. Another reason may be because our pets give us so much more than they ask in return.  Their selfless and unconditional love has caused them to have a very special place in our hearts that is unlike anything we share with people.


You may ask, “Should I get another pet?”


When or if you should get another pet varies with the individual and the choice is a personal one. Some people may want to find a new pet almost immediately and sometimes this helps more than anything else. Other times, they may have unrealistic expectations of the new pet, especially if they are getting a young, rambunctious animal after an older, mature one has died. Some of us need longer than others to work through our grief before we are physically and emotionally ready for another pet. In either case, we all know you are not replacing your pet, but finding another animal with whom you can share life. Some people may find it is just not possible for them to have another pet while others cannot live happily without one. You need to do what is right for you.


If you do decide that your life without a pet is unbearable, please do not feel guilty or disloyal, if you want to open your heart to another pet. The pets we have lost loved us so much and with such an unselfish love, that they would definitely give their blessing on our loving another pet. They know no other can ever replace them.  I truly believe it makes them happy for us to find another little bit of love to fill us with joy.  Therefore, I have dedicated this page to the memory of pets that went on before to pave the way for those that followed in their paw-steps.



All stories are welcomed and cherished.  You don’t have to write a story, you can just share a picture of your lost love and your new love if you want to.  Just email it to me at barbshew@yahoo.com and I will add your loves here.  

Tango & Maverick followed in

Hawkeye’s

Paw Prints

I suppose every breeder has a story of how they ended up breeding Maltese.  Our story arises from loss.  We had little dogs as far back as I can remember growing up and each time one died it was like losing a member of the family and affected me very deeply.


After meeting my first Maltese as a 10 year old girl, I wanted a Maltese dog my whole life. When our youngest daughter was leaving home, after raising 4 children I had a very bad case of empty nest syndrome and I wanted to get a Maltese puppy. 


My husband took some convincing but I finally convinced him and then I went about trying to find a puppy.  This did not prove to be an easy thing to do.  I wrote a thorough essay on the life I could provide for a puppy and included just about anything anyone could have wanted to know about me and sent it to every show breeder I could find and not one of them ever even bothered to answer my email or return a call.  I finally found one breeder that was about 2 hours from us that had a puppy. She was not a show breeder but she was willing to sell me a puppy and so we bought our first Maltese puppy.  My husband, Steve, stole her right away and she became his dog.  Mr. 'I don't want a yappy little dog' had taken my dog for his own.  Her name was Pink.  She came with that name.  She was 5 months old when we got her.

Steve & Pink

We eventually decided to get another Maltese.  I had heard that girls bond with men more and boys bond with women more, so this time we got a boy.  We named him 'Blue' to match Pink:

Steve took over Blue also.


My mother desperately wanted a Maltese puppy, but couldn't afford one and so we came up with the brilliant plan that we would breed Pink & Blue once before we had them spayed & neutered and there would be one for my mother and one for us (we hoped) and that would be that. Nothing ever goes according to plan.  Pink had one puppy by C-section.  Sorry mom.  Can't let this baby girl go...we are IN LOVE.  We named her Liberty, pictured above.


OH how I loved that little girl!  I had Pink's nursery set up in our large laundry room.  My youngest daughter called one day when Liberty was about 4 weeks of age, and asked if she and her new husband could stay with us for a couple days until their new house was ready to move into.  Well of course! She asked if she could do a load or two of laundry while she was here and again I said that would be fine.  Her 'load or two' covered the entire laundry room floor.  In hind site I see so many things I should have done differently but I had no idea what I was doing back then


Pink had to climb over that laundry to get to and from her puppy.  Unbeknownst to me, my daughter had been staying with a friend whose little brother had been hospitalized with H1N1 virus.  Her clothes carried the virus and Pink was basically rubbing her teats across the dirty laundry and then nursing her puppy.  Our daughter left in 2 days as planned and I got up the next morning to a very sick puppy.  I could hardly drive to the vet 2 miles down the road for the hysterical tears.  By the time I got there the puppy was immediately pronounced dead.  I was absolutely hysterical.  I don't even know how I drove home as I couldn't see for the sobbing tears.  The vet tech asked if I wanted an autopsy and I sobbed, "Is that going to bring her back?" and ran out.  All I could think of is them cutting apart my baby Liberty.  When I made it home I totally collapsed in my husband’s arms and I was a wreck for weeks.  I couldn't think.  I couldn't work, I couldn't eat or sleep.  All I could do was cry and cry.  To make it even worse, Pink was hunting everywhere for her baby.  It was the worst time in my life and I've been through some things! 


The vet had called my husband and asked for permission to do the autopsy at his own expense because she had been such a healthy little puppy and he had a hunch.  Steve said he could.  He later called and confirmed his suspicion...she died from human H1N1 virus.  They had been seeing some deaths in dogs recently during the outbreak in people.  It was MY FAULT!  I killed my puppy because I did not have a clue!  I told Steve I could never endure this kind of agony again and I was having Pink & Blue spayed and neutered the next day.


Around that same time I had made a friend online that bred Maltese, and she had watched my little Liberty growing up online.  She was so sad for me.  I asked if she had any little girls about the same age because I desperately needed to fill the enormous hole in my heart left by losing Liberty.  She didn't have any girls, but she had a beautiful little boy. 


We bought him.  He was so small we named him Storybook’s Little Heart Throb, AKA ‘Little’ and long story short, he became our first show dog. Little did extremely well in his show career, beating the top dog in the Country not once, but twice, and now I was bitten by the ‘show bug’ and off to find a good female for my Little.  And so it began.  The rest is an evolution.  I've been through a lot.  Learned a lot.  Perfected my breeding program and practices.  Studied pedigrees till I can no longer see.  Spent a fortune.  Evolution....even my husband, who did not want a yappy little dog, now shows them right along side me.  Who would have ever thought!  This has become our life.  And it never would have happened if we hadn't lost Liberty.  Things have a way of working out just the way they are supposed to.


So I just wanted to share that I understand loss.  I have been there!  I have loved and lost animals my whole life, but none that I loved as much as Liberty and to lose her because of something I did or failed to do made it so much worse. 


That experience taught me a lot. I am hyper vigilant now.  I see danger everywhere.  When I can’t be right here watching over them, I have camera’s everywhere to watch them when I’m out.  


I have had puppy buyers get irritated at my too many questions and refusal to let them come over and play with the puppies before I am sure it’s safe.  Some get irritated when I state obvious things like, ‘Hold on tight, she may jump out of your arms’ when I first hand them their new puppy.  I can’t help it! This has happened.


I shed a tear over every puppy that leaves and sometimes I wonder why in the world I am doing this anyhow...and then I get an email from somebody about how the puppy they got from me has changed their life, or one of my dogs beats a top dog in the ring, which happens more and more often now, and then I know why I do it.  This is who we have become. The dogs are our life and we cannot imagine life without them.  I am committed to the health and well-being of every puppy I choose to bring into this world.  They deserve no less.  They didn’t ask to be here.  I strive to be the kind of responsive, supportive breeder I wish I had been able to find when I was looking for a puppy.  I smile inside when I defeat one of those unresponsive breeders in the ring. Thank you, Liberty, for your sacrifice.  We will never forget you.


P.S. My husband went on to steal every dog we have ever had since our first one, with the exception of Gigolo.  He loves me the most!  I finally have a dog of my own!

Liberty paved the way for so many…

Who was Charlie? It was love at first sight for the little dog named Prince Charles. We called him Charlie. When Charlie entered our world for the first time in December, 2008, there was no hesitancy or fear on this little Maltese puppy's part, only curiosity of the people who would become his family, and the place that would be his home. He came to us at a point in our lives when there was sorrow and emptiness, and he filled our hearts with joy and laughter. In his short life he taught us much. He taught us how to forgive, how to laugh, how to explore, how to live, how to fight, and how to accept mortality. Are those self projections onto him? Perhaps, but we couldn't have learned and reflected without him. He didn't meet all the AKC standards perhaps, but he met the most important standard of all, love. We loved him, he loved us. There will never be another Charlie. It has been written before, but if love could have saved him, he would have lived forever. That's who Charlie was.


Charlie would be happy to know that Ruby will be keeping his beloved parents supplied with laughs and snuggles and kisses.


In Loving Memory of Prince Charles…

Yesterday I lost my girl of 11 years, Emily. She was my constant companion - my shadow. She went to work with me, traveled with me, slept beside me. Mostly, she loved me with a complete and unconditional love. I was privileged to be her mama and will carry her in my heart until the day I die.


We bought her having never owned an indoor dog. My youngest son wanted a small indoor dog, but he and his older brother were allergic to them. Enter Emily the Maltese. I expected all the work and responsibility that come with a puppy. I did not expect the bond that she and I would forge, grow and cherish.


She quickly became the 5th member of our family, our only little girl and ultimately, one of my closest friends. She was never far from me, and even sat in my CEO chair with me at work, tucked behind my back with her head resting on the arm. She filled our home with so much personality, love and joy.


As my boys grew up and grew out of our home, Emily was there. She was such a comfort as I transitioned from daily mama duty to an empty nest. Sure, she slowed down a bit. Her hearing wasn't as sharp. She'd developed a couple of small cataracts on her eyes. But she could sniff me out wherever I was, and was certain to never let me out of her sight for long. My hands were always on her - rubbing, petting, loving. She always made sure some part of her was touching me.


Frankly, I am shocked at the depth and breadth of the grief I feel, but I shouldn't be. At work, at home, in our camper, in my car, our vacation home, my parents' house - Emily was there. Almost everywhere I went, Emily went. Everywhere I turn, I miss her. My hands are empty. I don't quite know what to do with myself. My routine was built around taking care of Emily.

I don't know if all Maltese dogs are as awesome as Emily was. I don't know if we just really lucked out and God gave me the little girl I had always longed for. I do know the He blessed us when He brought Emily into our lives, and I am just as confident that she felt blessed by us.


When I bought her I made her a promise to take care of her and love her. I kept that promise, right up until the end. Her liver was failing. Her vet and I fought so hard for her. Emily fought hard, too, to give me the time to come to terms with the inevitable and to say goodbye. She was so selfless that way. Her last night, she let me know she ready to go. I told her it was ok, and I promised to end her suffering. The next morning her vet ran blood work that confirmed our measures were failing. And so we discussed what to do and how to honor her.


I can't tell you how hard it is moving forward without Emily. But I am doing it. I know she wouldn't want me to be so sad or heart broken. And I know that one day I won't be. Right now though, that feels like an eternity away. Thank you for allowing me to share.  Cooper followed Emily!


In Loving Memory of Emily…

OUR MISS MAGNOLIA:

  We called her Maggee.  She was the only female and the smallest of our furbabies but she was the indisputable leader of the pack.  Maggee was intended for our daughter as a birthday gift 11 years ago. My husband had just returned from his second deployment with the Marine Corps and our daughter was having a hard time adjusting to being a military family during wartime.  She begged her daddy through tears to let her have Maggee…and he caved.  

  Maggee was our first Maltese and little did we know that a love affair with this breed and our family had just begun. It only took a couple of weeks for everyone to realize that Miss Maggee was going to be momma’s little princess.  The bond was instant and deep and from that moment on she was never very far from my side. My husband was a Marine, he’s a big, strong, outdoors kind of guy…but this sweet little creature wrapped him around her little paw.  It was adorable to watch him with this tiny little dog.  

  Maggee was spunky and independent and fearless.  She was also sweet and loving and affectionate. She was everything you could ever want in a companion dog. I am a homemaker so our furbabies are with me everyday as I go about my daily routine.  Miss Maggee was the center of that daily routine. First thing in the morning we did potties and then she had her chicken and veggies…and if you were late getting it for her she would let you know. Then she would curl up with me while I drank my coffee and read my morning scripture on our screened in porch. Throughout the day as I went about my house chores, Maggee was right there.  At my feet as I washed dishes, laying on the bed as I folded laundry, basking in the sun as I pruned flowers and bushes outside.  Where momma was…Maggee was! Bedtime was no different…it revolved around Magnolia.  Maggee was the only one of our furbabies that slept with us.  She laid on her daddy’s chest and got her nightly massage while she gazed at the salt lamp on the night stand. (she loved to stare at that lamp) Then once she felt like dad had given her enough attention she would snuggle in with momma and settle in for the night. She was our princess and the house revolved around Miss Maggee.

  About one month ago our precious Magnolia passed away.  It was peaceful, and quick. She was in my arms as she took her last breath and a peace of my heart died that day with her.  I knew I would struggle with her passing, but I had no idea the depths my grief would go.  I sobbed for days and I still shed tears on almost a daily basis. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, I avoided talking to anyone, I was a mess. I felt like my heart had shattered! Everything makes me cry because she had been such a huge  part of my daily routine for years.  We still have dogs in the house (all male) and I love each one of them dearly, but my arms and my heart aches for another little princess. I don’t know how long it will take for me to be able to go about my day or look at the many photo’s we have without tears burning my eyes, but people assure me that those days will come.  Magnolia was a blessing that brought so much joy to our home and our family. And as our children have grown into the young adults they are today Maggee was momma’s baby and helped fill that void that happens during that transition in life when your children grow up.  My heart is overwhelmed with sorrow at the loss of our Magnolia but I wouldn’t sacrifice one moment that we shared with that precious little creature and I am so grateful that she left her little paw prints all over our life and our hearts! We love her so!


Priscilla & Paisley have followed in Maggee’s paw prints!


My name is Diana and Just two weeks ago I kissed my Princess, Macy Ann goodbye.


She was almost 9 years old and had developed cancer 9 months ago.


She was Champion on the male side and her Mother and was beautiful.

When I say she was a princess, she was.


We have another Maltese and a sweet rescue Pomeranian/Chihuahua mis. She would not take a walk with them nor eat with them. I had to walk her separately and feed her seperately.


She was so inquisitive. When my girlfriends stopped by and put their purses on the floor, she would dig into each purse pulling out lipstick, pens and whatever got her interest!

She loved going out in the walled coutyard and looking in the flower bed.

I think of her all the time and miss her terribly! I will always love you sweet Macy Ann!


Goodbye Macy Ann

Noah ......

Two weeks ago, I lost my sweet little boy Noah. I had the extraordinary pleasure of sharing 12 years of my life with him. Noah got sick suddenly. I did everything I could to save him, but there were just too many complications. I was lucky to have been able to be with and care for him everyday for the last month of his life. Noah was a fighter. I am pretty sure he held on and fought for me.


Noah was very sweet, and empathetic. He could sense when someone - me, a neighbor, a friend - needed him. He looked at you in a way that made you feel he could read your soul. Affectionate. A great kisser. My lap was the best seat in the house. Absolute best Saturday night -- curled up on the sofa with Noah watching a movie.


When my dad got sick Noah was right there by my side helping take care of him, of me. As a therapy dog, he gave comfort to not only my dad but others.


I miss Noah very much. There is something missing from my life....

But, Noah did something incredibly special for me. He somehow led me to this site and to Barbara. I am now looking forward to welcoming a puppy - Noah's little brother - who Noah will be looking over and guiding from heaven.


A Letter from the Rainbow Bridge

Hi Mom!

Now that I’ve been across The Rainbow Bridge for a couple weeks, they said I should write a letter home.


Sorry, mom, but I’m so busy across the bridge that I haven’t thought of home much. They said it’s okay and that you would understand. I hope you do. (I think you will.)


Remember that night when I wasn’t feeling very well and we were all crying? I don’t remember much, but I do remember seeing and hearing you and feeling your touches and hugs.  I remember hearing ‘we love you’ and that one last command of “Go through”. I didn’t know what you meant, so I turned around and walked through the fog that was in front of me. I saw the biggest bridge I’ve ever seen! And so many friends on the other side of it! They were all playing with toys and balls! You were right to tell me to go there!


My feet kept moving forward, but my heart kept pulling me back. Your touches became lighter and lighter and I wanted to come back and nudge your hands for more love, but I was overcome by this feeling of curiosity for the happy place over the bridge! My feet started moving on their own, like a gentle breeze was moving them forward for me! I can’t explain it, but I had no doubt that it was the right thing to do! So, I walked across that big, huge bridge by myself! I looked for you, because you’re always by my side, walking with me, but this was different. I didn’t have a collar around my neck or a leash connecting me to you ~ I was ‘free’! Even though you weren’t there with me, I never felt alone! I actually felt like I had a huge cape of love wrapped around my body and the more I walked, the easier it was to breathe! So, I kept walking! And I would feel more warmth in the big hug, so I kept on walking! I eventually made it over the big bridge.  “I did it by myself, mom!”


When I got here, all of my new friends greeted me and helped me walk off the bridge ~ it was so cool! They gave me a pair of wings and said that I was now a Guardian Angel! What I’ve learned over these past few weeks has been amazing and nothing like I’ve seen before! We’re all the same up here ~ we all have wings and we all have Forever People to watch over ~ that’s YOU, mom!  You’re my Forever Person and I’m your Forever Dog! We had such a great life together and I do miss you a LOT, but please know that I am so happy in my new home across The Bridge! I’ll send you another Earth Angel so you won’t be alone. Give them your whole heart, like you gave it to me.


I’ll check in every so often to make sure they treasure your love ~ I always did! When you miss me, think of a rainbow and know I’m on the other side of it, waiting to walk with you again. I’ll always be in your heart. I love you, mom! Time for me to go play! Here i am......see me!!

In Loving Memory of Wolf


These are pics taken during Wolf's last two months of life. They show his adorable and loving personality even when he was sick.


Wolf was a sweet, loving, wonderful little boy. We had him from the time he was 12 wks old until he was 10 1/2.


When he was a pup, he loved running figure eights, chasing birds and squirrels in a grassy park nearby. As he got older (and after the city stopped me from letting him run in the park), he just loved his two daily walks, sniffing everything to see who and what had been there. We called this activity Wolf's version of reading the daily news.


Wolf was a "people dog". He enjoyed the dogs who belonged to our family members and friends, but people were his favorite. And people loved him back. I can't tell you how many flowers, cards, and books people sent after Wolf's death on May 3, 2017. This brought us great joy through our tears.


Wolf was a frequent traveler--we hardly went anywhere without him.

He was a funny little puppy. He would toss his kibble up in the air and run to "capture it". Sometimes he would line each piece up kibble in a row in front of his dish, and eat them in order.


Wolf loved tv, sitting in the sun, belly rubs, foot massages (which he got twice a day as we washed his little paws after each walk, making sure to massage every pad. He would lay his head against us in pure delight as we did this.

We miss him so much. He will be our special boy forever.


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